ATHLETE HIGHLIGHT: ANWAR ISAACS

Cred: @benjaminpratt

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1. You are a true New Yorker. Tell us a little about how that shaped you and your mindset as you approach your goals.
   Being from New York, I've always felt the pressure of competition - I couldn't help but to be influenced by it. It found its way to work itself in most aspects of my life. However, my relationship with it has evolved; Doing my best is still the driving force for how I approach things.
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1. We know you dabble in a lot of sports. How did you come to realize you wanted to run your first marathon?
   In 2008, I lost my first business to the recession, along with my ignorance. I was pretty depressed and felt lost. I had played organized sports for more than half my life, so it was in 2008 that I learned that I'm happiest when I'm in my body, so I began to run- It became my therapy. As I got more into it, I became attracted to running the NYC marathon. Growing up watching it on tv; It was always so intimidating. I knew I would regret it if I didn't run it before my time was up.
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2. You are an athlete, a business owner, and a father. What was it like training for a marathon in addition to all that you already do?
   My work has significantly been affected by Covid, so all of a sudden had a lot more time, but still was a little tricky. I share time with Lumi’s mom, so the days with him, I used for "recovery" and at-home floor work, which I really learned to appreciate. The other half of the week I'd get most of my long runs and bike rides in. Early mornings had become most useful because I still had to go to work on some of those days.
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3. What were the biggest takeaways for you when thinking about your marathon training? Mental or physical.
   I was recovering from a knee injury, and didn't think I was going to run the marathon this year. I had been receiving physical therapy at MOTIVNY, and David helped me get to a place where I trusted my knee again. So mentally I was in a really good place. I enjoyed every mile, but when running the marathon, I remember telling David, "I wish I was a bit stronger." We're definitely more focused on consistent strength and core work now.
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4. Tell us one word that explains the feeling of mile 22 of the marathon.
   Excited!
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5. Now give us one word that explains the feeling of the final steps of the marathon
   2021!