From Punishment to Passion: My Running Origin Story (and Why I Became a Coach)
We’re in a golden age of running. In the last few years, more people than ever have laced up shoes and hit the roads, trails, or treadmills running—whether returning to the sport after a long hiatus or diving into a new goal like a marathon, a BQ, or simply looking for a fun outlet to meet new people amidst the chaos of life.
But here’s the thing: going after big running goals while juggling work, relationships, family, and everything else life throws at you? That’s no small feat. And that’s exactly where finding the right coach comes in.
I became a coach because I am that person. I’ve built big dreams on limited time. I’ve trained through grad school, career pivots, injuries, and life transitions. I know what it means to chase audacious goals while still making space for joy, real life, and rest.
So, here’s my running origin story—and how it shaped the way I coach today.
Early Days: Team Sports, Not Running Shoes
Growing up, I was always playing sports — soccer, softball, swim team, tennis, gymnastics… you name it, I played it. (Except basketball — when you’re a fun-sized 5’3”, you learn your limits early.)
In high school, I had to narrow my focus. Soccer was a no-brainer for winter—it was my first sport and true love. I tried out for and, fortunately for high school Sam, made the tennis team for fall. Anything to avoid cross country! The irony of that choice is not lost on me now. At the time, running was still a punishment: what you were hit with when you were late to practice or needed to make up for mistakes. Running would remain a punishment in my mind for nearly a decade.
College Life: New Routines, New Discoveries
Fast forward to college. I played club soccer freshman year, but eventually transitioned to gym workouts to stay active and burn off stress. I found spin classes and loved it so much I became a spin instructor at my local gym for minute.
Then I broke my foot my senior year.
After graduating and navigating through recovery, I moved to Boston for grad school—the city that lives and breathes running. Seeing people run along the Charles River rain, shine, and even snow, was contagious. I wanted to be apart of that. I started with runs to the gym as my warm up to just runs as my workout. It turns out running might not be this ugly, scary thing after all.
Watching the 2010 Boston Marathon male leaders come into Kenmore Square 1 mile from the finish
I experienced my first Boston Marathon as a spectator in 2010. My friends and I were all new to this marathon thing, but apparently it wa a holiday and we didn’t have class so we celebrated according. I’ll never forget watching the winner that year, Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot, run by my apartment building at the 25-mile marker, and then strolling around Beacon Street cheering in all the other runners.
I left the sidelines of the 2010 Boston Marathon saying, “One day, I’ll run this.”
Falling in Love with Running (For Real This Time)
I ran my first 10K in 2012, first half in 2013, and first full in 2014. I was hooked. I trained with consistency, experimented with curiosity, failed royally, and succeeded joyfully. I devoured every training book I could find, listened to countless podcasts from experts, and coached myself through varying distances, PR’s, and all the way to a Boston Qualifier in 2018.
Running became more than a fitness hobby. It became my craft.
From Self-Coaching to Coaching Others
Somewhere along the way, people started asking for help.
Some wanted to run their first 5K. Others had their eyes on the marathon. I realized I loved running not just for myself — I love helping people discover their potential. Helping them figure out how to make running work for them—on their terms, within their busy lives, and in ways that felt fulfilling.
So I got certified through the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA)and hired a coach of my own (shout out to the amazing Coach Jess of Team Sugar Runs!) to deepen my knowledge further.
Being coached taught me more about how to train smarter—not just harder. I learned how to balance effort and recovery, adapt for real-life chaos, and stay consistent without burning out.
Why I Coach (and Who I Coach Best)
Here’s the truth: You don’t need to train like a pro to run like one.
What you need is:
A smart, flexible plan
A coach who understands the real-life juggling act
Support that keeps you motivated, not maxed out
A little room for fun (donuts included 🍩)
Whether you’re aiming for a PR, chasing your first finish line, or just looking to finally enjoy running again, I’m here to help you balance big goals with your busy life—and still have fun doing it.
If you’re a busy runner chasing something big (or even just starting out), I’d love to be in your corner.
Ready to train for your next big goal—without sacrificing everything else in your life? Learn more about coaching here →
