“I never ran a day in my life until I was 48. Never played sports. My doctor told me I had high cholesterol, and there were two options: medicine or exercise. I was a teacher eating honey buns every morning and drinking Cokes–that had to change. I chose exercise and found a running group close to my hometown, Marietta, Georgia. I wore Converse tennis shoes the first time I met them–they told me that won’t work. Now I have more running shoes than regular shoes. My kids bought me these Black Girls Run shoes for my birthday. My family’s motto for me is, ‘Run, Pamela, run.’ 

The name of my running group is Powder Springs Pretties. I’ve been running with them for twelve years.There was a time when I couldn’t run from here to the stop sign, but the other women were so motivational. I began to run/walk and ran my first half-marathon a year later; they helped me train. I’ve done about forty or fifty half-marathons and two full ones. Mile eight is my wall. Then, I get over it and cross the finish line. That’s the reward. My goal is never to be last. 

My run group meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It’s your own race at your own pace. Just keep moving. We do long runs on Saturdays. If someone is running a marathon, we help her train. One group will do eight miles with her; then another comes in for the next eight–even if we aren’t running the marathon. Sometimes we start running at 4 a.m. If we run a race together, we stay and cheer everyone on as they finish. 

It’s so much more than the run. We’re out there laughing and connecting. If you’re going through something, here’s a group of women to talk about it. We also do service projects. We’re ‘runfam.’ It’s been amazing physically and mentally.

I did the Chicago Marathon, and I’m in the process of doing a half marathon in every state. We call it ‘chasing states.’ I’ve done thirty-two states. My next one is November in Kansas.  I’m saving Hawaii for last. My son brought me a wall map where I color in the states I run in and keep my bibs and medals from the races. I ran in the MAMGA 5K in Mobile last weekend. It was my first time running in my hometown. 

I’m the oldest of five girls, and our mom had us reading library books all the time. Reading and learning were always important to us. I left Alabama A&M to get married and have kids, but I went back to get my degree in education, twenty years after graduating from high school, and a few years later got my Masters degree in English Education. I taught English in high school and middle school for twenty-two years. I loved every minute of it. I encouraged my students to read classics like Their Eyes Were Watching God, The Bluest Eye, and The Crucible. I was engaged with my students, and we had great conversations about what they read. 

I think I was a better teacher because I started later. Kids always need structure, kindness, and love. Last year, I had my retirement/60th birthday celebration last and heard from many of my students; they call me ‘Mama Henderson’ or ‘Auntie.’ When I put kindness in the universe, it comes back in so many ways.

Life taught me that it’s never too late to start a career, change a career–or start running. I’m in my sixties and living my best life.”

Pamela

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The new book, Our Southern Souls, Vol. II, is now available online at www.BuyOurSouthernSouls.com. There are 160 stories from the last few years–it makes a great Christmas gift.