By: Miesha Dennis
I am a 28-year-old, full-time working mother of a beautiful 6-year-old girl, making the conscious decision to make running a part of my life.
The truth is… we live in a world that is consuming us and most of the time we are too busy to even realize it. We’re just living the same routine day in and day out. Running has forced me out of that routine. It has forced me to look at the world around me. It has forced me to go off the grid - NO DISTRACTIONS. I don’t have to worry about emails, text messages, or Facebook. It has become my “me” time, even my therapy in a sense.
Running has changed my life.
I run every chance I get - during my lunch breaks, in the mornings, after work - literally any chance I get. Where I used to just sit on my phone while my daughter was at Girl Scouts or dance classes, now I use that hour to hour-half to run. I even keep a spare change of running clothes and shoes in my car, just in case. It’s really quite simple. Even with the busiest schedules, you will make time for what’s important to you.
Even though I’d been running for about 4 months, I hadn’t participated in an official race, yet alone run with anyone else.
That was until I heard about the REI/BGR! Explorer 5K/10K Virtual Race.
I knew it was something I had to do. After all, I’m black. I’m a girl. I love to run. And I work for the National Park Foundation. No brainer, right?
I joined Black Girls RUN! DC and registered for the virtual race. I met up with a group that does runs at National Mall and Memorial Parks. We were a fierce 7-woman team. Some ladies were running the REI virtual race, while others were training for the Miami Ready or just running for fun.
The route looped around the Capitol to the Washington Monument, past the World War II Memorial and back around the Lincoln Memorial. The original route is approximately 5.2 miles. One of the ladies in the group offered to run the extra mile with me. A beautiful, loving, positive woman I had just met an hour before became my lifeline, my motivator, and helped me complete my first 10K race.
That day, I officially became a runner.
I came out there not sure if I would finish the 10K. And yet, I did it, proving that most of the time, our limits are only self-imposed. The feeling was overwhelming.
I’ve lived in this area all of my life. It took me 28 years to finally see and appreciate National Mall and Memorial Parks for what they really are… a beautiful, vast landscape full of so much history, tradition, and culture in the middle of our capital city. I’d like to thank REI and Black Girls RUN! for this amazing opportunity to experience my first race in a national park. Not only did I officially become a runner that day, but I also discovered that running is a great way to #FindYourPark.
I honestly cannot tell you what inspired me to go for that first run 4 months ago, but I’m glad I did. I have always lived by the idea that the key to a fulfilling life is trying to experience as many firsts as possible. I look forward to experiencing many more firsts with BGR!
11 Responses
oanjelete booker
I live in ballantyne and I’m interested in running.
Jazmine
I meant *Nice work*
Jazmine
Next work trying to find time in your busy schedule to get it done. I keep running clothes in my car too. Never know when an opportunity will present itself.
verona
I have NEVER run before, but I’m a good walker, where/how do I begin?
Veronica Brown
Love it . I am ready
Carolyn
Fantastic story! I can definitely relate to the statement, “I have always lived by the idea that the key to a fulfilling life is trying to experience as many firsts as possible.” Even at my age (67) I am truly ‘Living Life to the Fullest!’ and experiencing first. For my 67th birthday, I completed my first 10k. I really enjoyed the challenge, and as a result, I vow to complete the ‘Triple Peach’ race series here in Atlanta, GA. Thank you for your inspiration and submitting your story. BTW, taking note that you work for the National Parks Foundation, I am an avid hiker and hike the trails of the National and State Parks regularly.
Monica W
Congrats and well done! You Go Girl!!
Sandra Serrano
Meisha,
Congratulations on becoming a runner! I share in your enthusiasm. It was my honor to run with you and I hope we can continue to be motivators for each other. See you on the Mall.
Sandra
Lisa G. from Detroit
Thanx for Sharing and you are truly an inspiration for newbies! I love to Walk, and have been wrestling with a weak knee since surgery in September, but I am determined to get back out there and get into the 5k’s again! Keep up the Great Work and make the Parks a place where we’d all love to hang out and walk, jog, run or just sit and look up! Blessings to you.
Lisa
Sarah
I love to hear other runners’ stories. Peace, accomplishment, friendship and health fuel me to get out there. Enjoy the sport.
shagun
February 20, 2016
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