Meet Club Member: Ronita Bland

Ronita Bland(MM12368, DA2131, HF8514)- I began running in 2013. I was looking for a way to keep the weight off after losing almost 40 lbs!!! I joined a couch to 5K at the local rec center. I ran my first 5K and continued running short miles.

Then joined Black Girls Run Charlotte for another 5K training(Walk Before You Run). I completed it and from there I wanted to run longer distances. I trained on the hills of Charlotte.

I ran B2B HM’ in July 2014 in the Atlanta area and became a Half Fanatic. From there I met so many runners. It was a great community and so much support from everyone. I learned about the goal to complete the 50 States. To date I have completed the 50 States and run 208 HM’s. I reached the Sun status for Half Fanatics in 2016. I’m 24 states on the 2nd round for HM’s.

The next step along the way I decided I wanted try to run a marathon. I completed my first race in 2015 in at Foot Traffic Flat Marathon Sauvie Island, Oregon. It was the weekend of my birthday and the hottest the race had ever been. I picked it because I though Oregon would be cooler in July. It almost took the whole 6hrs with the heat but I finished. Today I have completed a Marathon in every state and 5 Continents. Presently at 78 Marathons and counting.

I’m glad I found and grew to love the sport of running. I love the adventures I’ve been on and the people I’ve met along the way. I’ve traveled and become friends with so many on this journey. Races are like family reunions within this running

community. I may not be the fastest but it doesn’t matter. As the saying goes” You don’t have to go fast, you just have go”. I love looking at my medal display in amazement of doing what I once thought I couldn’t. 

Running combines my love for food and travel so why not add exercise?? I pick races based on where I’d like to visit. I plan to continue this running journey and can’t wait to see where it leads. See you on the pavement😊

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