Introduction to a Courageous Journey
Shaunta-Maé Alexander had a long journey to the start line of Sunday’s United Airlines NYC Half, not just because she’s from Sacramento, Calif. The 35-year-old children’s book author and aspiring actress has overcome a lifetime of illnesses — even paralysis — to run her first half marathon. More than 27,000 athletes are expected to take the 13.1-mile tour of Brooklyn and Manhattan hosted by New York Road Runners.
Overcoming Lifelong Health Issues
Alexander is part of the organization’s Athletes with Disabilities program, and she will be guided in the race by Tunde Oyeneyin. The Brooklyn-based Peloton instructor inspired Alexander to learn to walk again and helped hone her athletic abilities. Alexander, who grew up in foster care, said her first major health issue emerged when she was 9 years old. She started having stomach pains and trouble keeping food down. The problems got worse — and she was hospitalized at 12 while attempting to go out to eat.
Diagnosis and Struggle
Finally, when she was in high school, Alexander was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a chronic condition that irritates and causes swelling in the digestive tract. The inflammation and ulcerations can spur nasty side effects like diarrhea, stomach pain, cramps, and bloody stools. Alexander said she became paralyzed after experiencing a Crohn’s flare-up in 2019 due to food poisoning.
Turning Point and Rehabilitation
Physical therapy helped Alexander relearn to walk, but joining the Peloton community really gave her a boost. Alexander started taking arms and light weights Peloton classes from her wheelchair with 3-pound weights. Weeks later, she bought a Peloton bike and peddled it with her hands for hours a day. That April, she could peddle slowly with her legs, and she took her first live ride with Oyeneyin in June. In November, her family helped her buy a Peloton Tread as she tried to walk on her own.
Road to Recovery and Running
Alexander focused on strength training and her gait, which helped her walk, then jog and run. She finished her first 5K in June 2023 and several races since then. Now, she’s ready for her first half marathon. Alexander is fundraising for NYRR Team for Kids to support children who “were just like me. The underdogs. The othered. The ones who didn’t fit in.” She finished her first 5K in June 2023 and several races since then. This photo is from a 10K race in June 2024.
Preparing for the Half Marathon
She’s come a long way — and she has to go a little farther, with Oyeneyin by her side. “Shaunta-Maé is an unstoppable force. She’s an inspiration, and the fact that I’ve been able to play a role in how far she has come is such a huge honor,” Oyeneyin told The Post. “I can’t wait to cheer her on through every step to that finish line.”
Conclusion
Alexander’s journey is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for resilience and determination. From facing lifelong health issues to overcoming paralysis and finding the strength to run a half marathon, her story inspires countless individuals who face their own challenges. As she prepares to cross the finish line, Alexander embodies the essence of courage and the power of community support.
FAQs
- Q: What health issues has Shaunta-Maé Alexander faced?
A: Alexander has faced Crohn’s disease, paralysis, POTS, and chronic pericarditis, among other health issues. - Q: How did Alexander start her rehabilitation?
A: Alexander started her rehabilitation by taking arms and light weights Peloton classes from her wheelchair and gradually moved to using a Peloton bike and then a Peloton Tread. - Q: What is Alexander’s goal for the half marathon?
A: Alexander is fundraising for NYRR Team for Kids to support children who face similar challenges she did. - Q: Who is guiding Alexander in the half marathon?
A: Alexander will be guided by Tunde Oyeneyin, a Brooklyn-based Peloton instructor.
