Balancing Broadway and Marathon Training

Cynthia Erivo, currently starring in Dracula at London’s Noël Coward Theatre, is proving that a rigorous performance schedule is no barrier to elite athletic goals. The actor and singer is preparing to run the London Marathon on April 26, with plans to return to the stage just one day later. Erivo prioritizes her training by scheduling runs first thing in the morning, ensuring her fitness remains a non-negotiable part of her daily routine.

A Journey Toward a Personal Best

After finishing the 2022 London Marathon in 3:35:36—a significant improvement over her 2016 New York City Marathon time of 3:57:07—Erivo is now aiming for a new personal record. She is currently training under the guidance of professional marathoner Erika Kemp as part of the Brooks Shine Under Pressure campaign. Erivo credits her previous success to consistent training and the adrenaline of running alongside elite athletes, which helped her maintain a faster pace than anticipated.

The Goal: Breaking 3:15

Erivo has set an ambitious goal of finishing the upcoming race in 3:15. While she acknowledges that any time between 3:25 and 3:30 would also be a success, she is focused on pushing her limits. To maintain her pace, she relies on specific gear to avoid stopping at water stations, preferring to carry her own hydration and nutrition in a vest or waist belt.

Running as Meditation

For Erivo, running serves as a vital meditative practice that helps her process her work and center herself. She describes the activity as a way to return to her own body after the demands of character work. Her approach to training includes:

  • Mental Preparation: Using positive self-talk and a "running commentary" to break the race down into manageable, mile-by-mile segments.
  • Audio Choices: Depending on her needs, she rotates between podcasts, audiobooks, and music, often choosing tracks that do not dictate her running rhythm.
  • Footwear: She currently favors the Brooks Hyperion Max for its comfort and support, noting that it feels like "walking on a cloud."

As she prepares for race day, Erivo remains focused on the process of taking things "bit by bit," applying the same disciplined mindset to her marathon training as she does to her stage performances.