University of Virginia Health System

Manoj Patel

At 08:00 A.M.  on Saturday, October 9, 2004 , Manoj Patel gathered with 50 other men at the UVA track in preparation for the first session of the eight week Charlottesville Men’s Four Miler training program.  Manoj, a research scientist at the University of Virginia Health System , became aware of the training program when he received a hospital-wide email advertising the opportunity. 

That first day, the activities consisted of introductions by the co-directors of the race and training program:  Mark Lorenzoni and Sam LeBeau.  Participants were given a detailed explanation of how the program would work.  The group did two laps (1/2 mile) on that first Saturday-alternating between walking and running.  The concept was that they would gather as a group for the next eight Saturday mornings and then do two days on their own (following a written program which they received) during the week with stretching prescribed on the off-days.  They would gradually increase their ability to run having the final goal of being able to complete (walking or running) the first annual UVA Department of Urology Charlottesville Men’s Four Miler to benefit prostate cancer research on December 4. 

A group of runners who lived in the Forest Lakes area decided to make plans to meet up during the week to train together.  Manoj joined up with this group and says that it was helpful to motivate him to continue running during the week.  He continued to meet with the training program on Saturdays and ran with the sub-group that had formed in his neighborhood during the week.  By December 4, he was ready to run the race and was one of 200 men to finish the Men’s Four Miler. 

Manoj, together with a number of others from the training program, did not stop running at that point.  They moved into the Charlottesville 10 miler training program which was underway and, in April 2005 completed the 10 miler.  Manoj is now not alone in his desire to run a marathon this fall and has started a weight lifting program to prepare. 

Manoj cites that the training program was essential in establishing a starting point from which he could build his fitness and continue. He has also made new friends and continues to meet up with them at the weekend for longer runs. He feels great and has a lot more energy.  He has volunteered to assist with this year’s training program and to give his testimony to men who have let themselves get out of shape and want to get back into a healthy life style.