Governor takes things in stride

Gov. Juan N. Babauta always prides himself on being fit.

The Commonwealth’s top executive neither drinks nor smokes. And lately, Babauta has become a familiar fixture at the Saipan Beach Pathway, where he takes time off his busy schedule to jog as much as five times a week.

“I have always loved jogging. I try to maintain a jogging schedule everyday of the week except Saturdays and Sundays,” he said.

Babauta got hooked into late afternoon or early evening runs during his senior year in high school. He said his “jogging career” probably began when he was a member of his high school baseball team.

“We used to run around and around the baseball field until we tire out.”

In college, the future governor of the CNMI was a member of the cross-country team for two years. His running days continued but encountered a bit of a speed bump upon his election as CNMI Washington Representative.

“I hardly jogged when I was in Washington, D.C. as Resident Representative. When I did jogged, I was only able to jog between a mile and two miles. I started jogging again six months upon my election as governor,” he said.

Nowadays, Babauta says he runs an average of about eight miles a day. He said his jog usually takes about an hour and a half.

The governor often gets greetings from fellow joggers during the course of his daily routine and Babauta seems to be encouraged by the number of people in the community taking up running.

“I jog because I enjoy doing so. If my jogging in some way encourages other individuals or the community to commit to a healthier lifestyle, it would be a tremendous achievement against the high incidence of diabetes and heart disease.

“I truly believe that the lack of physical fitness and poor nutrition has cost the CNMI millions of dollars in terms of lost productivity and in having to provide health care at Commonwealth Health Center and referrals due to illness that could have been prevented through proper physical fitness,” he said.

In a more serious note, the governor wants his administration to further focus its resources in curing the two ills, especially obesity.

“Both elderly and child obesity is major problem here in the CNMI. The Department of Public Health, Northern Marianas College and Public School System are currently conducting a study in collaboration with Western Michigan University. I encourage completion and implementation of the findings of the study. With respect to child obesity, the above-mentioned agencies working in partnership with parents is critically important.”

Babauta hopes more of his constituents live a healthier lifestyle and offered jogging, and even brisk walking, as activities worth trying out.

“To those who jog, I say keep on jogging. To those who don’t jog… walking is best. But do it regularly.”