By Coach Marci Braithwaite
I am Marci Braithwaite. I am a runner. I am a marathoner who has also completed many halves as well as nearly a hundred races of many distances, both virtually and in-person, over the last twelve years. I am an elementary school teacher, and I am a mother of two teenagers. I am a chapter leader of my local, 900-member She Runs This Town running group. I am the leader of a virtual community of new runners, and a USATF certified coach.
I am also fat.
I use that word to describe myself because it is simply that – a descriptor (Photo by Patrick Krohn Photography.)
I use that word to describe myself because it is simply that – a descriptor. The word itself often causes an immediate reaction. When I use it, the occasional person will smile and say I’m brave. More often, people cringe and ask why I use that term: it’s an insult used by many to demean and diminish. To them I ask, “Why is fat demeaning? Does the fat on my body make me lesser than you? Does it diminish my accomplishments in any way? What about my fat makes you better than me?”
Twelve years ago I started my running journey the way so many of us do, to lose weight. I thought my weight was the cause of my back pain at the time. It wasn’t (two pregnancies producing ten-pound babies tend to mess up your lower back). I did lose weight back then, but in the time since, and even through marathon training, running more than 40 miles per week, I gained it back. I’m at the same weight I was 12 years ago. I no longer have that back pain, which I attribute to strengthening my core and cross training. After more than a decade of consistent running and literally thousands of miles on my feet, I’m still fat.
Through all that time, I started to notice something. People seemed to think that what I was doing was revolutionary. Running while fat? That’s not allowed. Fat people are sent that message every time someone yells, “Go faster, fatty!” when they’re on a run or walk, or made to feel uncomfortable, or that they don’t belong at the gym. The prevailing message is that fat people shouldn’t show themselves in the fitness arena, because you should only be visible if you’re thin and have an “acceptable” body type.
“I want people who look like me to realize that they do belong. That the shape of our bodies does not define us or our abilities (Photo: Marci Braithwaite)
Then I discovered Mirna Valerio. She is an ultrarunner and public speaker, a blogger, and the head of her own FatGirlRunning online community. One day I discovered a video she had made for REI, about an email she read while she was running a multi-hour endurance event. The email accused her of lying, that she wasn’t really running, that she didn’t actually finish the ultramarathons that she claimed to have finished. As I watched this video, which, again, was filmed while she was completing an endurance event, I realized that what she was doing, simply existing and doing incredibly badass things in her fat body, was exactly what I wanted to do, too.
We don’t see fat runners on the roads and trails very often, do we? Why do you think that is? It’s definitely not because they don’t want to be there. Nor is it because fat people are inherently lazy. It’s a matter of access. When people like Mirna, a fat black woman, receive criticism and accusations of dishonesty for simply participating in an event that many thin people joined without a second thought, it should give you pause about the inclusivity of the running and outdoor community.
I want to change that. I want people who look like me to realize that they do belong, both in the outdoors and in the running community. That the shape of our bodies does not define us or our abilities. That there is no definition of the word “runner” beyond “someone who completes a movement that involves both feet in the air at once during a stride.” There is no weight requirement, no speed requirement, or any definition that anyone must fit into for someone to be able to enjoy the outdoors and the running community.
I’m Marci. I’m a fat runner and a fat running coach. I want you to join me on my running journey.
For more information:
Facebook: Request an add to the group Fat Athletes
Instagram: @The_Fat_Athlete
Website: http://www.thefatathlete.biz
Email: coach.thefatathlete@gmail.com
EDITOR’S NOTE: The day before this entry was scheduled to post, Mirna Valerio, plus-size ultrarunner, author, and spokeswoman (mentioned earlier in this post), announced her partnership with Lululemon clothing, using the slogan, \”Running is for everyone who has a body and wants to run.\” Click here to see the announcement.
Excellent article….hit it right on the nail!
Thank you Coach Adolfo for featuring this article in your blog.
Big Ivan….a runner…..a Fat Runner!
Thank you for your comment and for reading the post. I was very interested in your opinion.
Bien por ella. Felicitaciones. Ya quisieramos muchas tener la energía que tiene ella para lograr sus metas. No soy gordita pero no hago ni 5K. No porque no quiera, Sino porque no puedo ahora, la fibromialgia no me lo permite, pero si pudiera con gusto me uniría a su grupo o sino por acá cerca donde vivo. De nuevo. Felicitaciones a ella por ese espíritu y energías que tiene.
Muy bueno este post coach Adolfo Salgueiro
Mil gracias por tu comentario. Lo importante es siempre hacer lo que se puede con lo que se puede.
I was also a fat athlete…and I can totally relate to Marci. I believe that being fat poses a health issue at some point in life (I was one of those who used to think that I was morbidly obese yet healthy) and it must be tackled somehow, moving is a great way of finding balance.
What marvels me is the wonderful journey she started by turning what seemed to be a weakness into the big blessing she’s now spreading among those who will find a healthy ally in running.
Thank you for sharing your testimony, Taty. It means a lot coming from you and your past experience.
I am not "thin" myself but do not qualify as "fat" either. However I fullly undestand and share Marci’s point
As someone who has never struggled with weight. I admire the dedication & commitment of runners who have to put in extra effort because of weight and / or other challenges….& run faster than I do!
Honestly- when I hear people talk crap about “fat” (and let me say “fat” is relative) people exercising I always ask “so what do you intend for them to do? You want them to be fit right? How should the do that? You want them to work out the dark, out of your line of sight? Sounds pretty crappy no?” They usually stutter, mumble and walk away.
I’m not fat, I look what like most people think of when they say “fit” and I will say that I’ve been to many a workout and runs where a “fat” person has throughly kicked my butt.
Fit comes in many shapes and sizes. People need to shut up and let the everyone do their work.
I totally agree with your point of view, and thank you for sharing it. It is obvious that you are very passionate about this subject. Regardless of what your body shape or size is, you can always get that body fit and ready to perform at its best capacity.
Thank you so much for sharing your story! As someone who has struggled with an eating disorder (although I admittedly live with white privilege and thin privilege), I am passionate about spreading the message that athletes do not have a certain "size" or "look," that you cannot judge a persons’ health by their weight, and that there are numerous benefits to exercise- it need not and should not be marketed as a weight loss or calorie burning tool. I don’t want to exercise to fit other people’s expectations, I want to exercise to challenge myself, explore new places, meet new people, and just feel good mentally and physically. I shared this post in my Athletes Against Diet Culture Facebook group, which I started to be a space for athletes to talk about sport without fear of being bombarded with weight loss ads and advice, and where we celebrate all bodies and the amazing things they do. Here is a link if anyone else wants to check it out. https://www.facebook.com/groups/240193967597308
Thank you, Kate, for sharing your perspective, experience and this resource with my readers. I really appreciate it.
Yessss , I’m so proud and happy for Mirna. Just do it, keep going, great read. I am following your journey on IG. Thanks Adolfo for sharing.
Thank you for sharing your story! I am a fat runner and a fat RRCA Certified running coach. My mission is to show runners (mostly beginners) in my community that they do not have to look a special way to be a runner!
Thank you for your comment, Autumn. I am sure many runners will find it useful and inspiring.
Marci, beautifully written and thank you so much for sharing. I remember when Mirna shared that email too and it just fired me up. I am so inspired by your goal to encourage people of all sizes to get outdoors and live without apology.
Thank you very much for sharing your view on this subject.
Yes!! Not only am I fat, I have the audacity to also be slow. I am also an RRCA certified running coach, ACSM personal trainer, and a nationally board certified health and wellness coach. For many of my faster runners, I ride my bike alongside. I have completed over 30 half marathons, 2 marathons and 2 half Ironman triathlons. The inclusion and the judgement are very real.
Thank you for sharing your first-hand experience on the matter. I have been overwhelmed by the reception this guest blog post has had. This needs to be a more prevalent conversation on the runners circuit.
Inspiring! Especially the D&I part.. I love it and practising it!