About Strides for Strength
Strides for Strength was founded on the belief that becoming a stronger runner is about more than how far or how fast you run—it’s about building strength, confidence, resilience, a healthier relationship with your body and your training, finding joy in the process and doing it with a community who will support you every step of the way.
Our experienced run coaches provide personalized coaching designed around the whole athlete, approach combining evidence-based running strategies, strength training, and individualized support to help you reach your goals on the run and beyond.
Whether you’re training for your first 5K, chasing a new personal best, returning from a setback/injury, or looking to become a stronger and more confident runner we will meet you in the season you are in, with the experience you have.
At Strides for Strength, we believe there is no one-size-fits-all approach to running. Every athlete has unique goals, backgrounds, schedules, and challenges and your coaching should reflect that. Our mission is to help you train smarter, get stronger, and build the confidence to achieve what you once thought was impossible.
MEET THE HEAD COACH & FOUNDER
Coach Michaela
Head run coach, founder, oncology nurse
I ran track in high school, but always carried the quiet belief that I wasn’t “good enough.” After taking time away from running, I jumped back in during college as a charity runner for my first marathon. With minimal training, I crossed the finish line completely miserable — and immediately wondered, how could I do this again, but better?
That question changed everything. I went on to run more marathons and a mix of other race distances, and I’ve now completed 11 full marathons. Along the way, running became my greatest teacher.
Running is where I’ve learned to expand my capacity, meet my edge, and redefine my relationship with discomfort. It’s taught me resilience, patience, and trust — lessons that show up far beyond race day. I often remind myself and my athletes: it’s about running, and it’s not about running at all.
I love working with athletes of all backgrounds, but first-time marathoners hold a special place in my heart. That first training cycle changes you. Physically, mentally, and emotionally and getting to witness and support that transformation as a coach is something I never take for granted.
Running stats:
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Full - 3:21:23
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Half - 1:45:43
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10k - 48:16
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5k - 21:36
MEET COACH SARAH, RUN + HEAD STRENGTH COACH
Coach Sarah | Run coach & head strength coach
I didn’t really start running seriously until I was in my mid 20s. I ran cross country in junior high but once I went to the first summer training practice for high school I quit that first day because it was too intense for me lol. I wasn’t really too competitive and I admit, I didn’t really enjoy working hard.
Fast forward to when I was about 26, I was going through a mid- mid life crisis and I decided to go out on a run at 9pm one random night. And it felt amazing and something just clicked.
I started running some 5ks and eventually ran my first half marathon with very little training. I thought, okay if I can do that with barely any training, I wonder what I could do if I actually WORKED towards it?
Since that day, I’ve been on a journey to prove to myself that I can do hard things. I’ve ran a countless number of 5ks, half marathons and 3 marathons.
I also became a full time personal trainer in 2021 and certified run coach in 2022. It really came first circle. My favorite part about being a coach is helping my athletes and clients unlock their full potential and help them on their journey to do things they never thought would be imaginable.
At Strides for Strength...
→ We help athletes who are somewhat experienced runners and have attempted some shorter distances but have plateaued and want to focus on getting faster or increasing distance.
→ We keep a close relationship with all of our athletes because we want them to feel like they can share their goals no matter how big, small or scary they might seem.
→ We give constructive criticism knowing that we want our athletes to succeed.
→ We work with dedicated, driven, hard-working athletes who are willing to put in the work to make their goals happen.
→ We know life gets busy and schedules get full so we always make sure our athletes' training plan compliments their everyday life instead of burning them out.