CTS Pro Coach – Specializes in Ultrarunning

“As a coach, I believe that no two people are alike. Thus, no two training plans look alike. Each athlete brings a unique blend physical characteristics, genetics, and personality traits to the table. The more information I know, the better coach I can be. I strongly believe that communication is the key to success in developing a good relationship. I’m also an advocate for quality over quantity. I don’t think you have to run 100 miles a week to be a good runner. In fact, sometimes less is more.”

Bio:

I grew up in Minnesota, where I developed my affinity for cold winters and Nordic skiing. I participated in pretty much every sport there was (hello fastpitch softball!), until my junior year of high school where I decided my genetics better suited me for endurance sports. I attended Northern Michigan University on a Nordic ski scholarship, where I was a two-time All-American in cross country running. No, not a typo. I “tried really hard” to be a skier, but was a much more talented runner. After graduated NMU with a B.S. in Exercise Science, I pursued a Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology from Montana State University. Bozeman Montana is where I really fell in love with running in the mountains. But it wasn’t until I moved to Oregon that I started to dabble in trail and ultra races. While starting to explore the trails a bit more, I completed my Ph.D. in Nutrition & Exercise Physiology from Oregon State University. My dissertation study examined the impact of exercise intensity on appetite hormones in elite female runners. Fitting. Upon graduating, I worked as a professor at Oregon States and COCC (community college in Bend, OR), but ultimately decided I wanted to pursue nutrition and coaching. In 2012 I started a nutrition business, working to help all walks of people learn to eat better for health and/or performance. I did a bit of coaching on the side, but really started coaching with CTS at the end of 2019. I’m thrilled to be working with athletes, as I learn as much from them and they do from me.

I currently compete, mostly in ultra marathon races, but also dabble in a bit of everything: nordic skiing, skimo, cyclocross, gravel races, adventure racing, climbing, paddling, etc. You name it, I’ve probably tried it. My favorite place is in the mountains, preferably the Alps. I have raced Western States 100 (2014 Champion), UTMB, CCC, Lake Sonoma 50, Bandera 100k, Way Too Cool 50k, and many, many other races. 

Races/events I’ve participated in or coaches athletes for:

• Western States
• UTMB, CCC, TDS, OCC
• Spartathlon
• Lavaredo
• Lake Sonoma
• River of No Return
• Javelina Jundred
• Black Canyon
• Never Summer 100k
• Western States
• Javelina Jundred
• Bandera
• IMTUF
• Val D’Aran
• Spartathlon
• JFK