Three-time Winship Win the Fight 5K winner and Radiation Oncology resident Jason Parks, MD, talks about juggling his running, his training as a medical resident and his private life.
November 1, 2018
Three-time Winship Win the Fight 5K winner and radiation oncology resident Dr. Jason Parks says, "I run the Winship 5K because of the strong sense of community and camaraderie that surrounds the event." According to Parks, it is one of the few events where he receives support from close friends and strangers alike. "The positive message behind the community involvement in the Winship 5K has made this an event that I look forward to each year."
The Winship 5K is not the only race that Parks competes in. An accomplished runner since high school, he competed in the Peachtree Road Race for the 12th time on July 4th. The Peachtree Road Race served as the 2018 USA Track and Field road 10K Championship. He placed 35th overall and was 1st in the Georgia Division. Parks also competed in the Houston Marathon where he placed 22nd. His impressive finish allowed him to qualify for other races of similar caliber.
With a busy job as a radiation oncology resident and preparing to be a father in February, how does Parks have any time to train? "I have to get creative with my runs. Being a resident in the radiation oncology department can sometimes mean having long hours. Some days I leave my work clothes with my wife, who works in the Pitts Theology Library, so I can run home. She graciously drives our car home so I can get the time needed for my run without having to sit in the Atlanta traffic. With her support, I am able to make the most of the time that I have."
Parks also runs at Emory’s track once a week for more intense workouts. Doing these runs, he usually aims to hit specific times or certain distances to increase his speed and stamina. His longest runs are reserved for the weekend.
Parks states: "Running, especially for a cause as noble as supporting the Winship Cancer Institute, makes the training worth it. I am happy to cross that finish line with my fellow EmoRayders each year and it’s even more profound to be beside patients who know that this is a race we run for them."