Sarah Hayes and Gina Virgilio are both in prison for murder. They’re also participating in Running Free Alaska, a running program for women inmates.<br /><br />Virgilio says she was in a drug-induced psychosis when she killed her boyfriend Michael in 2012. After six years in prison, she is still awaiting a trial and sentence.<br /><br />“Had I not come to jail, I would have failed in life because I had no strength mentally, emotionally — anything. I was doomed,” she explained.<br /><br />In the midst of postpartum depression, Hayes killed her three-week-old daughter Pepper. She says coming to prison saved her life.<br />In 2012, grad student Tim Alderson wanted to study the effect of running on inmate mental health. Running Free Alaska was his thesis project. He says that training for a marathon is similar to dealing with various life circumstances, and it teaches you how to handle your worst days.<br /><br />The program holds biannual 5ks, 10ks, and half marathons and inmates train for months ahead of the October races.<br />Hayes says that to be able to get better at running gives her a sense of accomplishment, and “lays down a new perspective that I can accomplish something hard…”<br /><br />Virgilio says running has helped her build confidence.<br /><br />“My perceptions, my beliefs, my morals, values, are different and they’re real,” she said. “They’re not that easily compromised.”<br /><br /> This video, "Running Program Helps Women Inmates Heal</a>", first appeared on<br /> nowthisnews.com</a>.<br />
