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Meet new MTA coach Athena Farias

By on June 24, 2018 in Coaching, Guest Perspective

Running helped her overcome a traumatic childhood. Now, she gives back and motivates her clients.

By Henry Howard

Describing her childhood as “pretty traumatic,” Athena Farias found her escape through running.

When she was age 5, she considered herself to be all alone in the world. Farias says her parents were set to physically harm one another. She vividly recalls seeing her mom trying to shoot her father, and another time when he held a knife to her mother’s throat.

Farias was kidnapped briefly during a custody battle. And suffered sexual abuse as a child.

At age 12, Farias decided to go for a run, a decision that would be life-changing and life-affirming. “Running was my drug of choice at that time in my life and I am so thankful that I chose it.”

Immediately, she felt a sense of calm amid her chaotic life.

“I was gone for an hour or so and when I got back home I felt in control, empowered and at peace,” she recalls. “I knew that I could get through what life had handed me. Let’s just say it was my safe haven and I am here today because of running.” Continue Reading →

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What Six Weeks of Coaching Can Do . . .

By on March 7, 2018 in Coaching, Success Story

Marty GardnerHuge contrasts to one of our coaching clients Marty Gardner on his massive PR at the Snickers Marathon!!

“Hello MTA Family! Just wanted to give an update from my race today. It was my 2nd marathon. My 1st was January 7th this year at Disney. My time was 4:59:45. I learned that I was not properly prepared mentally or physically even though I trained with an online Disney plan for 28 weeks.

After about 2 weeks of recovery, I signed up with MTA coaching in mid January (I have been listening to the podcasts since early in my training) and started working with Coach Lynn Grieger. I signed up for the Snickers Marathon in Albany, GA which I ran today.

I had exactly 6 weeks of training with coach Lynn. my A goal was 4:30. Actually I changed it to 4:29 to beat Oprah’s time. Well I didn’t quite reach my A goal, but I PR’d by over 23 minutes with only 6 weeks of coaching. My time was 4:36:41.

I am so excited to see what Coach Lynn and I can achieve with a full training plan. I have half marathons scheduled in 3 weeks and again in late April, and look forward to those and to crushing my A goal in my Fall marathon whichever one I decide to do. I’m already committed to doing Dopey Challenge next January.

I also listened to the greatest hits episode on the way down last night about mental toughness and it helped me tremendously to deal with leg cramps in my last few miles. Thanks Trevor, Angie, and Coach Lynn!” -Marty Gardner

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Ask the Coach Episode . . .

By on March 2, 2018 in Coaching, Podcasts


*[Audio Content Available For Members Only. Click Here to Join Now]

Welcome to the Marathon Training Academy Podcast where we empower you to take your running to the next level!

In this podcast episode we cover an array of questions from our community about base building, tight hip flexors, black toenails, what to do if you are under-trained on race day, hamstring pain, fuel and fuel belts, anti-inflammatories, treadmill recommendations and more things that inquiring runners want to know! Continue Reading →

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Thankful for Winter Running

By on February 8, 2018 in Coaching, Winter

Sometimes we complain about the cold but here is better way to think about running in winter . . .

This shoutout was posted on LinkedIn by one of our coaching clients, Kathy LeMay from Massachusetts (where it gets really cold!).

Kathy LeMay

“Thanks to Coach Jennifer and MTA I’ve kept to my running plan designed by Jen in “feels like -11″, snow squalls and with an ice-covered face. I’ve been given the tools, tips and strategies to stay strong, safe and healthy. They’ve reminded me how lucky I am to be able to run, to absorb winter’s quiet, see roads I would not have traveled and meet neighbors I wouldn’t otherwise have met.

I’ve benefitted from the kindness of drivers who’ve seen me coming down winding roads and who’ve given me a little extra space (it means so much) and grateful for the waves from mail carriers, UPS and Fed Ex delivery drivers and the good folks fixing phone lines and downed wires. And, I’ve literally been stopped in my tracks by frozen waterfalls, sheets of ice trying to break and move down rivers, and the Earth in hibernation.

Here’s to the coaches who help us see that which has always been there: our potential and the world around us.” -Kathy LeMay

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What It Feels Like to Run Your First Marathon

By on November 17, 2017 in Beginner, Coaching, update

Here’s a message from the Academy Facebook group that illustrates the thrill of finishing strong at your first marathon.

Paula Soto completed the Bakersfield Marathon on November 12th 2017 with a time of 4:34:45.5!

What I love is that she ’embraced the suck’ of the finial miles and finished with a smile on her face . . . ready to do it again!

Listen to the joy in her words, we can’t say it better than this, Continue Reading →

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Confidence On Race Day -Shoutout To MTA Coaching

By on October 19, 2017 in Coaching

Here’s an email we received from a coaching client named Melissa Rutzen who ran this year’s hot but glorious Chicago Marathon. Success stories like these inspire us coaches to keep working hard to bring out the best in runners.

Hi Angie and Trevor,

It has now been a little over a week since the Chicago marathon and my heart is as full with gratitude as ever towards you two and the MTA community that you’ve cultivated. It was my first marathon and I crossed the finish line with a smile on my face and tears of joy in my eyes.

It was hotter than I was hoping for but I was happy to finish with a time of exactly 4:25:00. Continue Reading →

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Eight More Coaching Spots Open

By on June 29, 2017 in Coaching

Release the Kraken!We are seeing great success with our coaching clients and as a result our coaches are fired up about helping more runners.

As a result we have just made eight more coaching spots available for runners wanting to take their training to the next level. Learn more here.

Spots usually fill up quickly so now’s a great time to take action if you’re interested in seeing what a running coach can do for you. They will train you for whatever epic goal you want to achieve!

If you have any questions feel free to email us through our contact page and Angie or I will do our best to reply quickly. Thanks and Happy Running!

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Meet New MTA Coach Dominique Hamel

By on June 8, 2017 in Coaching, Guest Perspective, Interview

The globe-trotting ultra marathoner brings a wealth of experience and similar coaching philosophy to the Marathon Training Academy coaching group.

Sports had always been a part of Dominique Hamel’s life. Collegiate soccer. Basketball AAA.

Then life took over and she became busy with her three daughters and career, working as an economist with the Canadian government. She felt overweight and exhausted.

Thanks to a friend’s inspiration, Hamel took up running and has now finished nearly 60 marathons and 13 ultras. Now, the newest Marathon Training Academy coach is looking to inspire other runners. Continue Reading →

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Meet New MTA Coach Steve Waldon

By on May 6, 2017 in Coaching, Guest Perspective, Interview

The marathoner and ultra runner brings a passion for life-long running to the Marathon Training Academy community.

By Henry Howard

The closest Steve Waldon got to sweating as an athlete growing up was playing billiards for money.

In his late 20s, Waldon knew he needed a change and found the joy and camaraderie of running. Starting out with 5Ks, he has gone on to finish 20 marathons and 15 ultras, including a 100K in the Bavarian Alps and two 155-mile stage races (one in Chile and the other in Iceland).

Now, he brings his passion for life-long running as the newest coach for Marathon Training Academy. Continue Reading →

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Meet Chris Galaty, MTA Coach, Runner and Teacher

By on January 13, 2017 in Coaching, Guest Perspective, Interview

Longtime runner and international educator joins MTA team with a vision to tailor training plans to the athletes and ensure they meet their goals.

By Henry Howard

Chris Galaty has literally completed too many races to count. Marathons, half marathons, Ironmans and shorter distances.

Among his treasured finishes are the Boston Marathon, Chicago Marathon and the Lake Placid Ironman.

Goal setting is important to him — “empowering,” as Galaty says. But that not only motivates him as a competitor, it drives him as a coach. And now, he has joined the Marathon Training Academy stable of coaches. Continue Reading →

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Meet New MTA Coach Lynn Grieger

By on December 30, 2016 in Coaching, Guest Perspective, update

The Army veteran and 50-state finisher prepares her athletes for a lifetime of healthy, injury-free running, based on their individual goals and fitness levels.

Lynn Grieger has been a runner for 40 years, and has a long list of accomplishments.

Grieger, who achieved her 50-state goal this year, has finished 56 marathons overall. Additionally, she has completed several triathlons, 20 half marathons, four ultra relays and dozens of other races.

However, Grieger, a new coach with Marathon Training Academy, puts coaching over her own running.

“I’m most proud of coaching people to finish a race distance they didn’t think they would ever be able to complete,” she says. It’s more exciting for me to run with them and cheer them on than it is for me to finish a race on my own.”

Continue Reading →

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