By Coach Mandy
1. “I am too old.”
No one is asking you to compete in a professional sport. Running is for fun, community and exercise. Therefore, age does not matter. It is never too late to start something in life and Bonnie Misch (at left) is an example of that. She started running at 64 and will complete her 6th half marathon this spring at the age of 70! In her own words, "I don't want age to be anyone's reason not to try."
2. “I have bad bones.”
This is a popular one because doctors across the country have scared society into believing that running will destroy your body. But guess what? There is actually no evidence of this bold claim. No Boundaries alumna Debi Emmert (at right with Coach Mandy on the left) defies this opinion. She was told that her rheumatoid arthritis would keep her from all high-impact activities. She joined NoBo in 2012 and now barely breaks a sweat running 5Ks in the summer.
3. “I don’t have the time.”
There’s never enough time in the day. But when you dedicate yourself to a goal, you MAKE time to achieve it. Take Malou Fletcher (at left) as an example. A mother of nine children (three of whom have special needs) started running at age 50 after surviving breast cancer. A lot of times she had to run circles in her backyard to get her homework in, but guess what – she found the time amid her jam-packed schedule.
4. “I need to lose weight before I start a running program.”
Many beginners feel this way; that they need to look like a runner before they even start to run. But No Boundaries is judgment free and full of men and women of all shapes and sizes. A run/walk program is exactly what your body needs to jump-start weight loss! Donna Sparkes (at right) has lost more than 40 pounds since she started training with Fleet Feet in 2013. Since then running has become part of her weight management routine.
5. “I’ve never been an athlete.”
The only difference between an athlete and a musician, a writer, an entrepreneur or anyone else that practices a skill is that runners sweat a little more and wear tech clothing. If you dedicate time and hard work to the process, you can become whatever you want to be. Margie Rivers (at left) swapped hours of marching band practice for hours of running to go from beginner NoBo participant in 2012 to first-time marathoner in 2016. As a flute-playing teenager she never saw her future in running shoes, but guess what – life can surprise you!
All the women above have participated in Fleet Feet training programs. They are living proof that no excuse can stop you from achieving a goal, unless you give it the power to let it.
If you’ve always wanted to learn to run, you have your chance this Spring with the No Boundaries program starting on March 25 or 27.
Attend a preview session and sample workout at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, March 18.
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