Be Healthy Hayward Program Gets Residents Moving on Local Trails
Hayward, Wisc. (August 29, 2016) – Be Healthy Hayward is a program designed to get people off of the couch and ready for a 5K run/walk, focusing on people who have either never run before, who haven’t run in a while, or who haven’t participated in an organized 5K run/walk. For the next five weeks, the program will be getting local participants on the trail to physical fitness by providing training tips, group support and a progressive training plan to successfully complete a 5K run/walk.
Be Healthy Hayward meets every Tuesday at noon and Thursday at 5:00pm in the Essentia Health Clinic community room where medical professionals start each session by providing tips to help aspiring runners on their journey to physical fitness. From there, the group heads to the woods for guided walks/runs on the Hayward Memorial Hospital Trails. Participants can attend as many or as few sessions as will fit their schedules.
Essentia Health medical professionals will focus on one of the following topics each week through the end of September:
- Amanda Schober, Family Nurse Practitioner – The importance of hydration
- Dr. Ben Turner – The proper way to warm up and train
- Dr. Tina Hyser – Nutrition, the importance of eating “real” food
- Dr. Harry Malcolm – Healthy living habits and choices
- Dr. Stephanie Erickson – Consistent routine & preparation for best race day results
“At the core of our mission, the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF) is committed to promoting a healthy, active lifestyle for all ages and abilities. We are thrilled to partner with Essentia Health for year two of Be Healthy Hayward,” said Ben Popp, ABSF Executive Director. “Our goal is to have folks ready to run or walk in the October 1 Birkie Trail Run & Trek 5K.”
Participants of Be Healthy Hayward are not required to sign up for the Birkie Trail Run; the program is simply for anyone interested in getting in shape.
Birkie staff will lead the Be Healthy Hayward sessions each week. The final session will be Sept. 29, only 2 short days before the 15th annual Birkie Trail Run & Trek, where an over 1,000 runners and trekkers (Nordic walking with poles) will traverse their way along the forested Birkie Trail stretching from Cable to Hayward. In addition to the 26.2-mile marathon, 13.1 half marathon, 10-mile trek and 5k run/walk (3.1 miles), there is 100k Ultra Marathon where runners will take on 62.2 miles through the woods. There is also a youth 5k and 1k (free for ages 9 and under), and a marathon relay for teams of three or six.
The cost to participate in Be Healthy Hayward is $30 and includes a Be Healthy Hayward performance-style T-shirt. Additionally, fitness related door prizes, like a pair of Salomon trail running shoes, will be awarded to registered participants at the weekly sessions through the end of September. To register, visit www.BeHealthyHayward.com.
The Birkie Trail Run & Trek is ideal for runners looking to get off of the road and get into the woods, providing an ideal crossover race experience and introduction to trail running. Participants will experience a friendly north woods vibe, under a canopy of colorful fall leaves, on a great trail, on-site camping is available, a post-race BBQ, craft beers and live music at Birkie Ridge.
Additional event information and registration for the Birkie Trail Run & Trek is available at www.Birkie.com. If you’re interested in volunteering, please call (715) 634-5025, email birkie@birkie.com, or visit www.Birkie.com/volunteer for information.
Posted August 29, 2016 at 3:49 pm
