“Sometimes you have to push yourself to do things you don’t think are possible, and you’ll be shocked at the results,” she said. “It still feels a little unreal.”
University of Texas Permian Basin professor Terra James isn’t just inspiring students in the classroom; she’s also making strides for a cause close to her heart. This spring, James represented Team St. Jude at the 128th Boston Marathon, raising over $12,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and fulfilling a lifelong dream in the process.
James has been a full-time faculty member at UTPB since 2016, having taught a few semesters as an adjunct prior to that. In the Communication Department, she leads courses including Public Speaking, Group Leadership, Nonverbal Communication, and Interpersonal Communication. Among those, Group Leadership stands out as her favorite.
“The students work together on a community fundraiser they choose and plan themselves,” she said. “Watching them make an impact is incredibly rewarding.”
Her passion for teaching is matched by her dedication to running for a cause. A longtime St. Jude Hero, James has run multiple races to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. When the opportunity arose to apply for Team St. Jude in the Boston Marathon, she knew it was a long shot as only six runners would be selected from hundreds of applicants.
“When I got the call offering me a bib, I was stunned,” she said. “It was a huge honor.”
Training for Boston took five months, a commitment that paid off in more ways than one. James raised $12,625 for the race, and the experience of running in Boston exceeded all expectations.
“The atmosphere was electric,” she recalled. “I’ve never seen so many people cheering runners on. I would start high-fiving one person, and it would turn into a quarter mile of high-fives. It was one of the most memorable days of my life.”
During the race, James stopped to assist a fellow runner who had broken his ankle around the 14-mile mark, helping him get to the side and alerting medical staff.
Despite the delay, she finished the race in just over five hours, which was just a few minutes past her goal.
What made her journey even more extraordinary was what came next. Just six days after Boston, James ran the Nashville Marathon as part of her ongoing support for St. Jude, raising another
$3,000. In total, she ran two marathons in one week and raised $15,625.
“I really had to focus on cross-training including swimming, yoga, and weightlifting,” she said.
The dedication extended beyond the pavement. Fundraising was a team effort, with creative events like the “Tutu Trot,” Music Bingo nights, spaghetti dinners, and donut sales.
“Running for a cause keeps you focused,” she said. “You’re not just doing it for yourself; you’re doing it for the kids at St. Jude.”
She encourages others who dream of running in Boston to consider the charity route.
“If you can qualify, that’s incredible. But there are also charities that offer bibs,” she said. “Fundraising is hard work, but it makes crossing the finish line that much more meaningful. I couldn’t have done it without my support team.”
Achieving this goal before turning 40 was a personal milestone James never imagined possible.
“Sometimes you have to push yourself to do things you don’t think are possible, and you’ll be shocked at the results,” she said. “It still feels a little unreal.”
Now, James is preparing for her next challenge: the St. Jude Memphis Marathon this December, which will take runners through the hospital’s campus. She’s already lacing up her shoes, starting her training again, and working toward a new fundraising goal.
To support her next race and contribute to the cause, visit her fundraiser page.
James has been a full-time faculty member at UTPB since 2016, having taught a few semesters as an adjunct prior to that. In the Communication Department, she leads courses including Public Speaking, Group Leadership, Nonverbal Communication, and Interpersonal Communication. Among those, Group Leadership stands out as her favorite.
“The students work together on a community fundraiser they choose and plan themselves,” she said. “Watching them make an impact is incredibly rewarding.”
Her passion for teaching is matched by her dedication to running for a cause. A longtime St. Jude Hero, James has run multiple races to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. When the opportunity arose to apply for Team St. Jude in the Boston Marathon, she knew it was a long shot as only six runners would be selected from hundreds of applicants. “When I got the call offering me a bib, I was stunned,” she said. “It was a huge honor.”
Training for Boston took five months, a commitment that paid off in more ways than one. James raised $12,625 for the race, and the experience of running in Boston exceeded all expectations.
“The atmosphere was electric,” she recalled. “I’ve never seen so many people cheering runners on. I would start high-fiving one person, and it would turn into a quarter mile of high-fives. It was one of the most memorable days of my life.”
During the race, James stopped to assist a fellow runner who had broken his ankle around the 14-mile mark, helping him get to the side and alerting medical staff.
Despite the delay, she finished the race in just over five hours, which was just a few minutes past her goal.
What made her journey even more extraordinary was what came next. Just six days after Boston, James ran the Nashville Marathon as part of her ongoing support for St. Jude, raising another
$3,000. In total, she ran two marathons in one week and raised $15,625. “I really had to focus on cross-training including swimming, yoga, and weightlifting,” she said.
The dedication extended beyond the pavement. Fundraising was a team effort, with creative events like the “Tutu Trot,” Music Bingo nights, spaghetti dinners, and donut sales.
“Running for a cause keeps you focused,” she said. “You’re not just doing it for yourself; you’re doing it for the kids at St. Jude.”
She encourages others who dream of running in Boston to consider the charity route.
“If you can qualify, that’s incredible. But there are also charities that offer bibs,” she said. “Fundraising is hard work, but it makes crossing the finish line that much more meaningful. I couldn’t have done it without my support team.”
Achieving this goal before turning 40 was a personal milestone James never imagined possible.
“Sometimes you have to push yourself to do things you don’t think are possible, and you’ll be shocked at the results,” she said. “It still feels a little unreal.”
Now, James is preparing for her next challenge: the St. Jude Memphis Marathon this December, which will take runners through the hospital’s campus. She’s already lacing up her shoes, starting her training again, and working toward a new fundraising goal.
To support her next race and contribute to the cause, visit her fundraiser page.
