Page 25 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 12

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1397 Brookdale Ave.,
Cornwall
Multisport Club Athlete Profile: John Warner
By Gisele Grignon
hen it comes to athletics,
Wyou never know when the
motivation will grab you.
“I just woke up one day and
thought I should really get out
there and get healthy. I seized the
opportunity and started running,”
recalls John Warner.
That was nine years ago. Today,
the 65 year-old, who admits to only
“sporadic” forays into racquetball
and squash years ago, is not only
running but also into swimming
competitively, much of it thanks
to family motivation and to the
Cornwall Multisport Club.
Unbeknownst to Warner, his older
brother had discovered running just
a few months before that fateful
morning revelation, and invited him
to participate in a 10 k race. “So I
did that race. And I thought I was
going to die,” admits Warner. “But
I did survive and I thought well, I
am capable of doing this, although
the result was almost the same as
walking quickly.”
That initiation was followed by says John Warner. “Any time when
regular runs at the Cornwall Civic
Complex throughout the winter,
and reaching out to his son who was
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then attending university, himself a start running in Cornwall and end
former accomplished high school up in Finch. He knows of trails
athlete. A bit of paternal arm- that no one else knows about,’ says
twisting ensued and Warner.
father and son participated in a Besides the obvious physical
marathon, with the latter coming in and social benefi ts of staying fi t,
fourth. Warner’s quick to underline the
mental health benefits too.
Then came the appeal of running
for a cause: the local Multiple “I really look forward to running.
Sclerosis run, organised for years by Any time when I’m feeling a little
one of the founders of the Cornwall sluggish or things aren’t fi ring on
Multisport Club, Pat Clark. Despite all cylinders, just get out and run
thinking he wouldn’t fit in with and I feel terrifi c. It’s so simple:
what he calls “real runners”, Warner you put on your running shoes and
decided to join the Cornwall club. your shorts or whatever the weather
“We’re talking about superb, requires and you go out your door
award-winning athletes at this club, and you run.”
yet they’re all there, cheering you
His advice to anyone---even
on. You’re treated like you’re one
those past their perceived prime-
of them. The club offers this great
--considering running as a step
social aspect and it’s just a lot of
towards a healthier lifestyle? “I
fun. They’re just very genuine,
just tell them: Go out, start to run
wonderful people. I’m so glad I
as far as you can then stop and
joined them.”
walk. Then run as far as you can,
Once again family and the club stop and walk. And then you start
played a role in encouraging him over again,” laughs Warner. “That’s
to tackle new goals, namely trail what I started doing nine years ago.
running. His son made the initial I found that after just a few weeks I
suggestion and Warner is now
“I really look forward to running,” was enjoying it. I was feeling better.
looking to Multisport’s Pat Clark Life looked pretty rosy and then I
I’m feeling a little sluggish or things for direction. discovered that I could run longer
aren’t firing on all cylinders, just
than I walked. It’s just a win-win
get out and run and I feel terrific.” “Pat knows every trail that exists
situation.”
Supplied photo. in Three United Counties. He can
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