TESTIMONIES

"Growing up I was a very unathletic child. I was the kid who dreaded running a mile for physical fitness in school. I was also slightly overweight for most of my childhood and adolescent years. That slowly started to change in college when I started exercising regularly and even running the occasional mile or two. In my 20’s I ran a couple of 5ks. Then in 2011, my husband Andrew and I signed up for our first half marathon and began training. After that race, we were hooked and have been logging miles ever since. I just ran my seventh full marathon and have ran two 50k races. This April I also ran the Boston Marathon, which was something I never dreamed I'd do.

"Running has helped me a great deal physically, as well as personally. It has helped my confidence because I have been able to discover what a strong person I am. It helps my mood – I always feel better after a run, even a difficult one. It energizes me to be a better, more “fun” mom to my two kids and helps me have more patience with them.

"Several seasons ago, I started volunteering with the Fort Mill Fast Feet Youth Running program then decided to complete my coaching certification. This has allowed me to continue to share my love of running with others. This year, my son, Cael (7) started running with me through the program also. It makes me very happy to be able to coach the youth runners and see how they grow and get stronger throughout each season, and their pride in themselves after running their races!!"

-Anne Ruthenbeck

"Joining Fast Feet has been a great experience for me. Previously, I was a casual road biker and had run a 10k. Since joining the group, I completed my first marathon and multiple half marathons. The amount of knowledge, support and encouragement from Paige, the team leads and the runners is tremendous."

-Bill Swanson

"I moved to Fort Mill, SC almost four years ago. I was in a running club in Houston and thought to reach out on social media to find a running group in the area. I found Fort Mill Fast Feet. I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Fast Feet has become my family. This club has helped me push myself outside my boundaries and experience running in a whole new way. I went from barely getting through a Marathon to running an Ultra Marathon. The combined knowledge of Paige Kell's coaching, Pace Leaders and the encouragement of the group has helped me surpass any goal I could have ever imagined. Fast Feet is a unique group who encourages, motivates, and helps you achieve YOUR own individual goals. Looking forward to many more seasons with Fast Feet."

-Brandi Carter

"While my earliest childhood memories are of my father and I running laps around our neighborhood, I quickly gave up running and switched to traditional sports. Throughout high school I played football, basketball and baseball. After marrying my high school sweetheart, having four kids and working, life quickly took over. I felt as if I was failing at most, if not all aspects of my life, including my marriage. On a whim, my then 10-year-old daughter heard about FMFF and said she wanted to do a couch to 5k. I had run on and off with the group but decided it would be good quality time with my daughter. Once the 5k was over she moved onto other sports but I had the urge to continue running. I decided to tackle a 1/2 marathon, and then a full marathon, and then several more races started showing up on my calendar. I was able to find peace in running that I had not found in several years. I was able to clear my mind and run while thinking of nothing other than running. No work, no outside issues, no problems that had to be solved for the next few hours. Running quickly became my "new drug". I traded old bad habits that were holding me back in all stages of life and quickly replaced them with a joy and passion for running. My marriage was better, my work was better and I was meeting new people weekly that understand the positive impact running can have on one's life. Running and FMFF will have a major chapter in the life story of Justin Prevette. I am truly thankful to Paige and FMFF!

-Justin Prevette

<>"I started running with Fast Feet in January 2011. I signed up for Paige’s Couch to 5k program. At the time, I was a smoker and my goal was to quit as quickly as possible and figured running would certainly help me with that. I was also 25 pounds heavier and needed to lose the weight and get in shape. I was training for the Cupid’s Cup 5k that February. In the beginning, I had a love/hate relationship with running. But I kept showing up and finished my first 5k. Fast forward to 2016 - I am still running with Fast Feet and honestly couldn’t imagine running with any other group. I ended up catching the running bug and have run every distance from 5k, 10k, ½ Marathon, Marathon and Ultras. Paige’s coaching and experience has helped me achieve many personal goals I set for myself. The support provided by Paige and all the Fast Feet members is amazing. "

-Heather Strowd