Running Coach for Men over 50

With all the posts I've done over the time I've had this blog, I realized, I don't often write about what I offer. So let's fix that. 

I help men over 50 run their first marathon. 

I realize that I'm very focused in that statement but hear me out. I can coach anyone. That's not to brag. It's simply the truth. Beginner, experienced, man, woman, 5K, Marathon....doesn't matter. I can coach them. If you want to get stronger, go faster, run farther...I'm your guy. But what gets me out of bed in the morning? It's helping men over 50 do something they probably thought they could never do. Run a marathon. I came to this realization on March 16th, 2025...the day after my first marathon.

I was 56 years old and decided out of the blue that I wanted to train myself and run a marathon. I thought about hiring a coach, but all these young studs don't get what it's like to wake up sore. To have an extra 30lbs (or more) to carry around with them all day. Let me be clear. I actually feel pretty great for my age, but I am overweight. There's no sugar coating it. I had really bad plantar fasciitis too. I tried just about everything and then switched to barefoot-style shoes just to see what would happen. I was pain free for the first time in forever. So I slowly ramped up my mileage. I would increase for 2-3 weeks in a row and then drop back down and give my body time to heal and repair itself. 

Long story short: Despite a crazy work schedule for two months, despite a hurricane that completely disrupted life for over 50 days causing me to miss about two months of training, I still met my goal. I completed a marathon and beat the finishing time of 6:30 by over 15 minutes. With my plantar fasciitis, I could barely run one mile in 14:52 when I started. In the actual marathon, i averaged 14:09 and that was with having to finish the last 2.4 miles doing a run-walk combination. 

I crossed that line and - believe it or not - burst into tears. I had absolutely no idea that was going to happen. Approaching the line, I was feeling so elated and excited! But I crossed that line, saw my wife, and burst into tears. I'm kind of tearing up now as I write this. I can't explain it, but it was like every doubt, every mean thing I ever said about myself, all the bullies going back to grade school - I  proved them all wrong. I felt like I could literally do anything! 

THAT'S the feeling I want to share with others - or better said - want them to experience for themselves. 

What I Offer

While I offer written plans, and they work great if you're disciplined, my personalized program is so far superior. While both are customized to you and your current mileage and goals, the personalized plan gets into nutrition, fueling, strength training, flexibility, mindset and so much more. 

Two things that set me apart are that I take my athletes through 2 things. First, I take them through the 7 Levels of Why. This is great for them to learn why they are doing this. What's getting them out of bed everyday to take on a marathon at age 50+. The second thing is I introduce them to their future self. I know it sounds a little whooo-hooo and out there, but talking to your future-self, the one who has already done the thing, ran the marathon, has so much good advice and insight for you is pretty cool. 

I'm a certified Road Running Club of America (RRCA) running coach. I'm also certified through the American Sports and Fitness Association (ASFA). I took numerous Kinesiology, Physiology and Anatomy classes in college plus additional study since then in running and nutrition. But to me, my real qualifications are the years of experience I have. I started running in 1982! 

I've been the super stud young runner that was just a natural. I've also been the busy married guy with kids trying to find time to run. I've been the guy that took way too much time off and had to start over. And most recently, I've been the old injured guy who still had something to prove to himself. So as you can see - I've been you. whichever of those versions fit. 

If you'd like to do something life changing. Something that will make you more proud of yourself than you ever imagined, reach out. Let me help. Let's get you across that finish line!!

Book Review: Fire on the Track

 

If you are looking for a great book on women in running, or women in sports in general, Fire on the Track: Betty Robinson and the Triumph of the Early Olympic Women is a must read! I loved this book. It's the story of 3 women athletes that competed in the 1938, 1932 & 1936 Olympics. 

Written by Roseanne Montillo, this book follows the amazing story of Betty Robinson as she is discovered, trained, and sent to the 1928 Olympic games to compete in the 100 yard Dash. This was the frst olympics that allowed for women track athletes and it was almost the last. 

In addition to Betty Robinson's career, which I won't spoil, the book also tells the tales of Mildred Didrikson, Stella Walsh and Helen Stephens. 

What was so shocking to me, was the mentality of the people at the time. There was actually concern that not only would sports make women "manly" but that participation may even turn them into men! What the heck? I was mortified. 

Another not-so shocking part of the book talked about how the women's 800 yard run was incredibly hot and the women gave their all and some collapsed at the finish line. People that were against women in sports used this as fuel and "proof" that women didn't belong in sports. However, nobody said a word when in the Men's 800 yard, the same thing happened to the men. Many collapsing at the finish due to the heat. 

If you love running and want a good way celebrate women's history month, you should definitely pick up a copy of Fire on the Track: Betty Robinson and the Triumph of the Early Olympic Women. 

By using the links in this blog, I do want to give full disclosure and inform you that I will earn a small commission from your purchase

Happy trails! 

Asheville Weight Loss Coach: Case Study 1

I have my first client since becoming a Certified Personal Trainer & Sports Nutritionist here in Asheville.  I want everyone to follow his progress and cheer him on.  Today is April 16th, 2011.  Michael is a stay at home dad - sedentary - Early to mid 40's.  His stats are as follows:

• Starting Weight = 166.4 lbs
• Resting Heart Rate = 66 bpm  (not bad at all for sedentary - Mike is a former athlete)
  
• Goal 
• 145 lbs 
• Run 1/2 marathon
  
• Issues to Overcome 
• Recent plantar fasciitis on left foot
• Calf strain on right leg 3 weeks ago
• Lack of flexibility so prone to further/repeat injuries
• Poor eating habits
  
• Good News 
• 22 Weeks until 1/2 marathon
• 22 Weeks to lose 21.4 lbs (1 lb per week) - Very Achievable
  
• Mike's Initial "Fitness Do-Over" Plan 
• Cardio training 4 times per week with focus on running
• Weight training 3 times per week using body weight, dumbbells, resistance bands
• flexibility training - daily
• Nutrition Plan

****Update on Micheal's progress: Micheal was very busy with lot's of things going on in his life.  By the time we got down to business, he had just 6 weeks left.  He still had trouble getting to our workouts and so we had to focus on quality workouts over quantity when he did show up.

Micheal averaged just 2 miles per day for the 6 weeks leading up to the Half-Marathon.  He stayed injury free, lost 3 pounds (he didn't diet at all...) and actually ran the whole way for the half marathon.  While he didn't run as fast as he would have liked, he did complete it - even running all the hills - and felt great after!  Way to go Micheal!