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!

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.“