If you are interested in joining please send an email to media@blackgirlsrun.com with the name of the organization, point of contact, and how many interested registrants. If approved, your group’s name will be added to the registration page for the race.

We are able to offer a discount to larger groups. Women, men, and families are encouraged to participate. The top group with the most people registered will receive an award at the BGR! Experience Dinner on Saturday, September 7, and recognition at the 5K/10K start and finish lines on Sunday, September 8.

For more information on how your company can join the SWEAT CHALLENGE, contact us! We look forward to seeing you in Charlotte.

Ashley (A): How did you get interested in running?
Jerod (J): I have always been interested in running as it was a way to keep in shape back in my college hockey playing days. However I really started running when I got hired on with the Dallas Police Dept in 1998. Before that I was a 3 day a week runner logging in a few miles at a time. After I started Police Academy it substantially increased to 5-6 days a week. My first Sgt out in Patrol after graduation from Academy deserves all the credit. Sgt Curtis Goodwin introduced me to racing and got me entered into my first 10k in 1999. After that race I increased to a Half Marathon in 2000. A few months after that race, I decided to try for a Full Marathon. Sgt Goodwin not only created a long run plan for me, but we actually ran together around MIDNIGHT in the summer to avoid those Texas 100 degree temps. Yes long runs at midnight around a lake here in Dallas!!!  Anyway, we both ran side by side at the 2002 Chicago Marathon and we finished together. To this day, Sgt Curtis Goodwin is not only one of my best friends, but is one of the first text messages I send upon completion of a race.

  A: How long have you been running?
J: Been running since my college hockey playing days, but officially my first race was a 10K in 1999 so let’s go with that….

A: What was your training process like?
J: My Training process has evolved throughout the years depending on what type of race and distance I’m training for. I can offer these details though, I ONLY run 4 days a week and do not do anything else the other three days. Rest I have found out is much needed, and overlooked with plenty of runners. I have been doing this since 2006 as I found out that it works best for me. A typical run will be between 6-10 for three of the days and an 18-26 on the weekend. Being that I travel and run so many races on the weekend, a marathon normally gets fit into my schedule every 2-3 weeks.

A: What keeps you motivated to run, even when you do not want to?
J: I can honestly say that I am NEVER not motivated to run. I am so very very fortunate to be able to run and do what I do

A: How do you balance work and running?
J: Running helps be BIGTIME relax and take the focus off of work. I can go disappear during a long run and focus on other things not work related. I have however been VERY VERY FORTUNATE throughout the years to have work that is so supportive in my Running and Adventures!!!

A: Tell me about the process of getting hired as a detective.
J: Getting hired with the Dallas Police Department is a very long process. But how I  got to my current position as a Detective in the Fusion Center of the Dallas Police Dept is: I worked in Patrol for approx 9.5 years and took a exam to promote to Senior Corporal. After obtaining that rank with approx 4 years on the Dept, I became a Field Training Officer( FTO) where I trained recruits upon graduation from academy. Approx 40-50 were trained by me over a 5.5 year span. I decided in late 2007 to interview with the Fusion Center where I was SO SO very fortunate to be selected.

A: When and where was your first marathon?
J: My first Marathon was in 2002 at the Chicago Marathon.

A: How did you get interested in doing marathons all over the world?
J: I got interested in running all over the USA and World from my Parents who exposed me to countless trips and travels throughout the world and USA growing up. I have always been a traveler and just decided now to try to incorporate races in places that I want to see. My current goals are to run a marathon on every continent and also run a marathon in all 50 states in under 4 hours. 100 races either a marathon or ultra marathon I would very much like to accomplish as well. I need to stay healthy and of course have some major luck on my side to accomplish all of this as well.

A: Name some of the locations you have been.
J: Some of the locations for marathons and half marathons are: Sydney, Australia,  Sendai, Japan, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Vancouver and Montreal Canada.  Boston, NYC, Chicago, Fargo, ND, Miami, Phoenix, Dallas…. The list goes on and on and on!

A: What was your favorite place you traveled to? Why?
J: Favorite place was probably Sendai Japan to represent the City of Dallas and the Japanese American Society. Dallas is one of 6 sister cities with Sendai, Japan. In 2008 I applied and after writing a letter and completing a long phone interview I was selected along with one female runner to compete in the Sendai Invitational Half Marathon. The experience of being immersed and so very welcomed into Japan’s culture and customs is something to this day I will never ever forget as long as I live. It was TRULY a great honor to represent the City of Dallas in this amazing half marathon and cultural and friendship promoting experience!!!

A: Tell me what is on your running playlist.
J: I listen to all types on 80s music, but NEVER run with an IPOD.

A: What are some of your favorite running brands?
J: Favorite clothing brands, really easy anything BROOKS!!!!!

A: Do you run alone or with friends?
J: I almost always run and train alone.

A: What does running do for you?
J: Running has allowed me so many things in life. I have been very fortunate to meet so many interesting people throughout my travels. I have seen some amazing places in our United States along with the World as well. Also it has kept me healthy and created an urge in me to explore new and different places. Lastly it has provided me a way to relax and also a means to focus my attention on other things like: how far can I push my body or when is my next trip?????

A: Complete this sentence, “When I run, I feel ______.”
J: When I run, I feel relaxed and at peace!!!    My running mantra tho is: “Outlast them All “

Packing…..

- Has become non-existent because I basically live out of my suitcase…..even when I’m home. It makes it harder to forget things.

- It’s also easy because 90% of my travel wardrobe is running gear. I actually can’t remember the last time I wore real clothes.

- Leggings have become my best friend.

- Sometimes I wear compression tights or socks to keep the circulation going

- Running clothes and shoes ALWAYS go in the carryon. Just when you think you’ve hit a “I’ve never lost my bags” streak, it’ll happen.

- I always pack a few extra grocery bags for dirty clothes and running shoes and I try to keep everything separated from my clean clothes.

- Even better, score one of those bags that have a bottom compartment separate from everything else! Talk about convenience.

- I’m not sure why, but my bags never seem fresh. I always throw in a few dryer sheets to make them smell so fresh and so clean. Indigo Wild also has these neat scented wood balls that I like to use.

- Don’t forget breath mints. Random, but important.

Going through security…….

- Is never boring. I can always expect to get my fro patted down (I like to surprise the TSA agents with wet hair….GROSS)

- But it’s not just the hair that gets patted down. In Charlotte this past weekend, I received a full-body pat down because of my uni-boob. Apparently there was too much, too compacted up there. The TSA agent advised me not to do the uniboob thing again. She obviously isn’t a runner.

- I always forget that damn bottle of water in my carry on. Be sure to check your bag twice. I hate being THAT unseasoned traveler. Instead I travel with a reusable water bottle. REI has one that I LOVE.

- We’ve also started packing a bag full of snacks for the plane ride. It prevents us from getting hangry (which is a full on WAR when it happens) and helps us stay away from our beloved Cheez-Its.

- Being “complemented” on my brolic-ness and impromptu gun show has become the norm. I’m not sure whether I should be offended or flattered. And shouldn’t they be focused on making sure we’re all safe and sound?!?!?!

Getting in a workout or run…..

- It helps to travel with an insane early riser (*clears throat* Ashley Hicks) that forces, I mean, encourages you to get up in the morning and get it in.

- If you aren’t fortunate to have someone as lovely as Ashley to help you get up, why not schedule an early morning workout class at a local fitness or yoga studio. The variety will make you excited to do something new and there’s usually tons of new things to try, especially in larger metropolitan areas.

- Hook up with your local BGR! crew! Duh!!

Eating healthy….

- The first thing we do now is find a grocery store or health food store. One, to get some kombucha, but two, to do some light grocery shopping. Again, no one likes a hangry Toni and Ashley.

- Have at least ONE salad a day.

- Drink PLENTY of water. That whole air pressure thing can really dry you out.

- Limit the amount of alcohol. ( I have to admit, we’re working on that one……)

- Be more disciplined about your diet that you typically would. My tummy HATES traveling so I try to stay on the straight and narrow as much as humanly possible. Otherwise, it makes for a long stinky trip. Don’t judge.

and last but not least…..

Staying healthy…..

- There’s an insane  amount of germs you come in contact with when you travel. All those people, the circulating air on the plane, people coughing, the creepy guy on the plane…..UGH! Be sure you are taking your vitamins.

- Kombucha. I pretty much think this is God’s homemade goodness to all things healthy and reinvigorating and among it’s benefits, God made it the ultimate serum for not getting sick. Disclaimer: This hasn’t been scientifically proven, but I haven’t been sick in a minute!

- Wash your hands…….all the time. Seems like a no brainer, but there’s a lot of people who don’t. Don’t be that person. (Also, be sure to pack a travel size bottle of lotion. Can’t have you having ashy hands). Pack some hand sanitizer too!

- REST!! At the end of the day, you can’t do anything if you don’t get enough sleep. Be sure to get your Zzzzz’s and have some time to relax. Even if that means padding your schedule a bit. And for gosh sakes, don’t log-on to the airplane Wi-Fi. I promise you, nothing new will have happened on your Facebook timeline. Power down and rest your mind!

What are some of your rules to being an expert traveling runner??

There’s a science project that continues to blow my mind:  It’s the fruit-powered clock.

Eat food that gives you life.

In the experiment, you insert two zinc nails and copper nodes into an apple or lemon (a potato works, too). Next, you attach cables to said nails and nodes — similar to mini jumper cables. Then, you attach those cables to the battery wires in the back of a battery-operated clock. Voila! The clock works. Check out the experiment here.

I love that experiment because it so simply demonstrates the literal power of food. Good food equals energy. And the very best food we can give ourselves is plant-based.

Why?

Because plant-based foods come from the source of the very thing upon we — and everything around us — exist: The Earth. It’s fairly untouched by man, hasn’t undergone a crazy transformation with chemicals and processing and it’s what our ancestors ate centuries ago — and they lived to be 100-plus years old.

Got some ailments that just won’t go away? The first question that comes to my mind is, “What are you eating?” It’s likely a diet consisting of processed foods high in saturated fat and animal-based. Try eating more fruits and veggies. Your skin will clear, your midsection will start shrinking and your bowels will operate like a well-oiled machine. I’m just sayin’.

Here are some problem areas a plant-based diet has been proven to help:

• Constipation

• Acne

• Diabetes

• Chronic diseases

I know this will be a transition, but start small. I’ve made a habit of keeping my fruit basket overflowing and every time I have a craving for something sweet or crunchy, most times I reach for a piece of fruit (Yes, I said most times. We still have some Valentine’s Day candy we’re disposing of).

What are your favorite plant-based concoctions? We want to hear them in the comments section below!

1440. That’s the magic number. What does it mean? 1440 is the number of minutes in a day. That’s 1440 minutes to do something awesome and REI is helping to put those 1440 minutes in perspective. I’m  a sucker for social media campaigns, and I have to admit, this is one of the coolest I’ve seen.

REI recently launched it’s 1440 Project celebrating each minute we spend outside. The minute-by-minute timeline (creating a 24 hour day) displays photos to represent our collective love of the outdoors. The “virtual day” is displayed alongside other outdoor enthusiasts making up a virtual day.

Join us as we submit our favorite photos to be added to the timeline! Don’t forget to use the tag hashtag #blackgirlsrun!

Publix is a local sponsor of the 2013 Black Girls RUN! Preserve the Sexy Tour. Visit Publix online at www.Publix.com.

Yellow Cake Protein Smoothie

2 fresh mangos, chopped

1/2 cup vanilla almond milk

1 scoop of Bluebonnet French vanilla whey protein isolate powder

A few ice cubes to chill the smoothie

Blend until smoothie-fied

…..and voila! You have your very own yellow cake protein smoothie! I would love to hear how you like it and if you are in love like I am!!