Instagram/@issarae
So much for Issa Rae, the famous writer, and actress! Uncommon feat she went online and proudly shared her finish time-a sight to behold.
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The multi-hyphenate took to the social media to announce the newest accomplishment: Osculating Portland to run a marathon. Somehow she even found time and strength to send an email to a fan asking for a picture just after she crossed the finish line. “I was very in pain and very ugly,” she said in self-deprecating humor as the star proceeded to recount yet another physically grueling feat.
There it is from Rae herself: a finish and introduction into the running grind. “My official finish time was 4:18:54, which is about 9:52 per mile, a decent pace that garnered a lot of respect in the running community. I give a shout to @justaba who inspired me and shout out to my man for the support.”
Word was out about Issa Rae’s astonishing performance, and practically the running world went wild with excitement. “Damn. That pace says you a runner runner. The real kind,” one user commented. Answers almost unanimously agreed on that sentiment. One said, “All us runners clocked the pace and time 😅🤣 sis is a runner runner.” Another one agreed, “facts! that pace hurt my feelings because I can’t carry that a whole 26 she killed that!”
Perhaps the warmest interaction comes from the fellow marathon runner who found out that she had been shadowing Issa Rae the whole time without realizing it. “Best pacer @issarae didn’t realize I was following you the whole race,” revealed the user; “I just picked my fav outfit & tried to stay with you😂💞,” revealing how exceptional Rae’s style was in identifying her among a crowd of runners.
Luvvie Ajayi Jones lightened up the comments section by saying, “Not only did you run a marathon, you wore a weighted vest!?!? ISSA, IF YOU ARE CAPTAIN MARVEL, JUST SAY DAY! 😭😭😭 Cuz what?!? Congratulations!” Other long-distance runners quickly clarified that it was the type of vest that runners use to carry essentials like phones and nutrition gels.
Chelsea Handler, ever on point, stated, “In the middle of a ‘war,’ no less,” giving a bit of a wink and nod to Rae’s comments regarding the challenges of the industry. The joke brought uproarious laughter from those in on the inside joke about Rae navigating Hollywood while also getting her life together.
To fans of Rae’s innovative ‘Insecure,’ the marathon completion meant a lot. One commenter spelled it out: “Oh, she’s given Joan Carol Clayton marathon tea! 😍” Laughter erupted at the reference to Rae’s character on the show, who could hardly get through a race herself, with another fan commenting, “Joan cramped so issa could soar …and finish lol 😂😂😂”
Several of the commentators couldn’t help but add jest to Rae’s recent description of Portland as being in “war” as various social issues were listed. “Glad you’re safe from the war-torn streets of Portland! 😱😂,” said one. Another added, “I’m glad you survived running through such ‘war torn’ streets!” These drew all sorts of appreciation for Rae’s unique voice and perspective.
More than the humor and references, what was heartwarming was the celebration of Rae’s grit and accomplishment. “You are fireeeeee less than 10 min for each mile!?!❤️❤️,” exclaimed one admirer, “I mean, is there anything you can’t do? 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾,” convined another. The unspoken thought, of course, was: Rae had shockingly thrown her fans a curveball not only as an entertainer but as a bona fide committed athlete.
Perhaps that is one element of the Rae inter-strengths incident that runs across her career and development. Rae indeed is a woman of action; you can never tell what she will throw at you next. From creating and acting in what may be considered the most relatable television stories of Black womanhood ever developed in her creative field and career to now completing a real 26.2-miler. Another tribute goes to Rae herself, who continues to inspire by art and action, closing with a refined chuckle saying, “very in pain and very ugly.”
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Completing a marathon is probably the most beautiful metaphor Issa Rae has gifted the world of entertainment: an inexhaustibly determined woman fighting her personal battles with the same artistic rigor she uses to tackle her professional ones.
This story originally appeared on Celebrityinsider
