Tyndall hosts Newton running clinic

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rachelle Elsea
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Nearly 100 Team Tyndall members recently attended a two-day Newton running clinic at the Horizons Community Center.

The clinic was organized by several individuals, who had previously attended the event at a different location.

"I had gone through this clinic before and I emailed Mr. Ian Adamson, the clinic's instructor, and asked him if he would be interested in coming to Tyndall," said Chief Master Sgt. Raymond DeVite, 325th Fighter Wing command chief. "I just knew what a great idea and concept it was. The clinic has helped me to be able to run 30 to 40 miles a week injury-free. I was never able to do that before."

So, teamed with Mr. Robert Pagenkopf, 325th Aerospace Medicine Squadron exercise physiologist, who had also attended before, and Master Sgt. Christopher Mull, 325th Medical Group NCO in charge of the dental flight, the idea took flight.

Mr. Ian Adamson, Newton Running instructor, and Dr. Mark Cucuzzella, a two-time Air Force Marathon winner, who is working with the Air Force to standardize running instruction, taught the clinic.

"I am one of the co-instructors for the clinic," said Dr. Cucuzzella. "I have been teaching about four years and sometimes I teach alone and sometimes I teach with Ian. I have been to about 30 bases in the last few years. We do the clinics for free because we know how important it is and how much your jobs depend on it."

Approximately 60 percent of injuries during exercising occur while running.

"The 16-hour course is designed to teach individuals how to build endurance, how to build the proper strength, use better form and to inform folks of the proper footwear," said Dr. Cucuzzella,. "We want to teach and promote healthier running, as well as show people how to prevent injuries while running."

The clinic helped countless people get their running lives back on track.

"After spending three months in physical therapy recovering from a severe hip injury, I decided there was no better way to get back into my running shoes," said Mrs. Dilia Stevens, wife of Master Sgt. Scott Stevens, 325th Fighter Wing weapons safety NCO. "My family and I had read up on Newton running shoes and the mechanics of natural running. If I was going to get back on the road and stay injury-free there was no other way to go. When this clinic became available, it was perfect timing."

Mrs. Stevens said the clinic really opened her eyes to the unnecessary strain she was putting on her body.

"Like a lot of people I had the 'No pain, no gain' mentality, and would run through the pain," said Mrs. Stevens. "Bad idea, I ended up having hip surgery at 28 years of age. My injury was completely preventable had I been running with the proper form, a natural form. The knowledge I've gained through this clinic is truly life-changing. I may yet meet my personal goal of running a marathon before I'm 30."

Mrs. Stevens said she would recommend the clinic to everyone of any age or fitness level.

"If you care about yourself, do it. The clinic will change your perspective on running completely," said Mrs. Stevens. "If you loved running before, you will love it ten times as much after the clinic.

"Once you experience natural running, you will never go back to what you once thought of as efficient running. You will feel stronger, faster and almost lighter with every stride you take. Natural running is progressive, healthy and most importantly, fun. Get up and get going, you're never too old or too young to make a difference in yourself," she said.

She was not the only one who soaked in the information being given.

"I sat in the front, and I enjoyed looking back and seeing the 'I get it' look on everyone's face," said Chief DeVite. "I saw their eagerness to get out and run and play. That was probably my favorite part ... to see them inspired to run."

Although many missed the clinic, there are still opportunities to learn the fundamentals.

"Mr. Pagenkopf, from the health and wellness center, teaches a shorter version of the class. Call them and sign-up," said Chief DeVite. "This is isn't about preparing for the PT test eight weeks out, it's about maintaining a healthy lifestyle throughout the year and measuring that once or twice a year with the test."