“COME on, guys, let’s get moving!” shouted fitness instructor and director of TrainFit Club Stokely Rose, recently, to a group of fitness enthusiasts at the club’s Outdoor Madness event at Reach Academy in Kingston.

His running group “Come Run B4 the Sun” started with two people, but now stands at 100 participants.

“I was approached to start the running group by individuals who wanted to complement the training that they do inside the gym,” explained Rose. “We meet at 4:30 am at various points to run; people find it cooler on the roads, and there is less traffic and less scrutiny.”

“Come Run B4 the Sun” is open to all fitness levels and takes participants through several areas such as New Kingston, sand training at Copacabana Beach, Harbour View, and hills training through Mountain Springs.

With 5K runs becoming increasingly popular in Jamaica, Rose said it was “contradictory” that 5K runs are so popular considering the island is a sprinting country. He noted further that people run for various reasons, among them, personal and spiritual.

“Some run for various causes; it is almost self-sacrifice as the act of running is outside of your normal action.” Rose shared, adding that others view running as hard on the body, but not as hard as going to a gym, lifting weights and having to deal with instructors.

RUNNING TECHNIQUES

Rose said running techniques selected are based on the goals set. He highlighted one running technique known as interval training, explaining that it requires an individual to run at a fast pace for a short period of time to develop cardio-vascular and muscle endurance.

Malene Carr-Mullings, coordinator of the running group, shared, “Our mission is to empower people through fitness which includes runs, fitness boot camp, hikes, and walks.”

RUNNING THEIR WAY TO RESULTS

Cheryl Levy, a 38-year-old banking professional who recently gave birth to triplets, was among the participants.

“It was a natural fit for me at the time; I needed to lose weight after having triplets and I was bored with the gym,” Levy shared. “I enjoyed being outside, doing different activities. There is also a feeling of camaraderie, you work extremely hard, harder than in the gym.”

After completing nine months with the group, Levy said her clothes size has dropped from a 10 to an eight and her energy level has increased.

Member-turned-instructor, Adrian Clarke, a police officer, said when he runs he feels good.

“Running helps me to attack every aspect of my life. When I run five miles, it makes me feel like a brand-new man,” Clarke declared. “Running is like a lifestyle, if you want to succeed as much as you want to breathe, you will achieve success.”

The winners of last year’s National Health Fund Challenge, TrainFit Club has a core group of eight to 10 instructors who focus on yoga, fitness, aerobics, and Zumba.

“We are a freelance organisation that is not exclusive and brings together persons of varying backgrounds,” said Rose, adding that along with a fitness focus, the club also has lymes which facilitate discussions on health issues in a more social setting.