12.14.2011

Black Girls Run!


Camille Cunningham
Guest Blogger
Runner

A runner is thin. A runner is lean. A runner is someone with thin textured every day washable hair. A runner is immune to cold weather. A runner is not me.

These are only a few of the misconceptions I have had about runners for 33 years. Running is not something I have ever attempted or even contemplated in my life. It is not that I didn’t struggle from overweight and obesity. Growing up in the south, I became a fan of fried foods, bad carbohydrates, and sugar in any capacity at an early age. Unhealthy eating was – is a part of my culture; isn’t it? But why?

For years I have told myself, “It’s okay to be a little thick, black men like thick women.” So, I ate a carbohydrate filled diet and at the age of 15 I was already 5 lbs overweight. By the age of 30, I had gained 65 more pounds. At 5 foot 3 inches tall, I weighed 205 lbs. Now, I can blame this on the college 15 or the extra 20 lbs of happy fat that came after marriage; but the only blame lies with me. The thing most people don’t tell you about gaining weight is that you don’t realize how big you’ve gotten until after you’ve lost the weight. When I look back at the photos of myself, I am saddened and I often wonder “How did this happen to me?”


As I examine my childhood, teenage years and adulthood I realized one thing. Running is not something I associated myself with because it is not a sport that I have seen my image represented. Runners did not live in my neighborhoods, attend my churches, or reside within my social circles. I am an African American woman; raised in an African American household in the southeastern region of the country. My parents were raised poor. Although they climbed the corporate ladder to provide a middle-class upbringing for my sister and I; their eating habits were quite similar to many African American families. Simply put, I was not exposed to healthy eating.

Today, both of my parents suffer with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or Type II diabetes. The same is true for my husband’s family; his father suffered 3 strokes in 2 months before the age of 50. Seeing my family members take pill after pill, I decided to make a change. I, like many others tried several unsuccessful fad diets. In 2009, I decided to significantly curtail my eating habits to a no carb, no sugar, and no alcohol diet. Although I lost 40 lbs in 4 months, at least 15 of those pounds came back within a year because my new eating habits were unrealistic and unsustainable. So now what?


In October 2011, Tracie, a dear friend, introduced me to Black Girls Run (BGR)! She explained that BGR had an Atlanta chapter of women that ran all over the city encouraging each other to push past their limitations and stereotypes. Honestly, when she first told me of the group I thought she was a little crazy. I mean I was no runner. What about my hair? What about the cold temperatures? Lastly, I thought “Black women don’t run – do they?!” Because Tracie was such a trusted friend of mine I decided to check it out.

I will never forget, it was Sunday, October 16 at 7:00 a.m. – the temperature was 42 degrees. Tracie drove as I sat in silence thinking “What the heck am I doing!”, “I hope they have a medic on standby”, “This is the silliest thing I’ve ever done.” We pulled into Walden Park subdivision and everything from there is still a bit hazy. But this is what I remember: I remember 116 black women in layers of clothes and bandanas. I remember jogging two steps and walking twenty. I remember seeing a girl twice my size and age pass me up a hill. And it was at that moment that I said, “Oh, heck no!”

After the run, or walk I should say, I felt mixed feelings of disappointment and determination. The disappointment came from realizing how out of shape I had become. The determination came from the seeing and feeling this huge amount of support, positivity and camaraderie from Black Girls Run. There is something about a group that is inclusive of all sizes, ages, and races of women. And there is something magical about 100+ women cheering you through the finish line each and every time.


Since joining Black Girls Run on October 16th, I have run a minimum of 13.5 to 20 miles per week. I have participated in two 5k’s (one of which I had the 2nd fastest time), have registered for one 10k, and I am in training for a half marathon in March. And, just a few days ago, I ran (not walked) 8 miles nonstop for the first time. I am now a runner for at least 3 days a week. Just running, and incorporating more fruits and vegetables in my diet has allowed me to lose over 15 lbs. in five weeks. I am only 13 pounds from my goal weight, a size 6/8. I am smaller than I have been since 1998. My husband is in awe, my friends are in wonderment, and my haters just don’t know what to do.


Today, I can proudly say thank you to support of 100+ women of the Black Girls Run Camp Creek chapter for adding years to my life. As with anything positive, I like to spread the word! If you are looking for a way to change your life, come join BGR. Since joining I have converted 8 women into runners. We don’t care about your race, age, size, or level. Once you try us, you’re hooked for life. Come get some!!!

Camille and Tracie in training for their first half marathon in March 2012








14 comments:

  1. Reading this story gives me chills. Your honesty is refreshing and makes me proud to say you are my BGR sister.

    Sierra
    (BGR, Camp Creek)

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  2. WOW! I just love it!!!! Goa ahead girl...I think BGR has been life changing for all of us! Like Sierra, I am very proud to call you my BGR sista! Keep up the GREAT work and continue to kill the hills and beat the pavement!

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  3. I am so very proud of you my girl!! I hope to run with you real soon. Keep up the awesome work!! Love ya...

    Rena

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  4. This is an awesome testimony and proof of what you can accomplish with determination and willpower. So proud of you Camille for joining forces with BGR and proving that Black Girls most definitely run and maintain nice hairstyles.:)
    Tomeka

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  5. Camille...I remember last Sunday us both just trying to make it up to that light to reach the 4 miles of our 8 mile run and we had not stopped. Congratulations on your many accomplishments. Reading your article is truly inspiring and confirms that other black women are experiencing some of the same things that I am. #Lets keep running#

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  6. Thanks for sharing your awesome testimony. I joined the group December 1, two days before my 46 birthday and everything you have said about the group is right! Awesome, powerful and supportive group of women. I was a former runner in 1991.Like many riding the weight rollercoaster. Since joining BGR I've lost 11.8 lbs. I'm hooked and loving it. I plan to do another half marathon. If not in March then possibly in October.Congrats Camille on your accomplishments and continued success. Your BGR sistah!

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  7. Thanks lady! I never knew that my story would receive such an overwhelming response! I look forward to seeing each of you on the pavement soon! Peace, Love, Speed, and Endurance to you all!
    - Camille

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  8. Danielle Arnold CalhounDecember 15, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    Camille,
    I'm so proud of you. You are such an inspiration and you look AWESOME! I remember when we both started...each run getting stronger and stronger. You and Tracie continue to inspire and push me. I wouldn't have dared to attempt 6 or 8 miles without you guys. Keep pushing! You are my runner angel!

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  9. Where do I start , I consider my wife as Many things friend, lover, confidant sounding board. But as you notice I didn't say runner but i stand corrected she is most definately a runner. As have seen you totally transform your body and I love it. I been a an athlete all my life but in 8 short weeks I have seen you become a beast," pardon my language" from couch potato to " Jackie jorner Kersey " I am so proud of you love keep up the good work. You have motivated me I only hope to be able to run half as good as you can . So to you my queen I say this "Run like the wind ". Love ya. Anthony. A.k.a hubby

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  10. Your story has been such an inspiration to me! i started running this week and I've signed up for my first 5k. If 100+ "Black Girls" can do it, this "Black Girl" can do it to!

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  11. Camille,

    I got teary-eyed when I first read the draft of your blog, I teared up again when it was actually published, and now I'm darn near crying reading all the comments. As friends, we have shared our innermost thoughts and insecurities and I'm just SO PROUD of you for opening up and allowing God to use you in this way! I've told you since day one that we don't know who's watching and whose lives are being changed by us sharing what we consider our "flaws" - now look at all the people you've inspired!!

    Your friend & running buddy for life,
    Tracie

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  12. Camille... I remember the days where you would drive down the driveway to the mailbox! Now look at you! You're truly inspiring and I couldn't be more proud to be your sister. It was so exciting for me to be apart of your running adventures on my past trip to ATL and see you run 8 miles without stopping. BGR is a great support network for all those who never thought it was possible to run. I'm going to look for the same here in Houston so we run together someday. I look forward to seeing you run the half marathon in March. I'm so proud of you and I love you sis! ......you big sister, Aun!

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  13. Okay... Can you say touched by and Angel ..your article has motivated me while watching the BGR movement via friends. It is time to stop being a coward and to make a committment to my health for me and my family..
    Thank you!

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  14. Thanks to all my friends, family (hubby/sis/besty/runnerangels) who have posted. I never knew my story would inspire so many but I am sure happy that it has! If you ever doubted yourself -- don't! As my sister said, "I have always avoided physical activity" in any capacity; what a difference 100+ women make!

    Thanks all!
    - Camille

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