Here's a group photo of some of the St. Louis members. I was on my way to the Heart of America Marathon in Columbia, MO. Thanks for the good company and a great meal!!!

Lost Dutchman Event

We hope that everyone has made their travel plans for the Lost Dutchman event on February 17, 2008. The hotels are filling up. If you’re undecided, you should “play it safe” and reserve a hotel room (after you’re familiar with their cancellation policy).

NBMA Logo Road ID Tags

If you’ve thought about getting a dog tag (ID tag) to wear while you’re working out, consider one with the NBMA logo. If you purchase the tags by clicking on the Road ID logo at our website’s NBMA Product link, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to our scholarship fund.

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Nova: Marathon Challenge (Thirteen novices train for the Boston Marathon)

I was at the DFW Airport waiting to depart to the Lewis & Clark Marathon, the NBMA's initial event. I noticed a fellow passenger  wearing a Boston Marathon jacket. Naturally, we struck a conversation. It was Miriam Nelson from Tufts University.

Last year, she contacted us about finding non-runners for a PBS television program. We asked our New England area members to spread the word about the program. The program will air on Tuesday, October 30. Check your local listings for the time in your area.

Web site: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/marathon/

Here’s the program description....

How do you run 26.2 miles if you have trouble making it around the block? With good coaching, discipline, and lots of group support, as NOVA shows when it follows 13 generally sedentary people through a training regimen designed to prepare them for an ultimate test of stamina and endurance. Created in cooperation with the Boston Athletic Association, which granted NOVA unprecedented access to the 111th Boston Marathon, and Tufts University, "Marathon Challenge" takes viewers on a unique adventure inside the human body, tracking the physiological changes that exercise can bring about...

NOVA's runners range in age from 22 to 60, and they come to the endeavor with a wide range of medical histories and backgrounds. They share one thing in common: none has ever run a marathon before.

As marathon day approaches, the forecast calls for pelting rain, gale-force winds, and the possibility of snowy conditions that daunt even experienced marathon runners... Then, at 10:30 a.m., the starting gun fires, and they join 20,000 other runners for the epic race to Boston a journey that few on Team NOVA ever dreamed possible.

First Impressions From A Novice Half Marathoner

A NBMA member’s daughter, Jaulik, was inspired by her mother to run Kansas City’s Waddell & Reed Half Marathon on October 20. It was Jaulik's first running event. Her mother, Deborah, completed a triathlon on October 7. It was the 52-year old, minister, and grandmother's first athletic event!!! Here’s a copy of Jaulik's email to her family...

Family,

I Did It! I ran my first half marathon this weekend. I am so blessed to have the love and support of everyone who encouraged and cheered me on to reach such a personal goal. (My husband is Awesome!) Through all of this I realized that we often do things that others don't understand.

On mile 11, I had a "Come to Jesus" moment. I realized that even if I had a running partner running along beside me, he/she wouldn't be able to run the race for me. I would have to finish it all on my own. While training over two months ago I couldn't find anyone to train with me or enter the race with me. I was beginning to feel alone. Then I realized that it is not all about me, and it is all about me (at the same time) I was running for a cure for cancer, and I was running to cure myself of the spiritual cancer that was starting to grow within me.

I have always been too concerned with what others think about me. While running in downtown Kansas City I realized that I was the only one that had to live with me, and love me. It was hard, and painful to realize that at the end of the day all I have is me and Jesus... and he (we) has to be enough. I realized that friends will come and go, love ones will pass away...and without them I would still have to love me. I learned that I am ok with me. I complete me. I love myself enough. I believe in myself enough. I trust myself enough. Praise God! I'm ok with me, just being me...

Take a look at a few of my race photos. I ran the half marathon, which is 13.1 miles. It took me 2 hours and 26 minutes to complete the race. Out of 6000 men and women I finished #253 over all of the women in my race.

I’m hooked!

Love, Jaulik

Jaulik and Deborah

Member Profiles: Dr. Marc and Mrs. Tanya Johnson

Hometown: Marc (Yeadon, Pa) Tanya (St. Georges, Bermuda)
Current Residence: Rialto, Ca

Ages: Marc (37)  Tanya (46)

Professions: Marc (Chiropractor and Personal Trainer) Tanya (Personal Trainer and Massage therapist)

Athletic Background: Marc( football, wrestling, baseball) I played football (MLB) at Delaware State University. Tanya (soccer, cycling, bodybuilding)
 

Number of Years Running: Marc (6yrs) Tanya (20+)

Number of Races: Marc (30+)  Tanya (50+)

Number of Marathons: Marc (14) Tanya (17)

Number of Half Marathons: Marc (5) Tanya (9)
 

Other Sports: Ultra-marathons, Cycling, Kayaking, and hope to take up rock climbing and surfing.

Favorites Running Spots: Grand Canyon

Fitness Goals: We both want to compete in the Kona Ironman

Why Did You Started Running?: Tanya has enjoyed running most of her life and she talked me into it.

Most Memorable Running Experience: Marc (It would have to be finishing my first marathon (2002 Los Angeles marathon) the pain was unforgettable). Tanya ( Finishing the 2007 Badwater Solo 135 mile ultra marathon, the high temperature reached 127 degrees)

Your Dream Place To Run: Africa, the Comrades ultra marathon in South Africa.

How Did You Learn About the NBMA? Searching the Internet for other black marathoners.

Read more about our running adventures at : www.gtmfitness.blogspot.com.

Students Run Philly Poet

While planning for my upcoming trip to run the Philadelphia Marathon, one our NBMA members, Beverly, asked me talk with the students at the Ivy Leaf School (http://www.ivyleafschools.org/). The students are learning about the importance of having healthy minds and bodies. Some of the students are participating in a program called “Students Run Philly.”

One of the seventh grade students, Devin Braddock, is a runner and poet. He is an inspiration to the other students and adults. Since March, he has completed the Broad Street Run (10 mi), four 5K’s, and the Philadelphia Distance Run (13.1 mi). Due to his age, he will participate the 1/2 marathon on the 18th.

Getting ready to stretch my legs,

 Touch my toes and then I’m ready to roll.

Running Distance 13 Miles

Once I am off I get tired but there is no looking back.

Running Distance 6 Miles

Running Distance 4 Miles

I get a burst of energy so I keep going until I reach my destination.

Running Distance 2 Miles

Running Distance 1 Mile

Finish Line

Running Distance Done!

By: Devin Braddock, Seventh Grade

More About Students Run Philly Style

They are young, they are strong, and they are clad in lime green and royal blue. They are Students Run Philly Style – and are a force to be noticed along local race courses. The only program in Philadelphia that offers marathon training to help young people succeed in life, Students Run Philly Style is helping young Philadelphians be healthy for life, make safe choices and do well in school.  They are experiencing first hand what it means to set goals, struggle through them, and reach higher…go farther.

For example, meet Shanya Price, a 16 year old from West Philadelphia.  Less than a year ago, when her friends asked her to join the Students Run Philly Style team at her school, Sayre High School, Shanaya would say “Who me, run? absolutely no way!”  But coming from a family deeply affected by both heart disease and diabetes, Shanaya decided to give it a try.  She started training, slow and steady….and lost 35 pounds along the way!!

Now, with the 10 mile Broad Street Run and the 13.1 mile Philadelphia Distance Run under her belt, Shanya is ready to take on the Philadelphia Marathon in November.  “Before I started running, I didn’t feel that good about myself, but then when I ran, I started to feel better.  I also learned some stuff along the way…I learned that my size didn’t matter, what mattered is that I was getting healthy.”  By having the courage to try something new, Shanya has literally turned her life chances around.  She is reaching higher….she will go farther.

by Heather McDanel

Member Profile: Milton Mitchell

Hometown: Kinloch, Missouri
Current Residence: Berkeley, Missouri

Age: 53 years old

Professions:

Athletic Background: I ran cross country and track in high school.

Number of Years Running:  I never stopped running after high school.  I ran three to six miles most of my adult years and longer distances in my mid-forties and fifties. I have more time now that our children are grown.

Number of Races: I have run over 25 road races from 5K to marathon.

Number of Marathons: 10

Other Sports: I like basketball, football, and tennis.

Favorites Running Spots: My favorite running spot is running in Forest Park in St. Louis.  It is beautiful and serene.

Fitness Goals: To maintain good physical conditioning and be able to run long distances for a long time to come.

Why Did You Start Running?: Since my teenage years, I have enjoyed distant running.  I started running long distances, sort of by chance. In 2000, I ran 8 miles and felt great and I challenged myself to run home from work which is about 12 miles. Again, I felt great and it was really cool to know I could run so far. Well again, I challenged myself one holiday to run about 18 miles and I finished it. Wow! That was a big high. The only thing left to do was to run a marathon. So I entered the Indianapolis Marathon in 2001.  After about 2 years of running marathons, I signed my wife up for the Spirit of St. Louis ½ Marathon and she loved it. Now what keeps me running is running with her. We have run most of the marathons since 2003, together. Life is great!

Most Memorable Running Experience: In November 2005, I ran the New York ING Marathon. Our son and daughter live in New York, so we have visited on many occasions. I could not fathom New York closing down so many of their roads and bridges for runners. Prior to the run, hundreds of runners of all denominations gathered for an ecumenical worship service and Holy Communion. Up to that point, I thought I was the only pastor that enjoyed running enough to take a vacation from pastoral duties to run a marathon on a Sunday. The race was electric. It was a thrill seeing the ships on the Hudson River, running in the midst of millions of cheering fans, meeting some of the most interesting people in the WORLD during the course of the run and ended it in Central Park. I was even quoted in the New York Times!

Your Dream Place To Run: 2010 Boston Marathon

How Did You Learn About the NBMA? I read about it in an ad in 2005 for the Lewis and Clark Marathon. I did not know there was a National Association of Black Marathoners.  What really caught my attention was the fact that my hometown friend, Tony Reed, was the founder and Executive Director. Tony and I competed against each other in high school track and were camp counselors at Sherwood Forest Camp during our college days. Now we meet again, sharing a like passion for running.