VillageNews SUMMER 2011 |


7 St. Vincent de Paul Village


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Roadrunner Sports brings free shoes and sporting technology to Village 5K athletes


T


hese days, sports enthusiasm at St. Vincent de Paul Village is about as plentiful as sand at the beach.


That’s because Roadrunner Sports,


San Diego’s premier athletic outfi tter, came to the Village to make a measurable difference for its homeless athletes. The company, which specializes in high-


tech running and walking gear for fi tness- minded San Diegans, arrived with its famous “Shoe Dog” van — a mobile unit equipped with state-of-the-art treadmills and analytic scanners. The equipment evaluates runners’ footfalls so that the proper gear can be identifi ed, ensuring optimal safety and performance. But here’s the other dropping shoe:


In addition to customized analyses, Roadrunner Sports provided free running gear to each resident based upon his or her personal evaluation. And the gifts couldn’t have been timelier, because within a few months the recipients had already used their shoes to participate in the Father Joe’s Thanksgiving Day 5K Run/Walk and the Coronado Valentine’s Day 10K. So far, some 21 Village residents


have joined the Career & Education department’s Health and Wellness class, the brainstorm of Program Manager Nick Coniaris. A dedicated athlete himself, Nick saw the need to bring health awareness to the Village’s


existing programming. He recognized that


too many residents’ diets were ravaged by poor eating habits and that, as a result,


Village with bodies full of carbs, sugar, high cholesterol levels and fat. Although


much


accomplished existing


was through nutrition-based


already the


menus,


Village’s Nick


knew that, in order to fully transition the residents’ former selves to their new ones,


they were coming to the being


“The class and its training have provided me with a nice support group as I work toward healthy living. Plus, it’s pretty fun.” In addition to the Thanksgiving 5K Run/ Walk, Malcolm competed as a member of the Village team during the San Diego International Triathlon.


About 25 resident athletes lined up to


have their feet evaluated by the Shoe Dog unit. Each stood on a measuring platform that electronically cast the shape of his or her feet onto a gel screen; then, they climbed onto one of three specialized treadmills and had their heart-rates and stride motions calculated. Afterward, a Roadrunner Sports representative consulted one-on- one with each resident, explaining how the resident’s feet withstood stress, how the right kind of footwear could alleviate their discomfort, and which type of shoe might do the trick. Leah O’Brien, a registered nurse who’s volunteered at St. Vincent’s


a renewed emphasis on good health was necessary. He started the Health and Wellness class in 2009 and has been adding creative elements — like yoga — ever since. Class member Nancy R. knows what poor eating habits and the lack of exercise can entail.


“I come from a family of


overweight and cancer-prone people and when I was living on the streets, I worried about what my lack of healthcare might bring. Now, at the Villages, I want to do what I can to feel healthy, to live healthy, and to live my life as disease-free as possible.” Since joining the class, Nancy has lost 63 pounds. Nearby,


waiting for his new shoes, veteran runner Malcolm M. concurred. A Roadrunner specialist explains footfall posture to resident Aria W.


for more than fi ve months, watched her charges walk the


treadmill. “This is a


great opportunity for the athletes and it’s amazing to me how comprehensive the Village programs are. It’s not just meals and a bed.” She smiled. “I’m a San Diego native and have always had a soft-spot for Father Joe, but events like this one are the best reminders as to why I’m here.”


Chris F., another 5K participant, put it simply. “I just stopped smoking through the Cessation Program and stopped using a cane, so now I’m learning how to walk on all two’s again. I want Father Joe to be proud of me.” ■


(Top left, from left): Nancy R., Malcolm M., and Nick Coniaris, Leah O’Brien, and Jackie Donaldson-Lopez of the Health and Wellness team.


All


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