WESTFIELD-What has blossomed in the span of two years from initially two friends getting together on Saturday mornings to exercise is a unique free program, Run Your Health.
Laura Morris leads the Run Your Health group with some stretches.
The Amelia Park Arena parking lot is the gathering place at 8:30 a.m. every Saturday for the group, coordinated by Laura Morris of Southwick, and this past Saturday, more than 30 eager participants of all ages came out for the program.
“Run Your Health started as a way for me and my friends to work out together in the community for free,” said Morris. “When my daughter Momo was undergoing cancer treatment, I was very unhealthy. Finding my inner athlete and getting moving was what helped me to be strong.”
Morris and her friend Candace Douglas started the group as a way to give back as well as meet others who were also trying to get healthy and stay healthy. Their group was originally called Friends Getting Fit with Friends and included a boot camp session each week, but slowly transitioned into a weekly running group to help people become runners.
Mike Muller, one of the volunteer coaches for Run Your Health, does some stretches prior to the morning’s run.
“We have people who have never run before, and people who have run many races who join us each week,” said Morris. “We are a free community group to help people get healthy and stay healthy.”
Morris serves as program coordinator and “coach-motivator” of Run Your Health, instructing weekly boot camp classes, organizing and coaching runners at the group run (walkers welcome too!), and providing Facebook motivation and challenges to help people reach their potential.
Morris is assisted by several volunteer coaches who also help at group runs and boot camp including Melissa Kaleta, Candace Douglas, Lorettajo Kapinos, Sera Rivers, Kevin Salvini, Mia Cogliantry, Mike Muller, Nicole Muller, Richard Geffen, Michele Haymes, Meridith Masloski and Jonathan Cunningham.
“They are volunteers who give their time and heart to help others reach their goals,” said Morris.
On Saturday, Holyoke residents Nicole and Mike Muller and their sons, Duffy, 17, and Cooper, 15, were among the first to arrive to start greeting participants and getting their stretches in.
Jenna Garvey and her boys, Finn and Kaden, participate in the weekly free program, Run Your Health, that leaves from the Amelia Park Arena.
“I love seeing the progress that people make over time,” said Nicole Muller, who was scheduled to lead the group walking an eight-minute mile.
Mike Muller echoed those sentiments.
“I enjoy the sense of community at Run Your Health,” he said. “We are all working together in a family setting.”
Both Duffy and Cooper are students at Westfield Technical Academy and encourage other young people to consider participating in the Saturday morning program.
“There is a nice trail to run on and everyone is friendly,” said Duffy Muller, who noted he is also on the cross country team.
Cooper Muller concurred.
“It’s a nice way to meet new people and get healthy,” he said. “Getting out and exercising is also better than doing nothing.”
Morris noted there are currently 20 families who come to either boot camp or the group runs every week as well as individuals. The boot camp is conducted on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the track on Feeding Hills Road in Southwick.
Nicole Muller and her son, Cooper, are among the weekly participants at the Run Your Health program that leaves from the Amelia Park Arena.
“Both the group runs and the boot camps are not just for adults, they are for kids too,” said Morris. “The boot camp is a fun, 20-minute, high intensity interval workout that everyone does at their own pace. It is all bodyweight work, no equipment. The kids enjoy it as much as the adults.”
Morris added that modifications are made for anyone who needs them.
For area residents interested in checking out the free group all you have to do is show up to one of the hour-long programs.
“Whether it’s the boot camp or group run, we also have a lot of races scheduled that we always show up to support anyone who is running from our group,” said Morris. “We also do monthly nutrition and wellness nights to help people learn how to eat better and help them reach their goals.”
Morris noted that families in particular are encouraged to check out the weekly programming.
“Getting involved with Run Your Health will help you to get moving,” said Morris. “No matter what level you’re at, or what you have planned in terms of fitness, this group is full of smiling faces to help you get there.”
Among those smiling faces was the Garvey family of Holyoke – Jenna, Kurt, Kaden and Finn.
“Run Your Health is a great activity as a family,” said Jenna Garvey, adding, “it’s not competitive and provides a good foundation for fitness.”
Kaden Garvey, 10, said the program has “helped me to get healthy,” and Finn Garvey noted he enjoys the program because “I like to run.”
Morris feels the program is “unique” because of all of the volunteers.
“This program is special because we all come out every week to help others see their potential and get over their barriers,” said Morris. “We help people to find their inner athlete, love their bodies and get moving.”
While Morris has several dedicated volunteer coaches, there is always room for more area residents to join the team.
“We are always looking for good souls to help out with the running group,” said Morris. “If you are an experienced runner, or coach, and would like to participate in our group, please message me.”
For more details on Run Your Health, check out their events on Facebook.
Morris noted that when Run Your Health was started, her daughter was still undergoing cancer treatment.
“She is two years cancer free now,” said Morris. “Both of my children come to the fun Run Your Health events and workouts and help inspire other kids to get moving as well at the classes.”
Morris added there is no commitment to participate in Run Your Health programming.
“Run Your Health gives me joy, by watching everyone improve upon the version of who they are,” said Morris. “When I see people getting healthier, being happier, sharing health with others, that is priceless.”
