Meet David and Nona from Student Run Philly Style

by: Monica Johnson

Feelings of  disappointment , frustration and failure hit David Johnson like a brick wall.  It was mile 18  of the Philadelphia Marathon when he realized it would be impossible  for him to complete the four-hour goal he had set for himself.  Through his tears and the barrage of overwhelming emotions, David saw clearly. Even though it was his feet  that were pounding the pavement mile after mile he was not just running for himself ,he was running for his family and for the team of kids who trained with him every week.  The kids who he set out to inspire  but who in turn ended up inspiring him ,it was for them that he would go on.For Nonna Sharp running the Philadelphia marathon was a culmination of three years training.  She had completed the half marathon last year but the  full 26.2 mile version would be the farthest she had ever run. Cheers, encouragement and inspiration from her friends, family and mentors carried her through the first 20 miles of her journey but the last six were all her own. Drawing on her inner confidence, strength and willpower she propelled herself  into the last leg of the race.David and Nonna are both part of Students Run Philly Style, a non-profit organization that links mentors like David with students like Nonna  ages 12-18 from  different schools all over the city. Students are broken up in teams that run 6-7 miles twice a week in what both David and Nonna consider short runs and for a longer run on Saturday mornings. and The Goal of these runs is not only to prepare students for a marathon, an amazing accomplishment especially considering that over half of Philadelphia’s youth  is either overweight or on their way to being so, but to teach them that through discipline, hard work and dedication  any goal is achievable. 

David Johnson, a 31-year-old Computer Technician  from southwest Philadelphia,has always wanted to be a mentor, knowing first hand theperils that face Philadelphia’s youth. “I have always called my self Mr. Philadelphia.” He said referring to his knowledge and love for the city. He happened to watch The Blue Cross 10 mile Broad Street Run, and after being inspired by the results he thought to himself.”If you are Mr. Philadelphia you have to run Broad Street ” He quit smoking the same day and began running several months later. Soon after he became aware of Students Run Philly Style “ Ithought running is like a parallel to learning and life, it married together the two things I have always wanted to do.”Being a mentor has made David much more conscientious of how he projects himself, as he is a role model to not just his family but to all the kids in the program and often time to their families as well. His daughter is also a member of Students Run Philly Style and he boasts that she has joined her schools indoor track team. He accredited his new-found love for running with increased energy and focus in his personal life and career.Nonna  Sharp , a tenacious 15-year-old Sophomore at Central High school, joined Students Run Philly Style in the  7th grade. Initially she joined to get into shape, live a healthier life style and encourage her close family members to do the same. Since joining the program she says that her family’s eating habits have improved  they eat less fast food and instead rely on nutritious home cooked meals.Not only has Nonna’s health improved through involvement with the program but her grades have gotten better. “ Running has forced me to prioritize everything that i do in and out of school. it has given me tons of self-confidence.”Training for both Nonna and David began in February of 2010. Running short runs during the week and longer runs for distance on Saturdays.  In early October they had to complete a 20 mile qualifier in order to be eligible for the Philadelphia Marathon.” I cried when I crossed the finish line, it was an overwhelming feeling all positive, I was so happy that I finished. I did something that I was nervous about and scared to do at first just knowing that I was able to accomplish it was so emotional for me.” Nonna says about crossing the finish line.  In 2012 She would like to run the Philadelphia Marathon again, she is also looking forward to running other marathons in different cities and hopes to one day be able to experience what it is like to run marathons in other countries.“Running a Marathon is just like life, you get out of it what you put into it.” When David reached the finish line , just under five hours, all of the tension, disappointment and thoughts of failure vanished.“If I had run the marathon like I had projected I would, I may not have gotten out of it as much as if I was able to achieve my goal.” David is excited to get another chance to run the marathon next year improving upon his time, he also  plans on adding cross training to regular running regiment. He will continue to mentor for Students Run Philly Style and hopes that more of his students will finish the program with him in the year to come.