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The Road To Wellness 5K

Make time for yourself

May 9, 2016 By roadtowellness5k2

Diane photo

Diane Daniels, Sr. HR Generalist at The Dimock Center

Taking care of my two parents who are ill has put into perspective the importance of being healthy. It pushes me to take better care of my health and motivates me to encourage others to do the same. I believe your body is your temple so it is very important to take care of it. When I heard Dimock was holding its very first 5K walk/run last year, I was very excited and told myself this is a great opportunity to take part. It was my first 5K so I decided to walk the 2-mile course. On the day of the event, I could feel the energy and excitement from everyone around me – it was massive! When I finished, I knew it would not be my last. This year, I plan to run the 5K course and have started setting goals to keep myself on track.  In order to keep myself motivated, I like to try and make my exercise fun. The best exercise is most likely the one you love the most, so find time to do it. Keeping track of even small success and reward yourself!

Filed Under: Fitness Profiles

From ‘Sick Kid’ to Olympian

September 4, 2015 By roadtowellness5k2

Ruben Sanca was born in Cape Verde and came to US in 1999 when he was 12 years old. While in his pre-teen years, being a runner never really crossed his mind. He loved the sport of soccer and dreamed of one day playing the World Cup. As a young child, he had several asthma attacks and was known in the family as the “sick kid” who always had some health issues. He was prescribed inhalers but never used them because he was afraid of becoming dependent on them. Ruben suffered a lot in his early years and albuterol syrup was often his only remedy.

Everything changed when Ruben came to the US. He found out my asthma attacks were related to a lot of the dust allergies in Cape Verde. When he was at the Dearborn Middle School, he was recruited by my middle school teacher to run track. He was one of the slowest guys on the team, as he still suffered from asthma. Once he made it to the John D. O’Bryant High School, his primary care physician mentioned that his asthma was becoming non-existent. During that time,  Ruben noticed a rapid improvement in his breathing and eventually his running.

Years later, Ruben found himself competing at the high school national track and field championships and the NCAA collegiate national championships. He returned to Cape Verde to win several track and road racing national championships. In 2011, he represented Cape Verde at the World Championships in South Korea, and in 2012 at the Olympic Games in England.

Ruben currently balances his running with his full-time job as a business manager in the division of student affairs at his alma mater, UMass Lowell. He plans to qualify for the Olympic Games again for 2016!

Filed Under: Featured, Fitness Profiles

‘Running is My Lifeline’

August 7, 2015 By roadtowellness5k2

Meet Hector Cruz, Regional VP for Winn Residential:

Hector’s story is an interesting one.  He never thought about or even imagined himself running.  “One day, August of 2007 my wife came home and said we’re joining the gym,” he explained.  Reluctantly, he agreed  and then his journey began.  At first he walked on the treadmill.  That was boring so he began to jog on the treadmill. A little better, but still boring, so he moved to the indoor track.  Finally, after a few weeks he decided to run a 5k, and immediately he was hooked.  In the years since that first race, Hector has run more than 100 5ks, and more than 20 half and full marathons.  In fact, he now act as a “pacer” for new runners. “I’m happy to say I often pace with some of my children and occasionally my wife, but that’s only if there’s some sort of shopping involved before or after the race,” he said.

“Running for me, is my lifeline.  It allows me to tune everything else out and focus on my own heartbeat. It’s amazing when you have a job and lifestyle as hectic as I do ( I’m a father of 6 and grandfather of 1) to be able to find that place to go to and reset your clock.  It makes me a better person around my family, and a much more productive and clear thinker at work. I’ve also been able to lose and keep off 35-40lbs without dieting!”

 

What’s his advice for new runners… “ don’t give up on yourself.  Let your body show you what it can accomplish.  Pace yourself and you’ll get there. We’re all beginners at some point.“

Filed Under: Featured, Fitness Profiles

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