Author: zenmochaGR

Michael Heard, Gospel Run coach and Team Trinity United Church of Christ co-captain, began running when he turned 40 years old. He was determined to take better care of his body, so he started his health journey by walking on the treadmill.

“A trainer told me that if I wanted to get in shape I needed to pick out a cardio exercise that I liked and do strength training. I chose to start running in 1995, and after running half marathons, 5Ks and 10Ks, I completed my first marathon in 2003. I trained hard for it!”

Coach Michael endured more than just marathon training to trump the 26.2 mile distance.

“When I first started running, I smoked cigarettes. I had been smoking almost 25 years.  It took 8 years to kick the habit; during that time I was running 5k & 10K races and a half marathon. But once I decided to run a marathon, I knew I had to STOP smoking completely. I did and have not picked up a cigarette since that first day of marathon training.”

Running is now a vital part of Coach Michael’s everyday routine and has convinced him that he can do anything he puts his mind to.

“I went from a couch potato to an athlete. That’s right an athlete! In my second marathon, I qualified to run the Boston Marathon, which is the only race that you have to qualify in another marathon to run Boston. When I got there, they called all the runners athletes! There was no looking back after that marathon. I have gone on to run 18 marathons in 15 years.”

Coach Michael shares the same advice his trainer gave him to new runners and counsels them to stay encouraged.

“Find a cardio exercise that you like, whether it’s biking, running, swimming etc. and then incorporate strength training into your routine. You also need to watch what you eat. I have to come to learn that what you put in your mouth is either contributing to better health or causing health problems. To see the benefits of running or walking you have to do it at least 3 days a week.  You are wasting your time if you do it once or twice a week, or every other week. It will take time to get into a routine but once you do, it will soon become part of your life and you will enjoy your new body. Exercise is a really good way to relieve stress. You will find that you have a better outlook on life.”

Look at Coach Michael running his first marathon and still smiling at mile 23!

The Many Ways Racer Keisha Farmer-Smith Helps Keep Her Family Healthy

Keisha Farmer-Smith decided to do Gospel Run five years ago, after her husband was diagnosed with some considerable health challenges. The couple wanted to be healthier together. The rest of their blended family, including Keisha’s 75 year-old mother-in-law, joined because the race looked fun. The family has participated in Gospel Run every year since.

Keisha, 46, is a Chicago South Sider who has always sought creative ways to keep her children active. When she was a single parent of two young boys, now ages 17 and 21, Keisha found activities that were low cost, or free, to occupy them. Whether it was the Boys and Girls Club, tumbling or soccer, she made sure her boys moved. Even while doing family chores, Keisha would play music, “you’re cleaning while getting your heart rate up.”

Getting an entire family involved in healthy living was a mixed bag. “For some family members the choice was easy. For others, having to practice [and] prepare for the race has been difficult. We try our best to encourage each other.” Some of the ways the family is encouraged and stays on task is holding veggie and fruit, water drinking, pushup and sit-up challenges. They try to eat dinner together a few times a week and will check in with each other, asking “have you been walking?”

As a parent, Keisha does not feel our culture supports health and wellness of Black families and especially Black children. “It’s hard. I’ve always tried to cook at home [and] have healthy eating options in the house. [But] fruits and vegetable cost more.” Keisha, who holds a PhD admits that her family has been able to eat healthier as she earned more income. For families on a tight budget, she suggests going to local farmer’s markets that take SNAP benefits. She also recommends avoiding processed foods and refined sugar if possible. Her family has benefited from their neighborhood’s Salvation Army Kroc Center, which charges on a sliding scale based on your income and health.

Gospel Run has been pivotal in inspiring Keisha’s family to stay healthy. “We don’t treat is as a singular event. We start revving up for Gospel Run!” The family starts their race season in November so that they feel prepared come June for Gospel Run. For Keisha, the event is more than a simple race, “It’s about family and community… and thanking God for the bodies we have.” When asked the importance of the community seeing Black families, in all forms, coming together to support each other, Keisha’s answer was simple: “It’s extremely important. It’s such a positive event, and it’s so much fun!”

For the 2020 race, Keisha wants to get her sorority sisters to form a team. “Gospel Run has been a wonderful blessing to our family. It is a fun way to spend time together, encourage each other and make healthier life choices.”

March 2019

Conversations on race and racism have recently re-emerged in the national discourse in new and urgent ways.  As a public health organization, Gospel Run has taken an active role in facilitating this conversation within the Chicago faith community.   

In 2018, the Interfaith Coalition Against Racism (ICAR) became a strategic partner of Gospel Run.  They are also one of the Official Charity Partners of the Chicago Gospel Run 5K/10K.  ICAR is an organization of twelve (12) faith-based member institutions, and it was formed after the 2014 crisis in Ferguson, Missouri.  Its goal is to unite faith leaders and organizations in a bold shared vision of dismantling racism.  

Reverend Vicky Curtiss, a leader of the Interfaith Coalition Against Racism (ICAR)  and Associate Pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church, explains ICAR’s work and how the organization has leveraged funds raised through the Gospel Run 5K/10K to address racism through their collective faith communities. 

GR: What is the mission of ICAR?

Rev. Vicky Curtiss: Through interfaith collaboration, ICAR does advocacy, public education, peace circles, and anti-racism trainings.  We host public forums on issues such as police accountability, the racial health gap, and the impact of trauma on youth and families.  We also advocate for reducing gun violence, equitable funding for schools in Chicago, and mass incarceration.

GR: How has ICAR used funds raised through the Gospel Run 5K to further its mission?

Rev. Vicky Curtiss:  We’re grateful to be an Official Charity Partner of the race.  Our Gospel Run team members have been able to raise about $7,000.  We used the funds raised to help pay for multiple anti-racism training sessions led by C-ROAR (Chicago Regional Organizing for Anti-Racism).  So far, over 200 people have raised their hands and have completed the anti-racism trainings.  Each time we offered it, they filled up.  We offered both one-day trainings and 2.5-day trainings.

GR:  Has the anti-racism training made a difference?  If so, what has the impact been?   

Rev. Vicky Curtiss:  The training is not just personal; it’s also about analyzing systemic racism.  You learn what to look for and how to recognize it.  Once your eyes are opened, you can’t not see it.  It’s expanded our thinking and awareness of racial and cultural reinforcement and systems.  After the training, I have a better understanding of some of the core values that we need to live into if we want to live without racism.

Institutionally, our church has formed a racial equity council among our leadership, and we’ve launched a transformation team among our congregational members who have completed the training.  We’re in the midst of an institutional audit at Fourth Presbyterian Church to examine our own personnel and organizational structure.  It is a nine-month process.  Once the audit is completed, we will have a set of recommendations on what needs to change within our institution. 

Organizational changes are not always easy, and there will be push-back.  But that’s a part of the process.

GR: Why was it so important for you to take on the issue of racism as an individual, church, and as an organization?

Rev. Vicky Curtiss: Our vision is to live the beloved community described by Dr. King.  I believe racism is so harmful to all of us, and it does huge damage to people of color.  Our church was initially doing multicultural trainings, but we weren’t getting anywhere and were getting frustrated.  Racism is systemic and is much bigger than individual attitudes.  We needed tools.  

As a white person, I was eager to learn more about systemic racism and how to make organizational change. We’re all indoctrinated into white supremacist thinking.  It’s like the water that fish swim in.   As a church leader, I want to mobilize our church to battle systemic racism – something that will take a whole lifetime.       

GR: How was ICAR’s Gospel Run 5K/10K experience on race day? 

Rev. Vicky Curtiss: It was fun to be part of the larger community of Chicagoans brought together by Gospel Run!  It’s a gift of fellowship and community with one another.  Gospel Run not only enabled us to raise funds to further our mission through anti-racism work, but deepened friendships among participants who are diverse racially.  It celebrates who we all are.

ICAR Member Organizations:  Fourth Presbyterian Church, Downtown Islamic Center, Trinity United Church of Christ, Old Saint Patrick’s Church, St. James Cathedral, Congregation Sinai, First United Methodist Church at The Chicago Temple, St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, LaSalle Street Church, St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church, and Episcopal Diocese of Chicago.

GR Editor: What was your most memorable moment from Gospel Run 2018?

Patricia: My favorite moment was crossing the finish line! I was 392 pounds at my heaviest. My health was so bad that I used to walk with a cane and sometimes even crawled to the bathroom. I never thought I could do the whole race, but with the push of my cousin Nichole and friend Kara they walked with me the whole way! At the end, we pushed it and even jogged.

The feeling I had running over the finish line was an accomplishment physically, but also spiritually. I had adversities in 2018, and my Pastor Raymond Quintana preached his New Year’s message “Run Your Race!” No matter how tough life gets, push through. We are all on our own journeys. I get teary eyed every time I think of myself crossing the finish line!

GR Editor: How has Gospel Run impacted your life post-race?

Patricia: I am focusing on my health more. It is a journey. I am not where I want to be, but I am definitely not where I used to be. I did two 5Ks last year. I can do sit ups, push-ups, and of course, my favorite, bicycling! Gospel Run has impacted not only myself but my team as well! Our team Word of Life Warriors is amazing! We push and motivate each other. We accomplished doing the 5K race together while representing our church, and did not quit. We all cheered each other at the finish line, and they all waited for me last year! We are starting spring training next week.  Gospel Run has impacted my life forever!

GR Editor: What advice would you offer to first-time Gospel Run participants?

Patricia: If I can do it, then you can do it! Surround yourself with people who will motivate you and push you. My big brother David always tells me ‘can’t is not in your vocabulary!’  If you need help preparing for Gospel Run feel free to join our team Word of Life Warriors. We meet at our church in Crest Hill, IL on Sundays at 5pm starting in March. We are going to pray, work out together, and run and walk. You might have hesitations, thinking ‘can I do this?’ Philippians 4:13 says “I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!”

Set a goal. Last year my goal was to just finish the race. This year my goal is to be a little faster than last year. I would love to jog the whole race. Can I do it now? No. But with proper nutrition and training I know that I can! 

Patricia has since become the co-captain for the Word of Life Warriors team!  Her goal is to build a Word of Life run/walk team of over 100strong!  She is truly an inspiration to those around her and the Gospel Run family.  Go Patricia!

Familiar with living a sedentary lifestyle, Faustenia Morrow shied away from engaging in any activity that required exercise, even walking a short distance. Inspired to make a change in her unhealthy habits, Faustenia participated in her first race ever at the 2015 Gospel Run 5K! 

“I vividly remember the day of the 2015 Gospel Run 5K because it was pouring rain in Chicago that morning. I had declared that I was NOT running in the rain.  I weighed 322 lbs and I barely liked climbing a flight of stairs. I remembered thinking ‘Big Girls like me don’t run!’ 

I got to the Gospel Run 5K and the rain stopped. I started the race and I was feeling good because I prepared using the Couch25K app.  As I was running along, I saw a woman with a walker participating in the Gospel Run.  I was blown away and humbled because I knew if she could do it, I had no excuse! I will never forget that moment.

Gospel Run has greatly impacted my life because I have never been this active ever.  I wake up with the desire to move my body and go for a walk.  I have incorporated walking/running into my daily routine.  I joined a FitBit group to track my daily steps and as a result, I know that approximately 7,500 steps = 3.4 miles.  Lastly, because of this experience I lost 30 lbs while training for the 5K and 4 years later I’ve lost over 50 lbs. I feel AMAZING!”

Faustenia encourages first-time participants and sedentary populations interested in Gospel Run to get up and get going! Since joining Gospel Run in 2015, she has become more physically and mentally fit and continues to incorporate healthy routines into her daily life.

“For sedentary participants, I have been where you are. I would often count my steps and spend a lot of effort trying to limit my exercise. If someone said that 4 years later I would be intentionally walking over 3 miles a day or that participating in the Gospel Run 5K would stimulate the desire to eat healthy and make better lifestyle choices I would have said, ‘You are crazy. Big GIRLS like me don’t RUN!’

But, I am a living witness! I am even considering training for an International Triathlon in 2020!  I give God the glory for my ‘Butterfly Transformation.’”

Faustenia Morrow, 2015 Gospel Run Participant

How Gospel Run Chicago Activated One Aurora Woman’s Service to Others

Aurora resident Cynthia Dyce first learned of Gospel Run Chicago via social media. As a lifelong runner, she thought the event sounded fun. She had been volunteering with a local health advocacy group, Fox Valley Faith and Health Network. At the next monthly meeting, Cynthia presented the idea to the group and shared her vision of forming a team made up of individuals from the Western Suburbs and beyond like Bolingbrook and Maywood. She invited them to join and represent the Aurora and greater Fox Valley community.

Cynthia’s vision also extended to friends who are not affiliated with a church. “I have a lot of friends that are outside the church. We do other things outside the church.” She wanted to get them more involved in their communities and take ownership of their health.

A realtor by day, Cynthia utilized her network of friends, family, volunteer and church groups to grow one of the all-time top coalition teams in Gospel Run history.  Cynthia drew in so many participants, the Gospel Run organization expanded its Teams program to account for this new  category of “Coalition and Community Teams.”

Recently, Cynthia’s running days were ended by knee and ankle injuries, but her physical setbacks have not slowed Cynthia down.  She has attended every Gospel Run and is still working tirelessly to lead and organize new Gospel Run teams in various communities.  At this year’s race, Cynthia’s 28-year-old son, Christian, came all the way from Tampa to help her motivate the team. Inspired, he now wants to form his own Tampa team!

Although she can no longer run herself, her impact as a Gospel Run organizer continues to grow.  “I love to serve.  [In spite of my injuries], it was important to me to keep the original vision God gave me to build a team of leaders that would influence those in their churches, communities, families, and friends to live healthier lives.  I’m excited to see our team members who now want to influence others to do the same.” 

Cynthia embodies service. A true leader, she’s modest about discussing her impact on the community. “I don’t like being in the front, I like working behind the scenes.” We see you Cynthia and we are so grateful to have you!