Athlete Spotlight & Success Stories
Meet the athletes of Strides for Strength
Strides for Strength celebrates the incredible achievements and inspiring journeys of our athletes. Here, we highlight the stories of runners who have overcome challenges, reached new milestones, and transformed their lives through dedication and hard work. These athletes embody the spirit of perseverance and determination and are here to motivate you on your own journey.
We would love to support you with your running journey!
We truly believe that our athletes' relationship with running is built on a foundation of joy, patience, and trust in the process. We have an individualized approach to each athlete's training plan leading up to the big day or goal they are working towards where we focus on mileage, ability, experience, goals, and each individual person.
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Miguel R.
"I’ve been in/out of “fitness” for a long time, but I also travel quite a bit. Having someone schedule my workouts to achieve my goals helps me stay consistent. I could go read about what to do and create my own plan - but the follow through, accountability and community helps me stay on track. Additionally, it’s nice to have someone in your corner - providing positive feedback and constructive criticism when necessary."
Laura P.
Laura came to Coach Michaela after she had been using our Strides for Strength half marathon template.
She knew that she had a big 2024 race season coming up, including the goal to run her first full marathon.
On our first call, she said, "I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing — I have no structure/goals, not sure what’s realistic for me, I am not super consistent, and I want to learn to love running."
Laura has been a go-getter since day one. Coach Mich and Laura only had a couple of weeks of training together before this race, but Laura claimed the goal, "I want to run a sub 2:00 half marathon." After we talked through the mindset block and got a race plan in place, she did it!
I truly am so freakin' stoked to see what your 2024 race season has in store for you and the potential you are about to unleash!
Makenzie M.
“I know its not the PR I wanted but it’s still a 30 minute PR”
Coach Michaela and Makenzie have gotten the chance to work together thought a couple of Half marathon training cycles and now a full marathon training cycle
Makenzie ran Berlin this fall and walked away with a 30 minute PR
It wasn’t the original time goal she her eyes set on but during her training cycle she showed so much resilience. She spent time fine tuning the things likelier mindset and nutrition which is going to take her so far as an athlete past this race
I know this is only the beginning for you my friend, can’t wait to see what lies on the other side of this off season you are in.
Beth H.
CONGRATS TO BETH FOR BEING A HALF MARATHON FINISHER!! 🤠👸🏼
Beth came to Coach Michaela wanting to run her first half marathon. Beth is also a full time nurse & serves in the Navy. We worked closely on making a training plan that worked WITH her already busy schedule without adding stress or pressure to squeeze in runs and really focusing on the QUALITY > quantity of runs!
After navigating some shin splits and modifying training to accommodate more rest when the body needed it, Beth was able to get to the start line HEALTHY and she had a whole lot of FUNNN the whole race💪🏼
Beth was always asking questions, learning how to be a better, stronger, more knowledgable athlete and it showed on race day!
We are SO PROUD of you Beth and we can’t wait to see what is next for you in your running journey! Congrats gf!!
Mary N.
Mary came to Coach Erin with a couple of Marathons under her belt. She knew NYC was a tough course and wanted a training plan than not only fit her schedule as an ER nurse but one that would help her prepare for the tough course as well.
Travel nursing isn't for the faint of heart. Especially in the ER. You have to be willing to adapt to whatever comes through the door at any point.
I feel like Mary already having that personality trait helped her out so much come race week when she started to feel under the weather.
Many people would have freaked out and considered dropping out. But Mary took everything in stride. We worked together on how to adjust her goals to make race day FUN.
Knowing that you ran within 10 minutes of your current PR on a very tough course all while being sick hopefully gives you that confidence boost that you are just getting started!