Strides to success

WISCONSIN - Are you keeping up your New Year's Resolution or have you lost your motivation? This story may inspire you.

Two years ago if you would have asked Debbie Czech of Ashwaubenon to go for a run, she would have thought you were joking.

"I would have laughed in your face," said Debbie Czech.

That's because Debbie was overweight and had an inactive lifestyle.

"I used to hide," said Debbie Czech.

But now, she's the first to strap on her running shoes and hit the treadmill.  So how did she get here?

"I was doing some reading online and I thought why not try it? I found a couch to 5k program and it starts you out really slowly with running 30 seconds, "said Debbie Czech.

After five months of training and working herself up a little at a time, Debbie ran a 5k. She also ran the Bellin last summer, and now she working her way up to running a half marathon.

"i've had people look at me and tell me I am crazy and I just say you have to try," said Debbie Czech.

 It hasn't always been so easy. Debbie says when she pulled up to her fitness center for the first time, she almost turned around.

"I thought I can't do this. But I said if you want your life back get out of the car and walk through the doors and I did and I haven't looked back," said Debbie Czech.

Debbie says there are a lot of things that keep her going including the memory of special friend.

 "I lost a dear friend to breast cancer so I decided to dedicate my half marathon to her.  She's always been the one to tell me, you can do it," said Debbie Czech.

Debbie says she hopes her story inspires other people to get running, but you may be asking yourself where do I start?

"The first step is to sign up for an event and talk to someone who's done it," said Phil Turnball.

Phil Turnbull, a licensed athletic director with Bellin Health says no one becomes a runner overnight.

"I guarantee if you talk to any runner whose doing events, at one point they said I'm not a runner," says Phil Turnbull

He says start slow, by running in increments and alternating that with walking.  As for Debbie, she says she knows she'll probably never win a race or break a record but that's okay with her.  She's perfectly happy where she's at.

"I love every day now.   There is something good in everyday," said Debbie Czech.