(testimonial provided by Star Runner, Donna Collier)

I moved to Memphis in April of 2011.  I knew no one, but a work colleague gave me a recommendation on a personal trainer at InBalance Fitness.

My trainer asked me what my goals were…one of them was to be able to run “a little”.  I had never run before, and the thought of it scared me.  But at the end of one of our sessions, Star happened to be there and Joe mentioned to her that I wanted to learn to run.  She handed me a card.

Another personal goal was to meet people.  Star’s Couch to 4 Miler group seemed like the perfect mix.

During that first meeting, Star’s speech included “a lot of these people you see here started where you are and then did the half marathon.”    Of course, I thought that wasn’t for me.

Well, we’re now less than a year from that first group meeting.  And I can’t even begin to tell you what this running group has done for me.

Yes, there’s the obvious…I completed the CY 4 Miler, a 5k race, a 10k race and three 1/2 marathons.  I’m down two pant sizes and feel better physically than ever before.

And then there are the friendships I’ve made.  I’ve met some incredible women (and guys, too) and I’m not sure where I’d be without them.

I recently signed up for the St. Jude full marathon.  And I know that I wouldn’t or couldn’t do it without Star and this running group.

Donna Collier