Stories And Inspiration

Among Southwest Elementary’s group of more than 85 runners, a student and a staff member learned that running isn’t always just about running.

Now in his second year, when fifth-grader Christian Woodbury started GO FAR, it was to be with friends and because he wanted to be a runner.

School counselor Donna Swaim started out with a different idea as a volunteer four or five years ago. She attended practices regularly at the High Point school and then began walking with the group. When another staff member began to run, she thought she’d try it. She’d jog a lap, walk a lap.

Woodbury was not a runner before GO FAR, but he had played soccer. He found he liked running. “It makes me feel good, it keeps me in shape, and it helps me forget about things that may be bothering me,” he said.

Swaim was surprised to find that she liked running too. While mild cerebral palsy affects her left side and gives her a slight limp, it doesn’t affect her running. “It’s about doing your personal best,” she said. “I’m not going to beat some of these kids.”

And Swaim believes it’s important for kids to see that. “Part of it is practice what you preach and seeing staff members out there of all shapes and sizes,” she said.

Part of it is also about getting out there. “I set a goal for myself and it’s kind of exciting to push yourself,” she said. Swaim recently finished a 10K.

Woodbury knows about pushing himself too. Each season he comes back to GO FAR to improve his time, but he can’t pick up where he left off. “In the beginning of the GO FAR season, I have to work to get back into shape,” he said.

He has learned that running involves more than feet to pavement. “I have learned more about the types of foods that are good for our body, how to keep hydrated, and how to condition myself for a 5K,” he explained.

He’s up for the challenge. His goal is to improve his stamina to beat his 5K run time and to run track in middle and high school.

Now Swaim’s daughter joins her in the program at Southwest. She will run her third GO FAR race May 9 in High Point. Not a runner before the program, she has learned about pacing and hydration. She loves it.

In the school, Swaim sees the bonds the program has built among students. “I like the joint effort, the camaraderie, kids encouraging each other,” she said. “I do think it instills a confidence.”

Swaim would know. “I would have never started running if it weren’t for GO FAR. I never would have attempted a 10K.”

Find out more about the May 9 GO FAR 5K and Fun Run here.

Top, the spring Southwest Elementary GO FAR club; above, Christian Woodbury practices; left, Donna Swaim (middle right, with glasses) at a fall GO FAR race; below, Southwest runners prepare for the May 9 GO FAR event.