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

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.
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.

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.

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.


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.
Travel
For the first time in Portugal? This is why Lisbon – and this hotel – should be your first stop

If you visit Portugal for the first time and land in Lisbon, the capital of the country, selecting the right hotel is the key to starting things on the right foot. Lisbon (or Lisboa, as the locals call it) is the vibrant Vibey metropolis, which borders on water and has seven large hills in the heart of motion.
While quite a few accommodation options ranges from Airbnbs to super low-cost hostels, for those who are in search of peace, selecting a hotel is a really solid alternative. Of all hotels in the city, International design hotel (IDH), 4 -star boutique property in the city with “Clean and protected“The assessment from the Portugal of the Tourist Council is a particular.
Location, location, location
Located in the heart of the historical Squarea Rossio (Alias Plaza D. Pedro IV), Idh sits at the center of the motion, surrounded by stunning vintage buildings with modern stores akin to Nike, Mango and Maxmanar right on the street. Zara, a favourite of American travelers, is situated opposite the entrance from the hotel, if it’s essential run a captivating outfit for the evening in the city.
If you do not know Lisbon and get nervous about discovering, be sure – there are numerous to see just a number of steps.
The hotel is situated on the corner of the energetic cobbled streets, with one closed strip for cars and full of restaurants, souvenir shops and landmarks like Arco Da Rua August. Other districts, akin to Chiado, Bairro Alto and the famous Castle of St. George’s, are easy to succeed in (and in the case of the castle, in response to your opinion).
If you haven’t any guide or map, for those who haven’t got it – you are in the middle of all of it.

Comfort and creative design
As the name suggests, the Internacional Design Hotel provides aesthetics. The staff greets you with a sublime emerald lobby desk, with brilliant artworks.
Despite the historical external appearance, the hotel offers a modern boutique atmosphere – unlike massive hotel chains. Instead of a crowded lobby and elevators, expect one stylish elevator that comfortably matches three people.
The rooms are artistic and well equipped with a regular layout, desk, television, mini-bar and high ceilings. The bathrooms are modern, containing full showers. We stopped in a regular room, but for those who need extra space, the apartments can be found and have great grades.
Editor’s attention: Unlike most American hotels, mini-bar prices were surprisingly reasonably priced. Snacks and drinks don’t send the account.
Another profit? Large bathing towels and hand towels (as a substitute of small common washers in American hotels). If you favor a smaller fabric, ask the reception or bring your own.

Tasty brunch at the bottom
Idh functions, restaurant and bar on the first floor with a delicious breakfast spread at the start of the day. The price is an especially reasonably priced price 15 euros.
In an actual Portuguese way of baking, they shine. Expect mini -tubes, croissants, toast, rolls, cupcakes, apple danks and beloved pastel de Nata (Portuguese egg tarts). You will copy, sweet and light-it is a necessity and present wherever you go in Portugal.
The menu also includes eggs, bacon (note: more like a skinny, fried ham than American bacon), cereal flakes, milk, juices, tea and espresso.
Glass partitions provide a full view of the street while eating-ideal for individuals who follow people (and a friendly nod from other black travelers passing like us).

Modern convenience in a historic city
Do you wish a contact solution at midnight? We tried it and Uber Eats delivered it in lower than 20 minutes. This is the central IDH.
When it was time to go to the airport, Ubers and taxis were also available outside, and we arrived at the airport in Lisbon in about 20 minutes.
Wi-Fi reliably operated from the lobby, and nearby stores offered European adapters for American chargers.
Even if the city seems latest as a traveler, the hotel offers comfort, ease and sense of home.

The charm of the Old World is met with a living history
There is something transport in Square Idh. Although America may be known “Nowy Świat”, Lisbon history layers are inconceivable to disregard.
After the destructive earthquake, Tsunami and Fire hit the city in at some point in 1755, Lisbon needed to rebuild – and it did so beautifully.
The surrounding architecture is each elegant and neat, and the reminders of the colonial past of Portugal contained in statues for previous rulers and explorers invite reflection and real learning.
Because the city was built on seven hills, Lisbon is really a city stuffed with winding alleys, hand -arranged tiles and breathtaking views. This makes your stay in the Internet Design Hotel is rather more attractive since you don’t need a automotive or expensive transport to maneuver and see what the capital of Portugal has to supply.
Our assessment?

(Tagstranslat) hotels
Travel
American Airlines under the fire after Black Passnger claims that she was the only one in the first grade, the food was refused

American Airlines is in the face of the heat after a black thicker claimed that she was the only first -rate passenger that denies food.
The influencer whose account name is @johbidoo_official shared her story with Tiktok. The film showed a particularly empty table of one that normally had the first class of amenities. The clip quickly gained over 4.8 million views and caused others to discuss the racism they encountered from the airline.
“When you are the only black person in the first grade, and the food apparently ended … Well, thank you American Airlines,” she wrote in the film.
According to the creator of the content of the lifestyle, the flight attendant expressed that the plane There was no food. However, taking into consideration the price point for a first -class ticket, many found this problem unacceptable, he informed.
“First class and exhaustion should not even be in the same sentence,” said one of the users of Tiktok.
Other commentators noticed how airlines normally follow passengers to supply enough food. This insistence meant that the authenticity of the flight attendant claim is questioned, telling the problem to report the problem to the thistker.
“I work with such a service for another airline and I can guarantee that there will be food. Report it !!!” He called one other.
Other thickets have drawn detailed details about their very own experience in the first grade traveling, while black. One woman shared how she received a grimy appearance when observers believed that she was in the fallacious line.
“I flew the first class and I was the only black woman there,” explained the commentator. “They assumed that I was in the wrong line. I looked all the time. It was wild.”
American Airlines had earlier problems with racist treatment reported by passengers. The airline is currently in the face of the trial after its employees accused the black man of trading their white wife.
The airline recently resolved the case for racial discrimination in December 2024 after three black men accused their flight attendants of improper removal of them from the plane in January this 12 months. In the light of a long-lasting problem, raised since 2017, NAACP he cried American Airlines to answer ongoing allegations of racism.
In relation to this last attack of the alleged racism, American Airlines also made a public statement confirming that they contacted the thicketker about her experience.
“We want all our clients to have a positive experience while traveling with us,” said the airline. “We contacted the client to learn more about their experience.”
The thicker also confirmed that he’s in communication with the airline in this matter.
(Tagstranslat) racism on aircraft
Travel
Johnny Mack revolutionizes the Carnival of Trinidad from the All-Inclusive Premium Rejs

Visionary entrepreneur Johnny Mack transformed the experience of the Carnival of Trinidad through the progressive solution to at least one of the biggest tourist challenges on the island: serious accommodation shortages during the world famous festival. As the general director of Epic Carnival Experience, Mack was a pioneer of the first “All-Inclusive Hotel” in Trinidad during the famous celebration of the carnival on the island.
The concept is brilliantly easy, but revolutionary: Royal Caribbean Cruise, which flows in a 9-day journey from the neighboring Caribbean Island, after which stays assault in the port of Spain for five days during the carnival. After graduating from the second 12 months in March 2025, EPIC has They quickly change into a changing game For Trinidad Carnival Tourism.
“Trinidad has only 2,500 hotel rooms throughout the country,” explained Mack, and his eyes brighten with passion. Forty thousand to 50,000 people travel to Trinidad to the carnival, making a critical need for flexible power. I created EPIC not only to supply an increased experience, but in addition to treatment economic necessity because of insufficient accommodation. “
A carnival child with music in his soul

Born in Trinidad on Monday morning in 1980, Mack describes himself as “a real bona fide carnival child”. His heritage is reflected in the diverse cultural makeup of Trinidada-Jego Father is the Chinese-Trinidadian first generation, and his mother was born in Morocco.
Mack’s journey took him from a rugby game for the Trinidad national team at the age of only 17 to attend the UC Berkeley scholarship. At the starting of 2000, he began to supply concert events for Caribbean artists, corresponding to Sean Paul and Damian Marley in California, before he founded on the music scene in Hawaii.
“When I did my first music festival, I was 23 years old and I had 4,000 people,” says Mack with a nostalgic smile. “From there I began to develop music festivals in Hawaii and then on the west coast.” He produced a music festival with three islands with the participation of Lauryn Hill, which attracted 12,000 participants.
His fame in the industry continued to grow exponently. His events could be presented by artists corresponding to Snoop Dogg, Cardi B and Usher, attracting huge crowds exceeding 35,000 people, experiences that gave him a useful view of the creation of addictive events that he would later apply to EPIC.
Overcoming industry barriers

Creating an epic carnival experience required overcoming significant obstacles, especially convincing the primary cruise line for docking in Trinidad for a very long time.
“No liner wanted to come to Trinidad and Tobago, because they were on a global list of safety hazards,” Mack revealed. “They refused to transfer a couple of night. From 2015 to simply before Covid I used to be still knocking on the door.
Perseverance paid off, but the required financial commitment was significant. “The average cruise ship will amount to at least $ 3.54 million only on charter. Besides, you have insurance, which is like $ 50,000. Then the cruise ship also wants to achieve data on revenues on board … This is another $ 1.2 million.”
As a Caribbean promoter in the industry dominated by large corporations, Mack acts with a distinct approach. “We cope with business with a rather larger number of cultural nuances and lanea. We live more in a gray zone than in black and white.
The Caribbean Entertainment Industry maintains its independence in a way through which few other sectors managed. “In the Caribbean diaspora, someone like Vybz Kartel, Beneie Man, Capleton or Buju will come to North America, and Live Nation will not be the owner of their trip. This will be someone from the diaspora with culture.”
Economic impact and cultural mission

Epic isn’t only a business undertaking – it’s an economic engine for Trinidad and a cultural exchange platform that comes straight from the heart of Mack.
“Based on the last budget, we spent about USD 500,000 on local production of Trinidad, Labor Party, Transport, Marketing – all our needs. We spent about $ 1.2 million on the purchase of tickets for Fetes, and then the average person spent about $ 1,000 on a carnival costume”, describes Epic CEO. “Let’s say that 1000 people bought carnival costumes, they immediately about $ 1 million.”
The business model solves many problems at the same time. It provides inexpensive accommodation when hotel prices rise and flights change into too expensive.
“Flights during the Carnival in Trinidad are outrageous because of high demand; they have violent prices. The flight that would be USD 300/400 USD currently costs USD 1500,” explains Mack, animated hills. “In the first year Epic we flew to Barbados, and we flew to Puerto Rico for the second year. The numbers made sense. The flight to Puerto Rico from anywhere along the east coast is like 300 USD in both directions. We save everyone at least USD 800–16 for flights.”
The carnival entrepreneur continues: “The average hotel room in the port of Spain during the carnival per night is about USD 800, which is crazy. When I valued one of the lower levels, it costs about USD 400 per night, which is theft for me when you get food, drink and events.”
Unique economic landscape of Trinidada

Unlike many of its Caribbean neighbors, Trinidad’s economy economy isn’t built on tourism – Mack explains with insight someone who really understands his homeland.
“Trinidad is not built on tourism, such as Jamaica, Barbados and these other islands. We are built on natural gas and oil and resources,” explains Mack proudly. “We have something called Lake Pitch. It’s an endless asphalt lake; we have an endless supply. So we never built infrastructure.”
This economic foundation, wealthy in resources, explains limited hotel infrastructure in the country. “It makes no sense to build a new hotel, but it was reasonable to bring a cruise ship that could come and be a real opportunity for Trinidad.”
Future growth and vision
The rapid growth of the project is visible in the early sale of tickets for the upcoming February 11-20 2026.
“At the moment, in the coming third 12 months, we sold 426 cabins, which we weren’t even in a position to run early for the second 12 months.
For Mack, this undertaking is just the starting of a bigger vision that deeply connects to its personal history. “This is just the first step. I am building an empire and a heritage in which I can export my culture and share it with the world,” he declares. “The goal of Epic is to reveal pop America, pop Europe, our culture and make them feel with us.”
His ambitions transcend personal success in creating opportunities for his community. “Growing up in the Caribbean, we did not know 401 (k) plans, life insurance or trust for children. Everything we have, we had to build. If I could help my community in my legs, I want to do it for my family and Trinidad.”
As our interview sums up, Mack’s phone calls with a transparent sound of SOCA music – a correct reminder of the rhythm that drives each a person and his mission. “Carnival is only an event for us – this is who we are. And now we have found a way to share it with the world.”
(Tagstranslat) Caribbean economy
-
Press Release1 year ago
U.S.-Africa Chamber of Commerce Appoints Robert Alexander of 360WiseMedia as Board Director
-
Press Release1 year ago
CEO of 360WiSE Launches Mentorship Program in Overtown Miami FL
-
Business and Finance12 months ago
The Importance of Owning Your Distribution Media Platform
-
Business and Finance1 year ago
360Wise Media and McDonald’s NY Tri-State Owner Operators Celebrate Success of “Faces of Black History” Campaign with Over 2 Million Event Visits
-
Ben Crump1 year ago
Another lawsuit accuses Google of bias against Black minority employees
-
Theater1 year ago
Telling the story of the Apollo Theater
-
Ben Crump1 year ago
Henrietta Lacks’ family members reach an agreement after her cells undergo advanced medical tests
-
Ben Crump1 year ago
The families of George Floyd and Daunte Wright hold an emotional press conference in Minneapolis
-
Theater1 year ago
Applications open for the 2020-2021 Soul Producing National Black Theater residency – Black Theater Matters
-
Theater12 months ago
Cultural icon Apollo Theater sets new goals on the occasion of its 85th anniversary