Posted on July - 22 - 2011
Success Story: Trey Robison
For newbie runner Trey Robison, completing his first 4-miler wasn’t the big coup.
It was running six miles and knowing he could go farther.
“That’s when I knew I was doing the right thing,” said Robison.
Lesley Young/Special to The Commercial Appeal
Especially since Robison, an accountancy employee, couldn’t run a mere few yards just a few months before.
“I wasn’t able to run to the mailbox and back,” the 38-year-old said.
A year ago, Robison signed up with running coach Star Ritchey with the hopes of finishing the Cooper Young Festival Friday 4Miler that September.
Not only did he complete the race, but close to the end of his training for it, he also started increasing his distances to participate in the Memphis Half Marathon.
“It was excruciating and exhilarating all at the same time,” he said.
Once Robison started running, he didn’t stop.
He went on to complete Nashville’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon this April, and is now training for the full Memphis Marathon.
“I am scared out of my mind,” he said.
At the same time, he’s able to put his doubts aside knowing he has the right coach.
“Ninety percent of what I’m able to do is because of Star,” he said. “She’s the only coach I’ve ever had, but I’d put her against anybody in the country.”
Ritchey leads different running groups through training regimens according to their abilities.
Robison ran with a beginners group, which meant five runs a week alternating between running for 60 seconds and walking for 90 seconds during each run.
They gradually increased their running and decreased their walking time, until they were ready for the 4-miler.
“The intervals are what worked for me” he said. “I have a friend who tried to train on his own, and he quit after two weeks. There’s no better way to get discouraged than to try to run three miles and to collapse afterwards and be sore for two weeks.”
Robison has reaped more holistic benefits from learning how to run.
“I feel a lot better. I sleep more soundly. And I’ve lost 30 pounds to boot,” he said. “It has made me feel a lot better about myself, too.”
“Star has helped me believe in myself as a runner,” he said. “I never would have thought in a million years I would be training for a marathon, much less running it 18 months later.”
Have you lost weight and kept it off, adopted better eating habits, started exercising or had success living a more healthful lifestyle? E-mail your story to .
Trey Robison
Age: 38.
Hometown: Memphis.
What he did: Robison signed up to train for a 4-miler with running coach Star Ritchey. Now he is training to run his first marathon.
Coach: Star Ritchey, RRCA certified running coach and owner of Star Runners, (901) 461-2049, facebook.com/starrunners.
Advice: “Just get out there and try something, whatever you’re interested in. If it’s running, find a buddy. An accountability partner was pivotal in my success.”
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