Robin Roberts and Ginger Zee share how running supports their health as they gear up for "GMA's" first-ever 5K, an event to inspire movement and connection

Robin Roberts and Ginger Zee on Running the 'GMA' 5K and the Power of Movement

Robin Roberts and Ginger Zee share how running supports their health as they gear up for "GMA's" first-ever 5K, an event to inspire movement and connection

• On Wednesday, May 14, "GMA’s" first 5K will encourage viewers nationwide to get moving.
• Robin Roberts and Ginger Zee, who are running the 5K, told Health how running supports their health and well-being.
• Everyone is encouraged to join the "GMA" 5K—no matter where you run, who you run with, or how fast you go.

On Wednesday, "Good Morning America" will host its first 5K run—the "GMA" 5K—to motivate viewers everywhere to move together.

At 7:45 a.m., over 500 runners will start the 3.1-mile route on Governor's Island in New York City, and more are expected to run or walk the 5K across the country while they watch the show. At the finish line, indie band The 502s will perform live.

Lara Spencer and Sam Champion will anchor the broadcast while several "GMA" contributors run the 5K, including Robin Roberts and Ginger Zee.

In an exclusive interview with Health, Roberts and Zee shared their experiences as runners, how they're preparing for the run, and why everyone should join the "GMA" 5K.

Why Exercise is Important to Robin and Ginger

As an athlete, Roberts has always valued fitness—but she was never really a runner. The collegiate basketball and tennis player said she always thought of running as a "punishment" enforced by her coaches.

But about a year ago, Roberts broke her wrist playing tennis. She wanted to continue exercising during her recovery, so she took up running.

“You have to change the way you think in order to change the way you feel. That’s one of my mantras. And I had to change the way I think about running," Roberts said. "Even though I was athletic by nature, this was something new for me, and exciting and fun. I've really taken to it.”

Now, Roberts describes herself as an "everyday runner" and said she's excited to run the "GMA" 5K, which will be her first. “What better way than to do it live on national television?” she said.

Zee, on the other hand, has been a runner ever since her stepmother introduced her to jogging when she was 12 years old.

“She really showed me the beauty of jogging and being able to find a sense of calm and of release," Zee said. "That’s really what it’s always been for me.”

Zee has spoken openly about her mental health journey—she was diagnosed with depression at age 21 after a suicide attempt. In her lowest moments, Zee turned to physical activity.

“It has been my lifeline," she said. “My connection to moving my body has saved me in my mental health crises in the past. I know that it has prolonged and helped my healing.”

Zee has run a few 5Ks, and she ran her first major race last March, completing the New York City half marathon in under two hours. She used to run every day before having kids, but Zee still runs several times a week.

Preparing for the 'GMA' 5K

Leading up to the "GMA" 5K, Zee has stuck to her running routine, doing a 3- to 5-mile run a few times a week. Roberts has also been running regularly, building up to the 3.1 miles with shorter runs.

Both Zee and Roberts are also taking several steps to warm up and recover on the day of the run—another important step to boost performance and prevent injury.

The day before the "GMA" 5K, Zee will focus on staying hydrated, and Roberts will carb-load with a pasta dinner, then get a good night's rest.

On the morning of the race, Zee plans on eating a small breakfast and doing five minutes of active stretching before the run. “It doesn’t take long, but if you skip it, you’re going to feel it," Zee added.

Following the run, Zee will do more stretching, and Roberts has a massage booked for later in the afternoon. "That's my little carrot dangling at the end," Roberts said.

The Running Community

The purpose of the "GMA" 5K is to encourage physical activity with a community, something both Roberts and Zee said they enjoy about running.

“I think that’s the part that we miss in our world right now, is that we don’t have places where people connect," Zee said. "Running is a beautiful place to do that.”

“You see runners, and you’re out in nature, and everything just falls off of your shoulders," Roberts added, referring to her trail runs.

During the broadcast, "GMA" will highlight run clubs around the country, including the "GMA" Moves club, a virtual fitness community of "GMA" fans on the Strava app.

"GMA" is also partnering with two organizations that aim to break down barriers to exercise certain groups of people might face: For All Mothers, which focuses on mothers, and Achilles International, which supports people with disabilities.

“We want to be highly inclusive and make sure that everybody has a chance at surmounting this goal together," Zee said.

Zee and Roberts encouraged everyone to join the "GMA" 5K—no matter where you run, who you run with, or how fast you go.

“Walking, jogging—it doesn’t matter," Zee said. "Because at the end, you’ve all achieved this goal together.”

“Just get off the sidelines," Roberts added. “Run with us.”

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This story originally appeared on: Health News - Author:Jenna Anderson