Meet AnnDee Bashyal

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!

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