Fitness center helps runners train for half-marathon

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  RAF Mildenhall is hosting a half-marathon May 11 and the 100th Force Support Squadron North Side Fitness Center is offering both experienced and novice runners a training plan to help them cross the line.

Training consists of five days of exercise and two rest days each week. The goal is having three days where the distance is gradually increased as the weeks go on. These run-days are broken up with cross-training such as cycling, swimming or elliptical.

"You should be doing some type of workout or cross-training event each day, but rest days are very important, as you have to give your muscles time to relax and stretch back into place," said Master Sgt. Latosha Brown, 100th FSS North Side Fitness Center NCO in charge of fitness.

The 10-week program, which began March 4 and ends May 10, is available to any base ID cardholder during the period leading up to the half-marathon. Anyone interested is advised to sign up as soon as possible.

Those enrolled in the training program should sign in at the gym each day, so the staff can keep track of how people are progressing with their training, explained the Cedartown, Ga., native.

"Come in, stretch, go and do as many miles as you need to do that day," Brown said. "Then come back, cool down and stretch again, and you'll be on your way."

Runners can also form a support system to help them overcome challenges, both mentally and physically.

"There is also a time where people can meet and run together," she added, explaining how the training can also instill teamwork and camaraderie.

Following a specific training program is important - especially for those who have never run a half-marathon before.

"It will let people build up to a half-marathon. If you start out with this 10-week program, you may not be the fastest runner, but you have a better chance of finishing," Brown said. "You will also be able to gauge where you are at and judge what improvements need to be made for the next time, so if you want to run a future half (or full) marathon, you'll know what did and didn't work for you."

For more information, or to sign up for the training plan and the half-marathon, call the North Side Fitness Center at DSN 238-2349 or commercial at 01638-542349.