NAME: Claude Umuhire
Age: 34
Chapter/City: London, England
Years w/BMR: 2 years
What started you running?
I was introduced to running as a 19-year-old homeless young person. I struggled a lot and went through countless periods of depression, which at its worst led to drug abuse. I was then introduced to running by an organization called The Running Charity, using running as a catalyst to build vulnerable young people’s mental resilience and general life skills. After graduating from the program with TRC, I was no longer homeless and worked as an intern for the UK Civil Service. I was motivated to give back to TRC and the community that changed my life. I volunteered with TRC for 2 years. I have been working with TRC for 10 years and manage the London team supporting young vulnerable people going through similar challenges I faced at their age.
What does your training week look like vs
Your regular week of running?
I am currently about 14 weeks out from the London Marathon this spring. My training is very structured, ensuring I cover all weekly bases, including interval sessions, recovery runs, and long runs. During my normal training weeks with no races, I am a lot more flexible and run based on how I feel, trying to keep the intensity moderate. However, the biggest difference is that I would be in the gym a lot more when I am not deep in training for a race.
What is your favorite race distance?
My favorite distance must be the Half Marathon.
Toughest race you ever completed?
My first marathon was the hardest race, I was completely underprepared and started too fast, suffered through the rest of it but finished, I learned a lot about myself that day.
Funniest thing to happen to you during a race?
I remember starting a marathon and seeing someone dribbling two basketballs. I passed them and thought to myself, “That was the last time I will be seeing them.” 20 miles in, I could hear him getting closer to me with every step until he ran past me at mile twenty-five. I remember laughing, thinking, “How did he even train for this?”
What is something without which you cannot run?
On solo runs I find that I cannot run without my headphones, music keeps me going on those dark early morning winter-long runs
What keeps you motivated?
The biggest thing I have taken away from running is the feeling of accomplishment every time I go out for a run, after every run no matter how difficult my life is becoming, I feel like a better person and that keeps me motivated.
The best part about being a member of BMR?
Part of the reason I never took up running when I was younger, although I was an active teen, I never saw myself represented in any running clubs in my city, the sport felt like it wasn’t for me. Being part of a brotherhood of Black men from all backgrounds pushing a positive message about self-betterment I feel privileged to be a part of this community.