3-month training program prepares for Olson run/walk

The Better Than Ever program, a training program in conjunction with the Arizona Cancer Center at the University of Arizona Medical Center, will start a three-month training program next week for those participating in the Bobbi Olson Half Marathon in December.

Joyce Stavro, Better Than Ever program coordinator, said last year's race raised $222,000 with 450 people participating in the marathon.

The marathon supports the Bobbi Olson Ovarian Cancer Fund at the UA.

Bobbi Olson died of ovarian cancer on Jan. 3, 2001. She was the wife of UA basketball head coach Lute Olson.

Money raised from last year's race was distributed to four researchers at the Arizona Cancer Center studying ways to cure cancer.

This is the Better Than Ever program's fifth year.

Stavro said the program is very fortunate to have 34 volunteer coaches offering 16 training classes.

Most coaches are walkers or runners from previous years at the half marathon.

"We are so lucky to have them helping," Stavro said.

Stavro said the program offers participants many opportunities to train with experienced coaches.

"The training classes are offered all over town at various times throughout the week," Stavro said.

The Bobbi Olson Half Marathon is scheduled for Dec. 5, 2004. Deadline for registration for the 6.2-mile race is Sept. 20.

Stavro said the marathon itself takes anywhere from 1 1/2 hours to 5 1/2 hours, depending on the participant's pace.

Gale Welter, a nutritionist with campus health, is a volunteer coach with Better Than Ever. Welter is a co-coach for one of the training classes offered by the Better Than Ever organizers.

Welter said the three-month training program before the marathon is important, especially for the uninitiated.

She said it is important to help beginners learn how to train themselves and their bodies for a marathon.

"We are there for them," said Welter.

In each meeting, Welter offers a 'tip of the week' for her students.

Tips include proper walking techniques, walking safety, hydration and how to walk with headset in traffic.

Welter said after the initial training sessions, classes are held outdoors where students and their coaches can begin walking or running together.

Each student is paired with another for every class.

"We partner them up for safety," said Welter.

After each walk, Welter says she talks to everyone about aches and pains that may come up through routine exercise.

Every class is concluded with a little snack, says Welter.

"We try to offer them healthy snacks; cup of orange juice, pieces of bananas or bagels or the latest smoothie," she said.

Two informational meetings are offered tomorrow, one at the Student Union Memorial Center in the Tubac Room at noon and another at the Running Shop, 3055 N. Campbell Ave., at 6 p.m.

For more information on Better Than Ever, contact Stavro at 520-626-7177 or e-mail jstavro@azcc.arizona.edu.

The Cancer Center Web address is http://www.azcc.arizona.edu.