http://forsythwoman.com

It is easy to have an excuse. It is easy to say never. And it is easy to sit on the couch.

But in the past 5 years, Winston-Salem residents have stopped doing what is easy and have started making changes. Anxious beginners have discovered they can make a life change and that becoming a ‘runner’ is possible.

Since 2006, Fleet Feet Sports of Winston-Salem has trained over 1500 new runners for their first 5K. These runners and walkers have joined Fleet Feet Sports’ award-winning No Boundaries Program which is structured to help inactive and minimally active adults get off the couch and train to run or walk their first 5K. Over the course of 10 weeks of training, group practices, and educational clinics, participants have discovered their inner athlete and are far from being the couch potatoes they once seemed to be.  These new runners and walkers have laughed in the face of “easy” and have become fit! Beginner 5K Training is Changing Lives One by One Written by their proud Head Run Coach, Stacie Battjes

Peggy Can’t be Knocked Down

In 2008 Peggy Haymes was hit by a car while riding her bike. She was left with a fractured pelvis, a wheelchair, and weak prospects of ever being active again. It was while she was in her wheelchair that Peggy decided she wanted to run a 5K. Two months after she returned to walking, her training officially began. She limped, shuffled, persevered and eventually ran her first 5K. Defying the expectations of her doctors and physical therapists, Peggy transitioned from being wheelchair bound to running multiple half marathons. She’s even back on her bike and has since become a triathlete. Through 5K training she found confidence, a foundation of fitness, and many wonderful friends who are her running partners and support crew. Peggy Haymes can’t be knocked down… in fact, she can’t be stopped!

Read more on page 40 in the December Issue