Latte Built Run Challenge produces two 365-day streak runners

Nawaz

New year’s resolutions come and go—sometimes you stick with it but more often than not, you fail as swiftly as you began. 

However, with discipline and commitment, you are able to achieve almost anything and that’s what Ali Nelson and Frank Nawaz did on Jan. 1, 2022 when they took on Latte Built Gym’s 31-day Run Challenge, which ultimately propelled them to complete a one-year running streak.

Along with Nelson and Nawaz joining the growing numbers of streak runners in the CNMI after accomplishing running at least a mile a day last Jan. 1, 2023, Nelson is also the first recorded woman in the CNMI to complete the pne-year running streak.

Nelson, a 42-year-old civil division chief of the Office of the Attorney General, said she was convinced by her friend, Kerri Bauer, to join her in the challenge and even after the month-long challenge, she decided to just keep running.

Nelson

As to being the first woman in the CNMI to complete the one-year streak, Nelson said she had no idea that she would be the first. “I’m so surprised. There are so many women here (and so many women runners!) that have been such an inspiration for me.”

Nelson said that she would like to continue her streak, but that she is just taking it one day at a time. “I think the next goal for streaks is generally 1,000 days, but it’s a little overwhelming to think about committing to that. I’m just taking it a day at a time, but don’t know what it would take to make me quit.”

The Run Saipan member, who joined in 2021, said for those who are hesitant to take on the challenge or even just start running and being physically active that “​​You don’t have to decide to run for a whole year, you just have to make the choice to get started and then keep going. You don’t have to run fast or even think of yourself as a runner. And you don’t have to do it alone. There’s a whole community of runners here (through Run Saipan and otherwise) that’s so inclusive and supportive.”

She then thanked her husband “for not questioning this goal that’s felt so silly at times. And [Dr.] Lily Muldoon (one of the fastest runners I know) for matching my pace on runs and for pushing me up hills and onto teams and into (finally) starting to think of myself as a runner.”

As for Nawaz, a 31-year-old second grade teacher at Garapan Elementary School, he said his best friend Angel San Nicolas challenged him to complete the running streak.

Nawaz usually runs a mile or more and plans to extend his streak heading into the new year. “Right now I’m still continuing the streak, but haven’t given it much thought to how long I’ll go.”

“I’d like to thank Angel for challenging and supporting me. My girlfriend Janey for helping me stay on it,” said Nawaz.

For those who want to take on the challenge, Nawaz said “It seems difficult, but once you make it a part of your daily routine, it will be so easy. Having a great support system and discipline goes a long way. Alhamdulillah!”

Edward Dela Cruz Jr., Run Saipan president, said about the Latte Built Challenge, “I love what Derek [Cutting’s] doing for the beginning of the year challenge. He has one for each type of health and wellness activity each person can do. He brought me on board for cardio. It’s the second year in a row he’s doing this with every person who completes it to get a month free membership.”

“For my side, it’s either 7,000 steps a day or a mile of running per day and it has to be done consecutive days and I love it because unlike the traditional weight loss/transformation challenge, everyone can be rewarded for their hard work. It’s very unique. Last year we had 20 or more attempts. This year, we are close to 50.”

“The beautiful thing about last year’s challenge was we had two products who came out of it who were Ali Nelson and Frank Nawaz who took it to the next level and completed their 365 challenge… It’s going to be crazy to see who out of this year’s batch will go all the way for 365,” said Dela Cruz.