Parker is an Academy member and coaching client who, after getting a wake-up-call from his doctor, used marathon training to take control of his health and change his life! We helped him train for his first two marathons.
Sign up for a free coaching exploration call.
Listen our full podcast interview here
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
In this episode we bring you a success story with Parker Watson -an Academy member and coaching client who, after getting a wake-up-call from his doctor, used marathon training to take control of his health and change his life!
In this fun conversation Parker shares how he struggled through his first half marathon and thought “running a full marathon is nuts”. Hear how he lost 60 pounds, completed two marathons, and fell in love with running by learning to slow down.
Congrats to our coaching client Zach who conquered his first 50 miler!! He was kind enough to share some thoughts on how MTA coaching prepared him for this challenge. He writes,
“The race was amazing. As you may remember, I attempted a 50-miler in September (training by myself, mostly around my neighborhood). But Coach Henry had me so super prepared (physically, for the trails, for the hills, mentally), I felt great crossing the finish line (looking at the video, I was still moving okay for 50 miles I think.
A few other thoughts I’ve had about coaching:
I don’t know what’s next! I think this fall I want revenge on the 50-miler in Alabama that go away from me last year.
Thanks again for being such a great introduction into the program and pairing me up with Henry. He’s the best.” -Zach L. Continue Reading →
Big congrats to our client Maria on conquering her first marathon at the Clearwater Running Festival in Florida! She writes,
“If you told me 1 year ago that I would train AND run a Marathon I would have never believed it.
My journey began in January 2022 when I ran a 5k race for a work function. I was immediately hooked and I set the goal for a half marathon in November 2023. The day after my half marathon I decided to sign up for Clearwater’s Running Festival Marathon.
MTA Coach Carri assured me that I was not crazy for wanting to train for my first marathon in 10 weeks, and I got to work.
Suddenly, running had changed my priorities and disciplined me in ways I would have never imagined. My usual Friday night Margaritas changed to Friday night carb loading, and being in bed by 9pm to prepare for my Saturday long runs.
I am so happy to have found this sport/community, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me”. -Maria C
Congrats to our client Charis who overcame setbacks and finished her first marathon last weekend! She writes,
“I am a marathoner! Last weekend I ran the Phoenix Rock n Roll Marathon, a race that has been over a year in the making.
I started training in the summer of 2021 to run it last year, but I was hampered by a quadriceps injury, then got COVID the week of the race and had to defer to this year.
In an effort to prevent injury, I decided to get a running coach through MTA. The best decision I ever made. Continue Reading →
Major congrats to our coaching client Dale Moss who finished the Disney Dopey Challenge (which included his first full marathon!). He writes,
“In anticipation of passing my 70th birthday in 2022 I decided to do something to celebrate. I signed up for the 2023 Disney World Marathon Weekend Dopey Challenge. The Challenge, for those who don’t know, is running a 5K on Thursday, a 10K on Friday, a half-marathon on Saturday, and a full marathon on Sunday during the Weekend.
I have run many 5K’s, 10K’s, and half-marathons but this would be my first full marathon.
I realized that to complete this I would need a coach. After looking around the Web and finding great reviews for MTA I contacted Coach Nicole and I was placed with Coach Kristen.
Continue Reading →
Congrats Delorean Ostrom on finishing 12 marathons in 12 months to raise money for the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation.
He trained with MTA Coach Henry to successfully run these back-to-back marathons injury free.
For this last marathon he extended his miles to 33 to celebrate turning 33. We spoke with him last year on the MTA Podcast.
Continue Reading →
Super congrats to Academy member Marty Gardner on finishing his first 100 miler! He writes,
“Good evening MTA family! I just wanted to share with y’all don’t see my personal posts that I finished my first 100 miler this weekend at the Daytona 100. It goes from Jacksonville, Florida to Ponce Inlet, which is just south of Daytona along the coastal highway.
Wow, what an experience! I had a great crew supporting me. Conditions were tough, but we got it done. I have been a part of this awesome family since 2 weeks after my 1st marathon in 2018. I learned a ton from MTA coaches Lynn and Henry that definitely played a huge part in my success yesterday.
I have a ton of stories and great memories of this incredible weekend to share, but for now just wanted to include y’all in my good news.” -Marty ✌️❤️
Find him on the Miles with Marty Podcast
Here is a note from one of our clients, Elizabeth, to her coach -MTA Coach Athena. Shared with permission. This is what we live for!
“Thanks for all your coaching and support. Before you were coaching me, I was struggling, feeling like I was not going to be able to feel good when running ever again. But I feel strong and fit.
I am 43 lbs lighter. You helped me to run PRs in the 5k and 10k and one of my fastest half marathon times. I just can’t say enough about what a difference it made. I know I can hit the 4:30 marathon eventually. You’re a really great coach.” -Elizabeth S.
Congrats to community member Joanna R. on running her first marathon!
Thank you Angie and Trevor and the entire MTA community, I did my first marathon today- Chicago marathon. I was supposed to do it in 2020. I’ve been listening to the MTA Podcast since then and truly it has been so helpful in my training and keeping me motivated.
My face hurt because of how much I was smiling. Well, everything hurts but I felt SO GOOD! It was an incredible experience and I finished feeling so strong.
I ran it with my husband, who struggled with extreme nausea for the last 6 miles (I think he over dressed and had electrolyte issues) and our time wasn’t at our A or B goal- but I was SO proud of him for rallying, trusting my advice, and finishing with me. So between that win and how amazing I felt when we finished- I couldn’t have asked for a better day.
I said this was the only marathon that I ever really wanted to do, but that statement went out the window today. I can’t wait to get back out there again, and actually my husband said he would do it again too (he needs a redemption marathon!)
Check out this awesome write-up from a first time marathoner in our podcast audience. Congrats Katelyn Mann on conquering 26.2!!
“Well I did it, I ran my first marathon!
Yesterday’s Twin Cities Marathon race was beautiful. It was a perfect morning, but the afternoon did get warm in the later miles. The crowds were unbelievable.
People say is a 26.2 mile block party and they are not kidding.
Seeing my family along the course was the best part though. I felt really good for the first 20 miles, but all the hills from 20-23 were hard, and by 23 I was ready to be done. Continue Reading →
Academy member Mike McMullan shares what it was like to do a 1,000 day running streak (at least 1 mile per day). Mike makes his living as a cardiologist. He writes,
“Reflections on my 1,000 day journey. I began a running streak on Jan 1, 2020. The first day of a new decade seemed a great time to rededicate myself to some healthy habits, and although a regular runner since 2007, I had never done a run streak. I also decided it was a great time to close all of my rings on my Apple Watch everyday. Yes, my obsessive compulsive tendencies certainly played a role in accomplishing both of these goals.
Here’s what I have learned? Continue Reading →
