ISABEL SOTO
Hope this email finds you well and rested after yesterday’s fun day. This is Isabel Soto, I am David Saltos grandmother he was one of your runners yesterday. I wanted to take a moment to say thank you for all you did, David really enjoyed being a part of the FIT kids and we will definitely be back. The one thing I didn’t expect was to meet such great people during my Sunday meet ups while taking David.
RONALD A SIEMENS
Good morning. Just passing along some nice comments from a young woman that stopped by the tent yesterday….. she was down from New York for the race and wanted to thank our people for being so courteous on the course. She said she had noted both the runners in yellow FIT shirts and the pacers for always signaling to their followers and running mates to be aware of the rest of the field at water stops, when doing intervals, etc. I told her it was all due to our fearless leader. 🙂
ONE YEAR WITH FIT
Is kind of hard to believe how the time has gone so fast, almost one year ago I registered wth FIT during the expo before the A1A Fort Lauderdale half marathon. Finally I took action after putting off joining the group for so many days, my friend of many years and my hero, Marcela, suggested a training plan for me. I was going to start running to get to a level of being able to run 3 miles and just before starting the season, I should be able to run 5 miles.
Jessica Mas, 47: “When you see someone light up when they challenge their body and accomplish things they didn’t know they had in them — that’s pretty amazing.”
Running became Jessica Mas’ sudden, unplanned lifeline when she was 12. “My mom had a stroke and I would come home from school and immediately have to take care of her until dinnertime was over,” Ms. Mas recalled. “I started running just to relieve the stress of being her caregiver.”
Michelle Kirk, 29: “Setting goals and reaching them — that’s what keeps me going.”
Michelle Kirk started running a few years ago, but had to quit exercising when she got pregnant with her first child and developed a high heart rate. After a 70-pound weight gain during the pregnancy left her feeling depressed, she was eager to get back to running. So, as soon as her daughter was born in early 2015, in a bold move, she signed up for the 2016 Walt Disney World Marathon in Orlando.
Fran Boyd, 50: “It makes you happy to inspire people.”
Being a runner helped Fran Boyd cope with breast cancer and recover from the treatment. She suffered none of the side effects of chemo she was warned about, a fact she and her healthcare team attribute to the physical and psychological benefits of running.
“My oncologist and nurses were amazed at how I felt through everything — no sickness at all. I felt great.”
Adriana and Max Umarov: “Running as a family is something you have to experience.”
The thought of taking up running was always in the back of Adriana Umarov’s mind. An athlete in her youth, she had been reading a runners’ magazine for a year, but never got around to lacing up her shoes.
“When you start a family, you think you don’t have the time or the opportunity for activities,” she explained.
Rebeck Marcelino: “I know my children are watching me.”
In her mind, Rebeck Marcelino could picture herself completing a marathon, arms raised in victory as she crossed the finish line. She just needed a little help to make it happen. “I always had a dream of running a marathon,” she said. “I would see the Miami Marathon on the news, and I would think, ‘I want to do that.’ I just didn’t know how.”
Ayenza Matthews: “It has to do with trying to achieve what you think is impossible.”
Ayenza Matthews spent her childhood on the sidelines, watching the other kids run and play. Born with one leg shorter than the other, she had balance issues and fell a lot. “I wore orthopedic shoes throughout my childhood,” Ms. Matthews said. “I sat on benches when the other children played sports. I couldn’t do anything.”
Luis Vargas: “You’ve already won when you take the first step.”
Someone had the brilliant idea to hold a few, good-natured contests at the 30th reunion of Luis Vargas’ Air Force buddies. Much to his dismay, Mr. Vargas discovered he was the not-so-proud winner of the biggest belly title.
A Thank you note By Vivien Arguelles
Hi Marcelita!
Now that the season is over I want to thank all of you, the coaches, the trainers, the speakers, the runners, the walkers… for
Saturday, December 13th, 2014,12:17 pm
By Jocelyne Norris
In 2004, I went for a routine checkup and was told by my mean doctor that “I was overweight, out of shape, had high blood pressure and high choleste
Saturday, December 13th, 2014,12:16 pm
By Ben Padilla
Only 1 in 1 million make their dreams come true to become a professional athlete. If you do not make it, you look for plan B which is to become a coll
Saturday, December 13th, 2014,12:15 pm
By Don Oxley
I am a former athlete myself, but in 2008, I was unable to participate in any sports
due to knee problems for over three years. I was an avid basketb
Saturday, December 13th, 2014,12:14 pm
Humbled…By Brent Nein
It’s Thursday night, my last training run before the marathon, and I’m getting ready in an almost unconscious routine. The dog is looking at me as
Saturday, December 13th, 2014,12:13 pm
By Alan Carter
Hi Marcela,
I wanted to express to you and the other FIT members my happiness and gratitude to find a group of like-minded individuals and so clos
Saturday, December 13th, 2014,9:07 am
Success Story By Tammy Guess
I joined Friends in Training in August 2006 at the request of a friend who thought it would be a great idea to train for a half marathon. I surprised
Saturday, December 13th, 2014,9:07 am
Success Story By Kimmie Briley
My name is Kimmie, I’m a baby to F.I.T. just joined over a month ago. I met Marcela when I use to work at Motorola. She watched me struggle with my
Saturday, December 13th, 2014,9:06 am
Success Story By Megan Weber
My success story:
I want to thank the FIT team for encouraging me to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I trained with FIT last year before taking a lon
Saturday, December 13th, 2014,9:05 am
Success Story By Ileana Oxley
Hi Marcela,
What a wonderful weekend we just had at the Miami ING Marathon. I am so glad to be training with FIT. I spoke to several people and to
Saturday, December 13th, 2014,9:04 am
Success Story By Ilene Schnall
Marcela,
I read with such admiration about folks who are able to go on these amazing diets, overcome all kinds of adversity, improve their h
Saturday, December 13th, 2014,8:43 am
Success Story By Debbie Meitz
My name is Debbie, and I am the assistant FIT coach for Group “C”. I am a
Registered Nurse and work in surgery. I was born and raised right here in
Saturday, December 13th, 2014,8:32 am
Congratulations Lars!
I had a swim meet this past weekend and would like to thank-you for all the support you gave to me. Sonia and David were there for support and made su
Saturday, December 13th, 2014,8:29 am
Athena enjoys training with FIT!
I joined FIT in 2000 and have been connected ever since. My husband Torrance bought me my first pair of running shoes to help me keep the 100 lbs of
Friday, November 21st, 2014,9:41 pm
Arnie is impressed with FIT! 🙂
Hi Marcela,
I am writing to tell you how pleased and impressed I am with the FIT program. It’s just as the website describes it: friendly and effec
Monday, November 17th, 2014,7:36 am
Vivien loves training with FIT!
I want to thank all of you, the coaches, the trainers, the speakers, the runners, the walkers…for a wonderful season. I have been member now for 10
Monday, November 17th, 2014,7:35 am
