Mile 20 Mindset Podcast Episode 019 - Featuring Shemeeka Gentry

From Trauma to Triumph: Shemeeka Gentry's Inspiring Journey from Walking to Running Marathons

Introduction: In the latest episode of the Mile 20 Mindset podcast, host Allen Maldonado engages in a heartfelt conversation with Shemeeka Gentry, a remarkable runner whose journey from trauma to triumph is as inspiring as it is relatable. Shemeeka shares her candid experiences in the world of running, highlighting the profound personal transformation that occurs when one commits to embracing fitness and discipline.

Main Content:

1. **The Origin of Running**  
Shemeeka's running journey began as a response to trauma in 2017, which led her to seek solace and fitness. Initially, her involvement in charity walks at NYU sparked an interest in running. "One day I'm gonna run," she recalls, reflecting on how she transitioned from walking to running marathons. Running became more than just a physical activity; it became a therapeutic escape that rejuvenated her spirit.

2. **From Walks to 5Ks and Beyond**  
Shemeeka’s first steps toward running were marked by a series of 5Ks. "I remember my first 5K, I was nervous," she admits, highlighting the challenge of participating alone. Her commitment grew as she signed up for multiple races each month, transforming her initial anxiety into excitement. This gradual progression from 5Ks to contemplating a marathon showcased her determination and evolving fitness levels.

3. **The Marathon Mindset**  
The leap to marathon training was fueled by a newfound motivation and discipline. "When I first started running, I could barely run a mile," she explains. Her path involved consistent training, including interval workouts, which she credits for helping her achieve her goals. However, she candidly acknowledges the challenges of marathon training, including the sacrifices made in her social life and the physical demands of long-distance running.

4. **Facing Injury and Overcoming Obstacles**  
As Shemeeka prepared for her first marathon, she faced a significant setback: an injury just weeks before race day. "I thought I was done," she recalls, detailing her battle with Achilles tendonitis. Despite her physical struggles, Shemeeka's determination shone through. With the guidance of her physical therapist, who was also a runner, she learned to adapt her training while remaining focused on her marathon goal.

5. **Race Day Experience**  
Race day brought a mix of nerves and excitement. Shemeeka vividly describes her emotions, from praying for strength to the electric atmosphere surrounding the marathon. Despite her fears of not being able to complete the race, she embraced the energy of the event, feeling the camaraderie of fellow runners. Her experience was a testament to the joy of participating in such a monumental occasion, where every mile conquered became a celebration of her journey.

Conclusion:  
Shemeeka Gentry's story is a powerful reminder that running transcends mere physical activity; it can be a path to healing and self-discovery. By overcoming personal challenges and embracing discipline, she transformed her life from one of trauma to one of triumph. Key takeaways from her inspiring journey include the importance of setting goals, the value of community support in fitness, and the necessity of resilience in the face of adversity. 

Tags: running, marathon training, personal growth, Shemeeka Gentry, fitness journey, overcoming obstacles, mental health, discipline in sports, Mal 20 Mindset, inspiring stories

Transcript

SPEAKER_03 0:04

Hey, what's up? It's your boy Alan Mal Donado, the host of Mal20 Mindset. This is a running podcast for elite runners, novice runners, and those that love supporting the runners in your lives. I got an incredible woman, an incredible runner, Shamika Gentry. Welcome to the pod. How are you doing today?

SPEAKER_02 0:26

Fine. How are you doing? Thank you.

SPEAKER_03 0:28

Doing excellent. Doing excellent. Doing excellent. Let's get right into it. I want to know where did this all start? Like, where did running begin? Was it for fitness? Was it for sort of this uh escapism? Like what which which reason really struck you to be like, you know what, I'm because I've seen your stories. Well, you I've seen your stories where you were like, I could barely hit a mail. I I want to know where did where did where did running come from?

SPEAKER_02 0:56

And that's in so many facets of why I started running. So of course it started typical, went through some trauma in 2017 that left me like, I went away from God. And then I knew I just wanted to get back into fitness. And when I went to NYU, I was doing a lot of like breast cancer walks. And I remember one day, I was like, you know, one day I'm gonna run. But I never thought it would be like a marathon. Right, right, right. And then it just had me feeling like mind-cleared. It gave me strength that I didn't have back then. And that's how it started. And I never looked back.

SPEAKER_03 1:33

Okay, okay. So so let's let's talk about. So, how do we go from from charity walks? Like you talk about walking. And then now we talk about deciding to run a marathon. Like, how do we please explain how we go from walking to marathon?

SPEAKER_02 1:54

So it's really just, I would say, like, motivation and being disciplined. So when I first started running, I could barely run a mile, like out of breath, on every corner you can name. But that group.

SPEAKER_03 2:07

But that's but that's what I mean. I'm like, you you so like where did it was it a 5K? Like, how do you go from walking to marathon?

SPEAKER_02 2:16

For 5K is like crazy. I remember first 5K, I was nervous. Okay. I was just like, I'm going by myself, like, I don't have no one to go with me. Cause you know, running in the black community is non-existent right now. Man, man.

SPEAKER_03 2:28

I was I was looking at it like I was crazy. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 2:30

And I'm just see how I do.

SPEAKER_03 2:32

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 2:33

And that one 5K led to me signing up for a 5K every weekend. I was doing at least four 5Ks a month.

SPEAKER_03 2:40

Oh, wow.

SPEAKER_02 2:42

And then I was like, can I do Peace Tree Road Race in Atlanta? And I was like, that's six miles. Like, I don't know. So I started training.

SPEAKER_03 2:49

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 2:51

And one day I was like, my birthday is on a half marathon. Maybe if I keep training, I could do that. Yeah. And I remember one day doing, I think I was doing like 12 miles, and I'm like, maybe I could do a marathon.

SPEAKER_03 3:04

Right, right, right.

SPEAKER_02 3:05

It's like, but even then, I was like, I don't like 26 is wild to say you're gonna have to run for hours. And now I'm not a fast runner. So I was like, maybe I could. I was like, if I keep training, and then I'm really big on intervals, like if you do intervals, you can obtain any goal you want to deal.

SPEAKER_03 3:21

Yeah, you can.

SPEAKER_02 3:21

And I was like, I'm gonna keep doing it. And then the time came for me to run a marathon, I was nervous because my first marathon wasn't a smooth sailing. I got injured two weeks before my marathon.

SPEAKER_03 3:32

Okay, all right. So let's so let's so let's get to the injury when I mean, and what I mean by that is that, okay, you got this half marathon. You, you, you, you've been training, you, you kid, you killed a half marathon, I presume. Now, you decide to say, hey, I'm going to run a marathon. Which marathon would would that be? And then let's then take me through the training as far as you getting ready for the marathon.

SPEAKER_02 3:59

So if you know Atlanta, we have hills. Like it's ridiculous.

SPEAKER_03 4:02

Yeah, I ran the half. I ran the half.

SPEAKER_02 4:05

You did?

SPEAKER_03 4:05

Which one? Oh, yeah. Yeah, I read it was the uh the um Or Thanksgiving half. I think no, it was it was I think it was around St. Patch around in the spring, I believe. Um what's the uh what's the big grocery store in it? I mean, I'm Publix, Publix.

SPEAKER_02 4:21

You did Publix.

SPEAKER_03 4:22

It was the Publix half marathon, yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 4:24

I called that ETSD.

SPEAKER_03 4:25

I I took a I took like two of my homeboys that never ran, I was training for a marathon. It was like, oh, all right, we're gonna this is what we're gonna get our training in. And halfway through, I had to leave them because I had to lock in. Because I was like, yo, these heels are no joke.

SPEAKER_02 4:42

No joke. And so my first half was Thanksgiving uh half marathon. And I'm like, this heels, like I don't know if I'm gonna do it. I suffered, I got through it and happens all my birthday too. So I wore a birthday sash. That's right, that's right. So I was suffering. So my first marathon was Publix Marathon.

SPEAKER_03 5:00

So it was the public marathon.

SPEAKER_02 5:02

Did I do that?

SPEAKER_03 5:03

Okay, so so let's let me so what let uh the the question I want to ask, uh the deeper question I want to ask about training, like how do you think that it changed? What did you learn about yourself through training? Was it and what was the most the hardest part? Like, was it managing your schedule? Was it the training? And then of course getting to the point where you injured yourself. Like, what what was what was how did how did training change you?

SPEAKER_02 5:26

Training taught me that I had the strength within and the discipline. Because once you're able to lock in, you really lock into marathon. Like you, you're not having a social life. If you really lock in, right, you're training every day. It doesn't matter if it's cold, raining. I remember doing 20 miles and it was negative 10 degrees outside. People's beers were frozen. Yeah. Um, but I really learned like, okay, if I put my mind to this goal, I really can achieve it. Because if you would have talked to me before training, oh I can't do this. There's no way.

SPEAKER_03 5:58

There's no way and what was the hardest? Like, what was it like? Again, like you said you didn't have no life, like managing the schedule, or and then you told me, let's get to the injury. Like, was that was managing sort of your health the difficult part?

SPEAKER_02 6:11

Once I got injured, yes. So I would say the hardest part about marathon training is being disciplined.

SPEAKER_00 6:23

Because now I'm used to it.

SPEAKER_02 6:24

I've been in the game since 2018.

SPEAKER_03 6:26

Right.

SPEAKER_02 6:28

I would say locking in, like every day, even if you don't want to get up, go outside. It's cold and raining. That doesn't matter. You need to go get those miles in. Because it's difference between running outside than a treadmill. I have to get my miles outside. A treadmill is not really gonna train you. So it could be cold and rainy. You still gotta get up. And then when I got injured, I really thought I was done. Because my PT, even the doctor was like, You're done. I had a series, uh, series, um, serious uh Achilles tendonitis and I could barely walk. It was a big knot on my ankle.

SPEAKER_03 7:01

Wow.

SPEAKER_02 7:01

And when I went to my PT, they were like, you're done.

SPEAKER_03 7:04

Like you're like, uh maybe next year.

SPEAKER_02 7:07

All this training, like, no, I cannot imagine. Like it cannot be done. Like you're telling me.

SPEAKER_03 7:13

Right.

SPEAKER_02 7:14

Luckily, she was also a runner, so she was like, Mika, are you really gonna do this? I said, Yes. Just be at the doctor. Like, if it pops, it pops. Like, I'm gonna do it.

SPEAKER_03 7:21

Like you already know, right, right. You you if she's a runner, she knows. Yep.

SPEAKER_02 7:25

Yeah. So I ended up having to see her every other day.

SPEAKER_03 7:28

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 7:29

To do different work workouts for it. Um, and she was just like, just take it slow. She was like, you can't try to speed. And I'm like, my first marathon? Like, I want to show out, I want to see what I'm doing. Right, right, right, right, right, right. But no, I had to go slow.

SPEAKER_03 7:43

Okay, so so let's let's talk about that. What take us take us to race day? Like, you went from walking at charities to now you're training. You didn't train so hard, you didn't hurt yourself.

SPEAKER_02 7:56

Hurt myself. Now it's race day.

SPEAKER_03 7:58

This is your first marathon. And always I love to have my guests sort of uh describe their experience as if you're talking to someone that has never participated in a marathon. So take take me to race day on your first day and like what the experience that is.

SPEAKER_02 8:16

I was nervous. I was praying the night before the morning of doing the workout she told me to do because you have to do certain stretches. Um, and then even when I got there, so um, I had a lot of my friends. I even told one friend, bring some holy oil, please, because I need to pray again before this story started.

SPEAKER_03 8:35

You trying to get baptized before the mayor?

SPEAKER_02 8:37

I am so serious. I was like, if I pop this, I'm gonna name up.

SPEAKER_03 8:42

Come on.

SPEAKER_02 8:42

I was like, I need to make it 26 miles.

SPEAKER_03 8:44

Yeah, right, right, right, right.

SPEAKER_02 8:46

But I was really nervous and scared because I'm like, I know I can always walk, but who wants to walk 26 miles? I'm not doing that. But it was fun seeing everybody there. Like everybody's super pumped up, hydration, you're eating your food. Like, it's a big event. Like, it was my first time going to a marathon. I've never even spec been a specutator, like never been a spectator for it. Yeah. So actually being there and watching people like show up in their nice gears. I was like, oh, I'm intimidated. Like, this is not what I'm seeing.

SPEAKER_03 9:15

Like, they really into it. Yeah. Yes.

SPEAKER_02 9:18

Like some people are really serious. Oh, yeah. Um, but I remember going to the start line and like your energy is pumped up. You're just ready. But I'm nervous. I am not happy at this time because I'm like, you have to like not be excited. You can't speed off. Like, Mika, you have to take this slow. And then when I heard that gun go off, I was like, okay, the the game is on now.

SPEAKER_03 9:42

Okay, so what was what were the thoughts that were running through your head as though these first few steps in as you cross the starting line? What would what were the what were the feelings you were feeling?

SPEAKER_02 9:52

I was feeling uh, of course, nervous, scared, but I was really feeling like Mika, you got this. Like you really trained for this. Yeah, yeah. Like you got this, like you know you're gonna make it. Just don't pop your Achilles.

SPEAKER_03 10:06

Oh, yeah. I'm sure you sprinkled some holy water all over them Achilles. I rubbed it in like lotion. I know you didn't.

SPEAKER_02 10:14

I said a prayer that I always say, like, dear God, it's me again, because I don't mess up.

SPEAKER_03 10:18

I just here an hour ago, but here I am. Yes, no.

SPEAKER_02 10:24

Exactly. I just really knew, like, okay, I know once I get into my runners high, yeah, like I'm gonna feel like this is just normal training. Like this is a celebration.

SPEAKER_03 10:34

Yep. Yeah, man. There's there's nothing like Marathon Day, just the the the fanfare, the support that you get from complete strangers is is unlike no other, as you can look them directly in their eyes and know that they're cheering you on earnestly. Like they really, they really are supporting what you are doing, which is, you know, something that only, you know, less than one percent even complete a marathon.

SPEAKER_01 11:02

Exactly.

SPEAKER_03 11:03

Let's let's go ahead and get to the nitty-gritty, because I know, I know though it was the Achilles on the Achilles it was blessed there's always that wall. There's always that mile 20 moment where your mind attacks you and everything in you is now against you. What what mile was this and how were you feeling?

SPEAKER_00 11:33

And it hit hard. I said, why do I like money? It be like that. It'd be like that, it'd be like that.

SPEAKER_02 11:48

This race, it's cold outside. Why is Atlanta so hilly? I was literally everything going through all emotions. I'm like, nobody can help me. And then when Atlanta Public, like, we're getting better now, but like you have cheer stations really for the first half. The second half, you you're going near the finish line, but then you gotta go up the bridge. And that's the second half. There's nobody, it's just you. And if you're not running with another runner, yeah, you and your mind, you gotta get to the thing line.

SPEAKER_00 12:17

Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 12:18

So when I hit that wall, I was like, oh my myself, this sucks. But it just makes you have to lock in even more. But trust, I was just like, I don't like running. This sucks. Why is it healed every mile?

SPEAKER_03 12:34

Like that, and it it if that I always say the bully from like eighth grade all of a sudden shows up and be like, hey, wait a minute, I'm back. Like, wait, wait, like when I thought I dealt with you. Like I thought, like, like I thought I dealt with this trauma already. Here you go again.

SPEAKER_02 12:47

Like, and I call Publix trauma. Like, to this day, I'm doing Publix again. It gives me PTSD. Just thinking about it, that I'm doing it again. Like, Publix is the worst marathon. And I've done other marathons.

SPEAKER_03 12:59

I um I did Chicago and I lost my phone at mile 12. Yeah, fell out the fanny pack, gone. So I run a mile back the opposite way, looking for my phone. And at that moment, I'm like, okay, wait, wait, wait. If I keep going, I'm not, I I'm not gonna do this marathon. I'm not gonna finish.

SPEAKER_00 13:22

You're not. You're going backwards.

SPEAKER_03 13:23

So I'm like, all right, right. I turn around and I get to going. Yo. It was the worst feeling. I like I had no music. I started walking.

SPEAKER_02 13:36

You ran with no music? Like, you still didn't get your phone?

SPEAKER_03 13:40

Couldn't find it.

SPEAKER_02 13:40

How did you do that without music?

SPEAKER_03 13:42

Couldn't find it. I'm over there pouting. I started walking. I wasn't even tired. I just didn't feel like I did not want to run this marathon. Oh, yeah. The wall came crashing when the music stopped. That was like I said. I am the same way. I wasn't even ready. Like, I wasn't even ready. I wasn't ready. Like, at least I let my phone die, but it's gone. Oh, I gotta deal with that after.

SPEAKER_02 14:11

Like, oh I can't. I'm not one of those runners that can be silent. I call myself a viber. I have a speaker. You'll heal my music. You'll heal nothing. You buck if you're running near me. Like, I have to have music. If I don't, that's gonna be the worst race ever.

SPEAKER_03 14:26

Yeah, that was Chicago. That was so you when you talk about PTSD, I'd be like, Chicago.

SPEAKER_02 14:31

I was like, Chicago was flat.

SPEAKER_03 14:34

Yeah, yeah, no, no. It was it wasn't the race. It was it was all me. I I went up against me. Like I said, if I would have, if I'd have, like, all right, I'm running this marathon with no music, I would have, I would have been better prepared. Like I said, I wasn't really. I had the whole playlist. I was jamming. I was oh I was rocking. It was Mal 12. I was rocking. Yeah, yeah. And then the music stopped. Like, panic. Like all that is.

SPEAKER_02 14:59

Like, oh, and then when you hit that wall, like you need something.

SPEAKER_03 15:02

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 15:03

Because I have to listen to like hip-hop. Like, I call it like basically listen to drug money, like I'm selling drugs on 85. Yeah, hype yourself. You have to have hype music, especially hitting that wall. Hitting that wall, I'm thinking about everything. I'm thinking of haters. Like, remember this person didn't believe in you. Like, get to the finish line. Do not feel defeated.

SPEAKER_03 15:22

Yep. Yeah, no, it's it's so so you hit the wall, you, you, you vibed your way over it, and you got to the finish line. Like, how did that feel?

SPEAKER_02 15:34

I started crying. It felt like such an accomplishment. One, because you're like one percent of the population does marathons, but it's also completing something that I never as somebody who could barely do a mile, and I'm not a fast runner, and I'm injured, I did not think I could really do a marathon. It was such a blessing. Cause, like I said, my PT told me not to do it.

SPEAKER_03 16:02

Right. Oh yeah, I forgot that. And look at that. You on the blessing. And she texts me too. But I crossed the cash line.

SPEAKER_02 16:09

She texted me and I said, uh-huh, I'm fine.

SPEAKER_03 16:11

Come on. Come on, won't he do it? Won't he won't won't he do it?

SPEAKER_02 16:17

It's really such a like moment that I'm always gonna cherish, even though uh, you know, publics is horrible, but I'm always gonna remember my first marathon.

SPEAKER_03 16:27

Yeah, no. I I I love I love Atlanta, man. I was um I was down there for about maybe three years uh when I was doing uh I had two TV shows down there, uh Wonder Years and Hills, we filmed in Atlanta. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I so I'll definitely, like I said, that's why I participated in the half and different. You gotta do it again. You gotta do it again. Yeah, no, I will. I will I love it. I love ATL. You know what? Listen, I'm I love to travel the world to run, so uh don't threaten me with a good time. Like so, I'm I'm I'm I will Atlanta deserves another trip for a run, so yeah, I gotta look at the calendar and see how I'm gonna fit that in. Um because I'm running um Barcelona and I'm running Sydney. I got in a Sydney this year. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I got in I won the lottery, so I'm excited.

SPEAKER_02 17:12

Yeah, I I never get into the lottery. I did New York only because I'm sponsored by Bricks Running. Okay. But I normally, like you said, I travel. I just came back from Italy. I did a half marathon in Italy. I love that. I did a half marathon in the Philippines and in Paris. So I love traveling.

SPEAKER_03 17:30

I didn't do a race there, but I got to run Paris, and Paris was gorgeous.

SPEAKER_02 17:33

It is gorgeous. It's a gorgeous run. You want to run a race.

SPEAKER_03 17:36

It's a gorgeous run. No, I I I I've seen the uh the Paris half. I want to do Egypt as well. Me too. The one in December? Yes, I want to do Egypt.

SPEAKER_02 17:45

Registration is not open yet. I want to register.

SPEAKER_03 17:48

Come on, look. Hey man, I love how every runner is on registrations, like when like uh sneakerheads when Jordans drop. Like we own it. Like it's at midnight. We on, like, yo, we go, I love it. So let me ask this question. Um, how have you changed in a good way since running and completing your first marathon?

SPEAKER_02 18:09

I would say I'm a whole different person. If you would have met me years ago, I am more in tune with myself. I feel like running has turned me into an extrovert, honestly. Like I'm I used to be such an introvert, nerd, book, like I'm just by myself all the time. But now just running and getting people involved in running and just wellness um has turned me into more like well-rounded individual. And I also like I know if any other trials and tribulations come my way, I know I can handle it because I've did something that's like super hard. Like, because not only do you have to deal with the actual race itself, you have to deal with the training and everything that encompasses it. So I know that if I didn't have running or any type of wellness in my life, mm-mm.

SPEAKER_01 19:01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 19:01

It wouldn't be me. No, I am running. You should see my wall is crazy. And I have my own run club, so it's like listen to gang gang.

SPEAKER_03 19:09

I got you. I got you. I love it. I love it. No, no, listen, man. Running the community is and again, like even on race day, it's it's um it's a community built off love and um self-love, and we just do it together. That's that's what running feels like to me. And um my next question is what would be your biggest advice to someone that maybe on the fence or thinking about running their first marathon? What would be your biggest tip to them?

SPEAKER_02 19:42

My biggest tip is to do it, even if fear's stopping you, even if your pace is stopping you, just do it. Like and have fun. Like, don't take it serious when it's your first marathon. You're gonna PR regardless. It's gonna be your first one. But show up and show out, buy with your your greatest music, represent your culture, because that's one thing that I really want to change in the community is seeing more of us. Because when I travel to races, I'm the only one. What do you want to say? Like me, shit like me, and I'm definitely trying to change that. So that would be my main advice to people. Like, it doesn't matter. It's gonna be painful, but if you have fun, you're gonna make it rememberable.

SPEAKER_03 20:23

No, that's right. I know that's right. All right. So uh let's go to my last segment, which is um my what I call my knees out speed question. Uh the knees out, that's my running crow, the knees out coalition. Shout out to my gang. Um these uh questions you answer yes or no, uh, with yes being knees out and no meaning knees in. You tuck them knees in. All right. So the first question is um do you think everyone has at least one marathon in them?

SPEAKER_00 20:58

Okay.

SPEAKER_03 20:59

Um okay, I got you, I got you. All right, our next question is Were there ever a moment in your training where you wanted to quit, but you still showed up for yourself?

SPEAKER_02 21:11

Yes, a big yes. Well, okay, it happened yesterday when I was running.

SPEAKER_03 21:17

It'd be like that.

SPEAKER_00 21:18

I was like, oh, I don't know.

SPEAKER_03 21:20

You'd be like, all right, you know, today'd be the day I'm just I'm just gonna chill out. I did enough. I've done enough. Okay, okay, okay. And now my next question is since you've you've you've ran a few marathons, would you ever run an ultra?

SPEAKER_02 21:35

Yes. Okay, I was supposed to run a cowtown that's in like Fort Worth, Texas. But it's the same weekend as Publix. And since I have a few run club members, it'll be their first half. I decided to do Publix again, out of my best judgment, and skip the ultra. But there's one that I looked up in Salt Lake City in June or July that I'm thinking about doing. A trail.

SPEAKER_03 22:01

Okay. I'm interested in run and run too. So like I I love the idea of it being in nature. So like that's where it's like I get whether I do a probably do a 50. I'm I don't know about the hundred.

SPEAKER_02 22:13

Yeah, I'm doing a 50. I'm not doing that. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 22:15

I don't know about 100.

SPEAKER_02 22:17

And I'm like, it ain't never that serious. Oh. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 22:18

I don't know if I want to do that. I don't know if I want to do that. Uh yeah, they'd be cast. They be staying up for like three days. That'd be like.

SPEAKER_02 22:25

And they said you're delirious afterwards. Like I'm like, I can't.

SPEAKER_03 22:29

Yeah, no, they be like seeing things. They be like, they like train for it. You'd like, yeah, no, it's it's Christ. All right. So last question is Do you think running changes a person beyond the mouth?

SPEAKER_02 22:43

Yes. It changed me, so I know it can change them. Not only does it like, of course, it'll change your physical appearance, right? Because you're getting healthy, you're working out, but mentally it does train you. You're getting more disciplined, you're getting more focused, and you're getting more confidence within yourself. Because of course, with me, I didn't know I could run a mile. You couldn't tell me. If you would have told me years ago that I could run a marathon, I'd be like, you're lying. Um and it's just different things I'm learning about myself when it comes to training. I know another person can believe in themselves. Because that's what it takes to run a marathon or just running, period, even if it's a 5K, believe in yourself. You're gonna get to the finish line.

SPEAKER_03 23:21

That's right. That's right. I just I just love how like I've helped like 15 people run their first marathon. And boy, do you get there's a joy watching someone sort of cross over. And it's and it's and it's them against themselves. And it's is this beautiful to witness people proving themselves wrong or right, or however you want to, whatever perspective I guess you're looking at it, is they No, you're right. You know what I'm saying?

SPEAKER_02 23:49

Like it is like I have haters and people who be like, oh, because you look this way or you're thick or whatever, you can't be a runner. I get that all the time. I get those comments all the time. And I'm like, okay, until you see me run.

SPEAKER_03 24:00

Right, right, right, right, right.

SPEAKER_02 24:01

And it's like you already hear the naysayer. So why doubt yourself? Even if you want to doubt yourself, take your first step. And I'll bet you if you continue doing it, you're gonna start believing yourself. You're gonna have confidence. I see it all the time with people I train or in my run club, they doubt that they can run a 5K. Now I have a few people signing up for a half and they're racing every other weekend because I'm like, hey, I'm about to do this race, do it with me. Um, but make it fun. Um, because running, let's be honest, running does suck. There's some day, there are some days where I'm like, oh, I do not want to run 10 miles. But if you make fun, it kind of helps. So sometimes I like dress up, through, do glitter and all that, but it's the mental clarity you get afterwards. It's the confidence booster you get it to believe in yourself. And that's all it takes. Because that's what I'm saying. With marathon, your body is hurting when you hit that wall. So it's really mental after that. You just gotta get to the finishing.

SPEAKER_03 24:58

That's a fact. That's a fact. That's a fact. Well, beautifully said, um thank you, thank you, thank you so much for sharing your story. Um, I'm glad they blessed the Achilles and you able to run uh constant marathons afterwards. Um I'm gonna look up Atlanta, the Atlanta half. I don't know if I want to do a full.

SPEAKER_02 25:20

It's still open. I think it's still open. The bell is nice. It's a 20th anniversary, so it's really beautiful.

SPEAKER_03 25:26

For the full?

SPEAKER_02 25:28

Yes. All of them are nice.

SPEAKER_03 25:30

And what time? Because I'm supposed to, I'm supposed, I'm supposed to run Rio.

SPEAKER_02 25:34

When is that?

SPEAKER_03 25:34

Rio's in like July.

SPEAKER_02 25:36

Oh, then you can do Atlanta Publix. Atlanta Publix is uh When is Atlanta Publix? It is March 1st. You got come on, you do. March 1st.

SPEAKER_03 25:45

I'm doing Barcelona. I'm doing Barcelona in mid-March. So I don't know. I don't know.

SPEAKER_02 25:51

What date? I'm looking at my calendar. What date?

SPEAKER_03 25:54

And it's mid-March. It's mid-March. It's mid-March. So it's not like marathon? A full. I'm doing a full. I'm doing the full in Barcelona. I'm doing a full.

SPEAKER_02 26:01

But you can do public's half. So I can do probably the half.

SPEAKER_03 26:04

But that's what I said. I can do the half. I don't know if I'm I don't know if I'll do the full. I don't know if I'll do the half.

SPEAKER_02 26:08

Because the medal is still nice. They're all look the same. They're just, you know, different sizes. Because last year I did New York, four days after New York, which is stupid. I I was doing wild stuff last year. I was doing back-to-back crazy races. Yeah, yeah. Four days after New York marathon, I did the indie half.

SPEAKER_03 26:24

Okay. Okay.

SPEAKER_02 26:25

Not even four days after that, I did the Italy half. Came back, only had a day to recover, and then the Thanksgiving half marathon. No, you could do it.

SPEAKER_03 26:36

Well, no, I've I've I've ran four marathons in five months. So, so I've I've I've done it. I've done it. I've done it. Like, I've I've I've done it. So I'll I'll think about. Listen, let's let's let me let me end this episode before you talk me into another two more races. Listen, everybody, that's a here's another episode of Mal 20 Mindset. Please follow and subscribe. Tell a friend to tell a friend. Peace, y'all.