One Step at a Time: Parkinson’s Inspires Runners to Go the Distance

At PFP, we are constantly inspired by our volunteers. Not only do they touch the lives of people living with PD and help them exercise safely, they also bring visibility to the work of Power for Parkinson’s in various unique ways.

We’d like to extend special thanks to Shreya Jain, who volunteers at our Standing Warriors class on Fridays and serves as a research advisor to our UT Austin student chapter. In February, Shreya raised hundreds of dollars for PFP by making our organization the beneficiary of her Austin Marathon fundraiser.

This is the fourth half-marathon completed by Jain, who started distance running as an adult and appreciates that it has a different mentality from most sports.

Shreya Jain completing a half marathon

“Running can be for everybody – it doesn’t matter how fast or slow you are,” she says. “It’s a sport of individual goals.”

Jain, who holds a PHD in biokinesiology, says running in honor of Power for Parkinson’s was motivating for her because she sees how much effort PFP’s participants put into staying fit.

“The inspiring thing to see in Power for Parkinson’s classes is how much everyone is wanting to challenge themselves,” she offers. “I think, with Parkinsons, there is a lot of focus on what you will lose your ability to do, but what you see in the classes is actually the opposite, with people really focusing on being able to move better.”

Power for Parkinson’s has a history with running events in our hometown of Austin, Texas. Years ago, longtime PFP participant Jane Norwood brought attention to our organization by continuing to complete the Cap 10K every April, despite living with PD. Norwood, who attended PFP classes daily, had begun entering the local running event in 1979 and continued to after her 2014 diagnosis of PD. Ultimately, she completed the 10K over 40 times.

“The Cap 10K is a marker in my year that tells me how I am doing in the battle to keep Parkinson’s at bay,” Norwood told Austin Woman Magazine in 2018.

Jane Norwood completing the Cap10K

Recently, I was helping a new PFP participant fill out our intake form and, when I asked him what kind of exercise he’s accustomed to, he mentioned that enjoys running and that he had run a half-marathon in 2021.

“I wanted to lose weight and reduce stress,” the participant, Scott Williams, later told me. “Just having Parkinson’s to begin with is stressful, but running is a great stress-buster.”

Williams, who attends PFP’s Georgetown class weekly, said he began running around his old neighborhood in Houston in 2020 and then joined a running group, which helped him build up to a half-marathon over six months of training. In January of the following year, he completed the Houston Half-Marathon.

I asked him what it’s like for a person with Parkinson’s to attempt distance running, considering that PD can make walking a challenge of its own.

The Georgetown class that Williams attends

“I have trouble with freezing and gait, which I’ve worked out with medication,” he notes. “Once I get going on a run though, it’s like I don’t have Parkinson’s anymore. Fine motor skills are my issue, I have trouble writing and doing those fine motor tasks, but when I’m running it all goes away.”
When asked for any advice he has for people with Parkinson’s who are interested in running, Williams answer is simple and encouraging.

“Just taking it one step at a time,” he responds. “That first step is critical.”