Soul of 78: Tracye Vincent

Runner

Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Ryan McGill

As dawn breaks on a misty morning in Jasper, Tracye Vincent is already a couple of miles into her daily run. Passing by the white marble facade of First United Methodist Church, worship music playing loudly through her headphones, she looks to the sky in gratitude for another day of life and for being able to run in such a beautiful place.

A member of Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Tracye is a woman of faith who believes that loving and serving is the key to a fulfilling life. And as fiance to Johnny, mother to Dexter, Carmelia, and Cedric, and grandmother to Lyric, she spends much of her daily life making sure others in her circle are taken care of—be it in her home, through her church, or through her job. But every morning when she wakes, one of the first things on her to-do list is a run, as this is one of the ways Tracye takes care of herself.

“There are of course physical benefits to running. Exercise is an essential part of living a healthy life,” Tracye says. “But the benefits go beyond the physical, and that is what keeps me doing it again and again. It helps me spiritually, mentally, and emotionally as well. It’s my time to just be.”

Tracye talks to God on these early morning runs. Sometimes the talks are heavy and involve a good cry, other times they are joyful and lighthearted. Regardless of the tone, her conversations with God during her runs are her outlet.

Sure, some mornings are more difficult than others when it comes to waking up, lacing up her sneakers, and hitting the road. Stressors often attempt to keep Tracye inside her home and inside her mind, but she knows she must be disciplined and complete her run to truly feel prepared to take on the day.

“Running has become akin to breathing for me, it is something I must do,” she says. “I can, I will, and I must find the time and energy for a daily run. After my runs, I am immensely at ease and feel like I can handle anything.”

Tracye’s days are busy, spent serving others and putting their needs before her own. But for this one hour on the asphalt, her physcial, mental, and spiritual well-being are her own priority, shaping her into a stronger woman as she runs toward a life of contentment and gratitude in Christ. 78