The Run of my Life

As a kid, I decided that I wanted to run a marathon one day. At that time, I had no clue what a marathon was (besides it involved running) but I did not know what the distance was or that you actually had to train for it. In 2015, I was able to make good on the lofty goal in running a full marathon. Not only did I do it but I did it twice that year (have not gone back to the distance since then). My journey of running started about five and a half years ago with the idea of running a 5k race. Never would I have thought that it would extend to beyond the 5k and every distance in between up to the ultimate 42.5k. On top of the individual race, I competed in a team relay twice that consisted of 100k (62 miles for my Americans. Shout out to my Ex Pitter Patter teammates!). In this time,

As a runner, you are often inspired by other runners that you come to interact with at the start line, training runs or the many we encounter and befriend online. The running community is the biggest and most inclusive fraternity or sorority you can be a part of. These inspiring stories of overcoming challenges to push limits or the very thought to just give something a shot has rubbed off on me. This school year I have been able to befriend someone who had the crazy notion to run a crazy distance across a country. To use running to do something epic. There are many people who have run across the US, the Appalachian Trail (which record is falling by the day), through the United Kingdom with the list going on.

My man Ben threw out the idea of running through some places in Europe. My eyes lit up and I got super excited, and by the time I came down from that 10 second high, he had already given me five options to run lol. His logistical brain had every biking/running trail, climate, elevation, and distance built into a table that made my job very easy. All I had to do was say 'yes'. We went back and forth on some ideas, truly with our eyes set on the easiest and most controlled situation that would allow us to get our feet wet in this staged race business. At the end of the day, we settled on running the Canal Du Midi in the south of France (little did I know that these would be a research trip for him as I was told by his wife that this is a place she had eyed for a bit. Well done mate!). Originally we considered covering the distance in a 10-day span in which we could take our time and complete reasonable distances each day. But due to schedules, we will be covering the 250km journey in six days, which will equate to at least a marathon a day for six consecutive days.

Neither of us has the slightest idea of what we are getting ourselves into. But I do know this experience will be life changing and one that will lead to other possibilities of taking on the unthinkable. What's life if you aren't willing to take some chances on epic shit? Mediocrity is oversaturated, why not be great? Thanks to you Ben Yeo (pronounced Yo) and your willingness to let this guy tag along on your journey. June 18th the run from Toulouse to Sete will begin.

#blackenduranceathlete


Pyramids Half Marathon February 2019

The Why

The daunting question: why? This question rears its ugly head on a daily basis. It's one of the hardest questions to answer. It is the one question that most infants pick up on first to drive us crazy. There are the things that we want, the things we desire to have or believe that we deserve etc. but do we ever consider, why? On the journey to becoming who and what you want to be, we must first ask ourselves, why, then we can take the necessary steps in pursuing what we desire.

By asking 'why', it leads you into thought and action of pursuit. Dreams without actions are only mere dreams. You never get to the experience the joy of failure which leads to your ultimate successes. We believe that it is much safer to not pursue, rather than to pursue and fail. Fear is the biggest deterrent in following our dreams. If you ask yourself 'why' and you can give a legitimate reason(s) then you know that this is something worth pursuing.

Why? I contemplate this question on a daily basis. Being ambitious is a double-edged sword. On one hand, you're actively pursuing a goal while on the other hand, this habit continues into which you may end up with 'goals' rather than accomplishments.

I have a belief that all people should leave the world better than the way they found it. How this is accomplished is totally up to the individual. How do I personally make a change? This is where you begin to pursue the why.

Merriam-Webster defines why as: for what reason or purpose. I have been on my journey of soul-searching over the last few years. My journey has not been smooth by any means. One of the hardest concepts in life is to face the man in the mirror. The truth scares the hell out of us. It is much easier to look beyond ourselves and see things wrong with others but not be able to do the same with ourselves.  As I began to think about changing the world, my thought process went into: why not start with my own. When I speak of my own, I mean my own people, where I'm from. Help those who look like me and come from where I do.

*Flashback to 2012. There was an article that was shared with me about a high school on the Southside of Chicago. If you know anything about the Southside then you know most times it is spoken about it is usually less flattering. Chicago is the murder capital for black males with one of the highest homicide rates in the US. There is a bright spot in a community with not much to believe in. Urban Prep Academy is an all-male school that had not only a 100% graduation rate but also a 100% college acceptance rate for their senior class.  I thought to myself 'how amazing is this!' And my next thought was 'how do I replicate this?' I was blown away that the success of the of the school went unnoticed.

*Flash forward: I wanted to create my own Urban Prep Academy but I wanted to create this in my vision and in my backyard. The city of Las Vegas can benefit greatly from such a school. I began thinking about my nephews, students, friends, and former athletes I know off the top of my head, this is where I got my 'why'. Why not create an environment that minority males can relate to and grow as people from who look like them? This is an opportunity to show them that to be successful in life does not mean that you have to dribble a ball, catch a football, or rap a lyric. Why not Vegas? Why not me?

In the fall of 2016, I began thinking about going to school to pursue a degree in leadership. When the time and opportunity came for me to run a school, I wanted to make sure I had the credentials, knowledge, and experiences to man it. After having conversations with some of the closest people to me, it was clear that pursuing my Ph.D. was the right decision. Here goes nothing...

*Flashback 2002: I'm at freshman orientation in McCall, Idaho. I was introduced to Rob Stacy who would be my first-year academic advisor As part of orientation, we were broken up into groups based upon our advisor. My group as assigned to take a ski lift to the top of the ski hill and meet with Rob. First off, I had never been on a ski lift and all I could think of on the ride up was: DO NOT FALL! After reaching the top, of course as being new students we had to go through the introducing ourselves routine. My advisor Rob, introduced himself as Dr. Rob Stacy. After everyone introduced themselves, it was finally my turn. Unknowingly predicting my future, I referred to my as Dr. Derek Brown. Of course, we all laughed but I'm finding truth in that statement fourteen years later.

*Flash Forward 2016: My supervisor tells me that I needed to join him in the pursuit of a doctoral degree. He told me how he waited twenty years too long to pursue his degree. How flattering for him to consider me doing this program but also I get to back up the name I gave myself in McCall, Idaho.

This is how it all began. My 'why' has given me the motivation needed to help somebody else's life. Let the journey begin!


*This blog was created in the fall of 2016*

5k A Day Black History Month Challenge

"That pain will go away, it is just a cramp, I will be fine," are thoughts that continuously went through my head in the midst of my running during 2015. I was on track to do something I had never thought was possible: run one thousand miles in a year. With the opportunity to get closer to completing a goal of 100 career races (two of them must be full marathons), I was having a career year that had me excited about where running has taken me in such a short time. Up into that point I had not experienced an injury. I kept feeling something but of course I would just ignore until I could not anymore. I faced the reality that I had my first 'running' injury. The hamstring! I am not a sprinter, so how could I possibly have a hammy issue? I finally came to grips and realized that I needed to rest. During my off time from running, I decided to do TRX to help strengthen my core and for me to focus on weak area. I found enjoyment in not running. It became easy to not do a 5am run. Not a good sign. When would I start running again?

After taking about five weeks off I was looking to get back into running. Before being hurt it was a no-brainer to go out and just run. Post injury my mind was not fixed with the idea of just going for a 'run' anymore. I had to re-train the brain but it was a more difficult task than imagined. It went from my alarm going off at 4:15am and getting up only to decline to just run in the evening. I was playing myself mentally but the results were not in my favor. I got to thinking, “what can I do to get myself back into running”. February was just a few days away. In December 2014, I set out to run a 5k a day for the month. I came up a day short of my goal, I ended up running 30 out of 31 one days. It kept me motivated and with a purpose to pound the pavement daily. So, fast forward back to January ‘16, I decided that to get back into the running spirit that I will do a 5k-a-day in February while honoring my heritage during Black History Month. February meant the rebirth of my running as well as paying homage to those who came before me.

Quick history lesson on Black History Month: Black History Month is celebrated in the US, Canada, and UK (US/Canada: February, Uk: October). It began as just a week, but become a month long celebration in 1976. February is a great time to reflect on all that is black history which is a major part of US history. I take the time to recognize those who made major contributions to the human race by volunteering, protesting, fighting for equality, for those who wanted change. The torch has been passed down through generations and I feel that I would let the dream die if I did not do my part to live out the dreams of the fallen. The challenge seemed very appropriate for what the month of February means.

I write this as I have completed 26 out of 29 days (leap year gives me an extra day!). There were days where I just didn’t feel like hitting the pavement for a run, but once out it was clear to me why I was challenging myself. It has been a great feeling being able to throw the sneaks on and head out the door and knowing that the love for running is still there. The rest was well worth the wait. Each day I am motivated by the stories and legacies of those who came before me. I am hoping this challenge leads to other monthly challenges that will help  motivate me into reaching new heights. For I know tomorrow brings another 5k, but I am not sure what March will bring. What’s next?

Karura Forest Nairobi Kenya