Nearly two years ago on the verge of one of those milestone birthdays I realized I
needed to make some major life changes. After years of working a corporate job, having
two children, and juggling multiple responsibilities I had put on a lot of weight and had
developed a rather stressed out and negative attitude about myself. I knew I had to make a
change. I wanted to be a positive and energetic mom for my kids and a happier wife for my
husband. My husband and I radically changed our diet and lost weight. We had much more
energy after making the dietary changes and losing weight. I decided to put that energy to
good use, exercise. For the first time in twenty years I had a renewed interest in running;
however, I had never run more than a mile. I started running at the local school track nearly
every day. It was humbling because I could not even run one lap without having to stop and
walk. I had no endurance at all. I began walking and running all around my neighborhood
until I got stronger and decided it was time to get help developing long-distance running
skills.
I began training with Danette at The Mandel JCC about a year ago and it changed my life. She listened to my initial goal of becoming a better runner and has in fact helped me to become a better person. Danette helped me to learn the importance of developing a strong core for endurance and appropriate strengthening to eliminate Iliotibial Band (running injury) issues which had plagued me every time I tried to run more than 10 miles. With Danette’s guidance I have gained confidence and have noticed dramatic changes in my body such as the development of muscles I never knew I had and improved posture. For the first time in my life I had the confidence to wear a strapless dress to a cocktail party. My check up with my doctor has also revealed dramatic changes. I’ve reduced my body fat by more than 10%, my total cholesterol is down significantly, and I stand nearly an inch taller. Like all runners I began to imagine completing a marathon. Danette developed a plan for me and helped me week after week. She believed in me even when I didn’t. She taught me what it is to dig deep inside myself to find my potential. I completed the Columbus Better Health Marathon on October 18 this year and I could not have done it without her. Completing it has been a major accomplishment in my life. Together, running and strength training have become a pathway to a better life for me. In 18 months, I went from less than one lap around the track to a marathon. I am happier, look better, feel better, have more energy, and feel more at peace than I ever have before.
Thanks ‘J’, thanks Danette!
Sincerely, Kathryn M.
