Sun Health La Loma Village staff prepares for the upcoming Arizona Marathon
By Meghann Finn Sepulveda
Thousands of participants, including three teams of employees from La Loma Village and other Sun Health entities, will gather at the starting line for the 9th Annual Sun Health Arizona Marathon, on Sunday, Feb. 19. The event, which is sponsored by Sun Health, not only promotes health and wellness through physical activity, but also raises awareness, gives hope and provides funds to nonprofit organizations in the Valley, including Sun Health Foundation.
Darcy Andelin, La Loma Village lifestyle fitness coordinator, has led the training efforts for staff who wish to participate during the past four years.
“I talk to them and help them get prepared and discuss training schedules,” Darcy says.
In addition to a full marathon, half marathon and fun run, The Sun Health Arizona Marathon includes a relay marathon, consisting of two to four team members who take turns running a course through the Estrella and White Tank Mountains, equaling 26.2 miles.
La Loma Village staff Ione Murray, Tricia Botma and Jeanette Oblea are all preparing.
“I like the feeling of teamwork and that there’s a lot of encouragement,” says Ione, a life enrichment music therapist.
For months, three La Loma Village teams have been training for the upcoming race.
“This is my third year running it,” says Tricia, a health information manager.
Sun Health exercise physiologist Rhonda Zonoozi says important pieces to a well-rounded marathon training program include finding the right footwear and incorporating a warm-up routine to gradually increase heart rate and breathing rate, and increase circulation to the working muscles.
In 2016, Jeanette, a catering coordinator, didn’t have time to train for the seven miles she ran in the relay. “It was painful,” she says. “I’m training this year!”
While movement promotes physical activity, training with teammates focuses on other key social, intellectual and spiritual components. These principles are similarly set forth by the research-based Masterpiece Living® program, used at Sun Health Senior Living communities.
For more information, visit thearizonamarathon.com.
