{Self-Care} Black Girls Run! : Preserve the Sexy 2013

Any time you make a bold statement, you are sure to meet opposition.  There are those that see Black Girls Run! as an exclusive organization not meant for the masses. From my view, BGR! Founders Toni Carey and Ashley Hicks have coordinated the voices of thousands of black women who know running for better health and wellness is a topic above race.  Considering the rate at which obesity, heart disease, and diabetes affect black women, Black Girls Run! is not just a statement of personal truth, but a call to action for self-care.

Toni Carey and Ashley Hicks, Founders of Black Girls Run! in Nashville for #PTST13

When Toni and Ashley began Black Girls Run!, their goal was to connect with other black women who enjoyed running as much as they did.  In a world that told them black women did not run for sport or health, they continued to meet black women who were running and running often.  When the duo first launched BGR! three years ago, they started with 30 running groups across the country.  Today, they have 60 running groups with over 52,000 members proving black girls DO run.

Preserve The Sexy Tour Participation Packet

While many runners just lace up, hit the pavement and become a strong runner through trial and error, Black Girls Run! created the Walk Before You Run program to introduce interval running to beginners from a community perspective.  Each running group will have a Walk Before You Run coordinator to help new runners prepare and adjust as they build a running practice.  The program is being introduced around the country through the Preserve the Sexy Tour 2013, which kicked off in Nashville on January 06.

The tour stop in Nashville covered everything from nutrition and gear to hair maintenance for runners. As a coach for beginners, Carol Rolfes of FleetFeet Sports Nashville shared the basics of running for beginners including specific health benefits and proper fit for undergarments. Sara Fisher of REI Brentwood explained the best way to dress for a run to prevent injury and how to care for your running gear to increase longevity.  For those in Nashville, reach out to Carol and Sara when you're ready to add to your running gear.  Their experience and willingness to help will make them an invaluable resource over time.

BGR! Founders and HQ

Ashley, Ashiya and Toni.

Keneesha Martin, founder of The Mahogany Suite, provided a foundation for healthy, beautiful hair during and after workouts, reminding us that healthy hair begins with what we put in our body, not on our hair.  Savitri Matthews of the American Diabetes Association shared nutrition and wellness tips to support new runners in making better food choices that will provide the long term benefits.  The founders and staff of BGR! created an event that addressed every need of a new runner and have rallied their running ambassadors to inspire anyone that wants to run, regardless of color.

Black Girls Run! has gained its share of celebrity supporters including Q Parker, who attended the Nashville event. While we all know and love him from the R+B group 112, when asked why he wanted to be involved with Black Girls Run!, without hesitation Q responded "I know how important you all are to our culture. I want you around."  Q shared his own journey to health and wellness and served as a perfect reflection of the mission of Black Girls Run!.

Ashley Hicks, Q Parker and Toni Carey

There is a growing desire for holistic healing and wellness and the Black Girls Run! movement is answering the call for thousands of women who want more healthy movement in their lives.  The Preserve the Sexy Tour 2013 is just getting started, so you may still have time to get a ticket in your city.  If you made a New Year's resolution to become more active, follow up with a NEW YOU commitment and check out the BGR! Preserve the Sexy Tour 2013 or a running group in your area.  If there's not a group in your area or you've never run before, don't be discouraged!  Start a group and remember : you have to walk before you run.

Here's to a healthy new you in 2013!