Fort Bend Fit – Chapter Coaches

Terrie Gorney

I am a Founding Member of Fort Bend Fit. I ran my first marathon in January 2000 after training with my best friend Jeanne. We wrote our own training program and after finishing the marathon “badly”, we decided to join a new training program the following year – FBF. My running immediately improved and I met the most amazing people. Since joining FBF, I have completed many marathons including many 50Ks, two 50 milers, The Rocky Raccoon 100 mile endurance race (twice), The Brazos Bend 100K (twice), and the 2006 Boston Marathon – after qualifying with my FBF friends.

I completed my most recent 100 miler with my Co-Organizer Azam Syed in 2021. This will be my 26th season with FBF and 23rd season as Head Coach.  Fort Bend Fit continues to change and enrich my life.  I run with hundreds of my friends every year.

My personal motto: Life is not about what happens to you, it’s about your reaction to each happening.

Azam Syed

A colleague of mine gave me a training plan that helped me finish my first half marathon. I was unable to walk for three days after the race.  I thought that was it for running. Fortunately,  I went out to cheer for another colleague running the Houston Marathon, the following year. Watching from the sidelines, I could not believe people of any age, any shape or form could run a marathon so much better than I ran my half marathon. I decided I need to figure this thing out. I joined FBF, it was 2015.

Since joining Fort Bend Fit I have completed 15 Full Marathons, including back to back marathon weekends in Washington DC (Marine Corps Marathon) & New York (New York City Marathon). I have run in many countries and climates but the highlight of my relatively short running career has been completing my one and only 100 miler ultramarathon with my co-organizer and twin, Terrie Gorney.

I have run since I was 28 years young, however the furthest I ran was a 10K. I am also a teacher. Every year in class I would tell my students that someday I would run a marathon. In 2013, one of my student’s parents approached me. She shared that her daughter had told her of my goal. She then challenged me to bid on a silent auction item which included a FBF training membership and an entry into the USA Fit Marathon at my school’s spring carnival. She boldly told me that I wasn’t getting any younger. She did not let me forget, so on the night of the carnival, I bid the minimum bid and left to complete my volunteer shift. At the end of the night, I was congratulated for winning the bid. Thus, in 2013 I began my marathon journey.

I remember feeling nervous and excited. Fort Bend Fit welcomed me with open arms. I fell in love with the Fort Bend Fit family and the training program. I completed my first marathon in 2014 and was hooked. Since then, I have completed 14 full marathons, including the Boston Marathon in 2017 and countless halves. FBF will help you reach your running goals and challenge you to move beyond.

Whether you are training for your 1st marathon or 100th, I look forward to running with you. So, come join our family. You won’t regret it.

I grew up in the area of Houston formerly known as Camp Logan and used to run
the Memorial Park Loop for fun as a kid. In 1982, I attended Hogg Middle School,
where I was on the track team, competing in the 1600 and 1600 relay. Although I
didn't continue running in high school, I rediscovered my passion for running in
2013 at the age of 43. My journey resumed with completing my first marathon in
Houston in 2014, followed by the Chicago Marathon later that year, where I
became a member of Team RMHC, supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities, and discovered the World Marathon Majors. Since then, I've run 37 marathons
globally, including 17 majors. In 2023, I achieved the milestone of becoming a
World Marathon Major 6 Star Finisher and completed the Boston 2 Big Sur
Challenge.

In 2021, I joined Fort Bend Fit with the ambitious goal of qualifying for the
Boston Marathon, which I accomplished four times in one season of training.
Being part of this run group not only kept me accountable but also pushed my
limits and fueled my desire to help others achieve their running goals,
regardless of age or experience level.

If you're aiming for significant running milestones, consider joining us! Fort
Bend Fit not only boasts a track record of success and extensive race
experience, we are the run family you never knew you needed!

I started running as a kid and was no good at it back then.  I was the clumsiest kid in school. One of my 4^th grade teachers continuously told me I would never run a mile within the 45 minute class time.  That sticks in your head when you are little. Through-out high school my parents always forced me to run 3 miles a day at 5 a.m. before I ever started school.  I swore I would never run one more mile after I left their house! I started my first real job after college when I was 25 and joined their running team. I was once again running and now no longer living with my parents.  One of my coworkers soon asked why I had never run a marathon if I ran 9 miles daily.

In late 2000, I was encouraged by my Divorce Attorney’s Assistant to run with the Leukemia Group. I had never run more than 3 miles on a treadmill but by the end of that first day, I was hooked. In January 2002 at the age of 50, I completed my first Full Marathon at Disney World. I ran this race in honor of my Mother, who 14 years earlier had lost her battle with Leukemia. In the fall 2002, I became a proud member of the FBF Family. The following year I became Assistant Coach for the Orange Group with Terrell Smith, and assisted Jeanne Megna with Registration. In 2012, Jeanne decided to summer in Minnesota and asked me if I would take over Registration while she was gone…VERY BIG shoes to fill but I said a BIG Yes!

My running “career” has two Full Marathons (second one in my home town – Chicago), one 50K Ultra Marathon, 30 plus Half Marathons, some 20K, a few 25K relays and too many to count ‘Fun’ 5Ks. I’ve also been on the USA Fit Marathon/Half Marathon Committee for years.  My job is to get the early Full Marathon walkers out on their journey at 4:30am and of course - helping Coach Terrie with anything she asks me to do...LOL!!!

Kevin ran his first marathon at Houston in 2001 after training with Fort Bend Fit during its inaugural year. Since then he has finished more than 35 races of marathon or longer distance including Ironman Florida and Bandera 100k. He prefers trail ultras to road marathons but holds a special place in his heart for Houston. “You never forget your first time.” Kevin's family are also marathoners.  His wife Becky, daughter Amanda, and son Grant have or currently are training with FBF.  His 2 young grandsons are probably going to be runners too. His desire is to run trails with his friends and help them achieve their running goals. As FBF’s trail coach, Kevin has led folks on many exciting adventures. Ask him what craziness he is cooking up for this year..

Fort Bend Fit is pleased to recognize Kevin as their 2009 Road Warrior

I started marathon training with my running buddy Terrie in 1999.  We completed the 2000 Houston Marathon with the knowledge that our
neighbors were betting against us finishing.  That is all it took for me to finish knowing that someone thought I couldn’t…. oh and there was a “finishers” shirt waiting for me.  I convinced Terrie to join FBF in the inaugural summer of 2000.  It was one of the best decisions ever as we both found our “running family”, friends that may as well be family. I have been an assistant coach and in charge of registration/administration forever. The past few years I have been spending time in Minnesota, but still do some admin work where ever I am :). I have done numerous marathons/1/2 marathons, 50 K’s, etc. I am married to a great guy, and have 2 daughters and a son-in-law, 2 beautiful granddaughters, as well as 2 scottie dogs, and 2 granddogs named Winston and Houston.   We all do races together, even Winston joins us occasionally!

Fort Bend Fit has changed my life, and I know that it will changes yours too!!