Diane K.

When I joined the Center, Howard was assigned as my trainer. I mentioned wanting to learn how to swim better. He recommended the Master Swim classes. I told him I didn’t want to swim with “master swimmers.” He explained the class is not for master swimmers but for mastering swimming. I started attending. I couldn’t keep up with the others. However, with Howard’s guidance, I definitely improved. I began taking Small Group Training classes and could feel myself getting stronger. Then, I registered for a super sprint triathlon. At 66 years old, I was trying my first TRI. A few nights before the triathlon, someone said something negative about my run times. At our next training session, I told Howard I was quitting. Not happening with Howard. He reminded me how hard I trained, how prepared I was, and how it didn’t matter what anyone said. Thanks to his confidence, I completed the triathlon. Howard also ran. Several members from his training sessions ran this particular triathlon, so he decided to join us. Seeing him there reinforced my confidence. He continues to motivate me. I still take the Master Swim classes. Somehow Howard convinced me to join the Running Club, even though I hate running. I am very grateful to the counselor who assigned Howard as my trainer.