Albuquerque Fit – Coaches/Organizers

I started running in 2013 when it was the only PE class available in my last semester of college. I thought it was so hard and nearly failed the class. Soon after graduating, I decided to sign up for a 5k, then a half marathon, joined a running club and from there, my love for running ignited. Since then, I've run two full marathons, dozens of half marathons, and numerous 5ks and 10ks. 

I was raised in Albuquerque, NM and graduated from the University of New Mexico with a degree in Applied Mathematics.

While I have lived in Albuquerque most of my life, there was a 12-year stint where I was trying to find myself and lived all over the Western U.S.  I have been in the mortgage industry for the last 15 years and love what I do!

I played sports growing up including high school football, wrestling and track.  Because our high school football team was so bad and always in trouble, our coach made us run more than the cross-country team.  That may be why I never pursued it. I found out much later in life that I actually enjoy running.

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…

Kevin had been convinced, through misguided social media posts, that running even farther would bring him happiness and enlightenment.

Little did Kevin know that his goal of running a 50 miler was about to be tested by his love of drinking beer and eating sushi.

It was October 2009 when a co-worker told me she was training for a Rock n Roll Half Marathon in January 2010. My weight was toward its highest and I was motivated to lose some weight and improve my overall fitness. I told my co-worker I would train and run the half marathon with her. After all, who runs and doesn’t lose some weight or improve their wellness?!

And wouldn’t you know it, my co-worker dropped out of training due to a back problem! I stayed with it though. Two weeks before race day, I ran the furthest I had ever run, a whopping 9 miles. I couldn’t stop smiling (and grimacing each time I had to use the stairs). My brother signed up to support me, later admitting he was concerned about how I would do as I had no racing experience and very little training. It would be a first at that distance for both of us.

In this vast sport of running, my story stands out as a testament to spirit, willpower, and the power of community.

My journey with USAFit Albuquerque began in 2018, marking the beginning of physical and spiritual transformations that would redefine my limits and aspirations. A failed attempt at a marathon in 2001 continued to trouble me over the years. While completing a half-marathon race did provide satisfying, the allure of a full-marathon event continued to gnaw at me. I realized I truly had the desire to conquer the daunting 26.2 miles.

By chance, a friend mentioned she had a work colleague who acted as a pace coach in a running group. I went home thinking to myself: I cannot run with others. I don’t know how to run. I am too slow. I cannot talk while running. I am a jogger, not a runner. Is there a jogging group I can join? That night, I
went to sleep with all these thoughts running (pun intended!) through my mind. I was torn between lack of confidence to join a group and doubt in my ability to achieve my goal on my own.

I am excited to be part of the new 2024 leadership team for USA Fit Albuquerque. I grew up in Corrales, but left New Mexico shortly after graduating from NMSU.

After 35 years in TX, AZ, and Nashville, I’m now back home. I started running in 1991 to pursue a healthy lifestyle. Little did I know the life changing journey running would take me on.

Over the years, I have run hundreds of races from the 5K to marathons (126 marathons and at least one in each of the 50 states) and developed such a passion for the sport of running. I have met so many people and developed lifelong friendships through this running journey and want to share this passion with others of all abilities. The beauty of running and walking is that we meet people from all walks of life and develop a network of friendships. Look for me at the tent each Saturday during training seasons in 2024!

In 2009 at the young age of 49, I created my own challenge, to run a Full Marathon on my 50^th birthday.  It was only through this group that I found the encouragement and commitment from Coaches who truly wanted to see each person reach the Start line with excitement and injury free.

I have been part of this group ever since. I am usually bringing in the end of the crowd with our slow and easy pace. This group teaches us that we are all different, but we can do it together. Each year brings on new adventures and new journeys.

I have completed 23 Half Marathons and 4 Full Marathons.  I’m excited to meet you and help you on your own journey. Let’s find that START line together and get across the FINISH LINE with the wonderful sense of accomplishment.   

I am the Graphic Designer for USAFit Albuquerque and have designed graphics and t-shirts for the group for the past several years.

My wife Dianne became a member in 2011 and she inspired me to run my first half Marathon and marathon. I joined the group in 2013 and since then I have run twelve half marathons, fifteen marathons and one 50k.

USAFit, its coaches and members have helped me achieve running goals beyond my wildest dreams and I hope help others do the same.

Hey, I’m Barbara. A mother, wife and wine lover. I was born and raised in Santa Fe and moved to Albuquerque to raise my daughter.

I met my husband, Lee, in 2009 and together we have 3 children and now 3 fur babies.

I never liked running but decided to join USA Fit in 2020 with Lee when we became empty nesters. Over the past 3 years, I have grown to enjoy running but truly love the social aspect. I quickly discovered distance running wasn’t so bad. I followed the training schedule and ran a 5k, 10k, a half marathon, and then thought why not a marathon. I’ve completed  two marathons and am looking forward to many more.

I had been a wanna-be runner for a long time. Over the years, I purchased all the appropriate clothes and accessories, all the shoes, all the various hydration systems, made kick-*ss playlists, and had energetic dogs as great running partners. And, I was the biggest fan and admirer of my friends who are runners. I ran regularly for a few weeks, or months, but would inevitably stop because my motivation fell off, or I got busy with other priorities (riding and racing mountain bikes), or - like many over-enthusiastic, under-informed newbie runners, I would over-do it, and get injured and sore.

In 2000, after running only a few 5ks and 10ks, I decided to run a marathon. I had no idea if I could make the leap from 6.2 miles to 26.2, but I did it. Since then I've run seven more marathons, most of them in my hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, and over 20 half marathons. I still love a fun 5k or 10k too. In Cincinnati's Queen Bee Half Marathon, I'm a "streaker." (Don't panic, I keep my running shorts on. In running parlance that means I've run the race every year since its inception.)

When my husband and I moved to Albuquerque in 2021, one of the first things I searched for was a running group and community. After exploring a couple of other groups in Albuquerque, I found a home with USA Fit Albuquerque. Since then, I've met some fabulous running pals and friends, and am grateful for the support and encouragement of this incredible group.