I have enjoyed running since I was a kid. I ran my first race, 5 miles, at age 9 and ran a couple
of years on my high school cross-country team. I wasn’t any good (I came in last more than
once), but I enjoyed it.

After years of running off and on in my adult life, and using the same online training schedules
for several half marathons, 5Ks, 10Ks, 10 milers, and one marathon, I decided I was no longer
satisfied with my slow pace and lack of real progress. I wanted to make the commitment to
better, more disciplined training. I knew a running coach was the next step.

I have learned about the importance of getting into the right shoes, have added regular strength
training, and have really focused on taking care of (and listening to) my body.  I have also realized the importance of preparing ahead of time for the next day’s workout. I often used to put off and end up skipping scheduled runs, now I get them done!

I have come to understand the benefits of running with a group, something I never thought I’d enjoy, and was afraid to try. After Coach Ron’s suggestions, I nervously showed up for my first group run, imagining I would struggle to keep up and get discouraged. My experience was completely the opposite. The Mile to Marathon group is great … such friendly, supportive, and encouraging people … and it’s fun!

Since I started working with Ron last winter, I have made progress that I never thought was possible. I go into a race with a plan, and it works.

I have taken 14 minutes off my half marathon time, with three successive PRs this past spring/summer.  I have improved my 10K time by 3 minutes. From August 2014-August 2015, I improved my 5K time by over 5 minutes and was third in my age group.

Last night … at age 40 … I just ran the fastest mile I’ve ever run in my life!

This Sunday, I’ll be running the TC 10 Mile. I can’t wait for that PR and to see what the next year of even harder work will bring!

I have never been a runner. I have always wanted to be a one, but never thought it would come to this. I was a swimmer in high school, but soon after got into drinking and smoking. I used to say I would never run a marathon, but secretly I always wanted too. I read an article of a man in recovery that trained for and participated in triathlons. So after 17 years of sobriety and 15 years without a cigarette, I decided this was the time to try. I wanted to run the Twin Cities Marathon. With the support of my fiancé, I met with Ron and began training and working towards the goal of becoming a runner. I began in January when there was snow on the ground and it was cold outside. I rarely let it stop me. I wanted to accomplish this goal, and I wanted the medal at the end of the race. Since I began this journey I have run a couple 5K, a ten mile, and two 1/2 marathons. Having a coach gives you something that an app cannot. An app or online program cannot adjust your program if you are feeling tired after that long run and need to have an extra day off. Ron helped me get through a lot of training days I did not want to go out and do. I gained a lot of confidence with him encouraging me to sign up for races to keep me focused on my training. When I started I could not run a mile without stopping. Now in a few days, I am going to run a marathon. I have no desire to qualify for Boston, I know I will not break a speed record, my goal is to keep moving forward no matter how tired I may be and make it to the capital to get that medal. I want to be part of the 1%. I want to run a marathon.

I have been a runner for most of my life.  I started by running track and field in high school and

continued on to run cross country and track at the collegiate level at MSU-Mankato.  After graduation, I

slowly started running longer and longer distances until I ran my first marathon in 2005.  I also

participated in triathlons.  After my first marathon, I was hooked!  I had no idea what kind of time I

could run, I did not train properly, and I ended up losing my toenails because I wasn’t in the right shoes

for that long of a race.  I decided after running 4:05 in that first marathon that I could and would qualify

for Boston someday.  Fast forward to my 4th marathon, after two non-BQ marathons at 3:49 and 3:54, I

ran Grandma’s Marathon in June 2009.  I trained better and ran smarter.  The weather almost killed me

towards the end of the race (in the 80’s), but I pulled through at 3:36 to BQ for the first time.  Off to

Boston I went in 2010, and subsequently 2011 and 2012.  

I decided to take some time off from marathoning for my husband and me to try to start a family.  In

October 2013, we were blessed with the news that we were expecting a baby, due to arrive in the

summer of 2014.  The first trimester was easy and I was able to run lightly and I even did a few 5Ks.  

Shortly after entering the second trimester I ran into some issues and was no longer able to run.  I tried

to walk as much as I could, but as the pregnancy progressed, I gained more and more fluid weight,

making even walking difficult.  Baby ended up being very big as well (9lb10oz).

Landen was born in June 2014, healthy and happy.  I had to have an emergency c-section a few weeks

before his due date.  C-section meant 6 weeks until I could get the green light to run again.  5 weeks and

6 days after his birth, I laced up and hit the pavement – I just couldn’t wait any longer!  I started slowly

with low mileage and it was a real struggle to get back into shape.  It took months of running 6 days a

week with 40+ miles a week and I still was not running anywhere near where I ran pre-pregnancy.  In

late November I decided I needed to take a little time off and try again later.

I started running again in January, very easy miles on the treadmill, gradually increasing my mileage and

paces.  I decided to run the Get Lucky 7K in March and surprised myself with a 29:47 finish time.  My

confidence boosted, I decided to sign up for Goldy’s 10 mile Run in April.  I felt like things were finally

turning around.  I just didn’t realized how long it would take!  Going into Goldy’s I felt good, and I told

myself that if I ran under 1:10 I would get in contact with Coach Ron (who I knew from a friend) so that I

could seriously train for a few more races, including TCM, before baby #2.  Goldy’s went very well (other

than the hill in mile 9) and I finished in 1:08.  I emailed Coach Ron that following Monday.

Since then I have been working with Coach Ron, and I honestly feel like I am in the best running shape I

have been in since high school.  My training has helped me PR a few times this summer while training

for TCM; in June I ran 1:28 at Grandma’s in the half and recently 1:07 at Bear Water in the 10 mile.  

Some of the workouts have been tough; sometimes my legs feel dead.  The workouts and long-runs with

the team have been helpful and so much fun.  I am trusting in the process and in the training that all of

this hard work will pay off at TCM!

I never thought I’d be where I am running-wise going into TCM.  After last Fall I thought that my days of

running fast and PR-ing were over.  Training with Coach Ron has been just what I needed.  I’ve gotten

faster, my confidence has increased, and I’ve made new friends.    CANNOT WAIT FOR RACE DAY!!!