The African-American Distance Runner

Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution

jonbrankin — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 01:09:48 +0000

Why Hip-hop & the Sport of Running can Save the World

jonbrankin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:56:36 +0000

Two significant questions come to mind when I consider the impact P.Diddy’s marathon finish could have on the lives of others:

1. Can P.Diddy running a marathon change the face of hip-hop? Or in other words, can it change the way we look at hip-hop artists today?

2. Can hip-hop influence health, fitness and health-care in America? And the world?

3. Can hip-hop & the sport of running save the world?

Over time, I would like to explore these two questions for what I believe will be insightful answers.

Oprah, The Marathon & What it Means to Black People

jonbrankin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:53:23 +0000

1. “Oprah Winfrey gave hope to perhaps hundreds of thousands of people who never dreamed they could run a marathon. In 1994, Oprah famously defined her challenge: run and finish a marathon before her 40th birthday. The running world expected she would run the Chicago Marathon in late October to deliver on that promise. Instead, away from cameras and publicity, Oprah ducked into the field of the Marine Corps Marathon two weeks earlier, and ran a 4:29:20 marathon to achieve her goal.

Her celebration of that success has inspired hundreds of thousands to take up their own personal marathon challenge with ambition, pride, drive, determination, spirit, and the commitment to achieve personal excellence.”

1. http://www.runtri.com/2008/08/inspiring-runners-oprah-and-celebrity.html

First Black High School Kid to Break 4-minute Mile Barrier?

jonbrankin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:01:09 +0000

Jackie Robinson

jonbrankin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 07:05:28 +0000

One Step at a Time – Journal Entry #3

jonbrankin — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:12:04 +0000

Tracking my 50-Million Pound Challenge Progress

I have to admit that I’ve often laughed when reflecting on my current approach to rekindling what has sometimes been a fading passion for a sport and lifestyle I can’t seem to live without–long distance running. Lately, I’ve felt kind of funny because even though I see myself as a professional middle and long distance runner, I’m currently out of shape (about 10-13 lbs out of shape) and in dire need of some motivation and inspiration to get back into racing shape; and ultimately, to continue my pursuit of the Olympics. By coupling my passion for wanting to help others and to inspire others with my desire to be more than a good runner I found a new path with the 50 Million Pound Challenge. By participating with others in their efforts to change their lives I have found great inspiration. I’m inspired by the many stories I’ve read about those who are taking part in this challenge. Their strength has become a great source of strength for me and I want to return the favor by taking part in this journey with the hundreds of thousands taking on this challenge.

Everyday I find myself spending a little bit of time writing in my weight-loss journal about trying to get back into race shape by participating in this very important nationwide weight-loss program. I find my participation kind of unorthodox, yet I can’t help but feel good knowing that I’m taking part in an initiative that can inspire anyone to become a healthier version of themselves!

So far I’ve been training 5-6 days a week for about 60 minutes to 90 minutes a day. The amount of training that I’m doing everyday isn’t a lot in terms of what I’m use to doing, but by taking on small workouts everyday my desire to keep going continues to grow without interruption.

With the forward momentum created by joining the 50-MPC I realize that it takes a lot of effort to find what will work for us when we want to overcome life’s challenges. I’m learning that solutions come in all shapes and sizes; and that we really do need to take it one step at a time when it comes to finding our way in life. My personal goal is to embrace the changes that I want to last my entire life because I’ve found:

No good thing that happens over night ever lasts a life time.

Please watch this YouTube video produced by CNN about Dr Ian Smith and his initiative, The 50 Million Pound Challenge!

Ted Corbitt: The Father of Distance Running in America

jonbrankin — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:55:25 +0000

Journal Entry # 2 – Toeing the Starting Line

jonbrankin — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:50:14 +0000

I’m feeling focused today!

I’m going out for my first run in almost 2 months. It’s going to be tough the first few steps (and most likely the last few steps), but I’m focused on my short-term goal of just getting out the door and my long term goal of losing 13 lbs and getting back into “fightin’” shape. I’ll let you all know how the run goes as soon as I get back . . .

…Ok I ran for 26 minutes and it was tough. I didn’t feel all that great during the run, but it was great to be running again. I’ll probably feel a little sore tomorrow, but it will be a positive reminder of the good work I did today.

Tomorrow’s goal: repeat what I did today.

Journal Entry #1

jonbrankin — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 06:36:46 +0000

I’m feeling determined today.

Today is my first day as a member of the 50 Million Pound Challenge! My goal is to get back down to my race weight of 142 lbs. I currently weigh 155 lbs. So I have 13 lbs to lose. My motivation to lose this weight is a half-marathon race in Anaheim, California on September 6th of this year. It’s the Disney Half-Marathon. With my goal in mind I’m feeling very determined about meeting my 50MPC-goal of losing 13 lbs.

This journal entry is from my 50-MPCJ or 50 Million Pound Challenge Journal. (I will be abbreviating the 50-MPC title from now on because typing out the whole name is getting quite annoying. And I have a feeling that it’s not fun to read it over and over again, right?!) I will share all of my entries so that I can be held accountable by all of you to meet and not cheat my goals; and to hopefully inspire you. Occasionally I’ll also post what I’m eating on a daily basis. That way you can see what I’m doing to meet my weight-lose goals.

Please share your inspiring weight-lose journal entries with me and I’ll post a few entries every week to help inspire others!

Join Team “Run Into The Light”

jonbrankin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:38:38 +0000

Join Team “Run Into the Light” at The 50 Million Pound Challenge

I said I was going to do it and I did. I not only joined the 50 Million Pound Challenge, I also formed a team-Team Run Into the Light (please click on the team name to go directly to our team site). If you’re already doing the 50 Million Pound Challenge and you’re not on a team, join my team and make it our team. If there isn’t a team in your community or you just want to be a part of this team as well as one in your community please feel free to join. Please keep in mind that at the end of the day we’re all on the same team working towards the same goal: living healthier lives!

If you believe you would benefit from living a healthier, more active life sign up for the 50 Million Pound Challenge AND join a team. This is a challenge we should and can overcome together.

Why the team name “Run Into the Light”? I like this phrase because I think of those moments in life that we’ve all had when all we can see is darkness. Following those moments of darkness, sometimes minutes later, sometimes days, weeks, months or even years later another moment follows. It’s the moment when we begin to see light. This is the very moment when we decide to face our fears and our problems head-on regardless of whether or not we can see the end result that awaits our effort to overcome. This is the moment when we begin to believe we can overcome our fear of something; and it must not be wasted with idleness. Therefore, we must always run into the light before our desire to overcome escapes us.