Helping Suburban Hospital Employees head in a Healthy Direction

Today we had the opportunity to speak to employees at Suburban Hospital as part of the Hospital's Healthy Destinations program, presenting a seminar on how to get off on the "right foot" with a beginner running or triathlon training program. In its fifth year,the Healthy Destinations program won a “Worksite Innovation Award” from the American Heart Association three years in a row. The AHA’s “Fit-Friendly Companies” program and the “Worksite Innovation Award” recognize companies that inspire change by finding innovative ways to promote physical health in the workplace.  As part of the program, employees can earn prizes and recognition by exercising, attending presentations and setting and achieving fitness-related goals.  We love seeing employers put resources into helping support their employees to get, and stay, active and healthy and look forward to helping Suburban expand the program offerings.  Contact us if you'd like us to visit your company to help leadership and employees understand how easy and fun (and beneficial to health insurance costs) it is to get active in the workplace!

Corporate Wellness and Team Building through Running--Jeremy's Run Race Report

"I can’t tell you how much I appreciate both of you…I NEVER thought I’d be able to do it. I am really very excited and you have inspired me to do more!" 

This is just one of the many emails we received from from the fantastic MedImmune and Montgomery College employees we coached, many of whom ran their very first 5K on Memorial Day at Jeremy's Run and had never run consistently for more than a short distance. 

The employees at MedImmune and Montgomery College started their journey with us when we began our training program in March, consisting of weekly workplace group runs, coaching support, regular follow up with the individual participants and customized comprehensive training calendars to meet each participant's running level.  On day one, many of the beginner runner participants showed up with old sneakers and trepidation, as the thought of running a 5K race by May seemed impossible.  After a quick pep talk and a push, the runners were off.  The beginner runners alternated running and walking for 30 minutes, and as we expected, finished the initial workout with smiles and a tremendous sense of accomplishment.  They realized that showing up is half the battle, and running is not so bad in good company.  We concluded that first session by assigning the participants running homework: simply follow the training calendar we provided, including some cross- and strength training, and, of course, to purchase new running shoes.  

Week after week, rain (even a little snow!) or shine, our runners took time out of their hectic workdays to meet us for a lunchtime run and those who committed to the schedule saw their running improve rapidly.  Even those who didn't commit to the schedule regularly were encouraged and inspired by their co-workers to keep moving at their own pace, and we assisted them with modified schedules.  The employees bonded, the running improved, and within a few short weeks, the participants were logging miles instead of run/walk intervals, and suddenly, the completion of a 5K in May did not seem as daunting to our beginner runners.  

Race day for Jeremy's Run in Olney was much hotter than the conditions under which our runners trained, but they were not discouraged, as we had gone over race day preparation with them and they had all run the distance before race day.  They were ready and eager, if not a bit nervous, to strut their stuff!  The gun went off, and our runners began the culmination of their 10-week journey.   As we traversed the course in an effort to run with all of our runners, we couldn't help but notice lots of smiles, coupled with satisfied exhaustion as each runner worked to push up the last hill toward the finish.  

As each runner crossed the finish line on Monday, they were greeted by the deafening cheers and hugs of their colleagues as well as families and friends who came out to support the group's runners, and we were greeted with expressions of disbelief as they recognized that they had just sported a race bib and crossed a finish line.  Even better, we overheard a few excited discussions about setting new running goals and participating in future races.  Many runners will continue to run together at work, maintaining the habits and schedule they became accustom to over the past several months.  The day after Jeremy's Run, several signed up for our 5-miler program so that they can continue the progress they've made.  We love hearing how so many have caught the "running bug" and how it's helped their health, both physical and mental, as well as created lasting camaraderie in the workplace.  

Thank you, MedImmune and Montgomery College, for spending your lunchtime hour with us over the past few months.  We've enjoyed every moment, and we are so proud of all of you!  Keep on running! 

Spring Corporate Programs

Coach Julie talks to employees about a Run Farther & Faster Spring Training Program

As Spring approaches, we kicked off the first of several corporate training programs this week. We love having the opportunity to help employers improve the health and well being of their employees through a group running program! We've seen firsthand the benefits to companies: improved employee morale, a sense of workplace camaraderie and, of course, a healthier workforce. A workplace running program makes getting fit accessible to employees and gives them a built-in support system to help them continue to reap the benefits of being active.

The past week we held Open House kick-off sessions at MedImmune and NIH. At MedImmune, we were joined by friends and respected experts in biomechanics of running Rachel Miller, PT, OCS and Ken Fleit, MPT, both of ProAction Physical Therapy. Rachel and Ken performed gait assessments on MedImmune employees during the Open House, giving them feedback on their running form, including any weaknesses and suggestions for improving those weaknesses.

Run Farther & Faster kicks off NIH's commitment to making running accessible to all employees

This week we head to Montgomery College, where we will work with the school's Wellness Coordinator and HR Department to offer a Beginner 5K program to MC faculty and staff, with the goal of completing Jeremy's Run 5K on Memorial Day together as a team. We have several other corporate programs in store for this Spring, as well- it's exciting to see the idea of workplace running programs catching on and employers supporting these programs! If you are interested in finding out how to implement a program at work, contact us for more information!

Corporate Programs

Did you know Run Farther & Faster works with corporations and other institutions to help promote the wellness of its employees? We work with Wellness Departments and Committees within corporations, educational institutions and other organizations to help achieve their goals of improving employee morale through group training, reducing health care related costs, and promoting general health and well-being of their employees. We love how a running program can spark team spirit and workplace relationships, and think it's admirable that so many employers are implementing these types of programs for their employees.  Click here to read more about some of our recent corporate training programs!

We work with the organization to design a program that is right for the group and employees, both with respect to level and availability of the employees. Typically, programs are 8-10 weeks in duration and guide employees through a training program targeting a goal race. Like all of our coaching, programs are based on the principles of progressive overload, injury prevention and personalized attention, and can be tailored to both beginner and advanced runners, with beginners building endurance and more experienced runners focusing on speed development.

Participants are provided with:

• A comprehensive training calendar, including running and suggested cross-training;
• One coached group run per week, led from the client’s location on a day/time that is mutually convenient. Session length ranges in time from 45 minutes to approximately 1 hour depending on the distance of the scheduled run, and includes warm-up and stretching. Where it is difficult to schedule a convenient time for group runs, some organizations prefer virtual coaching, where we are "on call" via phone and email for runners following the program;
• Weekly communication from coaches provides accountability and availability to answer individual questions and help modify the schedule to fit individual needs;
• Seminars on running-related topics, including injury prevention, proper running form, strength training and stretching for runners, nutrition, hydration, running gear and race day preparation. If desired, coaches can arrange for experts (physical therapists, orthopedists, registered dietitians, etc.) to speak to the participants; and
• Run Farther and Faster discount from RunningWarehouse.com as well as select local races

Employers are encouraged to select a goal race for participants to complete at the end of the program; corporate clients often choose a race so that employees can participate as a team. We can help the organization and/or individual runners in selecting a goal race, and can often negotiate a reduced team entry fee. We encourage companies to provide team running shirts for their employees participating in the program or race to reinforce “team spirit” and provide visibility for company.

If you are interested in finding out how Run Farther & Faster can help build employee wellness, morale and camaraderie in your workplace, contact us for more information!