Medical Reports: Ready to Run

WSVN -- Fitness trainer Lori Hart is tiny but she's a huge motivating force for this group of runners. Lori runs marathons now but that wasn't always the case.

Lori Hart: "I used to hate running. I would try to run and I would get that stitch in my side."

Now she trains others to reach the finish line. She says the key is to start slowly that's why she uses the galloway method.

Lori Hart: "It's a scientific method to help beginners learn how to run long distance. So we have them jog two minutes, and walk one minute, and they do that the entire training time."

By building up their cardio slowly even beginners can make it long distances the first day.

Lori Hart: "Right away, you can do three miles doing Galloway method."

Christinne started walking three years ago and has completed two half marathons. She says she never thought she could do it and is now training to run her next race.

Christinne Vanikiotis: "It's jogging a little bit and walking. I'm going to try it for the first month and that's my goal."

Tom didn't start running until age 63. He says the secret is not to overdo it.

Tom Faro: "People usually go too fast, too far, too quick."

Whether you're an expert or a first-timer, Lori says a big part of training takes place in the gym.

Lori Hart: "Weight training for runners is very important to protect all those muscles around your knees, around your joints."

It's also important to strengthen your core.

Lori Hart: "Pilates, yoga, any kind of training your abdominal and your low back."

Christine started running races a couple years ago. She's excited to be back in training.

Christine Utter: "It's very good to stay motivated through the holidays and not gain any weight."

Now she runs with her husband and says it's been a great bonding experience.

Christine Utter: "We support each other, we encourage each other, and it's just something great to do together."

Lori says anyone can get ready to run you just have to take that first step.

Lori "They need to sign up. They need to say they're going to do it and tell everybody they know they're going to do it."

Lori says start with a 5k or 10k and work up to running that marathon. Her group starts training this Sunday morning on Hollywood Beach.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Memorial Milers:
Lori Hart
Fitness Trainer, Memorial Regional Hospital
E-mail: lhart@mhs.net