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The Difference 4 Months Can Make

By on July 1, 2020 in Coaching, Success Story

Here’s a wonderful email we received from a coaching client named Margaret who worked with MTA Coach Dominique.

What follows is a quick note to Angie and I followed by Margaret’s last email to her coach sharing what she learned from her in just 4 months of personal coaching.

Dear Angie and Trevor,

I wanted to send you a note of thanks for your help over the last few years. I started running at age 48 (I’m 57 now). I really didn’t know what I was doing. One day my son-in-law told me about a postcast, MTA, and now I’ve listened to every episode.

Anyway, the reason I’m writing now is that I want to send to you my last check in letter to Coach Dom (I copied it below). I was scared to get a coach (I’m too old, too slow …), but I am so glad I did. She is so great and I want you to know how much her coaching has helped me.

Stay Well and Happy, Margaret Eggleston

Dear Coach Dom,

I want to thank you for your support these last four months. I ran more and pushed myself farther than I thought I could. I am disappointed that it didn’t end in the Big Sur race, but I know that I’ve learned and grown a lot. I wanted to list some of the positive growth, so that I can remember and plan new goals for myself.

I am running without muscle cramps (remember January and February, ugh!).
I ran 116.5 miles in February! I didn’t even realize it until way later.
I am able to run longer without walk breaks.
I can run faster.
I like interval training!
I ran a half marathon by myself and got a PR!
I acquired skills that I can use in the future (drills, exercises, stretches).

I’ve enjoyed hearing from you and learning about your running journey too. I hope that you will be able to run 2 Oceans next year. I will run Big Sur in November. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Thank you again. I will miss our weekly notes.
Sincerely,

Margaret Eggleston

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Officially A Marathoner!

By on February 20, 2020 in Success Story, update

Here is an inspiring post from one of our coaching clients named Alaina W. We want to wish her a huge congrats on completing her first marathon!!🙌

“I officially became a marathoner yesterday! I completed the Austin marathon in 5 hours, 30 minutes and 1 second! I explored all new levels of pain but I pushed through and found I am extremely capable of hard things. There were a lot of times I didn’t think crossing the finish line was going to be possible but that feeling when I finally did it was like nothing I’ve ever experienced.

I would like to thank MTA Coach Kristen who helped me bounce back from a severe asthma attack in July and made it possible for me to have this experience today! I would also like to thank all of you in the academy for your constant support and motivation! I have what it takes to run a marathon!

Already thinking I can beat my time, and the soreness hasn’t subsided yet. Guess this means I’m a real runner now!” Alaina W.

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Shoutout to MTA Coaching

By on January 25, 2020 in Coaching, Success Story

Here is a nice FB post from Academy member Anissa W. about the progress she made working with her MTA Coach. ❤️

“Today is the last day of my coaching with Coach Dominique Hamel and I wanted to share my MTA coaching experience.

I signed up with her about 15 months ago because I was scared of hurting myself because I had no idea what to do to train for my first full marathon. She not only got me through my first marathon injury free, she also helped me transition from run/walk to just running.

After that first marathon I wanted to do another and I wasn’t ready to give up my coaching, so she coached me through a second marathon. Then my husband signed us up for the Dopey Challenge at Disney and she coached me through that too. It’s been quite a journey Coach!! Three full marathons and 2 half marathons and numerous 5ks.

Thank you for being a part of it! If anyone is considering coaching I would highly recommend it and I especially recommend Coach Dom.” 💙🏃🏼‍♀️ -Anissa W.

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3:12:02 Marathon at Age 51

By on November 11, 2019 in Coaching, Success Story, update

This is an awesome email I received from a coaching client who just ran the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon last weekend.

“I coached myself for 17 years–and thought I was pretty good at it over the course of 3 marathons and 30+ half marathons. However, using an free online training plan for the marathon through the winter, I ended up with a 3:29 marathon at the end of March this year–well shy of the 3:25 qualifying time for a 51 year old male. And, of course, the actual time for entry needed is even faster. I made some adjustments and ran a second in mid-May, only to finish feeling weak, dizzy and in pain with a time of 3:33!

However, in just 3 months, Coach Joel helped me deliver a 17 minute PR in the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon and guaranteed me a place in the 2021 Boston Marathon with a 3:12:02. I must admit there were times my neighbors must have thought I was losing my faculties. Like when I was skipping backward down the sidewalk rotating my arms wildly clockwise and then counter clockwise. Or, how about running all out for 70 meters and then just standing there stock still for 2 mins and 45 seconds before repeating?! Yes, there are some seemingly crazy drills, but Coach Joel clearly knew what he was doing!! Continue Reading →

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Flying Through a World Marathon Challenge with MTA

By on June 26, 2019 in Guest Perspective, Interview, Success Story

The duties associated with being a pilot are challenging. The training requirements for running a marathon also are challenging.

“There are frequently unexpected schedule changes daily because of weather or maintenance issues,” says United Express Airlines pilot and four-time marathoner Courtney Schoch. “Unfortunately, training runs or workouts are usually the first thing that gets eliminated because sleep is the top priority when I get to the hotel on a short overnight. Pilots must be well rested and alert in order to perform our job safely.”  

For Schoch, her running journey started with an impromptu jog on a trail. She has always been healthy, took precautions and ate healthy. Then a phone call delivered a dose of reality. Continue Reading →

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Marathon Success Story with Dr. Jon Lepley

By on June 21, 2019 in Interview, Podcasts, Success Story

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

In this episode we bring you a marathon success story with Academy member Jon Lepley who after a life-long struggle with addiction decided to run a marathon at the age of 40 and well . . . you will just have to hear what happened next!

And in the quick tip segment, Angie will explain how to intelligently gauge your response to training so you know if what you’re doing is working.

Continue Reading →

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The road to Boston is paved with MTA coaching

By on May 8, 2019 in Coaching, Guest Perspective, Success Story

A couple of years ago during a business trip, I went to see the Boston Marathon finish line. I did not step on or pass the famous blue and yellow street decoration. I will run through it at another time, I told myself.

I repeated the same scenario last summer during a family vacation to Boston. At that time, I was going through a mix of emotions. I felt confident that my qualifying time from the November 2017 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon would be strong enough to get me into the 2019 race.

However, on that Boston trip, I was only a month out from emergency abdominal surgery. I had not been cleared to resume full activities at that time. Gentle jogging was as hard core as I was able to get at that point. Would I be able to regain the speed, endurance and fitness that I had developed since I began running in 2011? Would I still find the joy in the struggle? Would I still answer the alarm at oh-dark-thirty for training?

It did not take me long to answer my own questions. Continue Reading →

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Epic Weekend for Academy Members 🙌

By on May 6, 2019 in Success Story, update

Big congrats to Bill Drinkward on running 3:18:47 at the Vancouver Marathon last weekend!!

He writes, “Many thanks to Coach Dominique Hamel for the guidance I needed to successfully score a massive PR of over 6 minutes and a BQ as well. I nearly lost my A-goal when the 3:20 pace Bunny snuck up on me with only 7k to go. I resolved then to fight off that bunny all the way to the finish. I just asked myself then, “how bad do you want it?” And thought about all those training runs to even put me in this position. I ran steadily and hard all the way to the finish and crossed the line at 3:18:47. Vancouver Marathon is an awesome course with fantastic volunteer and crowd support. I highly recommend the experience.”

More Shoutouts Continue Reading →

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What Happens When You Take Action

By on January 12, 2019 in Coaching, Success Story

Here is a wonderful note we received from a client Angie worked with named Elliot Shelton who ran a PR at the CIM Marathon in December. I love this story because he took bold massive action and wasn’t afraid to set higher goals.

Dear Angie, I wanted to take a moment to thank you and Trevor for the incredible difference you’ve made in my life. About 3 1/2 years ago, I was unhappy with the direction my life was headed. I was about 30 lbs overweight, had not exercised regularly in years, and had few interests outside of work.
 
I decided to take action. I started a couch to 5k plan and a month later decided to set my goals higher and I committed to running the San Francisco Marathon the following year (without really knowing what I was getting myself into). Continue Reading →

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Doctor Said He’d Never Run Again

By on January 10, 2019 in Success Story, update

Here’s a note we received a couple days ago from an Academy member named Pat McCain who has been a long time supporter of the MTA podcast and inspiration to us. If your doctor says you will never run again please go get a second and third opinion!

Pat McCain with fellow MTA’er Debbie Gelber at the Texas Marathon

“Hi Trevor and Angie,

After almost two years struggling with injury, and after a doctor told me I’d never run again, I just finished the Texas Marathon on New Years Day. Thanks to you and the MTA community for being a part of my comeback–y’all have taught me how to train, cross-train, fuel, pace, and stay on top of the mental game that enables all of us to run safely and do much more than we ever think possible. I did a 3:00 run/:30 walk to a 4:35 finish. I crossed the finish line stronger than ever and injury free.

Thanks for all the encouragement from you and our MTA family!” -Pat

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A Big Audacious Goal!

By on January 8, 2019 in Guest Perspective, Interview, Success Story

Andrew Lorenzo has carved out a big audacious marathon goal for himself.

The goal — a 2:40 finishing time — is a nearly two-hour improvement from his only previous one at the Melbourne Marathon, which he completed in October 2018.

But it represents so much more. It represents his escape from a difficult time in his life when he struggled with severe eating disorders.

Continue Reading →

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Another Great Weekend in MTA Land!

By on December 5, 2018 in Race Day, Success Story, update


Jennifer Oellerich conquered the CIM Marathon, her first.

We love seeing the stories come back from runs and races over the weekend.

Below you will see reports from runners who completed the California International Marathon (CIM), as well as the Orlando Half, Chattanooga 50, the San Antonio Rock ‘n’ Roll, and other races.

CIM in Sacramento was especially good to our runners. This is race is known for its flat fast course and is a good place to run a PR. Academy member Tom Wills ran a sub 3 hour marathon there -which is an amazing feat especially after age 40!!

Continue Reading →

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