Round Rock FIT – Chapter Coaches

I have been running for many years and have completed over 30 full marathons as well as numerous shorter races. This will be my eighth season coaching at Round Rock Fit, and my first season serving as a coordinator. I coach the Blue/Green group for the full marathon. I enjoy working with new marathoners and watching them progress, but I am always happy to discuss training, race tactics and taper strategies with the experienced runners as well.  I am looking forward to accepting the challenge of coordinating the entire group this season and hope to make it a memorable season for everyone.

Welcome to Round Rock Fit! My name is Anne Couch and I am the co-organizer along with Randall Chapin. I have been running with Round Rock Fit for 9 years. I started when I was training to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon with my daughters. After that super fun race I continued running , mostly half marathons.  I ran my first marathon - the Chicago Marathon - with a number of other experienced RRFIT marathoners. Since then I have run the Pittsburgh marathon and completed one virtual marathon - not sure I want to do that again!  I love running - the physical part and the social aspect- running with my friends and family. I look forward to a great 2022/2023 season getting to know new runners and continuing old friendships.

I started with Round Rock Fit 20  years ago, when it was founded, as a coach for the blue group. Over the years I have completed several events including: Austin Distance Challenge Series, Boston Marathons, Berlin Marathon, Half Ironman events, and others. I’m looking forward to another great season helping the blue/green group and other runners achieve their athletic goals.

I have finished 14 full marathons (including the Boston marathon), many shorter races and 3 Tough Mudder challenges. I joined the USA FIT Round Rock blue – green group in 2011. This will be my first season as coach and I am excited to help others meet their long distance running goals.

I began running with Round Rock Fit in 2010 after having four stents placed around my heart, and realizing that I needed to make a change.  My wife had already ran 10 full marathons and as many half marathons, so I thought I’d start out with a full marathon.  I have learned and continue to learn the good and bad practices surrounding marathon training, and want to share with those who continue to strive to improve.  I have enjoyed for many years the camaraderie of the people who continue to show up on not only the great days, but also the cold windy and rainy days.  The marathons are the icing on the cake, but the real achievements to me are during the training leading up to those races.  I look forward to supporting and cheering on the group going forward.

This is my 7^th year with Round Rock Fit and my 2nd year as  coach with the Purple  Half Marathon Group.  I joined Round Rock Fit in 2011 with no intention of running a marathon.  I considered myself a lifelong runner but had never run more than 10 miles.  With the training program and support of the coaches and fellow runners I finished the Austin Marathon.  Since then I have completed 6 marathons and 2 half marathons.  I continue to run for my health and mental well being, and have met some really great people along the way.  The program is enjoyable and convenient for my crazy schedule.

Hi, my name is Belinda and I have been running with Round Rock Fit for 21 years (2001-2002 season). I have been an assistant coach for the yellow full-marathon group and head coach for the purple half-marathon group for several years. I have completed 12 marathons, numerous half-marathon, marathon relays, 10k and 5k runs. I am really excited to help coach the group and help you reach your running goals. Come join us this upcoming 2022-2023 season; we look forward to seeing you there.

My running with Round Rock Fit started in the fall of 2014, when my gym trainer suggested I consider joining the group to help me reach my overall fitness goals. I had no plans to run in timed events of any length. During the first morning’s run of two miles, I considered quitting; frankly, I was struggling. Coach Mika paced me through to the “win,” though, and I’ve been going ever since. My first season I participated in several runs in the 5K to 10K length, and also ran my first two half-marathons: Disney ’15, and Austin ’15. All the coaches and participants encouraged me throughout that season, and we all became a family of supportive runners. By the next edition several coaches suggested I try out the Reds, “just to see if you like it.” I thoroughly enjoyed that training, though I was still convinced that a marathon was out of my reach. During my second season I ran several shorter events, eight half-marathons, and I completed my first full marathon: the Austin. I also completed the Austin Distance Challenge, a total of six events that included shorter and longer runs. For my third season I committed to the Disney World Marathon Dopey Challenge, and I finished it! I’m pleased and honored to be the walking coach of the group in 2022-2023. I look forward to helping others reach their running and fitness goals, injury-free. My motto: “If I can do it, you can do it!”

My name is Barbara Garcia.  I am married with 3 kids, 6 grandkids and Max, our chihuahua.  I have lived in Round Rock for 30 years!I have been a member of Round Rock Fit since 2009, with the exception of 2010.

I ran my first half marathon in 1988.  I broke my ankle in 1989 and thought that’s the end of my running.  A good friend of mine had other thoughts.  With her support, I ran my second half in 1990. After that, I took a 10 year break before running my next half in 2000.

In 2009, my daughter convinced me to join this great group called Round Rock Fit.  I ran my next half in 2010 with my daughter.  After that race, a doctor told me that it was not good for me to run more than 6 miles and I should consider long distances out the window.  It took me about a year, when I convinced myself that life is too short.  I came back to this great group of people in 2011.

My goal was to run one half marathon a year.  In 2015, I signed up to train for the Austin Marathon in 2016.  Since then my goals have changed with the awesome runners, friends and motivators from Round Rock Fit.  I run for fun, food and my health!

I’m looking forward to sharing stories and meeting new runners this season.  Oh and yes, I have signed up for my second Austin full marathon in 2022!

This will be my first year as a coach for round Rock Fit and I am very excited to be a part of such a wonderful community.  I have completed numerous races including multiple marathons, Iron Man Florida and a 50K Trail Run.  I relocated to Texas in 2019 and I bring a love for training and coaching others.  I  am currently employed at the YMCA of Central Texas as a Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor.  I teach a variety of classes such as Les Mills Body Pump, Cycling, Body Balance, TRX, Water Aerobics, Bootcamp, Circuit, Yoga and Tai Chi.  My coaching experience includes over 20 years of program design for runners, tri-athletes and Cancer Survivors. I am truly blessed to be able to do something that I am so passionate about and I hope it shows in my first season with the Round Rock Fit.