Running improvement program gives new stride to runners

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The Health and Wellness Center's next five-week running improvement program starts Feb. 4 to help Airmen prevent injuries, increase running speed, efficiency and stamina.

The RIP has undergone a few changes since Leah Beckham, HAWC health and fitness specialist, started it more than a year ago. Now, Beckham has teamed up with physical therapists and dieticians to give an overall insight to runners on how to run without hurting themselves.

"This time, we will have a representative from the physical therapy office coming to the class so that they can instruct people on the importance of stretching before and after exercising and proper running foot wear," said Beckham. "The dietician will also be there to help Airmen make better meal choices to help keep their body healthy while doing physical activity."

In the past, the RIP was only a four-week program but, with the added help from the dietician and physical therapist, along with the tailoring of the program to individuals needs, an extra week was added to give participants the best possible results.

The class will meet three days a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and will focus on improving the runners speed, running form, distance run and more.

"I have added a video analysis to the class, which will allow me to help each person with their running form," said Beckham. "This will help me to identify heel strikers, shufflers and other common problems that affect many of Airmen that come into the class."

With everything that the class has to offer, the class has a limited number of people that can attend each class.

"The RIP class slots are limited to only 30 people and fill fast," said Beckham "The class in February filled within two hours of the flyer being sent out."

Although the class has filled for February, another class is scheduled to take place in April. For more information on the RIP class contact Leah Beckham at 456-6399 or email her at leah.beckham.1.ctr@us.af.mil.