Running for your life can be good for your health

 If the occupational description of "personal trainer" still makes you think only of hard bodies, tight abs and an intimidating profile in sweats, think again. In Walton County there is at least one fitness professional who is willing, ready and able to work with weekend warriors, the elders, the morbidly obese and young couch potatoes in the sprouting stage as well as incipient or seasoned athletes.

 Kelly Murzynsky, past winner of the Pensacola and Greater Cleveland marathons, is one such personal trainer. Murzynsky says she will work with clients anywhere - at a local gym, in a client's home, or on the waterfront -her clients decide what is most comfortable and convenient.

 "Prevent osteoporosis, lose 10 pounds, or run a marathon are all valid goals. I love to see people succeed," says Murzynsky. "It's a great feeling to go to your closet and pick out anything you want to wear without worrying if it will fit."

 Now an independent consultant, Murzynsky has been running ever since elementary school.

"The boys used to play ‘catch ‘em, kiss ‘em' and I found out I could run.  In fact, I could run faster than they could, and it was fun to chase them."

 Not surprisingly, Murzynsky met her husband in a gym.

"What a hunk," she enthused.

As she got involved in weight training, she found areas where she needed work.

 "I also found out I couldn't even do one chin-up, though I thought I was in great shape," she said.

 Over the next 15 years, Murzynsky added weight training, Pilates, kickboxing and indoor cycling to her repertoire of skills. Currently, she runs five days a week, including one long 12-20 mile run.

 Murzynsky attended Emory University at Oxford and became a dental hygienist. She never stopped running. In 1996, she finished the Chicago marathon and qualified for the Boston marathon, a Mecca for serious runners. 

 In 2000, she ran the Boston marathon for Team in Training, a nonprofit fundraising group that honors a leukemia or lymphoma patient and pays for expenses and training of the marathon participant.

 "Every serious runner wants to do Boston, and should," said Murzynsky. "It was just an amazing experience, running with thousands of people, and everyone cheering you on."

 Since then, Murzynsky has completed marathons in New Orleans, Virginia Beach, Napa Valley and Atlanta. This year, she's taking a break from marathon travel to focus on developing her local business.

 "In this tight economy, people may want to start a training program at home," said Murzynsky. "Later, they may be ready to join a gym, or not."

 Murzynsky focuses on cardiovascular exercise, including walking, strength training and stretching. Diet is also important.  Although her professional certification, through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, prohibits nutritional prescription, Murzynsky can make dietary suggestions.

 "I eat everything - almost," she says. "It's hard to make room for wine, but if that's motivating to a client, I tell them to do it. Moderation, cutting calories and fat are what it's all about." 

 She mentions one client whose food inventory included approximately a six-pack of soda daily.

"Cutting that out is 10-20 pounds right there," she said.

Murzynsky said she is expert at reading food labels and can teach her clients to better understand what they're eating.

"Motivation, educating, making little changes, building confidence and being accountable is what a personal trainer can help people with," said Murzynsky.

 Murzynsky can be found every Wednesday at 5:45 a.m., starting out on a run with her group of loyal runners near Sweetie Pies in Watercolor. She markets her business through Sowal.com, and is affiliated with Grayton Beach Fitness. She can also be reached at k-bomb@mchsi.com.