Running class aims to improve fitness scores, prevent injuries Published March 28, 2014 By Jake Chappelle 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. -- Poor conditioning isn't always the culprit for low fitness assessment scores. Sometimes a Reservist may need to shift his or her focus on the way they train as opposed to the frequency - especially when it comes to running form. But how does a Citizen Airman recognize if their technique needs work, or if they're on the right track? The Health and Wellness Center at McChord Field, offers a semimonthly running clinic to help Airmen identify their potential running weaknesses and provide ideal solutions to improve their fit scores and prevent injuries. It's available for all Airmen - Reservists, active duty, and Air National Guardsmen. "The Health and Wellness Center is a great resource all around," said Maj. Robert Maañao, 446th Force Support Squadron fitness assessment manager. "One of the challenging portions of the fitness assessment - myself included - is the running portion. Those who participate in full- or half-marathons may not think much of our one-and-a-half-mile run, but it's definitely a challenge for most Airmen that I know." Patrick Conway, an exercise physiologist at the HAWC, has been running the clinic here for the last three years. Conway said his class begins with a run around the track while he films the students' running form. Then he teaches the correct mechanics of running, and basic principles of training, and common injuries. After he shows the runners their videos to compare their form with the course material, they apply the recently-learned techniques during another video recorded run, and see their improvements. As the wing fitness program manager, Maañao sees too many Reservists hurt themselves during the running piece of the fit test. "I have learned of too many Airmen getting injured during the run portion in particular, and [the clinic] is a great approach to stop that from happening," he said. "It's a way to gain insight to the details of running that can be taken for granted. It's also a wonderful way to learn about common approaches to improving run time and the pros and cons of each." So far, Conway's class has helped former participants drop about three minutes off of their run rimes, and reduced physical pain. "Most who take my class and apply the technique, report they run faster and have less pain and injuries," he said. "I've had people tell me they had stopped running due to pain and are now pain free and enjoy running again." Citizen Airmen residing outside of the local area, or who can't make it to a scheduled class shouldn't feel excluded as they also have access to the running-improvement principles explained in the live clinic. Conway recommends Airmen watch the video he plays in his classes, "The Principles of Natural Running," which can be found by visiting the website www.naturalrunningcenter.com/. "It's one of best ones out there, which explains proper running form that is easy to apply and follow," he said. "It's about eight-minutes long. You can watch it there or go to YouTube and find it there under "Dr. Cucuzzella-Principles of Natural Running." From the YouTube site, there are more videos about running which show the running classes, Conway said. As far as the face-to-face clinic, Conway said he can take up to 18 students, and it's held in the McChord Annex. Although Maañao has viewed the course video, he said he plans on attending the clinic. "Personally, I believe fitness should be a normal piece of everyone's life - especially if you're truly striving to lead others by example," he said. Any members of the 446th Airlift Wing - traditional Reservists, air reserve technicians, and civilian employees - interested in attending one of Patrick Conway's clinics, or who simply want more information, should call the HAWC at (253) 982-0528.