No Boundaries SUCCESS stories Jo s Story Learn to run the phrase never made sense to me. I mean, it s just running if you can walk, just go faster and you can run the problem was, I never ran. I was obese and unhealthy and in a vicious cycle of gaining weight which made it hard to move which made me gain more weight. I decided to make small changes. First, I swam, then I walked and one day, I just started running. I always WANTED to run, but I thought I had no right to run. I wasn t a runner I didn t look like a runner.. I couldn t run a mile, let alone 26! When friends heard that I was running, they all said the same thing You NEED to go to Fleet Feet Sports! So, I went and bought running shoes. That was the first time that I realized that there was a lot to learn if I was going to run! I downloaded an app and started to learn to build up to a 5k. I did the app religiously, but it got boring and when I hit roadblocks, I didn t have anyone who was in the same place I was in with my running to share the struggle with. A few friends told me that they did the Fleet Feet No Boundaries Learn to Run 5K program and that it was life changing. I thought that maybe they were exaggerating, but hey, it was worth investigating. So, I went to an information session about the program. I realized that the Learn to Run 5K program was starting behind where I was in my app. After the informational meeting, I approached Ellen Brenner and shared my concern. Her response astounded me You need to do the 2.0 program. I hadn t even listened to what Ellen said about 2.0 in the presentation! So, when she saw the look on my face she said The only thing keeping you from doing it is in your head. She was right! I reluctantly signed up for the 2.0 program and as the first day approached, I was so nervous that I almost didn t show up. When I got there, we were told we would do a 2- mile time trial. I just started running and running and when I got tired, there were mentors and coaches along the way to encourage and support me. I made it! I ran two miles in under 27 minutes! That s insane! I was learning to run! All of my fears about being ashamed of being slow dissipated. I was still slow by most measures, but I was running and no one cared how slowly I was doing it. Everyone encouraged me and congratulated me. As the program progressed, I made new friends and reconnected with old ones. We connected on Facebook and in person. We started to run together on our homework days and became a little running family during the group runs. Now, at the end of the program, I am regularly running 3 and 4 miles and even an occasional 5 miler! And I m doing it 4 times a week! Sometimes I was the last one to finish and it never mattered to anyone. People encouraged me no matter where I was in the pack! I had lost a lot of weight prior to joining the program, but the increased mileage and speed helped my body shape to change. I didn t lose a lot of weight in the program, but I did go down two sizes in pants! My blood pressure went from the high 140 s to the 100 s. My cholesterol went from 217 to 202. Running was saving my
life and Fleet Feet No Boundaries 2.0 was inspiring me to stick with it. Almost as importantly, I have gained an appreciation for what it means to Learn to Run. Certainly, we are born with the mechanics to run, but the human body and mind are amazing things. They respond to proper training. With the network of friends and mentors I gained through No Boundaries and the prescribed assignments and group runs, I didn t become a runner; rather I learned that I already was a runner who was getting better as I followed the program. Were there bumps in the road? Absolutely! But there were so many others who had experienced the same bumps that I came to realize that my body was capable of getting past the bump and that sometimes you have to take a step back in order to take two steps forward. Progress isn t always linear. Were there days that I just didn t want to run? YES! But, there were others expecting me to be there, so I had to have a really good excuse (and, I learned that there are really good excuses not to run and to give myself permission to take a break.) Half way through the program, I ran my first 5K race and it was thrilling. I was so proud to hear my name announced as I crossed the finish line with my Running Changes Every Thing shirt on. Have I learned everything there is to know about running? No way! That s why I am about to start my third session with No Boundaries... next stop? 10k! Hannah s Story Prior to entering the No Boundaries program I could not believe that anyone in their right mind would run for fun! To me running was a chore, it was hard, boring and unnecessary. I often thought that when I saw people running on the side of the road that they must have been CRAZY! Its not that I wasn't into working out or sports, I was athletic in that I liked to watch TV on the elliptical at the gym, once in a while. When I joined the learn to run 5K program I didn't believe I could run more than 1 minute, let alone more than 3 MILES!!!! Each week would go by and I would make it to the group workouts a do the homework with a group of people and I couldn't believe I was going through the program as the running time increased each week. I was shocking myself but still couldn't believe that I was going to run 3 miles. It was summer time when I completed the 5K program and there were days I didn't want to leave my pool or air conditioned house let alone go to running class but not one time did I ever regret it. I loved to brag (especially on face book) "I just ran for 7 minutes and walked for 1 minute 6 times in the 88 degree weather". It was finally time for the graduation 5k run at Mendon- which is no joke! It was hotter than ever at a really early time in the morning and I knew the humidity was rising! I was all sorts of nervous but had a smile from ear to ear. I spent the entire race putting one foot in front of another and wouldn't let myself walk at all! I made it up every hill, through every ray of hot, humid sun and ran past every volunteer thanking them. When I got to the finish line I sprinted so fast that I felt like I won first place (In reality I was very slow and nowhere near first place!) It was the best moment of my life! My family was there to greet me and I couldn't wait to celebrate and shower! I couldn't believe I had just ran more than 3 miles straight- I was a runner and I was running for fun! I continued on to the 2.0 program which I did a few times! I ran through heat waves, rain storms (torrential downpours), and eventually ice, sleet, and snow. I made a group of friends through our pace group and these friends are like no other, they hear everything about your life because they want someone to talk to keep them pre-occupied and keep their mind off of the distance or the steep hills. I constantly said to my pace leader or pace group "Someone please tell me a story" as soon as someone started to talk my running doubts faded away and I was intrigued by their story! I am currently in the 3.0 program and ran 7 miles the other day! The feeling after a run is just priceless, you can t explain it to anyone who hasn't experienced it before. When you experience it for the first time you will understand what I mean it is just amazing! You tend to drive your car and see how far your running distance looks on the road "Wow I practically just ran from my house to the mall!" I can t wait to run a half marathon in the near future. This is coming from someone who was an occasional gym go-er to watch TV on an elliptical. I haven't stepped foot
inside a gym since I started running because I am entirely in love with running out side, any day, any time, any weather, with any runner! Being a part of the Fleet Feet No Boundaries Program has not only changed my health, my athleticism, my energy and mood but it has changed my life. This is not just a running group or running community this is a running family! I honestly don't know where I would be or what I would be doing today if I wasn't a part of the NOBO family! Running changes everything! Melinda s Story Why I joined and Love No Boundaries: In February of 2014 I got this brilliant idea that I was going to teach myself how to run. I have amazing cousins and aunts who run in marathons and do triathlons and I decided I wanted to be just like them. The problem is I am not very self-motivated. Between February-April I ran a measly 12.7 miles and basically walked my 5k. I knew I needed something different if I wanted to reach my goals. I had gone to Fleet Feet to get fitted for my shoes and learned about the No Boundaries program. I signed up for 2.0 even though the requirements were to run 2 miles straight and I wasn t quite sure I could do that. I actually practiced during May to make sure I could meet the requirements and I did it! Joining the program is the best decision I could have ever made. I look back at the program and see all the milestones: running for 3 miles, then four, then five without stopping, and actually running, not walking, a 5k. I couldn t have done any of that without the program. A few weeks in, I moved to 3.0 because I knew with the support of the coaches and mentors I could do it. The best thing is how many friends I ve made. I don t run alone well because I can talk myself into quitting early. Ten weeks into the program I ve never had to run alone. That s amazing to me considering we have homework twice a week. I m so excited about the journey No Boundaries has brought me through. The program is done in a few weeks and I already can t wait for the next one to start! Marsha s Story I had been working out and losing weight for about 18 months and was stalled. I needed something new in my arsenal. A friend's sister was coming to town and looking for a buddy to do the Turkey Trot with. We went together but did different races and I only walked mine along with my friend. But we said next year we would run it with her sister. I was receiving the Fleet Feet emails and newsletters after and knew that if I my friend and I were going to run in 2014 I needed to get a head start as I am heavier than my friend. So I started with the 5k program at Fleet Feet. I continued to work on my eating habits as well as doing other workouts and lost another 22 pounds in three months. But more important my shape was changing. I'm very hourglass but there was less sand in my bottom.
My friend decided not to join and I wasn't quite ready to move up to the next level so after having a very helpful discussion with one of the owners I decided to repeat the 5k program to work on my pace. No judgments were made by anyone and it s been the best decision for me. Could I have pushed myself and moved up? Maybe. But I didn't want to risk an injury and then not be able to run. I am now not only doing the NoBo 5k program but also training on my own for the Rochester half marathon. I know I will be doing run/walk intervals but wanted the experience of that distance. And yes, I do have a goal time in mind. A year ago I could not imagine I would be doing all of this. My life was super crazy and I was very unhappy. A relocation and immersion in a new sport has been just what I needed. I am no spring chicken and am in my late 40s. And still quite overweight. No matter your shape or size if you are considering learning to run or improving your run times don't let anyone stop you. Anything IS possible. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and it will lead you to places you've never imagined. Rebecca s Story I love sharing my story! My motivation to start running was to improve my health, I have diabetes and my cholesterol was very high. I have a significant family history of diabetes, my grandmother lost her life due to complications from diabetes, and heart problems and I wanted to make changes to prevent more damage to my body and be around for my family as long as possible. I tried gyms and diets in the past but never stuck it out, I just didn't enjoy myself and didn't see the benefits. I'd heard about No Boundaries from a friend and my sister-in-law and I liked the idea of exercising without a gym and equipment. So last year when I turned 40 I thought it was time to seriously work on getting healthy and I joined No Boundaries! I started with the 5k program in June 2013 and since then have done 2.0, 3.0, and am in 4.0 now. I've also added trail running to my repertoire! In the winter I said, what the hell and signed up for Snow Cheap AND Winter Warrior and Dirt Cheap this summer. I needed a motivation to run in the cold and wanted to try something new. I had no idea what I was getting into but did it anyway and had a blast. So many people thought I was crazy, and I was! Running has really changed everything!! I've never said "I hate this" or "I'm never doing it again", I've definitely felt exhausted, wished my run had been better, and just love running! My Fleet Feet running family has been such a huge support! When I started running I said to myself, I'm not here to make friends, I'm here to keep to myself and run! Boy I couldn't have been more wrong! Now I have soooo many wonderful friends who've inspired me to keep going and keep improving. And so many of my running friends I looked at as the experts and never thought I'd be "good enough" to be friends with them, again, boy was I wrong! The coaches and mentors that I met back in June are now my friends. Thanks to Fleet Feet we've even created a small running group and we get together all the time for runs and support each other. I find myself telling people to "trust the program". It's those same friends that inspired me to sign up for my first half in October. NEVER did I imagine I'd get this far. I truly feel blessed knowing all the wonderful Fleet Feet family! You've all inspired and made me feel like I can do this! Never have I felt that I wasn't good enough, that I was the wrong size, or that I was too slow. Any of those thoughts were my own insecurities and boy has that changed! I now feel so much more confidence in
myself, my cholesterol is under 200 for the first time in many years, my diabetes is very well managed and my doctor hopes to lower my medication, and people tell me all the time that I've inspired them to exercise. And not to mention that I've lost 46 pounds!! Honestly, I can go on forever about how much Fleet Feet has helped me and how that impact goes well beyond me, hence the really long email. Since then my friend from work has signed up for the 5k program, two of my coworkers have started running, my daughter's friend's mother and sister have started running, someone stopped me at Wegmans and asked me "aren't you a runner?" (She d seen my picture on FaceBook), and my sister-in-law has also started running and doing duathlons with me. I hope my story continues to inspire people!! Thanks again for all your support, knowledge, laughs, camaraderie, and just being nice! I look forward to many more miles and long lasting friendships! I'll be running my first half in October and I have Fleet Feet to thank!!!