#diversewerun

That feeling of hitting your 2 week goal 💪🏾😁 / When I started this week with food poisoning 🤢😩 I had no idea I would end it with the longest run I’ve done in a while this morning; a 45 min run + walk (5 mins running 1 min walking ) followed by 20 mins of strength training for runners. And no I did not run outside in this 90 degree heat🥵I’m not new to this but it’s too early for me to be messing with this heat and humidity so I ran on the treadmill 😛 / It’s only been a couple of weeks since I made the commitment to change and I’m amazed at how strong my body feels. Just goes to show that if you stay consistent and put in the work, it will pay off. Here’s what I did this week: 2 x 30 min spin classes ✅ 2 x 20 min swim ✅ 3 x 20 min strength classes✅ 2 x 20-30 min run✅ 1 x 45 min run + walk✅ Mobility and meditation daily ✅ Week 2 is done 👊🏾✅ Looking forward to week 3😄 How did your fitness week go? Did you meet your goal? . . . . . . . #SundayRunday #runner #distancerunner #marathonrunner #motherrunner #momswhorun #runlikeamother #gettingbackinshape #gettingfitagain #asthmarunner #diverserunnersworld #diversewerun #diversifyoutdoors https://www.instagram.com/p/CPOoWLHncVN/?utm_medium=tumblr

Everything is by design. Nothing is an accident. // Only 56 days until the General Election. 22 days for the Census deadline. Still a couple hours left to vote in today’s primaries in New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Remember that every single election matters. Every voice matters. Every vote matters. Go vote 🗳 // Minutes on the pavement always worth it 😀 #Diverserunnersworld #diversewerun https://www.instagram.com/p/CE5GJzmHzWU/?igshid=2fulfylftge7

“Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America." A Very Happy Friday to You!😁 On Wednesday I shared a story of hope because so many of us were in a bad place. Today I want you to never doubt the power of your voice or your activism because “Nothing can stop the power of a committed and determined people to make a difference in our society.” - John Lewis // Thank you to @staceyabrams. You are the Real MVP🙌🏾 Thank you to all the community organizers and activists who work tirelessly to help better their community and the country. And about out to all the voters for doing the right thing. I think the spirit of John Lewis is looking down and smiling at us😃 // Action items: Track your ballot if you are in Georgia, Arizona or Nevada. If it was not accepted, there is still time to fix it so it will be counted. Contact your local election office for more details. Georgia the deadline to get this done is today at 5pm. Go Get it done! The finish line is near 👊🏾 *Please share to get the word out* #JohnLewis #GoodTrouble #StaceyAbrams #HappyFriday #FridayFeeling #DiverseRunnersWorld #DiverseWeRun https://www.instagram.com/p/CHQlMhkHOc8/?igshid=19x83xbvdzk40

Post workout sweaty 💦selfie. It’s okay. I ran, did a spin class and pushed 100lb double stroller with 2 kids up a big ass hill today 💪🏾😃 . . . . . . #run #runner #running #runningforfun #runningisfun #motherrunner #momswhorun #diverserunnersworld #diversewerun #womensrunning #asthmaticrunner #irunwithmaud #irunwithsarmistha #runforbreonna #blackgirlsrun #blackrunners https://www.instagram.com/p/CEIhK4pn3Tw/?igshid=1xeg33vq1owim

Forget about asking for a seat at the table, build your own table.
//
For the last couple weeks I’ve read and seen many of my running friends advocating for Runner’s World magazine to put more people of color on their covers. While I agree with them on the importance of diversity and representation in Runner’s World, and don’t discount the important work they’ve been doing, I’m here to say that we can be the change we want to see in the running world by creating our own.
//
Why depend on 1 running print magazine to highlight and share our stories, when we have the power, skill set and influence to build hundreds if not thousands of diverse online communities ourselves?
Think about the runners and running related accounts that you follow now. How many of them did you find in a runners magazine? For me, not many. 
I have found more people to connect with on social media than I have through any print magazine. 
//
We don’t need to advise them on who they should feature. 
We don’t need to request that they use people of color during production or on set.
We have the runners.
We have the skills.
We have the audience.
We have the brand relationships.
We have the influence.
We have the power.
We can build our table. 
//
I’ve created a new online community calIed, Diverse Runners World @diverserunnersworld to share images of runners of different ethnicities, cultures, ages, gender identities, shapes and sizes. 
Please follow and share.
My running peer Carolyn @irunfortheglory has been doing great work for years with her online community @diversewerun featuring multiethnic stories of runners.
Please follow and share.
If you have a or know a diverse online community or tag and share them below. Let’s build together. Diversity Matters. #diverserunnersworld 
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCMAQH-na_I/?igshid=1tioye9nca20w

Give yourself some grace Mama.
//
That’s what I would tell myself at the time this photo was taken 3 years ago. I was a first time Mom training for the NYC marathon and completely underestimated how hard it would be with a 10 month old. 
My recovery from an unplanned c-section was really really hard, my hormones took a long time to get back to normal, my daughter went from being a super sleeper to having sleep regression and would wake up in the middle of the night so I was exhausted! To top it off I had no childcare because I was terrified of leaving my daughter with anyone so I took her with me on my training runs in a jogging stroller. 
As much as I loved the jogging stroller, it took me a while to get the hang of it and even when I did, I didn’t love it for long runs. 
I tried making plans to do group runs with various running clubs and they rarely materialized so I would end up running on my own and lacked motivation going over 15 miles.
I made it to the marathon tired and undertrained. I was able to finish but I did not enjoy it, came close to quitting many times and it was my slowest marathon. 
I took a nice long break from running after that and promised myself that if I would never put myself in that position again because it wasn’t worth it.
//
So if you’re a new Mama, remember to give yourself some grace.
*pic is a flashback

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEdEQyDn9Sc/?igshid=bu4l1m9gny10

Breaking news! I’m not running a marathon this year. I’m not running a half marathon either. Hell I’m not even running a 10k. I have zero desire to run long distances right now and I’m perfectly okay with that. // Before the pandemic hit, I was training for my first half marathon race after having my 2nd child. As much as I tried not to put pressure on myself, I still felt it. Then I had a knee pain that required physical therapy and I thought “Oh shit.” Then I kept getting sick thanks to having a little one in preschool bring home all the germs 🦠 and I thought “Double Oh Shit!” Then the pandemic hit and I cancelled my race(before they eventually cancelled) and felt relief. Like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I decided to take several weeks off and did spinning instead. When I returned to running, it was in memory of Ahmaud Arbery. A 2.23 mile run that felt way harder than it should’ve. I was slow and felt so out of shape 😫but I missed being outdoors so I decided to try again and again and again. Initially I was paying attention to all the numbers; pace, time, distance and would complain about my run. Then one day I stopped paying attention to the numbers and committed to just showing up for as long as my body felt good and then I would stop. Whether that was at mile 1 mile or mile 3. I would stop and walk home. I did this for a few weeks and something clicked. My mind and body felt better and I started to run stronger. Instead of coming back from a run feeling defeated, I would come home with a big ole smile on my face and dance around for my cool down. My runs right now are short and easy but super enjoyable which is exactly what I need them to be. 3-4x a week and having fun😃 Has your running or training changed during the pandemic? . . . . . #runningforfun #runningisfun #diverserunnersworld #diversewerun #motherrunner #runningmoms #momswhorun #irunwithmaud #runforbreonna #runnersofinstagram #instarunners #runnergirl #run #runner #runninggoals #running #runningmotivation #runhappy #loverunning #runoutside #runeveryday #runninglife #runners_of_insta #runningworld #asthmaticrunner #amplifymelanatedvoices #blackgirlsrun #blackrunners https://www.instagram.com/p/CD2h8NfHHIA/?igshid=18bhb3z7az2v5

“Any day above ground is a good day. Before you complain about anything, be thankful for your life and the things that are still going well” // Woke up today feeling happy, hopeful and thankful. Thankful to be alive. Happy that I got 7 hours of sleep(I’ve had insomnia for months)🤗 Thankful that my kids haven’t been sick in 7 months🤗(pre-covid we went through so many boxes of Kleenex and nasal spray it was ridiculous) Thankful that I have the ability to safely exercise every day and will be running my first virtual relay, Womxn Run the Vote, in a few days with @Oiselle x @run4allwomen Happy that my passion project @diverserunnersworld has featured over 200 diverse runners. Happy for cooler beautiful fall weather🤗 and so much more. I know that things are really hard right now, but I’m hopeful that they will get better. Happy Friday and Happy Rosh Hashanah to my friends celebrating it😀 ****Early in-person voting 🗳 currently taking place in Minnesota, South Dakota, Virginia and Wyoming today. Please go VOTE 🗳 ***** #HappyFriday #DiverseRunnersWorld #DiverseWeRun #womxnrunthevote https://www.instagram.com/p/CFStmiXnYAm/?igshid=azd4ntfrgc20