Good Fit Coaching

Athlete profile: Ashleigh

Good Fit Coaching:
Age Group? 40-45

GFC: When did you start running?
I was "forced" to run for sports throughout high school, but didn't start enjoying it more until college where I played DIII lacrosse. I didn't have much time to run through medical school or residency, but I ran my first race, a 5K, in 2011 and my first half marathon in 2013. I didn't start seriously running until I started a 40 day run streak in 2017 which ended up lasting 900 days. I honestly never considered myself a serious runner until that streak.

GFC: Favorite race and favorite distance?
My favorite distance is the 10K because I am still fully functional after racing! The IPA 10K is probably my favorite race because it ends on an awesome downhill so you feel like you can finish strong. Plus, who doesn't like a good beer festival at the end of a race?

GFC: Best thing about having a coach?
There are so many things, but I think the accountability is a big one. I sometimes work crazy long, busy days so it can be easy to say "I am too tired" or "it's too late" to run, but the schedule coach gives me keeps me on target and focused. I also like that I get works outs I would never do on my own because they seem "too hard" or something I am not capable of. Coach knows how to push me when I need that added push, but he also knows when to tell me to slow down, relax, and not worry about pace or distances. I have become a much stronger, more consistent, and faster runner thanks to coach! I can't imagine not having a coach these days.

GFC: Most memorable achievement(s) as a runner?
Definitely getting my BQ at CIM in 2021. I trained insanely hard for the race, but knew it would be super close if I would make the cut off or not. When I started to tire towards the end of the race, I remember trying to do math to figure out how fast I still needed to run my last few miles in order to BQ. I came in with a 1 minute 1 second cushion and for months I worried it wouldn't be enough. What a relief when I found out I got in!

GFC: Ashleigh is accepted to the 2023 Boston Marathon, we'll have updates on how she did later!

Medal Monday! Coach Patrick is extremely proud of his runners who ran yesterday! One came down with a cold the day before, and one has been dealing with an injury but everyone finished. Some first time marathoners, two massive PRs, and one Boston qualifier!! What a day, congratulations to all!

I volunteered at a local half marathon/10k/5k this morning and ran into Michael before the start. Michael went pretty much from the couch to running ultras just a few years later, and it’s been so fun to see his transformation and I’m honored to be a part of it. A road half is a little outside what he’s been training for lately, but he still killed it and placed 2nd in his AG! The race was Clo Cow which hopefully explains his outfit. 😁