I’m A Runner
Actor Sterling K Brown
‘Running gives me the confidence to be at my peak throughout the rest of my day’
THE FIRST TIME I WENT ON A SERIOUS RUN WAS WHEN I WAS 21 YEARS OLD, at Stanford University [California]. I woke up on my birthday and said to myself, ‘I want to run 10 miles.’ I just wanted to see if I could run double-digit mileage.
FROM THE AGE OF 21 UNTIL I WAS 30, I CONTINUED THE TRADITION AND RAN
10 MILES every year on my birthday. These days, four miles is my sweet spot because I maximise my burn, but at the same time I don’t take myself away from my wife and two kids for such a huge time that she complains about my absence. If I get in four miles, four to five times a week, I’m happy.
I RAN TRACK WHEN I WAS IN HIGH
SCHOOL, but I was a terrible sprinter. I did the 200 metres and 400 metres for a short period of time. I also threw the discus and did the high jump and long jump.
I’VE GOT A PSYCHOLOGICAL ZEAL
ABOUT RUNNING. When I run four miles in less than 31:30 – I’m not trying to be a speed demon – that’s when I feel like I’m at my very healthiest.
RUNNING GIVES ME THE CONFIDENCE
TO BE AT MY PEAK throughout the rest of my day. I feel free and light. In the midst of this storm that has become my life, giving myself that little bit of time helps me endure the craziness of everything else.
MY SIX-YEAR- OLD SON AND I RACE ALL
THE TIME. He is fast! I give him a 20-metre head start, then we pick a spot 40 metres down for him and 60 metres for me. I’ll run flat out so he knows that if he wins, he legitimately wins. We’re both totally stoked over whoever crosses the finish line first, but it’s a pretty close match. IN THE GYM, PEOPLE’S ENTHUSIASM TENDS TO GET THE BEST OF THEM. They realise this is their ideal opportunity to say hello or that they love my work.
IT DOESN’T MATTER HOW PROFUSELY
YOU’RE SWEATING. I’ve had people come stand in front of the treadmill and wait for me to acknowledge their presence so they can speak.
THERE ARE DAYS WHERE I PUSH FASTER THAN WHAT I’M CAPABLE OF AND SO
I HAVE TO STOP EARLY. But the biggest lesson I’ve learned is: forgive yourself when you fall short and get out the next day to finish what you started.