John Mahnke, a physical education teacher at Bright Beginnings School in Chandler, is competing in a 100K. In their way, his students are, too.
Competing in a 100K is a big undertaking! What led you to want to do this?
I have done other trail runs and triathlons and just wanted to test myself at a distance I had never tried before. The trail running community is a great group of people who just like to have fun, get outside, and experience new places. In the past few years, I’ve been able to do runs in Utah, Colorado, California and northern Arizona. As I get older, I am not getting any faster so I may as well try and run further.
You’ve now inspired your students to do this with you … can you explain how and what they’re doing?
I gave them two months to try and accumulate 100 kilometers on their own, either through walking, running, biking, or swimming. Whoever wanted to participate decorated their own personal “runner” that I put on a wall inside our school. The students would turn in mileage slips, and I would move their “person” along the wall. There are mileage markers on the wall as well so they can track their progress. The project incorporates well with our character-building curriculum at our school. The students must show dedication to the miles. The tracking is all on the honor system so it builds trustworthiness. They must use time-management skills to get to the finish line. I have received a bunch of feedback from parents about how dedicated and responsible their kids have been in wanting to accomplish the challenge. And it keeps them active just for the sake of being active.
Why is fitness so important to you?
Being active is now just a regular part of my life and my family’s life. We are always looking to go do something somewhere, whether we are at home or on vacation. About 25 years ago, when I was more than 300 pounds, I didn’t do anything and felt cruddy all the time. Now, if there is a day where I don’t get out and do something, I don’t feel right. I need those endorphins from being active.
You’ve taught these kids so much … anything you’ve learned from them?
The kids at school definitely have taught me to keep things fun. During PE classes, we very rarely keep score or play to win. We really concentrate on the effort and the trying. So, I just to remember that with every event I enter. Keep it fun, enjoy the journey, and see what you can accomplish.