I started seriously distance running in 2019, when I moved to California and the 2024, 128th Boston Marathon will be my first Boston!

For me, running has been the biggest blessing: helping me find brotherhood, mentorship, helping me test my limits and grow as an athlete, and even giving me more patience for myself and others than I could have ever possibly imagined. I’m excited by the idea of building more community through spaces like Black Men Run, adding and exploring new miles on trail and road, and continuing to find out what my body is capable of.

The piece of advice I’d most hope to share is trusting yourself and listening to your body. These two ideas tend to go hand in hand throughout the running process. In order to grow as a runner, you have to trust yourself: knowing you have put in the hours and training, and even when it feels hard during a race, knowing that you are capable, and that you have more underneath the surface to give. On the other side, listening to your body is key, because sometimes you really do need to stop, so even when you set out to do a 10 mile run, you might realize you need to tap out at 7 miles; just remember, you didn’t fail to do 10, you just ran 7! Listening to your body can help keep you healthy, and can help you learn to trust yourself “when the going gets tough”.