Go Get It
Members of Prolyfyck Run Creww. Photo by James Dowell.
We’d been in Charlottesville just over a week when I left the house at 5:30 AM in search of the Prolyfyck Run Creww. Unlike some of the local track clubs in town, Prolyfyck had no website. Yet they’d made headlines. Members run a 4.4 mile route, 3 times a week through historically Black neighborhoods of Charlottesville. Their goal: set an example for kids of color and build community in the wake of the racial violence of 2017.
Sunrise outside the gathering spot for each run, the Jefferson School and African American Heritage Center.
As I pulled up that morning, runners were laughing and calling to each other in the parking lot. They seemed really nice but I hung back. I had no job, no friends, no serious running routine. What was I doing there, anyway? When the group set out I followed but secretly, I’d already made plans to quit. I’ll just go a little ways, I thought, then duck out and retrace my steps back to the start.
What happened next was a blur. I remember gasping up some hills. People running up to introduce themselves. The kindest voices saying no, they weren’t going back but don’t worry, it was just one more hill. Maybe two. It was like a pod of dolphins buoying up their weakest member. No one left behind - that was the rule. We turned the last corner. At the top of the hill was a throng, cheering like we’d just finished a marathon.
“I’m gonna call you Chi-Town,” said leader Will Jones.
A gift. I had never needed one more.
Before they disband each morning, the Creww repeats the Nipsey Hussle lyric for which they are named: “I’m prolific, so gifted/I’m the type that’s gon’ go get it.” Becoming a Prolyfyck regular reminded me I was that type, too. I joined the Tuesday Design Society and GetHiking! Charlottesville. I went to artists‘ workshops, openings and events.
Prolyfyck is more than just a run group. With help from local co-working space and gallery Studio Ix, they sponson an exhibition series that seeks to elevate the work of local artists of color.
The encouragement the group provided each other was powerful. I swore I’d never run another race after my first, a half marathon in Utah, sported a 13 degree start which saw literally hundreds of frozen runners giving up before the race began. But I signed up for the Richmond Half anyway. As always, I doubted myself and felt undertrained. But I crossed the finish line—12 minutes faster than ever before.
After finishing the Richmond, VA Half Marathon.
Being seen by Will and Prolyfyck gave me courage when I needed it most. The biggest lesson those hills taught me? Keep going, even if you think it’s going to suck. In fact, especially then. You might be surprised what’s waiting at the finish line.