Columns

By David Freeze

Long before the coronavirus became an issue, I had a regular monthly column following two people on an extended wellness journey. We had some fun and tremendous success. Several years ago, I was contracted to Partners in Learning as their wellness instructor and worked with Heather Fidler. Recently, PIL invested again in Heather’s future as director of their Catawba location. She’s now a personal training client with a serious commitment ahead for better health.

Overweight and less active than she would like at age 38, Heather said, “I have struggled with high blood pressure off and on since having my third daughter, and recently was put on medication to help stabilize it. I am not someone who takes medication regularly, so this was a ‘hard pill to swallow.’ I do not want to be on medication for something I can manage, so I’m going to put in the work for my health. I want to be around to be an awesome, active grandmother someday.”

Very active growing up, Heather played soccer, volleyball, basketball and World Women’s softball in high school. Heather said, “Softball was my life! I stayed active with an athletic build through college and then was involved in a car accident that fractured a lower back vertebra in my mid 20s. This event changed everything. I could no longer do the things I loved and started a downhill battle with my weight and health. Several abdominal surgeries did not help either. Since then, I have had a mostly sedentary job where my health and wellness were not a priority.”

Heather has three daughters: Haileigh, 15, Charleigh, 10, and Emaleigh, 7. She said, “They are very supportive of mom getting healthier. They love being outside as much as I do, walking, hiking or exploring local parks. All three have asked to join me at the gym or about my workouts when I get home. My 7-year-old gets on me the most, especially about my water intake. She calls me out if I do not drink my gallon water jug and is quite the motivator!”

We’ve been working on increased cardiovascular activity for Heather by using a treadmill and stationary bike. She is making diet changes by limiting soft drinks and making healthier, less processed food choices plus drinking more water than ever before. Fixing Heather’s work/life balance is a priority.

During our Monday workout this past week, Heather hit the 5K button on one of The Forum’s new treadmills. During an intense discussion while she walked hard, I said, “Why not do the real thing?” Heather thoughtfully responded, “I am going to do this! I never considered doing a 5K because I never thought I could do it. The Bare Bones 5K is a big step because I will be out of my comfort zone and but will show my friends, family, and coworkers that I take my health seriously.”

About PIL, Heather said, “They have been wonderful support in my personal health journey. We have in place wellness policies that promote healthy dietary practices while showing how exercise provides so much more than a means to losing weight. PIL offers many incentives for all employees looking to live a healthier lifestyle and has connected me to amazing people to make my dreams come true. My work family asked about the 5K and how they could support me. Several will be walking right along beside me, supportive yet still holding me accountable every day for my goals.”

We’ll check in on Heather’s progress occasionally in this column.

The 20^th Annual Cosmic Brownie Bare Bones 5K, presented by Cathy Griffin Realty, takes to the streets and greenway at Knox Middle School on Saturday, May 1. All proceeds benefit Relay for Life. There is also a half mile fun run for kids, a very unique T-shirt and plenty of awards and refreshments. Come join the fun at the first race on Salisbury streets since the January 2020 Winter Flight, almost a year and a half ago. Check www.salisburyrowanrunners.org for more Bare Bones and other upcoming events info.

By David Freeze

After 45 years of running, I have a pretty good handle on what works for me and why I run in the first place. That list is long and keeps growing. I read some statistics today about why people start running. No. 1 by far is the desire to lose weight and next best is a certain unhappiness about the shape, both mentally and physically, they are in. Those also are usually the first two reasons for New Year’s resolutions, usually forgotten by this time of year. If not forgotten, then for some reason they didn’t become habits.

As a longtime running coach, early spring is the single most popular time of the year that I get inquiries about how to get started. More than 60 million Americans consider themselves regular runners, so many had success developing the best fitness habit I know.

How is the best way to get started? The single best way is to join a group class that offers coaching, interesting classroom topics and a certain distance challenge at the end. We are in the last few weeks of a booming class at the Salisbury PD that started back in early March. The next one takes place in the fall.

As an individual, you do have several options that will work. About half of those 60 million started running on their own. The other half needed a certain outside accountability, the real key to being consistent in your search for better health. Following a few suggestions below nets a high percentage of success.

All of you know a regular runner, someone you see out running on a regular basis. A friend or relative, a neighbor, a coworker could all fill the bill. But the point is to start a conversation and make sure that at least that one person knows that you want to be a runner. There are many levels of running, almost as many as there are reasons to start, and most regular runners go through several of those levels during their lifetime.

Some of us want to lose the weight, get fit or even be happier now that life’s issues are being addressed. Others want to be competitive, against themselves or others, and still more use running as a social network. I’ve often said, and Brayden Self echoed the same last week, that some of my best friends came from running. I stopped for 20 minutes beside the road just a few mornings ago to catch up with a running friend. But the point is, start by telling someone and then if you are one of the 40% who prefer to run with someone, find that person. Both of you become accountable to each other and the likelihood of success goes up by another 30%.

Now that you have a partner, start small. There are lots of beginning runner programs on the internet, but honestly I don’t care for most of them, especially couch to 5K programs. The reasons, lack of accountability and individualism. When you drive past someone running, you can bet that they didn’t start with a non-personal couch to 5K.

Almost anybody can run/walk a half mile. I say that in the group classes often. Next, there are no shortcuts, you have to build the distance over a specified period of weeks. That is called “homework.” Accountability again! It takes four days a week for about eight weeks, any time of the day. Follow through and you will have started a wonderful habit.

Salisbury was designated one of the nation’s best running communities a couple years ago by the Road Runners Club of America. We do have lots of runners and walkers in Rowan County, but we always need more. If you’re interested in getting started, send me an email at david.freeze@ctc.net I will share some info that will help and I’ll be glad to answer your questions. No charge! Spring’s here, time to make it happen.

Look for the upcoming prediction run and the 20^th Annual Bare Bones 5K at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org .