BNC client running toward the healthiest version of himself

Chris always wanted to be a runner.

Not only is he a runner now, he’s also a medal winner.

Chris, who has been a Bert Nash Center client since 2008, earned a bronze medal in the men’s age 50-54 100-meter dash at the 2021 Sunflower Games July 10 in Topeka.

The week before the race, Chris, who is 50, said he felt prepared.

“I’m ready to go,” he said. “I’m going to try the best I can. There are some really good competitors. I’ve got short legs, so I have to spin pretty fast to catch up to the people who have longer legs than me.”

Chris tripped and fell at a race in 2018 and hadn’t competed since then. But he wanted to compete again.

“I’ve continued to move toward my goals,” Chris said.

His Bert Nash Center case manager, Lauren Alexander, helps him work toward meeting his specific life goals.

“She keeps me focused,” Chris said.

Chris and Lauren meet weekly to check in and review his progress. Chris looks forward to their visits.

“I wish I could meet with my case manager twice a week,” he said.

Lauren is proud of Chris for working to meet his goals.

“She promised me before the Sunflower Games whether win, lose or draw, we would go to Wendy’s and get chicken sandwiches,” Chris said. “I’m going to take her up on it.”

When Chris first started coming to the Bert Nash Center, he kept to himself.

“I didn’t speak to people when I got here,” he said.

But over time, he has opened up. He enjoys talking with the front-desk staff at the Center. “Socialization has been a big thing for him,” Lauren said.

Chris plans to run again in next year’s Sunflower Games. He may even compete in the 200 and 400 dashes, in addition to the 100. He will also compete in the Senior Games in September.

“It’s always good to have something to look forward to that you’re working toward,” Lauren said to Chris. “It’s just like your psychological journey. It’s the 100-meter dash this year. But it’s the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dash next year. You build up your tolerance, plus it’s just good to be healthy.

“You just be the healthiest version of you,” Lauren said to Chris.