Each month we highlight runners, walkers, and athletes that inspire you to keep setting new, scary goals, and remind us why we run together in the first place. 

Train to Run a 5K with Fleet Feet Running Club Syracuse - No Boundaries Learn to Run starts March 27th.

Athlete Spotlight: Cynthia Stogsdill

I came to running later in life. In fact, I always said “I will never run.” That just goes to show you: never say never!!

As a young person, I was active - walking, biking, ice skating and cross country skiing during the winter. With no appreciable eye hand coordination, I never pursued sports that required throwing, catching, hitting, etc. I never saw myself as an athlete, and honestly thought most sports were pretty much a waste of time.d

Fast forward a few years. Our kids started getting involved in track and cross country in middle school.  What struck me was how wonderful the running community was. I saw how the runners all supported one another, and how the parents from different teams cheered for everyone. It felt inclusive. And as a Special Education teacher for many years, activities that have a place for ALL sorts of individuals is something that warms my heart. There was just as much cheering for the last place runners as for the first ones across the finish line. The camaraderie among the runners was inspiring.   

So in the spring of 2008, I signed up for my first session of No Boundaries “Learn to Run” through Fleet Feet Syracuse. At first, I must admit, I did not love running. But gradually began to hate it less! What I DID love was the encouragement and support I felt from the coaches and my fellow running group members. I was not fast, not even remotely fast, but I could call myself a runner because I ran. That was a revelation to me. I WAS A RUNNER.

I started doing some local races and enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment at the end of each one. One race that stands out for me was a Mother’s Day 5K in Cortland a few years ago. My two sons also ran that race. They both finished way ahead of me (remember, I am NOT fast), but they came back to run with me as I finished. What a perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day!

Fast forward a few more years. I started having some issues with arthritis in my neck, and my doctor suggested I should step back from running to give my skeleton a break from the pounding of running. As I didn’t “love” running, I was honestly not too sad.  I could still walk as much as I wanted. But I found I DID miss the level of fitness I had with running. So after a couple of years, I ventured back to No Boundaries and joined a group that followed a Walk/Run routine instead of straight running. 

With super supportive coaches, I discovered I LOVED using the walk/run technique. I have done a number of 5K races using walk/run and it has been perfect for me. It allows me to run a bit, walk a bit, and it doesn’t seem to aggravate my neck. I can still call myself a “runner.”

I find being a part of “No Boundaries” encourages me to stay active, and continue to be a part of the wonderful running community we have in Syracuse.

Train to Run a 5K with Fleet Feet Running Club Syracuse - No Boundaries Learn to Run starts March 27th.