Eight weeks to a better runtime

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Michael Washburn
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  As a Healthy Base Initiative component, Yokota's Health and Wellness Center is hosting a Warrior Run Program.

The Warrior Run Program, which kicked off Sept. 23, is an eight-week course that focuses mainly on running, but also includes strength training. The program is designed to steadily improve an individual's physical endurance.

"The program is kind of a spin-off of other existing running programs in that we start off slow," said Kenneth Lucero, Health and Wellness Center exercise physiologist. "(At first), we want people to run smart, slow and efficient."

For example, the first day of the program had participants alternating sprints with walking for 100 meters for 1.5 miles. By the end of the eight weeks, participants will walk one lap and run for 2.75 miles. Lucero, along with other physical training leaders from the base, leads the program.

"I was a sprinter back in high school and I can't sprint like I used to now, but I know the basics," said Staff Sgt. Joseph Beckmann, Warrior Run volunteer trainer. "If I can help anyone who is struggling on their PT test or anyone who wants to get better at running, I'll help."

Having other PTLs there helps ensure that those participating in the program are running correctly.

"We're trying to not only help people run faster, but run smarter as well," Lucero said. "I hear a lot of reasons why people don't like to run and for the most part, it comes down to the mechanical aspect of running. If you run with the proper technique, you'll stay injury free. So we're trying to help them run correctly."

The program aims to accomplish this through a number of ways.

"We're trying to get people to land on their mid-sole, keep a faster cadence of around 180 beats per minute and make sure they're running more efficiently," Lucero said. "Eventually, we'd like to issue heart rate monitors to ensure Airmen are staying in an optimal zone."

The Healthy Base Initiative aims to promote a cultural change in attitudes and behaviors that embrace good nutrition, active lifestyles and tobacco-free living. The initiative is focused on long-term results that have a life-long impact.

"This running program is tied into the Healthy Base Initiative," Lucero said. "The Department of Defense is looking at what we can do with facilities, nutrition and programs to make not only the active duty population, but the entire base population healthier. This is one of the HAWC's efforts toward that goal."

Lucero said that in the first week, turnout was high and believes more people will participate as the word gets out.

Although the program is not mandatory, Lucero highly encourages participation.

"Anyone can come out and participate," Lucero said. "If you have access to the base and can get to the Yokota High School track by 5:30 a.m. you're welcome to join."