Health First Pharmacy Manager Kim Hunger Finds Unique Fitness Inspiration in Her ‘Pack’ – Space Coast Daily

Kim Hunger’s accountability partners happen to be part of a pack…of dogs!

“Find your inspiration, create and strive toward a goal, and become an inspiration .. but don’t miss out on the health benefits and increased longevity that come from a healthy and active lifestyle.” – Kim Hunger

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – We all have some level of accountability that motivates us each day – that something or someone driving us to continue moving forward, whether it’s career, financial, family, health, spiritual, or all of the above.

Fitness goals are certainly no different.

In fact, more often than not, finding and making time in the day to push ourselves physically – getting to the gym, taking a long run, or walking – is often the one goal that is easiest to avoid or dismiss even though we know how important that goal is to the betterment of our lives.

Although she developed a love for running years ago, including competing as a collegiate sprinter for the Florida Atlantic University track and field team, Health First Pharmacy Manager Kim Hunger says that even the most driven and disciplined athletes need some sort of accountability partner—especially as we get older, our days become more packed, and those aches and pains start to become a little more noticeable.

Hunger’s accountability partners happen to be part of a pack…of dogs. Hungarian Viszlas to be more specific. And she has three of them!

Viszlas are a special breed, they are large, fast, and have crazy amounts of energy and endurance. So, they need to be exercised.

A lot!

“They are the types of dogs that will destroy your house without the proper exercise and stimulation, so … yeah, they motivate me to get out and, in return … I get them moving, too,” said Hunger.

“I actually started running when I was in high school – I was a sprinter and hurdler in high school, and then ran for Florida Atlantic University. After I graduated from FAU, I transitioned more to cycling, which I did for several years, and then I got into the triathlon realm, where I started doing a little more like distance running at that point in time.

“I didn’t even run my first marathon until I was 42 – just two years ago! I had always thought marathoners were slightly crazy and I was like, ‘There’s no way I’m running that far for that long.’ So, I just started smaller road races, leading to a couple of half marathons, before finally making the leap to a full marathon,” she continued.

Hunger has always loved dogs and had two golden retrievers when she first got married over 20 years ago. She would occasionally run with them – maybe three or four miles, here or there.

“They were big boys, but really could only go 3-4 miles. I got my first Viszla when one of my Health First co-workers’ dog had a litter of puppies. I knew that they would be great running partners, but my co-worker was like … ‘You have two little kids. Are you sure you want this?’  And my relationship with Viszlas has been a love-love relationship now for nearly 10 years,” Hunger said.

“They’ve run and trained with me for multiple 5Ks, half marathons, you name it. They’ve been my partners … running early morning … my protection and my companions. They rely on me just as much as I do them. Most of all, even though I enjoy running and do it as much for fitness as enjoyment, they’ve been my motivation. And that’s my special accountability factor,” Hunger continued.

Although she loves running and relies a lot on her dogs, Hunger has also gotten together a small running group in her neighborhood and participates in local running groups around Brevard.

With kids and a busy work schedule – all the things that accumulate and compete for our time, attention, and focus as we get older, Hunger still finds and creates time to spend on self-improvement, enjoyment, and health is just as critical as those other responsibilities, she says.

“I’ve created a small group (my other “pack”) that grows and shrinks over time – it depends on who’s up for running. But every Tuesday and Thursday I have a group of friends that’ll come to my house in the morning. It might be five or six of us, or maybe just 2 or 3. We all run at different paces and for different reasons, but we’re out there together, motivating each other to do it. And of course, my dogs are right there with us, too,” Hunger said.

“I woke up when I was 42 in January, and I texted my one friend who does marathons regularly and said, ‘Hey, I think I’m ready to run a marathon.’ She encouraged me to start with a small race and see if the “itch” would stick. And it did… I qualified a time to run in the Boston Marathon…someone who not long ago thought marathoners were “crazy.” I like to tell all my friends and my running group that comes out and runs with me to get moving! Keep those bodies active.

“And most importantly, find a reason or a motivational tool that gets you up and moving each day. It could be a social outlet or a mental wellness outlet. Running, yoga, bicycling, weight-lifting, walking, whatever it is, make the time,” she continued.

Her “how” or accountability tool is definitely her “pack”…her dogs, friends, small group. And they’ve  all helped to lead Hunger  to something she never thought possible – running and competing in a marathon.

“We’re all very lucky to live in a wonderful slice of heaven here in Brevard County, with its natural beauty, amazing weather (most months) and an abundant array of health and wellness resources,” said Hunger.

“Find your inspiration, create and strive toward a goal, and become an inspiration .. but don’t miss out on the health benefits and increased longevity that comes from a healthy and active lifestyle.”