HOW YOU GOT INTO RUNNING?
I ran to stay in shape for other sports starting in Junior High School in 1971. My wrestling coach in HS was an avid runner and had a big influence on me.
MY WHY
I always wanted to be a coach and in fact went to College to be a coach. The RRCA Certification (Road Runners Club of America) came when the RRCA Convention was held in Houston in 2006 and the Coach Certification was offered, and I took advantage of the local course.
I am passionate about helping with events like The Woodlands Marathon and other local running events. I am also very active with my family and enjoy watching my grandkids. I’ve been married for 41 years and it’s been a blessing beyond belief.
MY ADVICE TO BEGINNERS:
Don’t take yourself too seriously. Running is fun! Embrace the 10-year old self with no responsibility and just play.
MY ADVICE TO SEASONED RUNNERS:
Same: Don’t take yourself too seriously. Running is fun! Embrace the 10-year old self with no responsibility and just play.
Cooperative — I share in the decisions regarding training and running goals. We are all busy with real life challenges and training should not be an added burden.
I ran to stay in shape for other sports starting in Junior High School in 1971. My wrestling coach in HS was an avid runner and had a big influence on me.
I always wanted to be a coach and in fact went to College to be a coach. The RRCA Certification (Road Runners Club of America) came when the RRCA Convention was held in Houston in 2006 and the Coach Certification was offered, and I took advantage of the local course.
I am passionate about helping with events like The Woodlands Marathon and other local running events. I am also very active with my family and enjoy watching my grandkids. I’ve been married for 41 years and it’s been a blessing beyond belief.
Don’t take yourself too seriously. Running is fun! Embrace the 10-year old self with no responsibility and just play.
Same: Don’t take yourself too seriously. Running is fun! Embrace the 10-year old self with no responsibility and just play.
COACHING STYLE
Encouraging and Motivational
HOW YOU GOT INTO RUNNING?
When I was young, I remember going to road races to watch my dad. I always said when I was an adult, I wanted to run races as well. From a young age I decided I would run at least one marathon.
MY WHY
I mostly wanted to gain knowledge about running. Being able to help another runner achieve their running goals is an added bonus for me. I’m naturally a helper so being a coach is an extension of that.
My passions outside of running include Yoga (I’m also an instructor), crafting ( I can make most anything), baking, and traveling.
I spend a lot of time with my teenage daughter doing service. I also enjoy spending time with my husband and family.
MY ADVICE TO BEGINNERS:
It will come! Just learn to enjoy the miles without pressuring yourself about results. Improvement takes time.
Set your perspective:
DO focus on things such as how strong you’re getting, how relaxed you feel, how much deeper you can breathe, how much you’ve improved your time after following your coaches plan, how many friends you’ve made along the way etc.
DON’T focus on how many podium finishes you have, how many people you beat, how flat your stomach looks etc.
It’s okay to want to be the best runner you can be but, in my experience, focusing internally is a far more effective way to achieve those external goals.
MY ADVICE TO VETERAN RUNNERS:
Trust your body can do what you’ve trained it to do. Even as seasoned runners we doubt our abilities. Let go of the doubt and trust.
Encouraging and Motivational
When I was young, I remember going to road races to watch my dad. I always said when I was an adult, I wanted to run races as well. From a young age I decided I would run at least one marathon.
I mostly wanted to gain knowledge about running. Being able to help another runner achieve their running goals is an added bonus for me. I’m naturally a helper so being a coach is an extension of that.
My passions outside of running include Yoga (I’m also an instructor), crafting ( I can make most anything), baking, and traveling.
I spend a lot of time with my teenage daughter doing service. I also enjoy spending time with my husband and family.
It will come! Just learn to enjoy the miles without pressuring yourself about results. Improvement takes time.
Set your perspective:
DO focus on things such as how strong you’re getting, how relaxed you feel, how much deeper you can breathe, how much you’ve improved your time after following your coaches plan, how many friends you’ve made along the way etc.
DON’T focus on how many podium finishes you have, how many people you beat, how flat your stomach looks etc.
It’s okay to want to be the best runner you can be but, in my experience, focusing internally is a far more effective way to achieve those external goals.
Trust your body can do what you’ve trained it to do. Even as seasoned runners we doubt our abilities. Let go of the doubt and trust.
COACHING STYLE
Encouraging and Nurturing as well as work on Balancing Running with Life.
HOW YOU GOT INTO RUNNING?
My wife, Katie, encouraged me for years to get into running and to try a 5k. I never felt I had the time but exchanged a Christmas gift to Fleet Feet for my first pair of running shoes, and the rest is history (including a lot of running shoes).
MY WHY
From my start as a runner with Volte, I always found myself more interested and excited in fellow runners’ progress and success. I wanted to become a bigger part of it and am thankful for Bill Dwyer’s encouragement, guidance and the opportunity to be a coach for Volte.
My passions outside of running is my Faith, spending time with my family. It’s pretty busy for Katie and myself raising our 3 boys. I consider myself an avid sports fan as well.
MY ADVICE TO BEGINNERS:
Be patient and compete with only yourself towards progress.
MY ADVICE TO SEASONED RUNNERS:
Don’t let one workout define you, whether good or bad, it is the sum of the total that leads to success.
Encouraging and Nurturing as well as work on Balancing Running with Life.
My wife, Katie, encouraged me for years to get into running and to try a 5k. I never felt I had the time but exchanged a Christmas gift to Fleet Feet for my first pair of running shoes, and the rest is history (including a lot of running shoes).
From my start as a runner with Volte, I always found myself more interested and excited in fellow runners’ progress and success. I wanted to become a bigger part of it and am thankful for Bill Dwyer’s encouragement, guidance and the opportunity to be a coach for Volte.
My passions outside of running is my Faith, spending time with my family. It’s pretty busy for Katie and myself raising our 3 boys. I consider myself an avid sports fan as well.
Be patient and compete with only yourself towards progress.
Don’t let one workout define you, whether good or bad, it is the sum of the total that leads to success.
COACHING STYLE
Encouraging and Collaborative. Working with people to incorporate the walking habit into their lives.
HOW YOU GOT INTO WALKING?
My neighbor invited me to walk 6 miles each week with a small group of ladies during the summer of 2003. One day she said “Hey! Some of us are starting to train to walk the Houston Full Marathon!” I said sure but in the back of my mind I was thinking these people were crazy and that I would drop out of the group before the race. On January, 18, 2004 I completed the Houston Marathon in 6 hours and five minutes. I was hooked!
MY WHY
I started long distance walking with my neighbor for fitness and comradery. However, during that 2004 Houston Marathon, my walking buddy stopped cold within sight of the finish line…. She had hit the wall. She said, “ Mona, just go on without me.” I walked back to her and gently took her by the arm and firmly said, “ I am not going anywhere without you and we are going to finish this together. ”As we crossed the finish line I grasped her hand and held it in the air and we smiled. With tears in our eyes we hugged each other in congratulations for finishing.
Since that first race, I have helped many walkers complete their first half marathon during my ten years of coaching. It is my honor to help someone accomplish a life goal.
I have been married for over 31 years to the most wonderful man, Ken, who run-walks half marathons. Half Marathon training is part of our weekly routines and friend community.
I took the RRCA Certification (Road Runners Club of America) course so that I could help translate running techniques and best practices for walkers.
MY ADVICE TO BEGINNERS:
Be kind to yourself; Learn from others; Don’t give up; Enjoy the journey!
MY ADVICE TO SEASONED RUNNERS:
Always have a goal… whether it be make new friends, a time you want to achieve, or be mindful of the race, not just the finish line.
Encouraging and Collaborative. Working with people to incorporate the walking habit into their lives.
My neighbor invited me to walk 6 miles each week with a small group of ladies during the summer of 2003. One day she said “Hey! Some of us are starting to train to walk the Houston Full Marathon!” I said sure but in the back of my mind I was thinking these people were crazy and that I would drop out of the group before the race. On January, 18, 2004 I completed the Houston Marathon in 6 hours and five minutes. I was hooked!
I started long distance walking with my neighbor for fitness and comradery. However, during that 2004 Houston Marathon, my walking buddy stopped cold within sight of the finish line…. She had hit the wall. She said, “ Mona, just go on without me.” I walked back to her and gently took her by the arm and firmly said, “ I am not going anywhere without you and we are going to finish this together. ”As we crossed the finish line I grasped her hand and held it in the air and we smiled. With tears in our eyes we hugged each other in congratulations for finishing.
Since that first race, I have helped many walkers complete their first half marathon during my ten years of coaching. It is my honor to help someone accomplish a life goal.
I have been married for over 31 years to the most wonderful man, Ken, who run-walks half marathons. Half Marathon training is part of our weekly routines and friend community.
I took the RRCA Certification (Road Runners Club of America) course so that I could help translate running techniques and best practices for walkers.
Be kind to yourself; Learn from others; Don’t give up; Enjoy the journey!
Always have a goal…whether it be make new friends, a time you want to achieve, or be mindful of the race, not just the finish line.
COACHING STYLE
Passionate, Involved, Direct
HOW YOU GOT INTO RUNNING?
I started running at the age of 17 which was my junior year of high school. I was a football player and overall athletic but in the Summer before my junior year when I read Jim Fixx’s “Complete Book of Running.” Immediately, I made it a point to run every day. It completely changed my body and ultimately. I went out for Cross Country. In November of that year, I ran my first marathon. It was a difficult course because it started in San Jose, ran through the mountains and finished in Santa Cruz. I finished in 3:30 which was good enough for 4th place in my division. I was a varsity runner my senior and I had one year of running my freshmen year of college.
Fast forward 20 years.
I was fat and out of shape (250 pounds and pushing a 40-inch waist). I needed to do something or else I was going to have all kind of problems. I hired a personal trainer and one of things she wanted me to do was incorporate some cardio in addition to my workouts. I started running again and within 18months I had dropped over 60 pounds. Through my training, I met my future wife Ginger. As of today, we have been married almost 22 years. Running changed my life!
MY WHY
First, loving God with all my heart and spreading the message to as many people as possible. I do this mainly through writing and fellowship with anyone I can.
My second passion is my family. I have two sons, Drew 17 and Davis 19, my responsibility is to prepare them for this world and to be God Loving Men. I am a devoted husband and I’ll do everything I can to take care of my wife Ginger.
We also have two dogs, Max who is a young 7-year-old Labradoodle and Gracie who is a 2-year-old rescue Poodle-Terroir mix.
My final passion is running, and it is mostly centered around being a coach. My coaching career started in 1997 with Houston Fit. I moved to Woodlands Fit in 2001 and started out as a head coach and then transitioned over to organizer in 2004 where I managed the program for five years.
What I love about coaching is helping others get healthy with an eventual transition to getting better. There is no feeling better than seeing a runner achieve their individual goals.
As for my running career, I have completed 15 marathons and 30 Half Marathons. I am a Houston Marathon and Half Marathon Veteran (more than 10 of each). Running is my sanctuary. It gives me peace and helps me to deal with the day to day pressures of everyday life.
I joined Volte in 2012 and in 2014 got my RRCA Coaches certification. I am a very enthusiastic coach, but I am also a realest. My message to my runners is if you do the work you will get better. I am direct and honest with runners. The training and program principles taught to me by RRCA are ones that I follow very closely which always seem to produce results.
MY ADVICE TO BEGINNERS:
Be patient and don’t try to do too much too fast. It takes time for your body to adjust to running multiple times a week.
MY ADVICE TO VETERAN RUNNERS:
Slow down on your easy days. It’s my opinion most experienced runners run too hard and too fast. Your body needs to develop what I call its “running gears.” Volte Endurance running programs do that exactly. If you follow the program, your performance will improve!
Passionate, Involved, Direct
I started running at the age of 17 which was my junior year of high school. I was a football player and overall athletic but in the Summer before my junior year when I read Jim Fixx’s “Complete Book of Running.” Immediately, I made it a point to run every day. It completely changed my body and ultimately. I went out for Cross Country. In November of that year, I ran my first marathon. It was a difficult course because it started in San Jose, ran through the mountains and finished in Santa Cruz. I finished in 3:30 which was good enough for 4th place in my division. I was a varsity runner my senior and I had one year of running my freshmen year of college.
Fast forward 20 years. I was fat and out of shape (250 pounds and pushing a 40-inch waist). I needed to do something or else I was going to have all kind of problems. I hired a personal trainer and one of things she wanted me to do was incorporate some cardio in addition to my workouts. I started running again and within 18months I had dropped over 60 pounds. Through my training, I met my future wife Ginger. As of today, we have been married almost 22 years. Running changed my life!
First, loving God with all my heart and spreading the message to as many people as possible. I do this mainly through writing and fellowship with anyone I can.
My second passion is my family. I have two sons, Drew 17 and Davis 19, my responsibility is to prepare them for this world and to be God Loving Men. I am a devoted husband and I’ll do everything I can to take care of my wife Ginger.
We also have two dogs, Max who is a young 7-year-old Labradoodle and Gracie who is a 2-year-old rescue Poodle-Terroir mix.
My final passion is running, and it is mostly centered around being a coach. My coaching career started in 1997 with Houston Fit. I moved to Woodlands Fit in 2001 and started out as a head coach and then transitioned over to organizer in 2004 where I managed the program for five years.
What I love about coaching is helping others get healthy with an eventual transition to getting better. There is no feeling better than seeing a runner achieve their individual goals.
As for my running career, I have completed 15 marathons and 30 Half Marathons. I am a Houston Marathon and Half Marathon Veteran (more than 10 of each). Running is my sanctuary. It gives me peace and helps me to deal with the day to day pressures of everyday life.
I joined Volte in 2012 and in 2014 got my RRCA Coaches certification. I am a very enthusiastic coach, but I am also a realest. My message to my runners is if you do the work you will get better. I am direct and honest with runners. The training and program principles taught to me by RRCA are ones that I follow very closely which always seem to produce results.
Be patient and don’t try to do too much too fast. It takes time for your body to adjust to running multiple times a week.
Slow down on your easy days. It’s my opinion most experienced runners run too hard and too fast. Your body needs to develop what I call its “running gears.” Volte Endurance running programs do that exactly. If you follow the program, your performance will improve!
COACHING STYLE
More Action Less Talk!
Together we can accomplish anything we work hard and play hard for.
HOW YOU GOT INTO RUNNING?
My life long love of running started in Elementary School. My goal was to be the fastest girl in the sixth grade, and I was. I ran track in high school and was the anchor on the1600 m. relay team. We broke a state record with a time of 4:11.5. I also ran cross country in high school and completed several personal accomplishments.
MY WHY
I decided to pursue my running coach certification to help others reach their untapped potential. To accomplish goals that seem impossible when one first starts. I enjoy working with all endurance runners of different levels-beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Although passionate I have an even-tempered personality that gels with most everyone.
My running is my passion, outside of running I enjoy cycling, dancing and spending time with my husband, six children (all adults, except 2 teenage twin boys) and two grandchildren.
MY ADVICE TO BEGINNERS:
Know your purpose, invest and value you. The key to success in running is consistently. Half the battle is showing up and making time for your well- being. We can help to get you to wherever you want to be in running- faster, stronger, Boston qualifier or just socially connected. The choice is yours!
MY ADVICE TO SEASONED RUNNERS:
Know your value. The key to success in running is running is not a “cures all”. There must be other training to enhance your running skills and avoid injuries. We have those.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Bachelor of Science: Interdisciplinary Studies; Certified Teacher; Certified Running Coach-RRCA; Certified Personal Trainer-NASM; Certificate Fitness Nutrition; Boston qualifier 5 straight years; Ultra marathoner -50 miler.
More Action Less Talk! Together we can accomplish anything we work hard and play hard for.
My life long love of running started in Elementary School. My goal was to be the fastest girl in the sixth grade, and I was. I ran track in high school and was the anchor on the1600 m. relay team. We broke a state record with a time of 4:11.5. I also ran cross country in high school and completed several personal accomplishments.
I decided to pursue my running coach certification to help others reach their untapped potential. To accomplish goals that seem impossible when one first starts. I enjoy working with all endurance runners of different levels-beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Although passionate I have an even-tempered personality that gels with most everyone.
My running is my passion, outside of running I enjoy cycling, dancing and spending time with my husband, six children (all adults, except 2 teenage twin boys) and two grandchildren.
Know your purpose, invest and value you. The key to success in running is consistently. Half the battle is showing up and making time for your well- being. We can help to get you to wherever you want to be in running- faster, stronger, Boston qualifier or just socially connected. The choice is yours!
Know your value. The key to success in running is running is not a “cures all”. There must be other training to enhance your running skills and avoid injuries. We have those.
Bachelor of Science: Interdisciplinary Studies; Certified Teacher; Certified Running Coach-RRCA; Certified Personal Trainer-NASM; Certificate Fitness Nutrition; Boston qualifier 5 straight years; Ultra marathoner -50 miler.