Breaking Barriers: How Mary Fleming Conquered Running and Life One Mile at a Time

Running beyond your body limits may seem to be one of those phrases that can put your health in jeopardy. In fact, the opposite happened because Mary Fleming went beyond what she thought her body could do and not what it could actually do. What began as a simple prescription for managing anxiety transformed into an extraordinary journey of self-discovery and athletic achievement. Starting at 250 pounds and battling personal doubts, Mary challenged every preconceived notion about who could be a marathon runner.

Her path from a hesitant beginner in a Black Girls Run couch-to-5K program to a World Marathon Majors athlete speaks to the incredible potential that lies within persistent determination. Through her remarkable journey, Mary has not just completed marathons, but she has rewritten the narrative about body, ability, and the transformative power of believing in oneself.

Finding Her Starting Line: A Journey Sparked by Anxiety

In 2013, Mary Fleming’s running journey began not with a desire to become an athlete, but as a prescription for managing anxiety. Her doctor, a marathoner himself, suggested walking as an alternative to medication. This recommendation would change her life forever. When her best friend invited her to join a Black Girls Run couch-to-5K program, Mary initially hesitated. “I don’t run,” she remembers saying. But something within her was ready for a challenge.

A Community That Looked Like Her

What made Mary stay in the program was more than just a fitness goal. It was the powerful representation she found in the Black Girls Run community. “Nobody looked ‘like a runner,'” she recalls. “I saw everyday women out there running, and it was inspiring.” Seeing women who looked like her, of different ages and body types, gave her the confidence to continue.

Support: The Real Fuel

The community wasn’t just what others looked like but how they showed up for each other. When her coach suggested she could run the Boston Marathon through a charity bib, her community rallied. Within a month, they had raised the entire fundraising amount. “My village continued all the way to Tokyo and London,” she says, emotionally reflecting on the support.

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The Unexpected Transformation

Mary’s first 5K was a milestone. Finishing in 35 minutes, she ran the entire distance – a moment of pure accomplishment. For some, running the entirety of the 3.1 miles may not seem like much but it was a huge accomplishment for Mary.

To understand why it was a big accomplishment, we need to head back to that first day on the track with Black Girls Run. When Mary showed up to that training day, she saw a woman running laps and never stopping. Mary was amazed and blow away that somebody could do that.

She decided to ask that runner a question, which was: how do you do that? Run and not stop to walk? After a few moments of conversation the runner, LeFay, responded with “stick to your training and you’ll also be able to do it.”

That statement never left and Mary embraced the journey with determination.

Patience: A Lesson Learned on the Pavement

Running taught Mary more than just physical endurance. As a teacher, she found that marathon training paralleled life’s challenges. “Life is not a sprint, but a marathon,” she often tells her students. The patience she developed through running translated directly into her approach to teaching and personal growth.

This patience manifested in her gradual progression from a 5K to multiple World Marathon Majors. Each training cycle became a metaphor for personal development, teaching her that meaningful achievements require consistent effort and time. Where she once sought immediate results, Mary learned to appreciate the incremental improvements – a mile added here, a few seconds shaved off there. Her running journey showed her, and those around her, that growth is rarely instantaneous but instead occurs through persistent, mindful commitment.

Breaking World Marathon Barriers

From a hesitant beginner to a World Marathon Majors athlete, Mary’s progression is nothing short of remarkable. She’s completed marathons in Chicago (three times), New York, Boston, Tokyo, and Berlin. Her upcoming London Marathon will complete her Six Star journey – a feat she never initially imagined possible.

Her marathon journey became more than a personal achievement; it transformed into a powerful statement of representation. In races across the United States and internationally, Mary noticed the striking lack of diversity in endurance sports. Each marathon became an opportunity to challenge stereotypes and expand visibility for Black female athletes. During events like the Savannah Marathon, where she had the opportunity to be a part of a race that had nearly 1,000 Black runners, Mary experienced the profound impact of representation. “It was so cool to see the sea of Black girls running out there, excited and ready to take on the race,” she recalls.

By visibly pursuing her marathon goals, Mary was not just running for herself, but creating a pathway for other women who might have previously believed such achievements were out of reach. Her presence on international marathon courses, as a plus-size Black woman, sends a powerful message: endurance sports are for everyone, regardless of body type, race, or background.

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Representation Matters

As a plus-size, Black female runner, Mary understands the importance of visibility. Starting her running journey at 250 pounds, she has consistently challenged stereotypes. “You don’t see many plus-size runners in this world,” she explains. Her message is clear: Running is for every body.

The intersectionality of Mary’s identity – being a Black, plus-size woman in endurance sports – creates a unique narrative of empowerment and resilience. Her running journey becomes a form of activism, challenging multiple layers of societal expectations and athletic stereotypes. Despite facing potential discouragement from various angles, Mary has not only participated in running but excelled, pushing the boundaries of what many believe is possible. She has inspired countless others by demonstrating that athletic achievement is not confined to a specific body type or background.

Through her consistent presence in races, social media, and running communities, Mary creates visibility for those who have historically been marginalized in sports, showing that strength, determination, and athletic prowess come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.

Future Horizons: Beyond the Marathon

With the World Marathon Majors nearly complete, Mary isn’t slowing down. She’s setting her sights on an ultramarathon and plans to learn swimming with the ultimate goal of completing a triathlon. Her advice for beginners is simple yet powerful: “It’s your own race at your own pace.”

Key Takeaways

• Running can be a powerful tool for managing mental health
• Community support is crucial in athletic journeys
• Representation matters in endurance sports
• Personal growth happens outside of comfort zones
• Goals should be realistic and progressive

Mary Fleming’s story is more than a running narrative. It’s a testament to the transformative power of believing in oneself, finding community, and pushing beyond perceived limitations.

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