USA FIT Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K
Austin FIT coaches are ready and here for you to start your training! For any program or season, these coaches will help prepare you for your race!
Austin FIT Spring Coaches
Coach Sandy
SPRING HEAD COACH (9:30 to 9:59)
Fun Facts:
- Years Running: 20+
- Years with Austin Fit: 10+
- Number of Half Marathons: 13+
- Favorite Race: Diva Race Half Marathon in VAIL
- Goal: Complete Texas Tri Series and 6 half marathons in one season
Coach James
SPRING HALF MARATHON (9:30 & below)
FAST FACTS:
Coach Marzi
SPRING HALF MARATHON (10:00 - 10:29)
FAST FACTS:
- Years with Austin Fit: 6
- Half marathon: 11
- Full marathon: 2
- Ultra: 1
- Favorite Race: Doublin Half
- Goal: Do a race ( either half or full) in every state .
Marzi's story begins with a challenge from a friend ....1000 mile in a year ...challenge accepted !! She did that in 2016! She also joined Austin Fit in 2016 and haven’t stopped since! Marzi maintains, she's now addicted.
Coach Laura
SPRING HALF MARATHON (11:00 - 11:29)
FAST FACTS:
- Years running - Since I was 9
- Number of Marathons - 3
- Number of Half Marathons - A LOT.
- Favorite Races - Decker, Resolution Races, the Austin Marathon, etc.
- Goals - Fitness for more than just weight management.
Narrative:
Endorphins are important to everyone! I began running at a really young age because it helped me clear my mind. Even though I didn't get many awards when I was running track, I was able to run further than anyone else on the team. I continued to run 5K's and long distances, and eventually Marathons. Now I can say I have run three marathons, and I have enjoyed making new friends with my teammates. I love to hear their intentions in their races, and I look forward to getting to know more runners and their stories as well!
Coach Desirae
SPRING HALF MARATHON (11:30 TO 11:59)
FAST FACTS:
- Years Running: 25+
- Years with Austin Fit: 1.5
- Number of half-marathons: 15
- Number of full-marathons: 3
- Favorite Race: San Antonio R&R Half
- Goals: Improve full-marathon finish time and finish races feeling stronger
Desirae started running in 1993 and, after finding running buddies about ten years ago, began doing full- and half-marathons. She’s completed all of her races alongside her running tribe. It is this encouragement and support she wishes to share with her fellow Austin Fitters.
Coach Cheryl
Spring Half Marathon (12:00 to 13:00)
FAST FACTS
- Years Running: 14
- Years with Austin Fit: 13
- Marathons: 1
- Half Marathons: 39
- Favorite Distance: Half Marathon
- Favorite Race:3M Half Marathon
- Goal: to run with friends - old and new
- to be able to continue to run until I’m 100
- to get another marathon under my belt
Fourteen years ago I signed up for a half marathon to commemorate a milestone birthday with my good friends Kathleen and Theresa - and we still run together today! After running that half marathon (and training poorly!) I was introduced to the then-coach of the summer Austin Fit program at that time. I signed up - and I’ve never left! I love the camaraderie and fellowship of Austin Fit. The Austin Fit folks are fabulous and the training solid! Saturdays are a highlight of my week - lots of miles, lots of smiles - and lots of breakfast tacos after, ha! I’m looking forward to the training and friendships this next season will bring.
Coach Victor
Jump Start/10K program
FAST FACTS:
- Years Running: 18
- Number of Marathons- 2. Austin Full Marathon 2014 and Marine Corps Marathon 2015
- Number of Half Marathons: 20
- Favorite Races: 3M Half Marathon, Run for the Water 10 Miler and Marine Corps Marathon
- Favorite Distance: Half Marathon
- My Goal: To share my passion of running with others and help them to achieve their running goals. To maybe run one more marathon by age 60.
I started running while serving in the Marine Corps, but not for fun or for a goal. It was required haha. After I finished my tour of duty, I continued running for two more years, then quit running for 20 years. In 2007 for therapy and to get healthier, I took up the sport again.
Throughout this running journey, I have achieved what I set out to do and now wish to share my passion to help others reach their goals.
I feel that running for a goal should be both challenging as well as fun. It is about getting it done and the camaraderie that comes with it.
Coach Susan
Spring Walking Coach (15 plus)
FAST FACTS:
- Years walking (running) - 18
- Number of Marathons - 2
- Number of Half Marathons - 50+
- Favorite Races - White Rock Marathon and Portland Half
- Goal - To continue completing half marathons
Bring a pre-Title lX Boomer, there were no girls’ sports in high school. Fast forward 28 years, I joined USA Fit in Dallas, got my first taste of walking races, and I absolutely loved it. I’ve been an assistant coach in Dallas, Cypress, and now, Austin. The camaraderie, fitness, and lasting friendships have made an indelible mark on my life. It’s the best program. If I can do it, you CAN, too!
Coach Brenda
Spring Walking Coach (17 to 18)
FAST FACTS:
- Years running – 30+
- Number of Marathons - 1 Ultra Marathon and 8 Marathons
- Number of Half Marathons - 40+
- Favorite Races - Cap 10K, Alamo 13.1
Narrative:
Running has always been a part of Brenda's life. She has been running since she was 12 and participated in cross country and long distance track in middle and high school. Having run too many 5Ks and 10Ks to count over the years, Brenda joined the USA FIT program in 2015 to help meet her goal of "someday running a marathon without dying." She has been hooked on long distance races ever since.
Coach Steffi
Spring Walking Coach (18 plus)
FAST FACTS:
- Years Running-- 20+
- Number of half marathons--8
- Favorite Races-Cap 10K, Run for the Water, 3M Half, Austin Half
- I have run over 100 races from 5K to half marathon
I started running regularly when in college to stay in shape while playing on the Ultimate Frisbee team. While I didn’t continue frisbee, I have been running ever since. I got started running distance races in Northern Virginia. Seven years ago I moved to Austin, found Austin Fit, and I’ve been a Saturday morning regular ever since, both running and walking.
