Coaches – 2011 Spring Session

Get to know some of the New Runners’ Program volunteer coaches!

Tammy (participant coordinator)

• 2009 New Runners’ Program Graduate, 2010 MRC Coach and 2011 MRC Social / Events Coordinator
• Has completed two half marathons, numerous 5ks, 8ks and 10ks
• Gets up REALLY early in the morning to run (before most people even wake up!)
• Not a ‘fast’ runner, but a really consistent runner.
• Now a running maniac who wants to help others change their lives!

Courtney B. (coach coordinator)

• 2009 NRP Graduate and 2011 Mebane Running Club President
• Completed two half marathons in 2010 and is beginning to *think* about a full in the next few years
• Looking forward to a full spring racing schedule and to chasing down elusive 5k and half-marathon goal times!
• Married to fellow coach, Caleb

Caleb

• 2009 NRP Graduate
• Completed two half marathons in 2010 and is looking forward to doing more in 2011 (hopefully faster and further)
• Lives in a 102-year-old house in Downtown Mebane, and is constantly renovating
• Works at UNC
• Married to fellow coach, Courtney

Caroline

• 2009 NRP Graduate
• Started running in her 30s, enjoys training more than racing
• Part of the MRC 5:15 am running group, because she likes to get in a run before the kids (2 boys) wake-up
• Married to Tom, a new runner
• Assistant Professor in Exercise Science at Elon University

John

• Has been running on and off for about ten years
• Completed the 2008 Myrtle Beach Marathon
• Other interests are bicycling, hiking, tennis…about anything you can do outdoors
• 2008 and 2009 regional motorcycle race champion

Lynn

• Graduate of the 2010 NRP
• Originally from Falmouth, Maine
• Elon University graduate and current second grade teacher for Orange County Schools
• Completed several local 5ks

Courtney D.

• 2010 NRP Graduate
• Teaches English at Alamance Community College
• Moved to Mebane a year ago with wild and crazy 3-year-old and getting-back-into-running husband
• Nothing starts her day off better than a slow and steady run with good company early in the morning
  

Megan

• Began running at 35
• Completed lots of races since then, including every distance up to 14 miles and a triathlon
• College professor and married mom of three (one amazing daughter and two wonderful bonus children)
• Likes rock climbing, hiking, trail running, and being outside

Larry

• Retired Buyer, Firstmark Aerospace
• Started running again two years ago, after a fifteen year hiatus
• Completed several 5Ks, two 8Ks and the “Run at the Rock” 7 mile trail run
• Became a MRC member July 2010; MRC’s biggest fan and encourager!
• Not married to any of the other coaches!

Tabitha

• 2010 NRP Graduate
• Running fanatic and fitness enthusiast
• Completed nine 5ks and one 8k in 2010
• Looking forward to her first duathlon in 2011
• Proud member of the MRC ‘Caboose’

Wendy

• 2010 NRP Graduate
• Has completed two 5ks, and a half-marathon (Virginia Beach, VA) in 2010
• Mother to two kids, Jackson and Samantha
• Married to a pilot who is also a runner

Cathy

• 2010 NRP Graduate
• Has completed many 5ks, and two 8ks
• After vowing and declaring she would never do another one, took home a first place win in her age group at the Danville 8k
• Desperately wants one of those prissy little dogs that fits in a purse

Lauri

• Elementary art teacher with have two kids at Wake Forest University.
• Running since 1997 but took a few year’s breaks in between and started back via New Runners Club last year!
• Last year she completed six races between April and December.
• Has won her age group in her last two races (Retro 5k and the Danville 8k.) Has a half marathon scheduled for 2011!
• Loves the MRC because it is so encouraging and there are many different levels of running which makes it comfortable for everyone.

Jennifer

• Runs a sheet metal fabrication shop located in Hillsborough
• Has completed 5ks and 10ks, and is training for a half-marathon
• Enjoys the way a good run totally clears her mind
• Runs so that she can enjoy treats like Amanda’s cakes…and wine!
• Most importantly, mother of two incredible children, ages 3 and 11

Sherri

• Tri-athlete who found life became much easier donning a pair of running shoes and leaving the bike and goggles at home
• Completed countless 5ks, 8ks and one half-marathon
• Favorite Race – Escape From Alcatraz
• Injured in 2010 and anticipating a HUGE come back!!Stressed out business owner
• ‘To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift’ Pre

Mary Helen

• Graduate of the 2010 NRP—and says it is the best thing she has done for herself in a long time
• With the help of the MRC group, she stuck with it!
• Since then she has run a few 5ks, a couple of 8ks and 10ks, a 10-miler and a half-marathon
• She has four children, all grown and is expecting her first grandchild in August!

Amanda M.

• 2010 NRP Graduate
• Has run several 5ks and an 8k—and is hoping to work up to a half-marathon in the future
• International student advisor at UNC-CH
• Even though she is still a new runner she loves it and wants to help others ejnoy it as much as she does!

Kelly

• Was unsuccessful with running until completing the 2010 NRP
• Achieved her goal of running at leasst 10 races in 2010. Still undecided on a new goal for 2011.
• Proud member of the MRC ‘Caboose’!
• Totally addicted to running, and shopping for running accessories. You always need new shoes!

Beth

• 2009 and 2010 NRP graduate
• Mother of two children, four dogs and two cats
• Commercial Account Manager/Insurance Agent in Chapel Hill
• Has run six 5Ks and one 8K

Sue

• Completed her first triathlon last year
• Has been running for years (started in her 50s at various clubs like Cardinal Running Club, MRC, etc) and completed her first half marathon in 2008!
• Happily married with five grandkids and a Siberian Husky named Blue
• Enjoys playing with her  beautiful grandkids, running, kayaking, reading (especially thrillers), and is attempting to be a cyclist!
• Product Management, General Electric

Barb

• Ran cross-country at Elizabethtown College in PA, team captain for 2 years
• Married with a four year old girl and a nine year old boy
• Certified teacher, currently a first-grade teacher assistant
• Completed four half marathons, lots of 5K and 10K races
• MRC Treasurer
• Pictured below at left…giving an MRC check to Loaves & Fishes

Amanda

• Insurance underwriter by day and cake baker by night
• Married and proud parent of a German Shepherd and running buddy, Xena
• Found a love for running after participating in the 2009 NRP
• Native of Mebane
• Completed 5ks and a 10k and is currently training for a half-marathon

Denise

• Runner since the age of ten, ran track in high school
• Married with an nine year old daughter (who also runs!)
• Clinical Trials Manager, Oncology Dietitian at Duke
• Has completed two marathons, many half-marathons, 5K and 10K races—will run her third marathon in March!
• Hobbies—volunteering, skiing, reading, golfing, any activity

Jim

Michelle

• 2009 NRP Graduate
• Started running for overall fitness about 2.5 years ago and developed a love for it. Have run in a dozen 5ks and 1 half-marathon…so far.
• Mom of a very active 11 year old
• Not a fast paced runner, but always trying to improve
• Fitness is a passion and she loves being a part of the MRC!

Derek

• Avid runner for over 30 years
• Certified USA Triathlon Coach
• Participated in numerous road races and triathlons including the Beach to Battleship Iron Distance
• Owner of Alamance MultiSport, an endurance/triathlon coaching business
• Married to Lynn with two children, Gracie (12) and Thomas (27)

Annie

• Former owner of Fitness Playground in Mebane
• Program Manager at Be Active North Carolina, a nonprofit organization that promotes physical activity across the state
• Certified Personal Trainer (NASM), Certified Natural Trainer (Monkey Bar Gymnasium)
• Co-Chair, Mebane on the Move Initiative
• Participated in numerous 5ks and 10ks, four half marathons and one full marathon. Completed five sprint distance triathlons and one Olympic distance triathlon

Wally

• Associate Professor of Exercise Science at Elon University
• Fellow in the American College of Sports Medicine
• Bicycle racer for 20 years, 2010 NC Road Race Champion and Best All Around Rider in Maryland/DC/Virginia, 1999
• Golfer, rock climber, hockey player and occasional runner
• Married to fellow coach Elaine and proud parent of a soon-to-be speed demon

Elaine (administrative coordinator)

• Began running in her thirties, completed many 5K , 10k , 10 mile and trail events, and a half marathon.
• Married to fellow coach Wally and proud parent to a nearly ten month old son.
• Participated in four Breast Cancer 3-Day events from 2002 – 2008, benefitting Susan G. Komen for the Cure
• Medical device account executive, Elon MBA student, aspiring photographer, wanna-be gardener, occasional cyclist
• Mebane Running Club Founding Member & MRC Secretary / Membership Coordinator