This spring Sarah Vega is going to be running through the California wine country with her dad. The two made a deal that they would train for her first half marathon, the Santa Barbara Wine Country Half marathon, and then run it together at the end of the school year. In order to get ready, Sarah enlisted the help of Duke Personal Trainer Brittney Pflederer.

“I knew I needed to strengthen my ankle to run that far,” said the sophomore history major. Sarah had a chronically sprained ankle which made running any distance a challenge.

To help her improve strength, ankle stability and endurance, Pflederer designed workouts for Sarah which included a variety of difficult but effective circuits. “I love when Brittney pushes me harder than what I would do individually,” Sarah notes. “She helps me to focus and keeps me determined.”

When not working with her trainer, Sarah rounds out her fitness schedule with running, basketball and indoor cycling workouts.

After four months of training, not only is Sarah’s ankle stronger, but she has lost 40 pounds! And in her half marathon training, she has successfully completed an 11 mile run.

“I am so impressed with Sarah,” Pflederer adds. “No matter how hard the workout, Sarah continues to push herself. I couldn’t ask for a better client!”

Sarah asserts that making monetary investment in her own health and well-being has been a great choice. “I am gaining health, happiness and showing people what I am capable of.”

With her drive and determination, that 13.1 miles on May 12 should be no problem for this Duke success story.