Image: Peace Runners 773
Superfeet: Congrats on your third marathon. What inspired you to run the Chicago Marathon this year?
Coach Morgan: I was inspired to run my third consecutive Chicago Marathon this year by the group that I run with out of Chicago’s westside, called Peacerunners773. Peacerunners773 is an amazing non-profit organization that I have been part of since its inception three years ago. They focus on holistic health and wellness in underserved communities especially on the west side of Chicago the Garfield Park and North Lawndale neighborhoods. I previously taught elementary school and coached girls basketball in these communities. Peacerunners773 has given me a tremendous amount of belief in myself that all things are possible and has helped me understand the importance of health and wellness especially in our communities and our neighborhoods on Chicago's Westside and throughout the city of Chicago. Last year, I completed the Chicago Distance series which gave me guaranteed entry into the Chicago Marathon 2024. The Chicago distance series started off with the Shamrock Shuffle (Sunday, March 26, 2023) which is an 8K, then 13.1 half marathon (Sunday, June 9, 2023) and then the Chicago Marathon. Completing these three events allowed me guaranteed entry into the 2024 Chicago Marathon so that's what made me take advantage of that opportunity, knowing that marathons are really difficult to get into via the lottery system. I also want to continue to set an example for the 6th-12th grade girls that I coach, and my son Corey II (6 years old) and my daughter Legacy (3 years old).
Superfeet: How did you prepare for the race—any specific training tips or routines?
Coach Morgan: I prepared for this race by doing a tremendous amount of yoga. I pretty much did yoga 5 days a week. Shoutout to our yoga instructor Mia who helped me with this. I also did a lot of strength training. I had two gentlemen who were really significant in my strength training journey, Julius Charles, who is a member of Peace Runners 773 and Corry Tibbs, who is a childhood friend of mine. Both of them were monumental in helping me to get significantly stronger as I approached this year's marathon. Peacerunners773 also provided us with multiple options every week to get in training runs in a group setting. On Wednesdays, we did a run which had a three or five mile option. On Saturday mornings we did a two mile community run, and on Sundays we would do our long runs together. Having a group to train with really gave me a tremendous support system and a tremendous amount of belief that together we would get these runs in and we would be able to conquer whatever the distance. My biggest tip or piece of advice to anyone thinking about running a marathon, half marathon, or 5K would be simply get with a great community of runners. Get with a run club — if you’re in Chicago, you should definitely consider joining Peace Runners773.
Superfeet: What was the most challenging part of your marathon journey?
Coach Morgan: This training block provided me with a few different obstacles that I had to overcome. I was injured during this training block on three separate occasions. All three injuries were to my left hamstring, so I wasn't sure if I was going to make it to the starting line for the Chicago Marathon. I wasn't sure how marathon would go if I was able to make it to the starting line, but I received some physical therapy out at Tribal connection in Libertyville, some individual physical therapy sessions with physical therapist Nia Green and some well strength and run mechanics training with Julius Charles that really really helped get me back healthy. All of those things put me over the top to ensure that I was ready to take on the start line at the Chicago Marathon this year. Three separate injuries during this training block was a lot to overcome mentally, physically, as well as emotionally but I just stayed, prayed up and kept my belief in God. Through God and my support system, I was able to get it done and make it happen.
Superfeet: Can you share a memorable moment from the race?
Coach Morgan: I had a few very memorable moments from this year's marathon. The main thing was just having my family and my friends there to support me and cheer me on along the way. Right as I was getting ready to approach the Mile 16 marker, my basketball coaching staff that coaches high school girls basketball with me, which included Gianni Ortiz, Alexis Williams, Jakira Brown and Shamona McDaniel, were waiting to cheer me on, holding big signs and just screaming for me. Six members of the DePaul College Prep girls basketball team were also there —I am the head coach of their varsity program. Then, a few feet in front of them was my sister Tiara Nelson, my mom, my mother-in-law, my auntie, my sister in-law, my beautiful wife Luevinia Morgan, my son and my daughter, my cousin Deja and my other little sister Nakia. Right across the street from them was my run club and some of my run brothers just hyped me up. Julius Charles was there along with major clay Jackie Hoffman and they jumped and they yelled and they screamed and they gave me a tremendous amount of energy as I went towards mile 16. I was overcome with joy and emotion just having that full circle moment with a lot of people who I've trained with and who I've run with over these years. Them being there just did something to me and it made me emotional. I had to catch myself and take a deep breath. My training partner Jaidin, my yoga coach Mia, and my hype buddy Velle were all right there yelling and screaming for me. My pace buddy Dee as well, they were all just right there supporting me making sure I had everything that I needed to finish the race strong. Right before I approached mile 24 I saw my former elementary school gifted reading teacher who said, “I've been out here waiting for you Corey I've been tracking you all day and my phone died but I wasn't leaving until I saw you.” When I saw Mrs. Dr Lang I was overcome with joy and emotion. That catapulted me through the last 2.2 miles of the race.
Superfeet: How did you feel crossing the finish line?
Coach Morgan: Crossing the finish line this year made me feel a different sense of pride and joy because of the fact that I had suffered three different injuries during my race training. My distance PR for this calendar year was only 13.1 miles. I completed that distance six times prior to the marathon and I did seven 10 mile runs, but I wasn't able to complete any of the longer runs because during that stretch I was injured. I was doing a lot of biking and some smaller runs as it got a little bit closer to the actual marathon date. I felt tremendously blessed knowing that I had only that I hadn't ran more than 13.1 miles this year. Completing the entire marathon at 26.2 miles was a big feat and a huge accomplishment and something that I hold my head high knowing I was able to conquer that beast!
Superfeet: What advice would you give to someone considering running a marathon for the first time?
Coach Morgan: Some advice that I would give to a person who is considering running a marathon for the first time would be make sure you stretch and make sure you strength train. Take strength training very seriously as it has helped me tremendously. Definitely run with a group and get a training plan. We follow the training plan provided in the Nike Run Club app and that gave me structure in my runs. Also make sure that you prioritize recovery. Recovery is sleep. Recovery is also Normatec boots, epsom salt hot baths, cold tubs, cryo chambers, and massage. All of those things help your body recover faster and help you tremendously in your marathon training journey.
Superfeet: What’s next on your running journey? Any upcoming races or goals?
Coach Morgan: Coming up next for me on my run journey, I am running the Hot Chocolate Chicago 5K race with my wife, my son and my niece. My wife and I did it together last year for the first time and my son is joining us, as well as my 9-year-old niece. We're doing it as a family so I’m tremendously excited about that. Following that I'm going to have a strong off-season where I'm going to take my strength training to the next level to get stronger in the off-season and to have a more balanced diet. I'll be running and biking through the winter to continue to keep my stamina up at a high level. Next year I'm going to focus on shorter distances and getting a little bit faster in those shorter distances. That's something I’m excited about, to see the runner that I become within the next year!
Superfeet: What’s your favorite Superfeet insole, and how do they support you during training and races?
Coach Morgan: I am a huge fan of Superfeet insoles! Initially, I loved the Active Support Low Arch insoles. Then, while attending an event with Peace Runners773 hosted by Fleet Feet, we were gifted some insoles, but they didn't have that model in stock. I was convinced to try the Run Pain Relief insoles. My first thought was, "Well, there's a new sheriff in town!" LOL. But after a while, I realized that what works best for me is using the Pain Relief model for everyday runs and the Support Low Arch Insoles for long runs and race days. This combination has helped my feet tremendously! I went from struggling with plantar fasciitis to having no foot pain at all! SHOUTOUT TO SUPERFEET INSOLES! In fact, the Pain Relief Insoles have become my everyday insoles.
Learn more about Peace Runners 773 and how you can get involved in supporting their mission.
Peace Runners 773 is a non-profit organization that advocates for health equity. Our programming empowers, educates and brings awareness to holistic health and wellness through physical, mental and social wellbeing while creating safe spaces for movement in our underserved communities.
On June 19th, 2020, Peace Runners 773 Founder and President, Jackie Hoffman decided to organize a 5K within the Garfield Park community. A week later, over 20 participants gathered for a peaceful, fun morning of movement. To Jackie, this 5K uncovered a collective interest among residents for something that Garfield Park was missing: a safe and inclusive place to workout. With this goal in mind, Peace Runners 773 was born.
