Run, Walk To Health With Coworkers

When Cathy Lewis joined the Run/Walk Club last year, it had been almost 10 years since she had been running regularly.

It didn't take her long to get back into the swing of things.

"Being in a group keeps me motivated, and I'm always glad I come to meetings," said Lewis, administrative assistant in the Office of the Dean of Academic Affairs for Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. "I initially joined to lose weight and get myself back into shape, but I also enjoy the camaraderie." 

Lewis was among about 500 Duke community members who took part in the spring 2011 session of the Run/Walk Club. The seasonal club offers an informal way for faculty and staff to gather twice a week for exercise and is sponsored by LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke's employee wellness program. The next session begins Aug. 22 and runs until Nov. 9. Registration is now open.

The club meets from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. each Monday and Wednesday. Walkers and beginning runners meet at the East Campus wall, across from Whole Foods on Broad St. More advanced runners meet in front of the Wallace Wade Stadium. Groups also meet from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Durham Regional and Duke Raleigh hospitals. At each location, participants form groups according to fitness level. Each group follows clearly laid out plans to help participants improve fitness and lower stress.

Get tips on becoming a better runner or walker.

"One of the best parts of our group atmosphere is that we have employees with all sorts of fitness levels, from beginners to those training for races," said Liz Grabosky, fitness program manager for LIVE FOR LIFE. "Our program offers something for everyone because above all, we're meeting to share in the goal of getting healthier and feeling better together."

In addition to weekly meetings, the Run/Walk Club will also host two workshops at the Duke Health and Fitness Center during its fall season:

Make Moves That Matter - 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Aug. 23

• Participants can learn and practice run/walk drills to build strength and endurance, including yoga routines to increase hip flexibility. Led by Sage Rountree of Carrboro Yoga Company.

12-minute Cooper Run/Walk - 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Aug. 30

• Run/Walk Club members will receive a measure of their aerobic endurance. They'll have a chance to retest on Nov. 8 to measure their progress.

Among the Run/Walk Club members showing up Aug. 22 will be Jim Allen, who's lost 35 pounds since he joined the group. Allen, director of Accounts Payable, said he enjoys being a part of the Run/Walk Club because it gave him the motivation to begin running.

"Run/Walk Club added structure to my workouts," Allen said. "My favorite part of the club has been the social aspect because the running segments don't seem as long when you're in a group."

Register online for the Run/Walk Club. Employees can also call Grabosky at (919) 684-3136, option 1, or send her an email to register.