Local resident, Dana Steele runs regularly on the roads in Fairfield Harbour. Dana laces up his running shoes, grabs his water bottle, and dedicates 30 minutes 4-5 times weekly to his exercise routine. This exercise routine changed his life.
In 2018, Dana was 252 pounds. Today, at almost 62 years young, he is a rock solid 170 pounds after committing to his health and fitness for the past five years. Once hooked on running, Dana competed in one marathon, five half-marathons, and countless 10k and 5k races.
Dana grew up in the wine country of Sonoma, California, and joined the U.S. Navy right out of high school. Dana served in the U.S. Navy for twenty-two years and fought in Desert Storm. He was employed by the U.S. Marine Corps as a criminal investigator for twenty years at Cherry Point, North Carolina. Dana has been married to his wife, Ercelia, for forty-one years and has seven children, seventeen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. He and his family have lived in many places, including the Philippines, Hawaii, California, Nevada, Guam, Illinois, and beautiful Fairfield Harbour for the last 22 years.
As a running advocate, safety is paramount in Dana’s mind. Here are Dana’s safety tips for walkers and runners in the Harbour:
1. Wear bright-colored clothing and comfortable shoes.
2. Run or walk against the traffic.
3. Do not wear headphones.
4. Carry a cell phone and a whistle or air horn.
5. Make eye contact with drivers.
6. Wave to drivers.
7. Daylight hours are best.
8. Walking and running offer the same health benefits; the magic number is 30 minutes.
9. Pay attention to road conditions.
10. Tell someone when you are leaving and your expected return time.
11. Walk or run with another person.
12. Hydrate yourself before, during, and after your walk or run.
When you see Dana running on the street in Fairfield Harbour, please give him a thumbs up!
