Trail Running with BMR
ERA of WTF……………………..resistance and joy
The second Saturday of every month is our Sankofa Run with BMR. This month, we partnered with the Outdoor Social Club for a 5K trail run in Middlesex Fells.
Yes, trail running.
If you know me, you know this is not my preferred form of running. Give me a road race, a paved path, or a track any day. Running through the woods, navigating rocks and roots, and trying not to twist an ankle is usually not how I choose to spend a Saturday morning. But sometimes community asks us to step outside of our comfort zones, so I showed up.
One of the things that struck me immediately was how disconnected the Fells feels from the city around it. We were still in a busy urban area, yet once we entered the trails, it felt like a completely different world. The noise faded. The pace slowed. There was space to notice things.
There was also something meaningful about seeing so many members of BGR and BMR gathered together. Here we were, Black folks running through the woods together. There are layers to that experience that are hard to explain but easy to feel. Historically, nature and outdoor recreation have not always felt like spaces where we belonged or were welcomed. Yet there we were—laughing, moving, exploring, and taking up space together. There was something powerful about that.
The run began with a gravel incline.
My first thought was, "Oh Lord, this is how we're starting?"
I won't pretend it was easy. I carried water, wore long tights and a hat because tick season is real, and carefully watched every step. The last thing I needed was to roll an ankle on a rock. I settled into my intervals and focused less on pace and more on simply being present.
As we climbed, the woods opened up to reveal a small pond and beautiful views of the city. It felt like a reminder that some of the best views require a little effort to reach. Not a groundbreaking life lesson, perhaps, but one that felt particularly relevant in that moment.
What I appreciated most was that no one was in a rush. My BGR sisters stayed with me, and I spent most of the run near the back of the pack. Years ago, I might have worried about that. Now, I understand that every run serves a different purpose. This one wasn't about speed. It wasn't about chasing a PR or proving anything. It was about connection.
The longer we ran, the more comfortable I became. The trail that felt intimidating at the beginning started to feel familiar. Conversations flowed. New connections were made. The miles passed quickly.
By the end, I realized that the run had given me something I didn't know I needed: a chance to slow down, be present, and appreciate both the people around me and the beauty around us.
Will I suddenly become a trail runner? Probably not.
But I am grateful I showed up.
Sometimes the lesson isn't about learning to love the thing you thought you disliked. Sometimes it's simply discovering that there is room for new experiences, especially when they are shared with community.
