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Joel Katz

Attention Runners: The Highland Park 5K is Happening this Sunday

Author Joel Katz
Shadows of athletes as they compete in marathon. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

I love to run! I run about 3.5 miles just about every day. When people ask about my running routine I say, “5k every day.” (A 5k is 3.1 miles) Running is a great form of physical exercise that has numerous benefits for the mind and body. I don’t enjoy working out in the gym, but I do enjoy my 30 minutes a day of zen time when I take it to the streets. Running has been proven to be a great form of exercise that can have numerous benefits for both physical and mental health.

Running is a great form of cardio exercise that can help improve heart health by strengthening the heart muscles and improving blood flow throughout the body. It can also help burn calories and contribute to weight loss or weight management. It helps to build lean muscle mass, which can increase metabolism and help with weight loss. I lost 20+ and have kept it off since I started running about 5 years ago.

Running has also been shown to help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. It’s been linked to improved mental health by reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Running can help improve bone density, which prevents osteoporosis and other bone-related conditions.

I definitely sleep better since I started running. It improves the quality of sleep by promoting relaxation and reducing stress levels. Running has also been shown to improve cognitive function by increasing blood flow to the brain, promoting the growth of new brain cells, and improving memory and concentration.

If you’re looking to get started, you may want to sign up for the Highland Park 5K this Sunday, May 7th. The Highland Park 5K is back for its sixth year and they invite you to take a run around Highland Park.

Race proceeds to benefit the Borough of Highland Park Police, Fire, First Aid, and Recreation departments; the Highland Park Public Library; and Main Street Highland Park. Register online at http://runinthepark.org. After the 5K, you can hang out for the annual Highland Park Street Fair.

Click here for more information and to sign up.

 

The 7 Best Sports Movies Of All Time

I love a good sports movie, even if I don’t fully understand the sport being played. Seeing the story of a team facing impossible odds or athletes having to deal with constant hurdles.

It really does make you feel like you’re a part of the action. Though which teams or players have a more impactful movie?

Well, there are a number of factors we could look at, like box office numbers, and critic ratings, though I think one of the most important aspects is how much it accurately interprets the sport being played.

All the emotions, tension, and action that players, couches and fans, and anyone in the industry experience.

With that being said, from baseball movies, like 42 and Moneyball all the way to The Mighty Ducks. These are what I consider to be the very best sports movies of all time.

  • 7. The Longest Yard

    Now I went a long time without realizing that there were two versions of The Longest Yard and after watching the 1974 version it was certainly a hit. While there isn’t anything wrong with the 2005 remake the comedy doesn’t pull the same way.

    Also for me, it’s a hit or miss, with Adam Sandler, Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I just have a personal preference for older movies despite some dated language in the film. It’s one of the greats.

  • 6. Remember the Titans

    Remember the Titans has to be one of the greatest football films to date, I mean from an outstanding cast to a deep seeded message about perseverance.

    There isn’t much to really complain about, besides all that it’s an underdog story of these kids that society labels as not good enough, they show them that even if they lose they will make sure they are at the very least remembered.

  • 5. 42

    I always love watching movies based on well-known icons, from Elton to Friday Night Lights. However, the film 42 and the history of Jackie Robinson, are special as it was a time in our history that we look back on with regret, but athletes like Robinson and Walker paved the way for the baseball we know and love today.

    The film it also has some of my favorite actors Harrison Ford and the late Chadwick Boseman. Even if you know nothing about baseball this is still a great movie.

  • 4. Karate Kid

    Karate Kid is by far one of the best zero-to-hero stories to date.

    It sparked a generation of people turning their common household chores into kung fu moves. With sequels, figures, remakes, and plenty of quotable lines. The 1984 film teaches tons of valuable moral lessons, and tugs at our heartstrings.

  • 3. Moneyball

    Moneyball took a look behind one of the greatest streaks in major league baseball. I don’t watch many Brad Pitt films, but he does a fantastic job portraying the emotions and passion of a scout who is looking to change the game of baseball.

    It is entirely accurate to real-life events? Naturally, some things have been made to look bigger than it actually was, but for those who don’t even know an ounce about baseball. This is still a fantastic movie and a must-watch.

  • 2. Hoosiers

    Now between this 1980s classic and my number-one pick. These two films are said to be the greatest sports films around.

    Partly based on the 1954 Indiana state championship, Critics say while it was made with the iconic underdog formula, the film goes above and beyond to capture viewers.

    It also had an extremely talented cast and is still loved by sports enthusiasts today.

  • 1. Rocky

    The man, the myth, the legend that is Rocky It is widely considered to be one of the greatest sports films of all time and one of the many greats that came out of the 80s.

    It also brought us the classic “Eye of the Tiger” which fun fact was made for Karate Kid but wound up in Rocky instead.

    Back to everyone’s favorite boxer, actor Sylvester Stallone, masterfully gives us a character to root for and it is one of the best underdog stories in cinema.

 

Listen to Joel Katz and Maryann Morgan every weekday morning from 6 to 10 AM for everything you need to get your workday moving in the right direction. Joel and Maryann keep you informed with news updates at the top of every hour, traffic and weather three times an hour, and Entertainment Updates at 6:10 and 8:10. Check out “What’s Trending” at 7:10 and “What Are You Talking About” at 9:10. The winning starts at 6:45 with the “Impossible Question,” and continues at 7:20, 8:20 and 9:20. Joel and Maryann in the Morning on Magic 98.3

Joel Katz is the Morning Show Personality, Assistant Program Director, Podcast Host, Voiceover artist, audio producer, and Digital Content Writer for Magic 98.3. Joel has been working in New Jersey radio since college and started at Magic in 2002 as the Morning Show Host, “I can’t think of another place where I’d fit more perfectly; it’s just a great company with awesome people.” Joel is married to Kathleen, his elementary school sweetheart (they were each other’s first dates at age 9), shares a birthday with his oldest son, Ty, and has twins, Kiera and Liam. Joel runs at least 3.1 miles every day and enjoys playing basketball, doing laundry, saving his turn signal for when he really needs it, kissing dogs through a fence, using coasters, making that cool noise by rubbing his fingers on balloons, and chasing after ping pong balls on a windy cruise ship.

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