Running clinic boosts fitness test results

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Marissa Tucker
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  A running clinic is helping Airmen here increase their fitness test scores.

The running clinic is a joint effort between the 4th Medical Group and the 4th Force Support Squadron's Health and Wellness center to help Airmen get into better shape, lose weight and achieve a higher score on their fitness test, said Tech. Sgt. Alton Donaldson, noncommissioned officer in charge of the 4th medical group commander support staff, who was part of the planning team and a trainer for the clinic.

"Many people struggle on the run portion of the test and we want to help them excel," he said.

Wing leadership puts a special emphasis on May as national fitness month, but wants Airmen to maintain readiness year-round.

"The key is for members to realize that fitness is not seasonal, it's a lifestyle," said Col. Stephen Higgins, 4th Medical Group commander. "Today's tempo leaves no room for members who aren't able to keep up."
Motivation is a large part of being part of the clinic, said Sergeant Donaldson.

An avid runner before undergoing surgery in 1998 that may have kept him from running, he was determined to prove his doctors wrong. He began running in small intervals and gradually built up to longer distances.

"Because I was running regularly, it became easier for me," he said. "Anyone can do it, they just have to want it."

Staff Sgt. Charlene Kapp, a Reservist with the 916th Air Refueling Wing, said she benefited greatly from Sergeant Donaldson's positive attitude and passion for running.

"I always wanted to improve in running, even though it wasn't my favorite thing to do," she said. "Sergeant Donaldson inspired me to keep trying, even when I wanted to quit, and now I love running."

During the clinic, participants were separated into groups according to their running ability. They began the program by running a mile and a half, and each day, the distance gradually increased.

"Most of the time, we didn't know how far we had run until we stopped," Sergeant Kapp said. "That was Sergeant Donaldson's technique; he didn't want you to get a mind block about it."

On one of the last days of the clinic, the group went on a run, not knowing how far they were going to go. When they were finished, she said they were amazed when Sergeant Donaldson told them they had just run four miles.

"I was shocked when he told us," she said. "I felt so good knowing that I could run that far without stopping. I know I wouldn't have been able to do that without the clinic."

At the end of the clinic, Sergeant Kapp ran a timed mile and a half, and learned she had cut almost two and a half minutes from her original time.

The run clinic will begin its spring session here May 15 at the fitness center. All servicemembers, their dependants and DoD civilians are welcome to join. For more information, call 722-0407.