Success Spotlight

Cheer, Connect, Celebrate

I've never been a runner

I’ve never been a runner before. I’ve always been the person who spends $35 on a gym membership, only to never use it.

Last year, when I moved to North Carolina, I decided that I needed a way to stay active. So, at age 32, I found myself starting an entirely new activity: running.

I signed up for the "Couch-to-5K," a beginners running program on coolrunning.com, and started sharing my run keeper activities on Twitter.

Then, I joined HealthRally. I set a simple goal: to run three miles (or 5K) in just two months. I finished early (after 24 runs), exceeding my goal and receiving $155 from my supporters, who motivated me and cheered me on along the way.

I purchased a new pair of Reebok Zig Nanos running shoes and decided to apply the rest of the money toward the entry fee for a 5K race.

Just two weeks after completing my HealthRally goal, I finished my first 5K race — something I never even imagined I would do! I even encouraged my husband to join the Couch-to-5K program. Now, I’m hooked, and I can’t wait to add some more miles to my runs.

My next goal? To run five 5Ks. One down, four more to go!