Racing to Cross the Finish Line

Posted by The Buzz | January 15, 2015

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Gisselle Matta, a Bellaire resident, gives a thumbs-up during an outdoor run.

Sometimes it feels like being fit is something you’re either born with or you’re not, like being short or tall, blonde or brunette. But these Buzz residents, who all have different interests and hobbies, have something in common: they’ve recently been inspired into running races. Read their stories below and be sure to cheer on friends and neighbors at the Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon this Sunday, Jan. 18. Share your photos and videos with us from the marathon.

Hugh Fraser’s story

At 60 years old, with years of bad habits literally under his belt, Memorial resident Hugh Fraser made the decision to get healthy. This former couch potato became a first-time marathon finisher in less than a year, shedding 60 pounds.

It began when Hugh and his wife Donna watched their son compete in the Arizona IRONMAN Triathlon. While strolling through the vendor stalls, his son remarked, “Dad, you are not going to make it to see grandkids if you don’t change your lifestyle.” Though moved by his son’s worry, Hugh did not give it serious consideration.

The day of the Triathlon, Hugh spotted an older gentleman sporting the same Arizona IRONMAN finisher t-shirt that his son owned. Curious, Hugh befriended the man, 73-year-old Dan Dickey. Dan was cheering on a friend at the IRONMAN triathlon who had cheered him on at the previous year’s event, which Dan ended up completing in 16:55 – five minutes under the 17-hour time limit. As if on cue, Dan’s friend Judy, having just completed the IRONMAN joined the pair and shared her own athletic endeavors despite starting later in life. Inspired, Hugh was no longer able to ignore the reminders that it wasn’t too late for him to get fit.

The following week, Hugh walked the three-mile loop at Memorial Park for the first time. Exhausted but focused, he asked his friend Lloyd to join him to keep each other motivated. Over the course of many weeks, the walk became easier then turned into a jog.

Hugh eventually developed a toe problem from training in the wrong type of shoes, which brought him to podiatrist Jonathan Hyman, a runner himself. Dr. Hyman gave him advice that would prove to be more valuable than any prescription: he could complete a marathon, too, but he didn’t have to do it alone. Hugh signed up with Houston FIT and as the weeks rolled by, his endurance picked up along with his determination. Hugh found that the group provided camaraderie, motivation and accountability.

The day came for the Chevron Houston Marathon – only this time Hugh was the one standing behind the start line. With tears in his eyes and family, friends and fellow runners waiting for him at the end, Hugh crossed the finish line with a time of 6:17.

Hugh continues to run regularly and hopes that despite age, habits or health condition, others will be inspired to make a positive, lasting change in their lives, too.

Amity Gardner’s story

Dentist and Assistant Professor UT Health Science center Amity Gardner had walked a few half marathons since 2007 and her first full marathon in 2009 before moving to Tanglewood from Reno, Nevada, two years ago. So she was slightly frustrated to find that after settling into her new home, she struggled to get back into her old exercise routine.

One morning, while attending a free yoga class at Luke’s Locker, Amity noticed a large group of runners filing in through the doors. Intrigued, she learned it was Houston FIT and decided it could be the best way to meet new people and get fit again. Over the next 26 weeks, Amity found a group of people who matched her pace. As she trained with them, she enjoyed their company and saw the natural sides of the city that she would never have seen on her own.

At the Aramco Half Marathon last January, Amity felt ready to not walk but run a half marathon for the first time. After crossing the finish line, she felt great and immediately set her sights on the Houston Half in October. She felt healthier and more fit than ever, accomplished something challenging and had found a new family.

Jaleea George’s story

Jaleea George, the CFO of Summer Energy, had never run a race until her first 5K in September last year. So when she recently ran her first half marathon in Galveston, it was a proud milestone for the 53-year-old mother and West U resident.

“My son had always run, but, up until about a year ago, I had never even owned a pair of running shoes,” she said, “Now it is a habit.”

Last Thanksgiving was a turning point for her. She’d originally registered for the 5K at a local turkey trot, which started 30 minutes after her son’s 10K event. Deciding the unusually bitter cold would be too much to bear, she hopped into the 10K and ended up crossing the finish line. Her son mused that if she could do a 10K on a whim, she could do a half marathon. So in May, she started training with Houston FIT for her first half. Besides the fitness benefits, she also appreciates the balance that the training brought to her life. Despite her busy work schedule, she’s planning to run the Aramco Half Marathon and to maybe do a marathon someday.

Giselle Matta’s story

In 2013, Bellaire resident Gisselle Matta won what many local runners hope for each summer – selection into the lottery for the Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Half Marathon. She had also just signed up for the Disney Princess Half Marathon in February with friends, including her friend Anelú. Although they had each trained separately for a half marathon, Gisselle and Anelú decided that, this time, they had to commit to training the right way, so they began training with Houston FIT.

Gisselle learned about injury prevention and proper running gear, and she felt safer training with a group during longer runs. The camaraderie and support she felt from fellow runners and coaches were bonuses to cheer each other along, no matter the pace. When the Aramco Half Marathon arrived, Gisselle felt proud when she crossed the finish line and was elated to see that she had beaten her 2010 time by five minutes. By the end of 2014, she completed nine half marathons, one 25K trail race and three 10K races. Now in the marathon group, she’s been training again for the Aramco Half Marathon and her first marathon, the Memorial Hermann USA FIT Marathon.

Tanglewood resident Amity Gardner became inspired again to get fit and run through a training group.
Bellaire resident Gisselle Matta recently committed to training for a half marathon and is now training for a marathon.
Memorial resident Hugh Fraser made the decision to go from couch potato to first-time marathon finisher, ultimately shedding 60 pounds, all in less than a year.
Up until a year ago, West U resident Jaleea George had never owned a pair of running shoes. Recently, she ran her first half marathon.

Tanglewood resident Amity Gardner became inspired again to get fit and run through a training group.

Bellaire resident Gisselle Matta recently committed to training for a half marathon and is now training for a marathon.

Memorial resident Hugh Fraser made the decision to go from couch potato to first-time marathon finisher, ultimately shedding 60 pounds, all in less than a year.