Jameelah Abdul-Rahman Mujaahid is a mother of five, works three jobs and runs ultra distance races. According to the Ultrasignup website she ran 26 ultra distance races in 2021 and that is the most races anyone has done through their site that year. She was looking for a balance and a place to escape the daily demands and found ultra running.
ST: Thank you for your time Jameelah.
Jameelah: Of course.
ST: But we all know time means different things to different people. What does time mean to you?
Jameelah: Time is my kids. I'm constantly going through my brain what needs to be done for them and did I do enough. [laughs] This became one more project to do. I'm doing laundry and cooking while answering your questions. As a single mom with kids I never have enough time it seems.
ST: Talk about your family.
Jameelah: My kids, my parents, my sisters and their families - that's my support. Always grew up thinking everyone has what I had. I had support and love overflowing in my house. You see being the baby you get everything you want. My family went on extended vacations every summer in my dad's new car. He had to get a new one all the time. My dad's favorite word we had to recite everyday was think. My family taught us love, patience and kindness. We were in the Baha'i faith so universal truth and kindness was all we knew. From my mom's side the Baptist church came into play and from my dad traveling all across the country Muslims were everywhere he went, so Islamic teachings were thrown in too. Our life was - you help others, you love others, and I teach my children the same. I try my best to set that example so it's not just my words they hear. My children even as growing young adults we still have our check-in and family love talks.
ST: Last year you seemingly ran an incredible number of Ultra events. How and when did that all get started?
Jameelah: Ah the running. [laughs] I just wanted to test my strength and my ability to commit to one thought, so running each weekend was the thought and once my older kids agreed to help with the younger ones it was game on.
ST: But wouldn’t have 5k and 10k races sufficed to test your strength?
Jameelah: A 5k or 10k is merely training. It's takes about 40 miles before I even warm up. I just wanted to see if I could break my body down to zero and not want to run at all. It didn't happen.
ST: And which race did you do this first March weekend?
Jameelah: I ran the CGG 155. It's a coastal race in Georgia from St. Mary's to Savannah. Ahmad Aubrey was killed for running through a neighborhood in Brunswick, Georgia which is about 40 miles of the course. It scared me so I signed up. The RD were wonderful. Dan and Kerry would not let me be alone for more than an hour. It seems they were either texting or boom showing up checking on me. The support for my color by some of the locals when I run rural races like that can be less than kind, but such is life sometimes. I believe you can't let anyone steal your joy no matter how scary it can be. You just pray and god leads the way.
ST: How do you pick your events?
Jameelah: I pick according to my paycheck. [laughs] If I can afford it - I go. That's why most times I'm last minute, because I try not to let what I do take away from my household money.
ST: Of all the ones you have done so far which one was the hardest or most memorable?
Jameelah: I'm not sure because I have extreme short-term memory, so I only remember when I'm in the moment. I remember what I have to do daily because I write myself notes and they're everywhere. My room is full of papers telling me what to do and when. Most times I don't miss stuff, but if it's not written down - I'll forget. I should take medicine but no - I'll stick with writing myself a love letter reminder. Now of course some race directors have become friends and we keep in touch. I'll keep going to their races based on the fact they tell me when it is and I'll put it on my calendar and keep sending myself little love reminders to sign up.
ST: What is your weekly mileage?
Jameelah: I don't run between races - well I kind of do. I run a 10 mile cool down after a race sometime all at once or if the kids have something then I might have to break it up. It's rare I have down time after a race no matter how long it is. It seems I'm constantly rushing home to get back to work and my life taking care of my kids. Also because I teach water aerobics, spinning and other fitness classes I don't have time to just run. I use my races as training.
ST: Teva running sandals?
Jameelah: I grew up racing my boy cousin BB Anthony who was my favorite cousin and we ran barefoot down my grandma’s street. I was three legged because I ran so much and fast. My granddaddy gave me that name. My feet feel free in sandals and it seems I can run faster too.
ST: When running on trails we are mostly alone with our thoughts and that is quite opposite of the daily hustle and bustle. Can you tune out or do you think about all the stuff yet to do?
Jameelah: I think about my kids and talk to god on the trails. I sing out loud too.
ST: I believe you have multiple jobs. Can you talk about what you do?
Jameelah: I've always kept multiple streams of income. My father taught us if one fails have something already in place so you're not starting from zero. He owned a Texaco gas station, he was one of the first black men in Western New York to do so. I work at Waffle House, Ladies Workout Express and the YMCA all in Stone Mountain and Lee Haney Gym. All were nice enough to let me work and bring my kids. I was still nursing so if I couldn't bring my kids I couldn't work for you.
ST: For those not familiar with Waffle House. How would you describe it? I guess at the YMCA and the Workout Express some coworkers and customers might know about and have a grasp about your running, but how is it at the Waflfle House?
Jameelah: At Waffle House I didn't talk about my running nor anything outside of work because it wasn't that mentality. Actually it's the kind of restaurant where most people assume you're a former addict or you just got out of jail because that's whom they hire. The restaurant itself is fantastic opportunity for those who otherwise have limited opportunities. Some take advantage of it, but most don't unfortunately. To keep my sanity, I kept my personal life outside of the restaurant.
ST: I believe you were robbed once at a Waffle House but it did not go so well for the robber.
Jameelah: I wasn't scared that night because I felt god, not in a bold way but really I was trying to get through to him more so than even thinking about the robbery. I was like “really bro you're going to shoot me over syrup?” He left before the police got there.
ST: Is there anything else we should know?
Jameelah: Next year is today so live and love now. I love you all Jameelah.... peace
