Let the Training Begin

Our marathon contest winners reveal their race day plans

Respiratory therapist Kimberly Barner is ready to enjoy life again. Behavorial health colleagues want to help a good cause. A team of medical residents wants to stay in shape despite their hectic schedules. Their motivation helped them win hospital-sponsored spots in the upcoming Lehigh Valley Hospital Marathon for Via. Here are their stories:

Back into the swing

During her training, respiratory therapist Kimberly Barner gets some much-needed time for herself.

Kimberly Barner
Respiratory therapist

My motivation: After my youngest child was born, I started jogging to get in shape and have some “me” time. I worked my way up to half-marathons. Then I went through a divorce and some other issues. Even though I knew running would help, I just couldn’t lace up my sneakers. When I read CheckUp, I knew training for this marathon was just what I needed to get back into the swing of life.

My training regimen: I’m using some training guides and logging most of my miles on roads near my home and at Allentown’s Lehigh Parkway.

My cheering section: My kids will be waiting for me at the finish line—they are supportive and excited I’m running a marathon close to home so they can be a part of it. I’m also getting helpful hints, advice and support from a friend.

My race day plans: I usually eat a bagel and a banana, and drink a cup of coffee before long races. I hide some gummy bears in my pockets for mid-race sugar.

Team spirit

The “Get Psyched” team says they’ll push each other to the finish line if necessary. From left, Jerry Rodriguez, Ken Zemanek, M.D., Carolyn Gaffney, Karen Burke, R.N. and Terry Norcott-Gibbons take the definition of team spirit to a new level.

Get Psyched Team – Karen Burke, Carolyn Gaffney, P.A., Terry Norcott-Gibbons, Jerry Rodriguez and Ken Zemanek, M.D.
Behavioral Health

Our motivation: We’re genuinely excited to support Via, an organization that helps people with disabilities. We’re all committed runners who model healthy lifestyles for our patients.

Our training regimen: We’re working out at the Healthy You Fitness Center—Cedar Crest. We’re also doing some hill runs and sprints. Most importantly, we’ll be encouraging each other in the upcoming months so we are mentally ready.

Our cheering section: Our colleagues and families (and whomever may be sleeping along the canal path).

Our race day plans: We’re working on a clever T-shirt. We also plan to get to designated areas so we can cheer on our teammates running before us. Some of us will use guided imagery to enhance confidence. We’re psyched!

The road to the race

Despite their hectic and opposite schedules, the medical residents are trying to train together when they can. Here, Diana Rivera-Mundo, M.D., Brian Costello, D.O., and Pearlie Chong, M.D., find time to squeeze in a run together.

Medical Residents Team – Brian Costello, D.O., Pearlie Chong, M.D., Diana Rivera-Mundo, M.D., Shameer Ahmed, M.D. and Matthew Flanagan, D.O.
Department of Internal Medicine

Our motivation: It’s important for people to see it’s possible to remain active and healthy despite a busy schedule. Completing a marathon is a testimony to truly rising above a challenge. Running as a team is the closest we can get to running a full marathon by ourselves. We will draw on each other’s strengths to accomplish this goal.

Our training regimen: Our schedules won’t allow us to train often as a team, but we hope to run together once in a while to provide motivation if we hit a low point. What’s more important is building a sense of team; we’re in this together.

Our cheering section: Hopefully the entire audience and the entire department of medicine.

Our race day plans: We’ve already determined who will run which leg of the race. We’ll also be cheering each other on throughout the course.

- Amy Satkofsky and Matthew Burns

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