This is the first in a series of Stories of Inspiration. I want to introduce you to, Desna. Desna is a mother, wife and friend to many. Her zeal and zest for living a full life have drawn me to her. We share the same Alma Mater - Alpha Academy (Kingston, Jamaica) and I continue to be connected to her via social media. Now, I share with you Desna's Story of Inspiration.
1. Tell me what motivated you to begin running as a daily activity?
It was Francine Stewart! After I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and both my mom, dad and baby brother had passed away from heart disease, I decided to not allow this same fate to take my life. So, I started taking Zumba classes and working out in the gym. Then, one day this conversation happened via phone:
Fran: I think you should run.
Me: ……. (SILENCE)
Fran: I KNOW you can run!
And so, I started small and here we are today.
2. Did you want to quit and give up at anytime?
Absolutely yes! The funny thing though is that I had a ritual and I didn't deviate from it which helped me a whole lot. I would place my running shoes in a spot where it was visible as soon as I would enter the kitchen to make my coffee. I would also have my running clothing on my breakfast bar stool. The closest I came to quitting though was one morning when I was attacked by a dog. Dogs were my biggest scare because I am deathly afraid of them and somehow they were always on my running trail. I would run under stress and when the stress got too much, I changed my trail and started using a local school track, which was even more painful because I was running around in circles…but, I was determined to finish what I started.
3. I do remember you sharing the incident about the dog attack. I am thankful that you bounced back from that. So share with us your training philosophy? What does your training involve?
My training philosophy is…train, train and train. Do not skip training because training is where you deal with and iron out all the kinks. Training gives me an idea of what my body can do, in what time, and how fast or slow I need to go to finish in the time I desire. Rest is also important and of course, you can't skimp on fuel (food and water) and expect to be at your best. My training involved using a schedule which had my mileage for long runs increasing every week. I tried to drink a gallon of water daily especially on my training days and while a lot of dieters are afraid of carbs, I had to eat carbs for endurance. That was my favorite part, to eat a bagel with butter and not feel guilty.
4. How awesome! At what point did you decide to do the 26.2 miles?
So, I ran a half marathon in October of 2014 and I thought, hmmmm I guess the next natural step would be the full marathon. The REAL truth is that I heard this is an exclusive club and not very many people are a part of it but, I wanted in. I have always strived for excellence in all that I do and this was no different.
5. Exellent! So, why 26.2, is there a significance to that number?
If I understand the question correctly, that number has to do with the history of the marathon. There was a dude in Greece who had to take a letter from one town to the next and he ran the entire time. The distance between the two towns was 26.2 miles. Why do I remember this and I am laughing right now is a mystery because, upon delivering the note, the guy dropped DEAD! Yup you heard correctly! DEAD…and oh yea, people have died running marathons.
6. Ouch! Death by marathon eh? Okay, a lot of people want to be fit, healthy and look and feel great, share with us some tips that worked for you to achieve this?
I think our focus should be on being healthy. When we aspire to be healthy, weight loss and looking awesome will follow. My only goal when I started on this journey was to get my cholesterol down, be off blood pressure meds and get my doctor off my case. My advice is, find an activity you like doing and do it at least 4 times weekly. If you don't like your activity, you are more likely to pass on your exercise.
7. Have you had any setbacks in your journey to 26.2?
Yes. My first shot at the 26.2 was supposed to be April 2015 in Austin, Texas. However, I had a torn calf muscle which sidelined me for 6 weeks. That was devastating. When I made the second attempt, I had a fear of injury which, at times, made me run much slower than I was capable of running. I do think that this was healthy fear because it kept me injury free for my whole training.
8. Did the race already happen? Would you share with us the outcome?
So, I did run my first 26.2 on January 17, 2016. It started out as a GREAT day. I was running faster than usual and was surprised at how awesome and strong I was feeling. Suddenly, I started cramping at mile 9. Imagine that, with less than half the race completed I was already cramping.
I made two or three stops at the medical booth and felt as if I practically walked the whole route. Fran was by my side as she always was and literally carried me. At one point, I held on to her shirt and told her to run so that I could walk as fast as I could to make up time. My fear was that I would not be a finisher. I learned that day that if you do not finish in time, you wouldn't get a medal or a finisher shirt. Talk about stress!!!!! I also learned that day from a doctor at the booth, that I am one of several runners who need to have a higher salt intake as I train.
Remember when I said training was where you iron out the kinks? I never experience cramps during training so when it came, all I could do was pray. I stopped by a KSBJ (Christian Radio Station) Booth and the guy ran alongside me and prayed. Somewhere around mile 19 or so, another lady who saw my discomfort, prayed with me and the rest of the way, I was praying HARD. The prayers were answered!
Remember when I said training was where you iron out the kinks? I never experience cramps during training so when it came, all I could do was pray. I stopped by a KSBJ (Christian Radio Station) Booth and the guy ran alongside me and prayed. Somewhere around mile 19 or so, another lady who saw my discomfort, prayed with me and the rest of the way, I was praying HARD. The prayers were answered!
With about 10 mins to spare, I crossed that line, got my medal and my name is written in that 26.2 book of AWESOMENESS.
9. Amazing, amazing!! As the race date drew near and the race became real so to speak, what were some of your feelings?
Girrrrllllll...I was a nervous wreck and to top it off, I got the flu around my birthday on December 26. I had run my final long run that day, 20 miles to be exact, in the rain and coughing. I decided to rest due to my respiratory infection. This added a whole lot of stress because, I felt that if I wasn't training, then I would not be ready.
See, I learned from a veteran marathoner, that my body had already received all the necessary training for the marathon because I was very consistent and not missing any training miles. In retrospect, it was that week of complete rest that really helped me. I vividly remember the first day I went back on the trails, I had to stop myself from over training. I was strong and fast!
10. What's next for Desna? Any words of encouragement for our readers?
Naturally, there will be more marathons and long distance races. The 26.2 would not have happened if I did not verbalize it. Beyond that, I am addicted to the sweat. Every distance over 10 miles, I ask myself why am I doing this? After every race, I keep signing up for more. My goal right now is to learn how to swim and ride a bike because in the year I turn 50, I want to do an Ironman. Ironman Triathlon consists of a 2.4 -mile swim, a 112 - mile bike ride and a 26.2 - mile run. It's been said, that just finishing, is a victory!
I dream BIG and in very BOLD colors. It is my personality and my life's work to go where no other 40 something has gone before!
11. This is where I give a round of applause and a standing ovation, what a story! Desna, thanks for sharing just a slice of you with the forauntsis community and visitors to this blog. We will be with you in spirit as you push to the Ironman Triathlon. I believe that you will do it and God will get you through it. Blessings my sister!
