67; Gynecologist at Mestemacher Clinic for Women; Blog writer at ymoore4health.com; Volunteer coach for Dreamgirls Healthier You; Admin for “No Gym, No Problem”
THE RACE I WON’T FORGET: The Portland Half Marathon in October. When I was pursuing the 50 state Half Marathon Challenge, my husband traveled with me and was my biggest supporter, even after he was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer in 2016. We had done 48 of the states before he became too weak to travel. Before he passed, I promised him I would finish. Once in-person races started back, my children accompanied me to the last 2 states. At the last race in Portland, my son wore a shirt with my late husband’s likeness to the finish line. It was a very emotional moment for me, one that I will never forget!
MY GROUP: I first started walking and running with Sisters in Motion in 2011. I ran my first Half Marathon as a member of the group when I was 59. I’m currently active with Black Girls Run and with a group of ladies that walk on Saturday mornings. I also participate in several Facebook running groups.
BUCKET LIST: I would love to run a race in Paris with a view of the Eiffel Tower.
RECENT WINS: I just completed my 8th consecutive St. Jude Half Marathon as a St. Jude Hero. This year, with the help of my True Light Baptist Church Family, I was able to raise over $2,800 in donations. I also did the Memphis Turkey Trot and the Mississippi Blues Half Marathon where I placed second and third in my age group.
FAVORITE FITNESS ACCOMPLISHMENT: Since 2013, I have completed 69 half marathons in all 50 States, DC, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico. It was a wonderful way to see the country.
SPEED BUMPS: Just before Covid hit, I had lost my mother, my husband, and one of my closest friends in less than eight months. Grieving such close losses is difficult under any circumstances, but was compounded by the loss of any semblance of normalcy. I decided to not allow my grief and isolation destroy my newly found good health. I wrote blog entries about handling stress and ways to stay healthy in a crisis. I took solo walks and runs with Gospel music or sermons in my ear and prayer in my heart. Instead of eating my feelings, I exercised. It was a lifesaver.
BEST EATS: Before I went strictly low carb, my favorite post half marathon celebration food was Bang Bang Shrimp at Bonefish Grill.
ON MY NIGHTSTAND: Bamboozled By Jesus: How God Tricked Me into the Life of My Dreams by Yvonne Orji
PET PEEVE: When people think they can out-exercise a bad diet. A truly healthy lifestyle includes both a healthy diet and exercise.
EXTRAVAGANCE: My turtle collection. During my 50 state quest, I collected turtle figurines from all over the country.
Photo by Tindall Stephens
