Connect with us

Travel

How to Become a Marathon Runner: How I Found My Purpose in Pace, Pavement, and the Playlist

Published

on

As I drive past Epcot Center’s enormous, golf-ball-like geosphere of Spaceship Earth, sweat dripping off my burgundy running shirt, I get an encouraging thumbs up from Minnie Mouse. The sun continues to be rising over the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando as hundreds of competitors from around the world race to the finish line. runDisneyRace for the Taste of 10,000 The Ratatouille-inspired race takes us around the World Showcase Lagoon and through Epcot’s mini-reenactments of Morocco, Japan, Mexico, China, etc. Racing through the so-called happiest place on Earth, I crossed the six-mile mark in about an hour and finally saw the end in sight.

I already want to do it again.

Miles Marshall Lewis at the end of Disney’s Race for the Taste 10K. (Photo: Courtesy of Miles Marshall Lewis)

Watching two different series about health and longevity recently has made me extremely grateful for my running journey. Netflix DocumentariesLive to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones” examines the weight-reduction plan and lifestyle of the world’s longest-living people. Exercise is clearly a crucial factor. “Boundless” – one other documentary on Disney+ (with actor Chris Hemsworth, “Marvel’s Thor”) also explores how to fight aging and discover the full potential of the human body. One of the episodes talks about endurance training and its importance in constructing healthy mitochondria. My semi-regular run in New York’s Central Park seems to qualify as endurance training, so I’m grateful I do it.

Like any geek to the better of his abilities, I grew up with a fear of going to the gym. I had a baseball phase, like all red-blooded American boy, but the only sport that ever meant anything to me was boxing, mainly thanks to charismatic boxers like Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. Throughout school, I never joined any team. Only when my wife began talking about love handles did I determine to take the asphalt road to maturity. Running made sense to me. I’ve been meditating for years. The disciplines are very similar in that you simply are one along with your thoughts, solo. All you wish are sneakers, stamina and a great playlist – music has all the time recharged my battery.

From Harlem to Heraklion: an emotional journey to Crete

The first time I ran a mile was sometime in 2008 Picasso Park (we lived in Paris at the time) – and I sort of hated it. But the next day I went for a run anyway, recurrently up and down the very long Avenue Raspail. Back then, a sensor in the sole of my Nike sneakers tracked my pace and distance, which appealed to me as a nerd. (Smartphones on the horizon have quickly made this technology obsolete; I currently wear a pair of Hokas and an Apple Watch equipped with the Strava app). I soon signed up for my first race: the Nike+ Human Race 2009, a global 10k with tons of of hundreds of runners. Just a few months later, my wife and I ran a half marathon together through the French capital. At the age of 37, I discovered my favorite exercise program.

Although I stopped running when I moved to Manhattan in 2011, the break didn’t last long. Running on the busy streets of downtown never appealed to me; as an alternative, the six-mile loop in Central Park became my recent treadmill. Finally, in November 2019, I joined the likes of Sean Combs, Alicia Keys, Kevin Hart and Oprah Winfrey in completing my first New York City Marathon at the age of 48 – in five and a half hours at a 12:38 pace.

What motivated me? Music.

I recommend using music as a personal source of energy to anyone who needs an impulse to start their very own running training. With sweat-resistant earbuds and your smartphone, any playlist you place together will encourage you to put your feet up and stay the course. I ran a marathon with Powerbeats Pro headphones and streamed motivational music from “Nicki Minaj”Megatron“”James Brown”Revenge“Washington’s Slime”The rhythm is changing“Biz Markie’s”Business is ending” and more.

Knox Robinson – former editor-in-chief of The Fader magazine and currently co-founder of the magazine Black roses in New York Running Crew – that is a long-time friend of the author who has now run over 25 marathons, pursuing his second calling in life as a running coach. He mentioned years ago Świat Biegacza Magazine (Knox once appeared on the cover): “I have a playlist of spiritual vibes and astral jazz, saxophone with sitars and harp – Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, Carlos Santana. Basically it might either be spiritual jazz or something low BPM like trap music. Use what works for you.

Creating an efficient playlist that gets your adrenaline pumping and stays motivated is subjective. But the best strategy is to select songs which have a comfortable tempo and a minimum of one energetic song that permits you to pick up the speed. Personally, I survived the last half hour of the marathon at 168 BPM.”Clint Eastwood” by Gorillaz over and all over again. The footsteps at my average running pace exactly match the bass and snare beats of this song, which helps me avoid slowing down.

The Boston Marathon gives Kipchoge a new challenge: slow down

Regular running will allow you to discover your perfect fit through routine. My own playlists include hip-hop and R&B songs with various beats per minute. Using two songs that have a total duration of 10 minutes may be helpful for timed runs without the help of a smartwatch or app. Almost any music you want to listen to can motivate you to follow it, especially beats with a pulsing beat. More of my favorites include “Us”It made you look“Roots”Think @ Work“I “212” by Azealia Banks

My New York runnersStatistics say that in my last 10K race I placed 274th out of 308 people in my age group (50-54). I’m definitely running my very own race without feeling competitive, and I suggest you do the same. I normally run a mile every 10 minutes and it doesn’t hassle me. A misconception about running culture could also be that runners are always striving for brand spanking new personal bests and obsessive about statistics. Not this runner, or reasonably not many runners. It is totally acceptable to adopt any attitude into practice.

With lifelong health in mind, I plan to run many marathons long distance. No greater than 25, no, but one for every decade until my 70s. With the 2024 New York City Marathon fast approaching, I have some work to do, starting with RunDisney’s Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend in early November. Never underestimate the encouragement of a Minnie wave.

How to start running, how to run a marathon, how to train for a marathon, running, runDisney, Epcot Center, NYC Marathon, NY Road Runners, Black Roses NYC, Knox Robinson, Miles Marshall Lewis, health and wellness, fitness, Blue Zones, theGrio. com
(Photo: Courtesy of Miles Marshall Lewis)

Miles Marshall Lewis (@MMLunlimited) is a Harlem-based author and cultural critic whose work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, GQ, Rolling Stone, and many other magazines. Lewis is currently completing a cultural biography of comedian Dave Chappelle, the sequel to Promise That You Will Sing About Me: The Power and Poetry of Kendrick Lamar.


This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Travel

Why a fall beach trip was just the reset I needed

Published

on

By


The beach is my comfortable place. Something about the smell of the salty water floating in the breeze, the sound of the waves crashing on the shore, and the warmth of the sun on my skin just melts my stress away. And searching at the vast horizon stops me from every part else occurring in the world, giving me time to reflect and shift my perspective that offers me clarity and focus.

Since I live in New York, the end of summer normally means the end of the beach – at the very least until mid-winter, when I’ll inevitably hop on a plane to a sandy tropical destination with the remainder of the sun-seekers . But this 12 months I decided to try something different: a fall beach trip.

I took advantage of the warmer than usual weather in the Northeast and planned a weekend trip to Atlantic City, New Jersey for one last likelihood to be a beach bum, courtesy of Ocean casino resort.

Here are three the explanation why fall is the perfect time to go to the beach:

1. To stave off the seasonal blues

As soon as Labor Day weekend involves an end, I begin to dread the impending reality of sunsets getting earlier and earlier. That first day while you leave the office and it’s already dark outside is at all times a shock for me. And for people affected by seasonal affective disorder, the change of seasons is even tougher.

A trip to the beach is the antidote to shorter, gray days. You could also be wrapped in a sweater as a substitute of wearing a bikini, but the extra vitamin D is real. Even when I stayed in the room, not only did I have amazing views through the floor-to-ceiling windows, but I had hours of fantastic sunlight.

Planning a time change escape is one other smart travel move since it gives you something to sit up for quite than “rolling back.” In addition to the casino, Ocean Resort after all offers a variety of bars and restaurants, HQ2 nightclub, Topgolf Swing Suite and the best live entertainment venue, Ovation Hall, which hosted Lenny Kravitz the weekend I was there. How are you able to be indignant while you spend the last hours of summer singing together with Lenny?

2. To prepare for a productive fourth quarter

Have you heard of the “winter bow”? The TikTok trend could also be recent, but the idea behind it shouldn’t be. It’s a strategy to commit to self-improvement during the colder months by specializing in recent, healthier activities. It’s also a strategy to kickstart your “new year, new you” resolutions because, despite the frosty name, it normally starts in October. A fall trip to the beach may be the perfect begin to your winter fun, because it’s the perfect place to read, journal, and meditate. If physical well-being is a priority for you, you’ll be able to visit the recently renovated MUSSELS fitness center at Ocean, with a yoga area and Peloton offerings.

Even should you don’t intentionally work in your winter glow, research has shown a link between travel and mindfulness, creativity and private growth. Fall has traditionally been a time of reflection, change and rediscovery, so it’s the perfect time to flee.

Increasing your activity can enable you to achieve your Q4 goals upon your return.

3. To enjoy the peace before the summer storm

Before you recognize it, your calendar – and to-do list – will probably be stuffed with holiday shopping, travel, hosting and parties. It could also be the most wonderful time of the 12 months, however it’s probably the most hectic. Spending time with just myself and the ocean helped me feel able to face the difficult months ahead. And while dipping your toes in the icy waters of the Atlantic wasn’t an option, if water is what you discover soothing, Ocean Casino Resort has a year-round indoor/outdoor pool overlooking the coast, and a whirlpool and jacuzzi at the award-winning Exhale Spa + Bathhouse.

On the other hand, should you began watching Christmas movies in July and may’t wait for the season to begin, the end of fall is a great time to experience the magical touches that many hotels offer. Ocean Casino Resort transforms into a seaside winter wonderland with 30 holiday-themed rooms and suites, complete with Christmas trees; festive Jingle Bell Bar and pop-up Christmas marketplace for adults; and an adventure at Santa’s Hideout if you desire to make your trip to the beach a family affair.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
Continue Reading

Travel

Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy amid surge in holiday travel

Published

on

By

Spirit Airlines, Spirit Airlines bankruptcy, Is Spirit Airlines in trouble financially?, What is going on with Spirit Airlines?, Is Spirit Airlines struggling? theGrio.com

Spirit Airlines, recognized for influencing cost-effective travel and reworking the market, has filed for bankruptcy protection amid consecutive years of losses, a failed merger, growing competition and changing customer demands.

This week, the airline announced that an “orderly” petition has been filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York as a part of a “restructuring support agreement” as a part of the statement. Spirit says that while the corporate is working to restructure its debt, it should proceed operations through the holiday season and into 2025.

“Spirit expects to continue its operations in the normal course throughout the planned and streamlined Chapter 11 (bankruptcy) process,” the airline said in an announcement. “Guests can continue to book and fly without interruption and use all tickets, points and loyalty points as normal.”

Additionally, the brand new filing won’t impact worker salaries and advantages.

While this term may sound scary, Spirit isn’t the one US airline to declare bankruptcy. Major competitors corresponding to American Airlines, United and Delta Airlines have filed for bankruptcy over the past 25 years. Just as other carriers have emerged stronger since filing for bankruptcy, Spirit President and CEO Ted Christie hopes to do the identical. The airline’s CEO asserts that restocking the airline and negotiating with creditors will allow Spirit to enter the brand new yr with less debt and greater financial flexibility, which can position “Spirit for long-term success and accelerate investment, providing guests with a better travel experience and greater value.” .

In open letter to Spirit gueststhe corporate assured travelers of what was to come back.

“We’re still flying, so no need for FOMO! You can continue to rely on Spirit for great quality and excellent service,” the airline wrote on Xwith a link to the open letter that read: “The most important thing to know is that you (customers) can continue to book and fly now and in the future. We also want to assure you that you can use all tickets, credits and loyalty points as normal. You can continue to take advantage of our Free Spirit loyalty program, Saver$ Club bonuses and credit card terms and conditions. Our amazing team members are here to offer you excellent service and an exceptional experience. We expect to complete this process in the first quarter of 2025 and be even better positioned to deliver the best value in the sky.”

Uber helps passengers 'Go Anywhere' - even on safari in South Africa

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
Continue Reading

Travel

Green Book Global launches road trip planner to provide inclusive options for Black travelers

Published

on

By

car, Greenbook Global

Building on the success of the primary and only Black travel booking and review platform, Green Book Global is expanding its services with the brand new Road Trip Planner app feature.

WITH Global Green Paper already recognized as a contemporary interactive guide for black travelers, the corporate has now added a feature to help plan safer and more enjoyable trips across the US. Launched on a redesigned mobile app (available on iOS and Android) and accessible via an internet app, this recent Road Trip Planner tool is powered by community insights and data.

“Our mission has always been to provide Black travelers with information that fosters a safer and more inclusive travel environment,” Lawrence Phillips, founder and CEO of Green Book Global, he said . “With Road Trip Planner, we turn our community’s collective experience into a robust tool that maps the most effective routes and areas to avoid based on historical and up to date data.

“It’s greater than only a planning tool. This is a brand new level of safety for our community,” he added.

Named after , which provided travel suggestions for African Americans traveling in Jim Crow America from 1936 to 1966, Green Book Global is a contemporary app and interactive guide designed to help Black travelers within the twenty first century. Using hundreds of reviews generated by Black users, the app will help users plan safer trips by identifying optimal routes and avoiding areas known to be inhospitable or potentially dangerous.

“Our goal is to provide information so that Black travelers can make a very personal decision about where they want to go,” Phillips said.

According to Green Book Global, the friendliest U.S. destinations for black travelers include Atlanta, Houston, Baltimore, Washington, Charlotte and Chicago. The platform also offers a world destination search tool, with recommendations for various destinations similar to Kenya, Slovenia and Argentina.

Phillips points out that the brand new Planner tool allows drivers to select the “Avoid City” option to avoid cities at sunset and robotically re-route them.

“Our community rates cities on a five-star scale for traveling as a black person, and cities receive an overall rating,” he explains. “Green means the safest and friendliest destination, yellow means average and red means needs improvement. The color red signifies a city where black travelers generally didn’t feel protected or welcome, and should even signify a former sunset city.

The study also revealed some unexpected findings about cities which may be predominantly white but have small but powerful black populations.

“Portland, Maine was a big surprise,” Phillips says. “Although Maine is one of the whitest states in America, with a Black population of almost 2%, the city of Portland is almost 10% Black. It was amazing. Delicious food, lots of attractions and a nice atmosphere.”


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending