Member Spotlight – Shaft Sanders

What started you running? An unhealthy weight of 300 pounds at age 48 and I was able to pull it off because of my height (6’3”), I bought bigger clothes and was living my best life, at least I thought I was. My primary physician advised me that I was diabetic with high blood pressure. She prescribed all these medications. This was a shock to me. My mother passed away from diabetes complications at 59 years old. I watched my mother deteriorate right before my eyes. I witnessed her go from being a strong person who lived her best life, eating and drinking whatever she wanted after her diabetes diagnosis. It was just my mom and me and she was my hero. I saw what this disease did to her, but I also saw that she did nothing preventive (diet or exercise) and just took her medication and continued to live her best life.         

I spoke to my physician about becoming healthier. She kind of scoffed at me, like she did not believe me or as if she had heard this before many times.  When she did that something in me snapped and it was on and poppin after that.   

  

What does your training week look like vs your regular week of running? After my diabetes diagnosis, I started walking many miles daily; I didn’t care about pace. I didn’t know anything about the art/technique of walking/running at all. Walking became easy. I I was walking 7 to 8 miles daily. One day I thought to myself, man I spend a lot of time walking, let’s try a light jog. I had no proper training, no good equipment, just me deciding to step my game up. I knocked out 3 miles of a constant jog and I was hooked to running ever since.  

My training week is more about diet now as I was logging at least 25 to 30 miles a week. Since I have signed up for the Detroit Free Press Marathon (FREEP), I run longer runs on Sunday which I didn’t do during a regular week, so that’s the mission currently.       

  

What is your favorite race distance? I like long distance runs, 10K or more because your body is just getting warmed up after the first 2 miles and then you get in that zone around mile 3. I like to get lost in my thoughts, solve world problems in my mind, talk to relatives who have passed away. I feel great after a 10K and I get that runner’s high for sure.   

  

Toughest race you ever completed? My toughest race was last years FREEP [Detroit Free Press]! Man, I went to my college homecoming on that Friday of the race and I did what we do at homecoming. I had the FREEP half on that Sunday and thought that I would be good. I was doing great for the first 8 miles. Coming out of that tunnel from Canada, man, I was ready to call it quits for sure. I had to incorporate a lot of walking and taking everything (water, Gatorade, gel packs) I could find at the aid stations. I finished the race but wasn’t proud of my preparation and learned a valuable lesson for sure.   

  

Funniest thing to happen to you during a race? I was deep into running man, doing 6 miles a day everyday and averaging 200 miles a month at least. On this one run on a paved road next to a marsh, there was a possum. We made eye contact with one another and it was on. I was running on the pavement and he thought I was running after him; that possum was looking at me and I was looking at him. He was darting to his lair and I wanted to beat him there. I’m flying (or at least I think I am), and he is doing his thing, I look over one last time and took my eyes off the pavement, straight up supermanned that joint! I fell going at a fast pace. I threw my arms up like straight up superman and crashed out. I tumbled to where he was running too. I look over scuffed, and bruised up and the damn possum is looking at me from the mouth of his lair. And if animals could laugh I swear he was. I have other stories too about turkeys, construction workers, etc but that was a good one there.   

  

Whats something you cannot run without? Garmin watch, headphones, and cell phone are a must. Got to check my status out at all times.   

  

What keeps you motivated? Never going back to ‘300 pounds-land’, and the medication that comes with it. I’m currently medication-free and could always lose more weight. I’m no longer diabetic which is awesome.  Also seeing what diabetes did to my hero keeps me going all the time.                      

  

Best part about being a member of BMR? I like running alone because I always feel like I’m wrecking someone’s run and I like to do my own thing. I’m a lot to digest, opinionated, straightforward but with interactions.  This organization has accepted me whole-heartedly with my flaws and my quirks. They have shown me that I’m not in this alone, and they get me. They look like me and they can relate to me. I’m truly blessed to be a member of this great organization led by some great men. My Captain and Vice-Captains are that deal bro. These cats have seen me at my best and my worst and have truly shown support. This organization’s acceptance and encouragement is, bar none, the best thing that could have happened to me in my run life for sure. I will continue to sport my BMR gear with pride and speak glowingly to anyone willing to listen how this top notch organization can change your life for the better. BMR For Life!!!! Lets Go!!!!!!