success story

Tracey Martindale

Amazing...is the first word that comes to mind when describing my fitness experience with Kris in her Wednesday night track group.

It all began by getting invited to a Wed night track session by a wonderful friend I recently met through work.

We all gathered around to introduce ourselves and share what we hope to achieve at the end of the 17 weeks of training with Kristina. Some were training for the New York marathon, Victoria half marathon, triathlon, and Sacramento marathon. As I am listening to this, I am thinking to myself, Oh dear.... I am in the wrong place and I totally misunderstood my friends invitation to this Wed night track group. How can I possibly compete with these people?

When it was my turn to share, I had no choice but to be honest and let the group know my goals were to increase my endurance (whatever that meant) and maybe run 5km.

And so the journey began....

The first night of training, I was gasping for air while running around the track trying to keep up with the rest of the group. I very quickly realized that was not possible. I was hearing 'great job, good running' keep going' from these cheery, smiling people as they ran past me over and over again! I was thinking to myself, you people are from another planet...How can you be smiling when I was feeling like I was going to get sick and collapse!

At the end of the first session I was asked "so how do you feel"? My response was " I can't believe that I am paying for this"!

My friend wasn't sure if I was going to return to the next session...But I did. I am so thankful I continued to go every Wed night for 17 weeks rain or shine.

I had no idea what was in store for me but I knew it had to be good with these fantastic, optimistic people surrounding me. I trusted every word Kristina spoke. I thought to myself, "If she thinks I can do it, well I guess I better!"

Every week the transformation was taking place from being a casual jogger to becoming a runner. I was no longer gasping for air or feeling like I wanted to get sick during the workouts. I began to understand why the people in this group were smiling.

Kris's program pushed me a little more each week. I was running longer each time and it was exciting to feel and see the changes in my body, mind and soul. I actually thanked my friend for inviting me to this fantastic Wednesday night track group.

By week 8 I ran a 9 km recovery run around the Stanley Park seawall and thought, Wow, I can totally do this...Never mind can...I am doing this!

Now I superseded my goal to run 5 km...What was next? Understanding the feeling of euphoria I had at the end of that run, Kris quickly capitalized on the opportunity and asked me what race I was signing up for even before I had time to think about it!

I am happy to report I followed through on her suggestion and just completed the 2011 Fall Classic 10 km race in 66 minutes. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face after I crossed the finish line. I felt so good. I was proud of what I had just accomplished. I wish I could put that feeling in a bottle and sell it!

I was so thankful for the incredible support I received before, during and after the race from Kristina, the group that trained with me every Wednesday night and of course my husband Les.

Kris has an amazing gift of being able to bring out the full potential in people and is so good at what she does. She has had a profound effect on my psyche in that I have always THOUGHT that my possibilities were endless...Now I KNOW they are.

My body, mind and soul thanks me and I thank you Kristina for this amazing experience. See you on the track!

-Tracey Martindale

November 2011