While many Harrisites are fast asleep at 4 AM, chemistry teacher Adel Kadamani is lacing up his shoes, preparing to go on his morning run. Whether he is running outside or through the halls of Townsend Harris High School, Mr. Kadamani sees running not only as a form of exercise but as a way to enhance the mind and body and soul.
“I always saw running as a fun sport, challenging for the body and the mind,” said Mr. Kadamani. “Let us not forget the fresh air, the feeling of freedom, and the open space. It is like rehabilitation for the body, mind, and soul. Add to that the sense of accomplishment with every mile behind you.”
Mr. Kadamani started running as a high school student in his home country of Lebanon. After coming to the United States, former principal Thomas Cunningham introduced him to the Road Runners Club. That was in 2006 and since then he runs “10 miles a week to 50 miles a week and sometimes more.”
However, not all of his runs take place under moonlit skies or the lights in the THHS gymnasium. Sometimes he is surrounded by crowds lining the streets of New York City, with the sound of cheering crowds and thousands of feet echoing off the pavement during one of many marathons that Mr. Kadamani has run. “My first Marathon was in 2008, and that was the most memorable, because I finished it with no leg cramps in 4 hours and 26 minutes,” Mr. Kadamani said. “I ran two official marathons after that. I had to deal with leg cramps with both after mile 20.”
After COVID, he ran one full marathon on his own and continued to pursue his running journey. “I have around 750 miles of racing with Road Runners and between 25,000 and 30,000 of my own running miles,” he said.
Through his journey, Mr. Kadamani acknowledged some challenges. “One summer, I had a very painful shin splint running 70 miles a week [and] I had to stop for about 6 weeks to recover,” he said. When asked how he overcame this setback, he said, “Bananas were the key to recovery for supplying the needed potassium for the cure. Staying hydrated is very important for a runner to avoid dangerous medical issues.”
While running injuries like shin splits can be common to active runners, numerous studies have shown that having a consistent and safe running schedule can help the body avoid serious illnesses. According to a study done by NIH, runners on average have a 30% lower chance of mortality from heart-related diseases compared to non–runners. Even running for 5-10 minutes a day at low speeds can significantly lower your chances of heart disease.
Additionally, running strengthens your heart by increasing oxygen in the blood, leading to improved lung function. Running can also be a great way to lose weight and improve mental and emotional health throughout the day.
But adults aren’t the only ones benefiting from running. Sophomore and track team member Natalia Piszczatowski said, “Health–wise, track has helped me so much. I was honestly a weak child growing up, but now I run faster than most guys I know and it’s awesome.”
Another track team member, sophomore Alessio Volpe, said, “I would say that track and field has significantly benefited my health by increasing my stamina and overall made me feel better and breathe better.”
Sophomore Megan Madelar has Physical Education during her second band class. She said that during the early fall semester she would see Mr. Kadamani running on the track with his smart watch, sneakers, and loose clothing. Megan said that “[Mr. Kadamani] seemed super dedicated to his running goal,” as she hasn’t “seen him just walk, [since] he’s always jogging or slow running.”
Mr. Kadamani explained that while he knows how helpful running can be for one’s overall health, there is also a feeling of excitement before it. “The best time for my run is around 4 am to 5 am, 2 to 3 hours of running while it is still dark, quiet, [and] all you hear is the wind, the leaves, and very few cars passing you, if any. You have the moon smiling at you, the sky hugging you, the ground lifting you up, the trees doing a special dance, just for you, and heaven whispering in your ear, ‘bless you, my child, you make me happy.’”
