WVU Medicine Camden Clark prescribes a healthy pace with ‘100 Miles’ campaign | News, Sports, Jobs

The “100 Miles in 100 Days” Walking Campaign encourages people to form teams and walk a mile a day for 100 days to promote exercise and better health. On average many people can walk a mile in around 15 minutes if they are going a brisk pace, hospital officials said. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

PARKERSBURG — WVU Medicine Camden Clark kicked off its annual “100 Miles in 100 Days” Walking Campaign on Monday.

The 15-week walking program encourages people at the medical center and throughout the community to walk a mile a day for 100 days to promote better health.

“Walking is one of the simplest, most effective ways to improve your health,” said Patrick Perine, Fitness/Exercise Coordinator at WVU Medicine Camden Clark Health and Wellness Center. “Participating in the Walk 100 Miles in 100 Days campaign is a great way to add this healthy habit in a fun competitive way.

“We’re excited to be able to promote this competition and look forward to improvements people will see by participating.”

The program started Monday with a group of around 20 employees walking around behind Medical Office Building B near railroad tracks.

The annual “100 Miles in 100 Days” Walking Campaign at Camden Clark sees good participation from the hospital and the community as people are encouraged to get out and exercise this summer. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

Hospital officials say that teams within the hospital compete with each other as well as people around the community. Hospital employees who participate also see some benefits on their insurance coverage, they added.

Perine said the campaign will spread throughout the whole hospital system and out into the community through businesses and others participating.

“It is to encourage to add walking to your regular regimen,” he said. “It is to get people aware of wellness and exercise.”

The competition has been going on for a few years and started in Morgantown and has moved to hospitals and communities around the state.

Walking is an easy way for people to add exercise to their routine, Perine said.

WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center is encouraging its employees and the community to walk “100 Miles in 100 Days” to promote better health. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

“Everyone walks anyway,” he said. “If you make a concerted effort to add it in you find a lot of benefits.

“It doesn’t take any equipment and you can do it anywhere.

“Even with a mile a day, you will see a lot of benefits.”

One of the goals is to get in as many steps a day as one can, Perine said.

“You will see that add to other health benefits in your life,” he said.

Around 20 employees at WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center kicked off the annual “100 Miles in 100 Days” Walking Campaign on Monday. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

On average, it would take most people 10-15 minutes to walk a mile.

“That is at a brisk pace and it should be at a brisk pace,” Perine said. “You should get your heart rate up a little bit.

“You should put some effort into it.”

This is the third year Nurse Holly Judson has participated in the event. The event is part of their health insurance’s initiative to get people healthier, she said.

“It is that extra step to help get us motivated to get going, get out and enjoy the nice summer weather,” Judson said. “I like the challenge of it, the challenge of being able to compete the 100 miles in 100 days.

“It gives me something to strive for.”

There is usually a good participation rate in the event at Camden Clark. Others have formed teams and gotten mile sheets and more from the hospital.

“We would like to encourage everyone to add walking to their daily routine and improve their health,” Perine said.

Brett Dunlap can be reached at [email protected]