32; ATP with Numotion; Volunteers as a Mentor with J.I.F.F., Track Coach with FACS Repeat, with St. Jude Marathon, and IronMan Memphis
HOMETOWN: Memphis, TN
I LOVE RUNNING: I love that running attracts all people. What links us is the choice we made to do it. I tell everyone that sees me running, “The streets are wide enough for both of us.”
BUCKET LIST: I want to complete an Ironman. The skill of swimming still escapes me, but one day.
UP NEXT: Selma to Montgomery Relay and Walking Tall 50K
FAVE FITNESS ACCOMPLISHMENT: My first marathon, but the time wasn’t pretty. I was talked into doing it 90 days out by some gym brothers when I hadn’t run more than a mile in six years. I trained hard, began to learn my body, and finished strong.
SPEED BUMPS: I was shot in a drive-by in 2021. I was hit in my left hip, and it existed on the right side of my T-12. The challenges came from the need to learn my body over again, and finding a therapist that understood the level of fitness I was seeking.
MY GROUP: Black Men Run Memphis, MRTC, and Trail Trippers. Saturdays, I hit the road with my BMR brothers and sneak in a trail run on Wednesdays when I can with the Trail Trippers.
FAVORITE JAMS: Musically, I’m all over the place. No profanity, a food reference, some good vocals, and you might have a fan.
RECENT RACES: Race for Reconciliation 5K, where I placed 3rd in my age group with a PR, and I completed the 4x4x48 challenge, 4 miles every 4 hours for 48hrs on the trails.
MOST MEMORABLE FITNESS EVENT: BG Half Marathon. I crossed the start line 15 minutes late, still in my sweats. But climbing that ladder of participants, encouraging those I passed, and pulling others along with me as I proceeded to PR myself, was truly something.
BEST EATS: Louisiana Redfish at Coastal Fish or Lemon Pepper Wings
DREAM DINNER COMPANY: While not famous, it would have to be my late grandfather, Lee Donelson. He was the greatest example of a “MAN” I ever knew.
GO-TO GEAR: Garmin Watch. My favorite shoe is one on sale, but at a size 14, that doesn’t happen much.
INSPIRATION TO BE FIT: I work to remain fit because I want to be around as long as possible. I want to encounter and impact as many people as I can positively. I believe being fit gives me that opportunity.
ON MY NIGHTSTAND: “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison
PERSONAL MOTTO: “Be an example. Someone’s always watching.”
Photo by Tindall Stephens
