Name: April

City: Chantilly, VA

When did you start running:  I started running in February 2006.  I remember it so well because my first run was a 5k trail run which took me 49 minutes to finish.  It was terrible, but motivated me to do better.  In the past two years I have run countless 5k's with a PR of 29 minutes, a few 10k's with a PR of 1:02.45, four half marathons with a PR of 2:17.53, and 5 marathons with a PR of 5:17.02.  I continue to run because I want to improve.  I set some lofty goals to help motivate me to keep training.

Why did I decide to get a coach:  So I could learn what to do to improve, how to train, and why each workout is important.  I can go out and run on my own, but having a coach allows each run to be a step toward improvement. 

Goals for 2008: I ran my first marathon in June 2007 and it took me 6:38 to finish, but for some reason I felt the need to do it again. My goal for 2008 was to complete the Rock n Roll Marathon/half marathon series to obtain all medal combinations possible which included running 4 marathons and 3 half marathons. I completed this goal on November 16th with the final marathon. Each run was a new PR.

Goals for 2009: 
~To complete my first Olympic-distance triathlon. 
~To break 5 hours in a marathon. 
~To break an hour in a 10k. 
~To break 2 hours in a half marathon. 

Some are realistic goals, some may not happen next year, but they give me something to keep on running for.  It’s all about pushing the limits and when you think you’ve gone as far as you can, keep on going…you may even surprise yourself to see just how much you have in you.  Don’t give up and keep on making the goals…you’ll achieve them eventually!

2008 Results:  I’m not “fast” but I try to always improve and most importantly I’m having a blast!!

1/13- Rock n Roll Marathon AZ:  5:38.38

2/9- Tiger Dash 10K (Melbourne, FL):  1:08:18

2/16- George Washington Birthday 10K Classic:  1:05:42

4/26- Country Music Marathon (Nashville, TN):  5:27:32

5/10- Run for the Gecko 5k (Melbourne, FL):  29:13

5/18- Capital Hill Classic 10K: 1:06:11

6/1- Rock n Roll Marathon San Diego:  5:22:41

7/4- Peachtree Road Race 10K (Atlanta, GA): 1:05:14

8/16- I Run for Pizza 5k (Melbourne, FL):  29:47

9/2- Rock n Roll Half Marathon VA Beach:  2:28:19

9/21- Philadelphia Distance Run (Half Marathon):  2:26:57

10/5- Rock n Roll Half Marathon San Jose:  2:17:54

10/26- Marine Corps 10K:  1:02:43

11/9- Veterans Day 10K:  1:02:39

11/16- Rock n Roll Marathon San Antonio:  5:18:02

                                                  (Finishing the Disney Marathon in 2009)