By Stephanie Xiang
After running 26.2 miles in the Chicago Marathon, Dr. Chinequa Shelander crossed the finish line with tears in her eyes. What began years earlier as a way to cope with the stress of graduate school became one of her most meaningful personal accomplishments. For Dr. Shelander, crossing the finish line was more than completing a race. It was the realization of a long-held goal and a testament to the determination that had carried her every step of the way.
At Lovett, students know Dr. Shelander for teaching Biology and Honors Biology to freshmen. Beyond the classroom, however, she has a different story to tell, one of marathon running, personal challenges, and determination. Her passion for fitness has not only shaped her life beyond Lovett but also influenced the mindset she brings into her classroom, where she encourages students to believe in their ability to overcome challenges.
Dr. Shelander’s connection to athletics began long before she became a runner. She played varsity softball in high school and has always enjoyed working out. However, running became more than just exercise during graduate school. Running became a way for her to manage stress and anxiety.
“I became interested in working out, especially running, when I was in grad school. I needed an outlet for the stress,” she said.
What started as a way to improve her mental well-being gradually became a passion. In 2005, she began running seriously, setting increasingly ambitious goals and discovering the satisfaction of achieving them. “I enjoy seeing the results and learning discipline,” she said. “What keeps me motivated are the goals that I set for myself. It always feels good to achieve a goal!”
As Dr. Shelander’s passion for running grew, she began setting more ambitious goals for herself. One of her biggest goals was to complete a full marathon, a challenge that would test her physical endurance, mental strength, and determination. Years after she first began running, that dream became a reality when she completed the Chicago Marathon.
“Setting out to accomplish the goal I set for myself when I started running years prior made me cry when I crossed the finish line at the Chicago Marathon,” Dr. Shelander said.
But as she prepared for her second marathon a few years ago, an unexpected setback threatened to change her running journey. During training, she broke her foot, an injury that has kept her from returning to the long-distance running she once enjoyed. For someone who had relied on running to cope with some of life’s most difficult moments, the injury was especially challenging.
Instead of allowing the setback to end her fitness journey, however, she learned to adapt and find new ways to stay active. “I learned to keep going regardless of it looking impossible to ever do something that helped me during some of the hardest times of my life again,” she said. Her experience revealed that perseverance does not always mean continuing along the same path. Sometimes, it means finding the determination to move forward when circumstances force a change in that path.
Although her approach to fitness has evolved, Dr. Shelander’s commitment remains strong. Today, she works out three to four times a week, focusing primarily on weightlifting while incorporating shorter-distance running and other cardio exercises into her routine.
Beyond the physical benefits, fitness has also introduced her to a supportive community. She joined Black Girls Run and helped establish the organization’s East Cobb chapter, connecting with women who shared her enthusiasm for running and encouraged her to pursue her goals. “I have made some great friends by running and working out,” she said. “These ladies were the encouragement needed that helped me accomplish many running goals.” Through these relationships, she discovered that personal achievements are often strengthened by the encouragement and support of others.
The lessons Dr. Shelander has learned through fitness extend well beyond the running trail. In her biology classroom, she encourages students to approach difficult challenges with the same determination that helped her train for a marathon and adapt after her injury. Whether students are struggling with a complex scientific concept or working toward an academic goal, she hopes they will recognize that difficulties are opportunities to develop resilience rather than reasons to give up.
“It helped me build a mindset that I try to instill in all my students!” she said. “You can do hard things!”
Outside of fitness, Dr. Shelander also enjoys volunteering and reading. For students who are still discovering their own passions, she encourages them to step outside their comfort zones and remain open to new experiences. “Be a risk taker and try new things,” she said. “You never know what could happen!”
