Cynthia Erivo's Me-Time Is Marathon Training
Our take
Cynthia Erivo's recent performance at the London Marathon is a testament to her remarkable dedication and resilience, qualities that resonate profoundly in today's fast-paced, achievement-oriented culture. Finishing strong with a personal best of 3:21:40, Erivo's accomplishment is not merely about speed; it encapsulates a broader narrative about self-care, commitment, and the pursuit of excellence. As we navigate our own lives, her journey serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of carving out time for ourselves, whether through physical challenges or creative endeavors. This theme aligns seamlessly with the recent insights shared in A Little Bit Sexy and a Little Bit Romantic—This Is the Top of the Summer, where the balance between self-expression and personal style is explored.
Erivo's decision to jump back onto the stage for her one-woman rendition of "Dracula" the very next day after the marathon reflects an extraordinary work ethic, blending her artistic passions with the discipline of athletic training. This duality is emblematic of a modern muse who embodies the idea that personal goals—whether in fitness or the arts—are not mutually exclusive. Readers can draw inspiration from her example, recognizing that the pursuit of our passions, much like marathon training, requires not just physical stamina but also mental fortitude. The recent piece on From Dinner in L.A. to Meetings in NYC, Fashion People Can't Stop Wearing This Designer Bag highlights how personal style can serve as an extension of one's identity, reinforcing the notion that our choices reflect our journeys.
Moreover, Erivo's story prompts a discussion about the balance of performance and self-care. In an era where hustle culture often glorifies relentless productivity, her ability to prioritize both marathon training and theatrical performance invites us to reconsider how we define success. It challenges the notion that we must always be in constant motion, suggesting instead that moments of rest and recovery are equally essential to our achievements. This perspective is particularly relevant as we approach the summer season, a time when many seek to rejuvenate and refresh. The exploration of 7 Summer Shorts Trends That Are Suddenly on Every Fashion Person's Radar encourages individuals to embrace their personal style while also celebrating the beauty of leisure.
As we look ahead, Erivo's journey poses an intriguing question: How can we cultivate a lifestyle that honors both our aspirations and our well-being? The intersection of art, athletics, and self-care presents a unique opportunity for self-discovery and growth. In a world that often pressures us to choose between competing priorities, perhaps the true challenge lies in harmonizing them. Cynthia Erivo exemplifies this balance, serving as a modern muse for those striving to integrate their passions into a cohesive narrative. Moving forward, it will be fascinating to see how this conversation evolves and inspires others to embrace their multifaceted identities, ultimately redefining what it means to succeed in our own lives.
Cynthia Erivo knows how to keep the pace. At the London Marathon on April 26, she beat her own personal record by almost 14 minutes, finishing strong with a wicked fast time of 3:21:40. (That's an average split of 7:41, for those crunching the numbers.) Then, the next day, instead of resting at home or icing her muscles, she immediately returned to the stage for her one-woman rendition of "Dracula," playing all 23 different characters herself — a marathon in its own right.
Erivo doesn't like to disrupt her daily momentum with long breaks between interviews or big gaps in her schedule. She starts moving early in the day, training on the treadmill, sometimes not even listening to music. To others, this may seem grueling, but for Erivo, this training is actually a mental reprieve — a rare opportunity to get grounded and clear her head.
"I have to sometimes explain that, yes, the training is work for the body, but for me, it's a real time for myself just to be left alone. It's a meditation," she tells Popsugar. "When I get to run, I take the time for myself. It's like me-time. I don't really speak to anyone, and if I'm on the phone, then I pick the person I'm speaking to."
"It's a real time for myself just to be left alone."
Erivo actually credits marathon training for allowing her to take on more ambitious projects, including her impressive "Dracula" adaptation. While it's easy to assume that this amount of running would lead to burnout, Erivo's experience has actually been the exact opposite. "Currently, I'm on the stage doing a one-woman show, and it is a lot. And honestly, what's managed to get me through it is this running," Erivo says. "It's kept me conditioned, kept me focused, and helped me literally learn." And she means that in the most literal sense: "Sometimes I'll run the lines as I'm running just so it's still in my body."
Prior to running the London Marathon, Erivo worked with Brooks pro athlete and running coach Erika Kemp to help achieve her goals. She explains how they worked on building the strength and stamina required to run at a speedier pace without "having to push and fight for it." But that's not to say it's been a totally flawless journey to the finish line, either. In an April appearance on the "Nobody Asked Us" podcast, Erivo spoke to the highs and the lows of her training process, including one particularly tough 20-mile long run that didn't go as planned.
"Everything went wrong," Erivo laughed. "I texted Erika halfway through this run — I think it was at mile eight or nine — I was like, 'I really don't think I'm going to get this done.'" The beauty of that moment? Erivo managed to push through and finish strong anyway. And as Kemp said on the podcast, "It's OK to have a dark moment and be honest about it." This is a lesson Erivo held close throughout the marathon cycle. "Not every run has been amazing, but I've still managed to get to the finish line, and that always feels really good," she says. "It always feels like an accomplishment. It [proves] that no matter how hard it is, you can always get to the finish line."
Image Source: Dave Hashim / Brooks Running
You can't always control how your run is going to go. But there are some things that help Erivo feel her best on race day. At the top of her list are the Hyperion Max running shoes ($275) from Brooks Running. "They're so light — has to be a light shoe, because if the shoes are too heavy, it literally hinders the way I run," she explains. She wore hers with custom charms of her two dogs, Gigi and Caleb. Her other marathon must-haves include bone-conduction headphones ("my head is too small for the inner headphones"), SiS gels (the fruit salad flavor), a hat for better focus, and a watch or ring ("to keep my numbers").
For inspired spectators looking to get into running themselves, Erivo's advice is simple. "Start by putting the shoes on. Then tomorrow, put the shoes on and get to the door. And then the next day, put the shoes on, get to the door, go to the end of the street. Then the next day put the shoes on, go to the door, go to the end of the street, and maybe one street over," she says. "You don't have to start at 5K or 10K or even a mile . . . you just have to start."
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Chandler Plante (she/her) is a social producer and staff writer for the Health & Fitness team at Popsugar. She has over five years of industry experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine, a social media manager for Millie magazine, and a contributor for Bustle Digital Group. She has a degree in magazine journalism from Syracuse University and is based in Los Angeles.Read on the original site
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