NAME: Delvecchio Parks
Age: 42
Chapter/City: Atlanta
Years w/BMR: 6
What started you running?
Even though I had a background in sprinting with AAU as a kid, I never imagined running anything beyond 100m or 200m. I started running in 2014 while living in Los Angeles. It began to get out of the house as I was becoming too lazy. I needed an exercise regimen, but I grew tired of paying Planet Fitness to not use the gym. I was not a fan of being cooped up in a gym in Los Angeles with such beautiful weather, so I started running at a local park on their gravel track. Fifteen minutes turned to 30 minutes and before I knew it, I was up to about 5 miles before I maxed out. This casual approach to running grew into something much bigger over time becoming a means of therapy for me. It is where I got to relieve stress, meditate, and think through the legal strategies for my cases, or get clear thoughts on other matters.
What does your training week look like vs. your regular week of running?
In the past, I never took running seriously, so I had no routine or training schedule. I had just run when I felt like it. In 2020, I set a goal to run 1,000 miles which made me stick to a regular running routine. The routine was flexible, but I would run 3-4 times a week for 4-6 miles each session to hit a 20-mile weekly goal. Last year, I wanted to increase the distance I could run and my endurance. I set a schedule where I ran three times a week, but each time was 10 miles or an hour and a half. In a regular week with no goals, I still go by how I feel. I may run once, or I may run 30+ miles.
Now that I am training for my first marathon, I stick to the structured schedule provided to me. It calls for 5 runs a week and I adhere to it but listen to my body and take an extra day off if needed.
What is your favorite race distance?
My favorite race distance is the 10k. I can settle into the run and then push myself without worrying about exhausting myself. The time passes quickly since I have become accustomed to running for an hour or more during training.
Toughest race you ever completed?
The toughest race I have completed was the PNC 10-Miler during BMR’s 10th Anniversary in 2023. I ran the 5k for the PNC but was not in the best shape that year because I did not run at all that year until around August. I started running with two of the fastest members from my chapter, which caused me to burn out within the first mile. Between a massive 5-minute hill climb on Northside Drive and shin pain that started around mile 2, I struggled to finish with my poor conditioning. Despite the difficulty, it reignited my motivation to get back to consistent running.
Funniest thing to happen to you during a race?
I have run many races. Before 2024, I had never run more than one race in a year. So, my stories are limited now. The funniest moment I can think of was during a race where a guy pushing a stroller passed my friend and me in the last mile. He came by smirking. My friend said, “we are really going to get beaten by a guy with a baby.” I am not, I told him! I was chasing him for the next mile, and he knew it because he would speed up as soon as I got next to him. I do not think I would have beaten him but for his son dropping sometime on the course. That moment gave me the extra push to finish strong and amused me at the same time.
What is something without which you cannot run?
I cannot run without my running watch to track my data. I also never leave without my ID and credit card, just in case.
What keeps you motivated?
I am a goal fanatic! I like the challenge of pushing myself to accomplish things I never thought I could. That is my biggest motivation. I have set a goal to run in all the major marathons within the next few years so that is what is driving me now.
Best part about being a member of BMR?
The brotherhood is the best part of being a member of (BMR). The group members inspire me with their incredible achievements. I have met some amazing people with fascinating stories. It is not just about running; it is about the camaraderie and support we share.
