Running clinic to take place at base track: Event will teach Airmen techniques on improving mile-and-a-half run time

Published May 11, 2007
By Tyler Hemstreet
62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Airmen who want to improve their running speed can attend a free clinic here Monday at the 400-meter track.

The clinic will be split into two sessions, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. and 5 to 6:30 p.m., and is open to all personnel not on a profile.

Airmen who attend will learn how to improve their running cadence, power and stride length in order to improve their mile-and-a-half run times, said exercise physiologist Patrick Conway, 62nd Medical Operations Squadron, who will teach the
clinic.

"It covers basic track techniques that are taught to track athletes," Mr. Conway said.
Some of the techniques that will be demonstrated may look somewhat unorthodox to those not familiar with track and field, he said.

The running clinic comes at the perfect time since running is the section of the physical training test where some Airmen in the 62nd Mission Support Squadron are struggling, said unit physical training leader Staff Sgt. Angelique Snyder, 62nd MSS.

She recommended the clinic to some members of her unit because she hopes it will get them pointed in the right direction.

Those who wish to attend should come in their running gear and bring a sports drink to stay hydrated, Mr. Conway said.

Airmen nursing any kind of injury should avoid participating, he said.

"They are welcome to come and watch, but you don't want to be doing these techniques in an injured state," Mr. Conway said.

"You don't want to risk aggravating the injury more."

By following all the techniques, Mr. Conway said he hopes Airmen will be able to add up to one mile per hour to their current running pace.

That single mile per hour can translate into impressive gains for those having trouble with their mile-and-a-half run times, he said.

"If you're running a 15-minute mile and a half, you can drop an entire minute," he said.