Habitual Routine

For our sixth episode of Season 3, we chat with Intisar Abdul-Kader. Intisar is on a mission to prove that Black, Muslim, hijab-wearing woman can do anything, and is living proof of that mission. The London-based runner has already completed four marathons and climbed 5,364 meters above sea level to Mount Everest’s base camp. She joined a Facebook group called Surviving Hijab after its founder reached out to her and she feels hijab-wearers need to be more seen than ever. Intisar also lives with multiple sclerosis and is running for the MS Society. We chat with Intisar about her journey as runner, how she believes running can continue to be a more inclusive space, and how her journey living with multiple sclerosis has never slowed her down. Spoiler alert: She just ran a half-marathon personal best! Follow Intisar. Thanks to Tata Consultancy Services and Honey Stinger for supporting this episode of the podcast. Tata Consultancy Services is proud to be the title sponsor of the TCS New York City Marathon, and the first-ever Premier Partner of New York Road Runners. Download the official app, powered by TCS, for exclusive race content for both in-person and virtual runners—including “Marathon City: 3D Map,” a new AR feature that allows runners to view the course, the change in elevation, and projected finish times. Honey Stinger is proud to be the Official Nutrition Partner of the TCS New York City Marathon. Honey Stinger provides the fuel you need to push harder and go farther before, during, and after training and race day. Their great tasting products are made with honey and are rich in carbohydrates and antioxidants. Shop at home with 30% off all Honey Stinger products. Use code RunNY2021 at checkout and tap into natural sport nutrition to help you prepare, perform, and recover daily. *Applies to one-time purchases, one use per customer. Code is active through November 14, 2021.

For our fifth episode of Season 3, we chat with Maria Solis Belizaire. Maria is the founder of two nationally known run clubs; Latinos Run and Latinas Run. Launched in New York City, Latinos Run is an international organization that promotes running as way to improve physical and mental health in the Latino community and has a global audience serving over 25,000 runners. Latinas Run was created as a safe space for Latinas to connect and inspire each other through running or other fitness related activities. This free group is a platform to empower one another and have healthy dialogues and is open to women of all colors and backgrounds. We chat with Maria about how an unbought URL inspired a club that now serves tens of thousands of people, how representation is a catalyst for movement, and why she believes the TCS New York City Marathon is the best marathon in the world. Follow Maria. Follow Latinos Run. Follow Latinas Run. Thanks to Volvo Cars for supporting this episode of the podcast. Register today for the Virtual TCS New York City Marathon and Run for Volvo Cars Sweepstakes. Whether you participate in-person or virtually, you can enter for the chance to win your dream Volvo. Learn more at www.runforvolvocars.com

For our fourth episode of Season 3, we chat with Maria Jose Estrada Martinez. The 50th running of the New York City Marathon holds extra significance for Maria, as it also marks the 25th anniversary of her grandfather, Luis Martinez Nuñez, completing the marathon. Since a young age, she has treasured the stories her grandpa shared of his running experiences. Never a runner herself, Maria was motivated to take up her grandfather’s passion as a way to relieve stress induced by the challenges of raising two young children while isolating at home during the pandemic. Until her grandfather passed early this year from COVID-19, he served as her inspiration and running coach, helping her through the early parts of her marathon training. We talk to Maria about the excitement of being a new runner, the impact her grandfather had on her running journey, and how one race can connect and strengthen two generations of a family. Thanks to New Balance for supporting this episode of the podcast. Celebrate the 50th running of the New York City Marathon with exclusive New Balance gear. For those colder running days, consider the warmer jackets and vests made with New Balance Heat technology to help keep you warm. There are plenty of offerings to meet every runner's needs shop the black and gold collection now – visit newbalance.com.

For our third episode of Season 3, we chat with Danny Su. Danny Su is a resident of Brooklyn, New York and is running this year’s Virtual TCS New York City Marathon. After getting into running following a difficult breakup, Danny used running as a way to find balance, manage depression, and set a goal. Professionally, Danny is a parks architect and has designed over five New York City parks. He discusses his passion for helping create and build recreation space for New Yorkers. We talk to Danny about the role of running in maintaining his mental health and well-being, how his love of running and being outside translate into creating recreation space for New York City communities, and his unique and exciting plans for his Virtual TCS New York City Marathon. Thanks to Gatorade Endurance for supporting this episode of the podcast. Think all hydration & nutrition products are the same? Think again. Backed by over 50 years of research, Gatorade Endurance delivers the fluids and nutrients that athletes need to perform at their peak. As a proud sponsor of the TCS New York City Marathon, Gatorade Endurance has our athletes covered to keep you hydrated and fueled while training and racing. It’s not just fuel, it’s fuel to unlock your best, start to finish. Want to know where to buy locally? Visit the store locator at GatoradeEndurance.com.

Welcome back to Season 3 of Habitual Routine! For this season, Coach Annick and Coach Roberto will be focusing on telling stories of runners who will be joining us for the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon. For our second episode of Season 3, we chat with Thomas Valles. Thomas was the top runner on the 1987 McFarland High School cross country team, a team that overcame the odds and significant challenges to win the 1987 California state championship, a story portrayed in the 2015 Disney film McFarland, USA. We talk to Thomas about what it’s like to see your life in film, why mentors are important, and why he’s excited for the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon as he raises funds for Team Sam, Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy's fight to end Duchenne, a progressive, fatal muscle disorder for which there is no cure. Thanks to Hospital for Special Surgery for supporting this episode of the podcast. Hospital for Special Surgery is proud to be the official hospital of the New York Road Runners and the TCS New York City Marathon. Looking to set your next PR this TCS New York City Marathon? HSS can help! Check out their performance services and special NYRR member discounts on the NYRR member discount dashboard or check out hss.edu.

Welcome back to Season 3 of Habitual Routine! For this season, Coach Annick and Coach Roberto will be focusing on telling stories of runners who will be joining us for the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon. For our first episode of Season 3, we want to honor and memorialize the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. We speak with David Drake, a Battalion Chief for the FDNY, and hear his story and journey of running as he prepares for the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon. In fall 2001, David had just gotten married and had a newborn daughter. He was working as a firefighter, training for his FDNY lieutenant test that October. But then September 11th occurred. His lieutenant test was postponed until the following February, and he was called in to work as a member of the World Trade Center Recovery Team for the entire month of November. For 12 hours every day that month, he dug up and cleared rubble where the towers once stood, finding bodies and much more. The 2021 TCS New York City Marathon will be David’s third New York City Marathon and we discuss training, his time in the FDNY, and why New York is the best marathon in the world. Thanks to New Balance for supporting this episode of the podcast. New York business doesn’t stop for the weather. Take a modern approach to cold-weather solutions with the adaptable, all-day comfort of HeatLoft and Heat running apparel. Lightweight, heat-retaining, and fast-drying performance for real life conditions. Visit newbalance.com to grab your 2021 Official TCS New York City Marathon gear.

In recognition of Pride Month, on the final episode of season two of Habitual Routine, the NYRR team celebrates and discusses the ways to support transgender and gender nonconforming runners. While it may feel like rainbow flags and celebrations much of the time during the month, the team wanted to bring continued attention to the unfortunate discrimination occurring for transgender and gender non confirming athletes particularly in youth sports. In our ‘HOW ‘segment, Annick and Roberto chat with Lauren Lubin. Lauren is a Diversity, Equity, and Belonging Expert and most recently an Executive Producer of We Exist: Beyond the Binary, an award-winning documentary that promotes gender identity awareness and equality specifically for gender non-confirming individuals. And in our ‘WHY’ segment, Shaquana chats with Caleb LoSchiavo, a public health PhD candidate, LGBTQ health advocate, and transgender athlete about how he uses running in his life. Follow Lauren and check out We Exist: Beyond the Binary. Follow Caleb. Thanks to Front Runners New York and Mastercard for supporting this episode. Front Runners New York is a running club for people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and those who are allies. Celebrate your pride and show solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community by participating in the Front Runners New York LGBT Pride Run 6K in Central Park on June 26. If you're not in the New York area, sign up and run the Virtual Front Runners New York LGBT Pride Run 5K anytime, anywhere June 25-30. The first Pride Run held in Central Park in 1982, was a landmark race and marked the start of an enduring collaboration among Front Runners New York, New York Road Runners, and the City of New York. The race continues to celebrate LGBTQIA+ pride and the ongoing movement toward equality, diversity, and inclusiveness. Find out more at www.nyrr.org. Start Something Priceless by securing your entry to the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon with Mastercard. Visit www.priceless.com and search ‘Marathon’ to learn how you can participate in the 50th anniversary of this race and join other runners in achieving a major life goal. Plus, 100% of sale amount will go to Conservation International, a US 501 (c)(3) organization in support of the Priceless Planet Coalition. This offer is exclusive to US Mastercard cardholders. Terms and conditions apply. Quantities are limited.

In celebration of Global Running Day, we share why the world runs—literally. Annick, Roberto, and Shaquana share stories from runners across the globe covering all seven continents (and even dabble in some outer space running from our friends at NASA) to explore the many reasons why humans run. We all know running is transformative but hearing runners from every corner of the globe and beyond puts into perspective the unbridled power of simply putting one foot in front of the other. Storytellers: Dinée Dorame, Tiwa ancestral territory also known as Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States, North America (Follow Dinée & Grounded Podcast) Luisa Ines Rivas Diaz, Santiago, Chile, South America (Follow Luisa) Runar Gundersen, Dramman, Norway, Europe (Follow Runar) Rethabile Qekisi, Soweto, South Africa, Africa (Follow Rethabile) Batkhishig Lkhagvadorj, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Asia (Follow Achilles International Mongolia) Christie Dawes, New Castle, Australia (Follow Christie) Sha Jessie Mao, Beijing, China telling the story of Antarctic running Sunita Williams, NASA astronaut telling the story of running a marathon in space (Follow Sunita) Join NYRR and thousands of people around the world that share your passion for the sport and run our free one-mile virtual race. Run the Virtual NYRR Global Running Day 1M Powered by Strava anywhere, anytime between June 1 and 6. Visit nyrr.org to sign up now!

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, on episode seven the NYRR team discusses the integration of running into your current mental health and wellness regimen and how and why it’s important for you as a runner and a person. In our “how” section, Coach Annick and Coach Roberto chat with Stacey Younge, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, owner of Sixth Street Wellness, and New York City-based runner. Stacey specializes in individuals dealing with depression, anxiety, and trauma and uses a strengths-based approach to work through challenges. She is a strong believer in self care and community care and uses running as her preferred form of movement and part of her own care routine. The group chats with Stacey on the importance of recognizing mental health, and how to implement that recognition into your current wellness routine. In our “why” section, Shaquana chats with Michelle Wheeler, professional wheelchair athlete, mental health counselor, and single mother on why she uses running as part of her mental health routine and how she is instilling that practice with those around her. Michelle will be participating in the professional wheelchair division at the Mastercard New York Mini 10K on June 12. The Mastercard New York Mini 10K is our first regularly scheduled race back since March 2020, our first pro field since the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon and we can't wait to get back to racing! Thanks to New Balance for supporting this episode of the podcast. For New Balance, running is more than a physical activity – it’s a path toward resilience, confidence and joy. Our partners at New Balance believe running activates your mind and body in ways that have powerful effects on your life. Follow along @NewBalanceRunning on Instagram as they share more about this important initiative from their team and community.

In recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, on episode six the NYRR team discusses how community activists are using running as a vehicle to support and protect the AAPI community and explores the why behind the historic legacy of two-time New York City Marathon champion and 2012 New York Road Runners Hall of Fame inductee Miki Gorman. In our “how” section, Coach Annick and Coach Roberto chat with Victoria Lo, the founder of {chinatown} runners, on how she is using running to bring support, awareness, and love to protect and preserve the Chinatowns and AAPI-centric neighborhoods in New York City and beyond. In our “why” section, Shaquana chats with Danielle Nagel, daughter of running legend and two-time winner of the New York City Marathon Miki Gorman. Danielle discusses her mother’s journey of growing up in Japan and China before moving to the U.S., beginning to run her mid-30s, and quickly reaching the pinnacle of women’s marathoning with back-to-back wins at the 1976 and 1977 New York City Marathons, leading and inspiring a wave of elite female runners on two sides of the globe. Thanks to Volvo Cars for supporting this episode of the podcast. Volvo Cars is excited to hit the pavement with the Virtual Volvo Cars Brooklyn Half. Chances are, you’ll be sharing the streets of Brooklyn or wherever you are running around the world with cars and runners. Volvo Cars are designed to help protect people in and around the car, with detection technology that keeps an eye out by using high-tech cameras and sensors, which can automatically apply the brakes to help avoid a collision. Volvo Cars - for everyone’s safety.