Running Clinic prescribes techniques for successful stride

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Johnisa Roberts
  • 192nd FW/Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. --  The 192nd Fighter Wing's Unit Fitness Program is taking extra steps this year to ensure the success of the wing's Airmen on their annual Physical Training test.

Master Sgt. Juan E. Ortiz, 192nd Fighter Wing Unit Fitness Program manager, conducted the first "Running Clinic Rx" for service members here July 18, 2015. The clinic began with a classroom briefing in which Ortiz presented tips and techniques for the proper running form, running shoes for different foot types, and good overall health habits.

"My goal was to facilitate our 192nd FW Fitness Program and provide an educational class that would help assist our service members in providing a tool to better educate them in proper running techniques," said Ortiz.
The briefing was followed with a running analysis, performed by Ortiz, providing feedback to the Airmen on their running form and practice running drills. The techniques presented were meant to help Airmen to prevent injury and improve on the running portion of the annual PT test.

An Airman who attended the clinic remarked, "I felt this offered some really good pointers, which may help me on my PT test coming up next month."

With the 1.5 mile run being the most failed portion of the PT test, attendants were provided a four-week workout plan with tips to help the Airmen become more successful with their run times. In addition, the plan combined with practicing proper running form may also help improve run times and decrease the risk of injury.

"These types of programs are very important," said Ortiz. "Fitness is a huge deal in the Air Force and it effects promotions, career progression and retention in the service. [The Running Clinic] becomes an opportunity for our guardsmen to better understand how to improve their PT test and their overall fitness."

The Running Clinic took a year to officially kick off. Ortiz facilitated the program by generating rosters, templates, slideshows, and course material to cater to the needs of service members. There have been at least four classes taught since 2013, but this recent class had the greatest and latest updates, according to Ortiz. He hopes to have these classes conducted quarterly in order to account for preparation and ensure maximum participation.

"I feel that [this meeting] was a huge success and a big hit," said Ortiz. "I have already received feedback from many of the service members that attended the class, and they felt that they learned so much and have a better understanding of their fitness level because of the information that was provided to them."

"It just goes to show that there is a need for fitness education, and this is another way to help improve and equip our Airmen with the fitness tools and knowledge they need," he said.