Hustle Clean Spotlight: Necole Jackson
I’ve been a member of DRC since 2016. I started running a couple of months after I gave birth to my son, Nixon. It was very stressful caring for a newborn by myself and after an anxiety attack (probably mixed with postpartum), I started running every day around my neighborhood. After meeting Matt, I started running with DRC for a change of scenery and loved the way the group pushed me. Five years later, I'm officially a runner and hopefully running my first (and only) marathon in the fall.
I just want to show myself I can do things I said I never could. I also feel like I'm not only fighting stereotypes being a female Black runner, but a Black single mother who runs. It's not a lot of us out here. I think I'm the only one in DRC. I just want to show other single mothers we deserve an outlet outside our children and can achieve our goals raising our children by ourselves.
Not going to lie, I don’t know how I get it done lol. Again, it’s only me raising my son so I have to schedule time to run and work out. Because running/working out is important to me, I run early in the mornings before my son wakes up and hit the gym late after he goes to bed (usually 11pm-12am) or during a nap (yeah, I know lol but it works for my schedule). I remember when DRC was at Caged Bird. I drove two hours leaving work to pick up my son and to DC barely making it by 6:45. Whew.
When it comes to personal life, all my friends know it's a plus one with me lol. But I do make time to go out by myself. I have a big family so I'm blessed to have help when needed.
Tips:
If all else fails, YOUTUBE KIDS! (IYKYK)
Take time to find your stride away from your child. When I first joined DRC, I didn’t run with my son for a year. I wanted to not only find my pace, but improve it before running with a stroller. Also, as a protective mom, I needed to get a feel of my surroundings before bringing my son lol. After that year, I was confident to run with a stroller and aim towards my desired pace.
Lean on your support. I’m very strong-willed and I had to learn that it’s okay to ask for help or take help offered.
Don't compare yourself to anyone's journey. I realize my life and circumstances are unlike any other in DRC so I stay in my own lane and focus on my own journey.
I know it's mother's day, but I just want to thank everyone in DRC who has ever looked out and/or shown love to Nixon and me.
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