Archive | Coaching

Michelle finishing 3:44:20

First of all congrats to Michelle Baker who ran 3:44:20 dropping her time from her previous 4:00:27! Here’s what she had to say,

“My first Boston Marathon on Monday was amazing. Much of the credit goes to MTA coach Lynn for getting me there. I signed up for coaching after hitting the wall hard at mile 20 when running my first marathon in 2019.

My goal was to BQ (4:05) and run a marathon under 4 hours. Working with coach Lynn I ran and BQ’d at two races in 2021 and was thrilled to be accepted to run Boston in 2022 . . .

With excellent guidance and the training plan from Lynn I ran 3:44:20 at Boston and felt great doing it. The awesome support of the crowds and perfect weather also contributed to this success. . . .Keep reaching for your goals; it’s a great feeling when you get there!!”
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Congrats to MTA coaching client Cecilia on running a BQ time at the Hannover Marathon!!

“Hello MTA! Happy to share that yesterday I finished the Hannover marathon in Germany. It was a cold race (32-41F), windy at times, but a very flat course and not crowded. My finish time was 4:03:26, which is an 8-min PR and a BQ for my age group 🙌! Hard work pays off even if your age starts with a “5”!

I remember saying to coach Joel back in 2018, when I signed up for MTA coaching, that I would never run a 4-hour marathon. Now it’s no longer “if” but “when”! Onwards and upwards 😊!”

Congrats Rachel Everett who worked with MTA Coach Nicole to achieve a PR of 4:38 in her marathon! Here is a wonderful note she shared with our team.

Here is what she had to say . . .
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“I’d like to share with you and the MTA team my deepest gratitude to Coach Nicole Hart for training me to a PR at the Go! St. Louis Marathon last weekend!

Her guidance, training and encouragement were absolutely perfect and everything I needed to achieve this stretch goal.
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Lauren (left) with Coach Athena (right)

– – -Start of letter – – –

Coach Athena,

I just wanted to take a moment to tell you how grateful I am to have gotten to work with and learn from you.

So much of what I’ve gained from our time together goes beyond running, and it’s hard to put into words just how impactful you’ve been on my life since we connected last year.

When I reached out to MTA for coaching I never imagined I’d end up getting connected with someone who not only provided excellent training and guidance but also served as a key role model I so desperately needed.

You filled a gap I hadn’t realized existed (or perhaps just hadn’t acknowledged) – that of a mentor. And not just any mentor – a strong, powerful, female athlete. Continue Reading →

Congrats to our coaching client Chad Brager on his epic six weeks of racing and testing his endurance!

In 6 weeks he completed 3 marathons, 3 half marathons, a Spartan Beast, a sprint triathlon, multiple virtual races including a trail 12K, and OrangeTheory Hell Week.

“I am having some reflective moments . . . and looking back at it, I really cannot believe what I did in October-November. I am not sure I will ever be able to match the sheer intensity and volume of racing that I did over these last 6 weeks ever again.

I want to cry, I am so happy. I thought I would be hating life and want to quit racing after this. I imagined being burnt out. None of it happened. I feel better than I ever have. I am tired, and sore, but I enjoy that feeling. Thanks, MTA Coach Lynn!”

See his list of races . . . Continue Reading →

Congrats to MTA coaching client Julia Smith on earning a 58 minute PR at the New York City Marathon yesterday!!🤩

“Today was one of the best days of my life. 4:12:49 at the 50th New York City Marathon and in no small part thanks to MTA Coach Lynn! This was a PR of over 58 minutes (!!!) from my first marathon in February.

I truly had no idea what I was doing before coaching and came to her saying I hoped I could run New York in 4:30-4:45! Well obviously that goal was smashed AND my body feels ten times better than it did the first time.

Whether you run, walk, or crawl, you MUST put the NYC marathon on your bucket list. Strangers were screaming my name the entire 26.2 miles and I don’t think I stopped smiling once. Thank you MTA- I truly ran a marathon and changed my life!” -Julia

Here’s is a wonderful email from Emily, a MTA coaching client, who just completed her first marathon. Congrats Emily on your success!

He drew up a training plan that was suitable for me. It was not overwhelming and he really built my confidence up that made me truly believe that I can do hard things! Thank you soooo much again, MTA!!! Running the Chicago Marathon has truly changed my life . . . I can’t wait to see what else I can accomplish!!” Regards, Emily Novak Continue Reading →

Here’s a nice email from a client named Suzanne who earned an 8 minute PR at the Atlanta Half Marathon.

“I wanted to email MTA to thank Coach Lynn for her help in my recent PR in the Atlanta half marathon.

Last year when races were canceled, Coach Lynn put together a program to help me become a stronger and faster runner. After I ran a faster (for me) than expected virtual Peachtree 10K on Thanksgiving, we talked about my goals for 2021. She told me that a half-marathon under 2 hours was in reach for me; my previous half in November 2019 was 2:07.

She continued to encourage me in the next couple of months of training and never bought in to my concerned emails about reasons 2 hours was going to be too difficult for me.

On the big day I found that I was able to hold the needed pace for the entire time, and by mile 8 I knew I would be successful. I crossed the finish line at 1:58.55, 8 minutes faster than my previous PR!

Coach Lynn’s upbeat attitude and encouragement really made the difference in enabling me to reach a goal that I thought would be in the distant future for me. Thanks to Coach Lynn and MTA for all your help in making me a better, happier runner!” -Suzanne

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Here’s a nice comment from a client of Coach Lynn, one of the awesome coaches here at MTA. Congrats Jenn on your success!

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