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A Better, Happier Runner!

By on April 29, 2021 in Coaching, Success Story

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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Shoutout to Coach Lynn

By on January 13, 2021 in Coaching, Success Story

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

Shout out for MTA and Coach Lynn Grieger specifically! I’ve been working with her for about a year now and I know I can be difficult and non-compliant but Coach Lynn has been nothing but patient and kind.

On top of that, she has gotten me from run/walking 30 seconds/1 minute to running non-stop and from a 16:30 minute mile (on a good day) to my current 13:30 mile. I’ve also lost 42 pounds! And all of this has been through illness, injury, and while working as a frontline healthcare worker during a pandemic.

I’ve been a listener to the podcast from the beginning and have been through many ups and downs physically and emotionally. This podcast and this MTA family has been such a positive force in my life, showing me that I can do hard things (thanks Angie ❤). -Jenn Greenly December 15th 2020

Continue Reading →

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First Marathon at the Age of 50

By on July 21, 2020 in Coaching, Success Story

Congrats to Academy member Deb from Alaska, who is coached by MTA Coach Kristen, on finishing the Hatcher’s Pass Marathon! This was her first marathon and 4,000ft of elevation gain!

“I just wanted to give a quick thankyou for the great pod-cast and the services you provide through your coaching. I was able to finish my first marathon at the age of 50 with the help of Coach Kristen. I could not have done it without her help and the great tips you provide with the pod-cast! Thanks for helping me accomplish something I have wanted to accomplish for many years. One bucket-list item marked off!” -Deb

See what coaching can do for you.

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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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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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Ask the Coach Episode (Part 2) + Books!

By on August 20, 2019 in Books, Coaching, Listener Question, Podcasts

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

In this episode we answer questions sent in by Academy members about finding time for strength training, when to stretch, how to avoid cramping at the end of a marathon, and more, as we bring you part two of our Ask the Coach Q & A.

In the quick tip segment Angie shares the top book picks from her summer reading. Continue Reading →

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Best Money I’ve Ever Spent . . .

By on June 21, 2019 in Coaching

Just thought I’d share this really nice comment Angie received from one of our coaching clients named Mike Irwin. Mike is a Canadian and we actually had lunch with him when we drove through British Columbia last year.

Hey Angie, I wanted to thank Trevor and you for pairing me up with Coach Dominque. I’m a totally different runner now and I’ve finally gotten to the point where I run continuously after starting out as a Galloway runner. It’s the best money I’ve ever spent. I’m still dealing with a 58 year old body, but a 58 year old body that’s way fitter then it’s ever been! -Mike

We are so thrilled to hear that Mike is benefitting from MTA Coaching! Here are a couple points that stick out to me from his comment, 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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Meet new MTA coach Nicole Hart

By on March 29, 2019 in Coaching, Guest Perspective, Interview

By Henry Howard

Running was the furthest thing from Nicole Hart’s mind until her mid-20s. She started running at age 26 when she met her Army husband.

“He was really fit and active and I decided I wanted to be that too,” says Hart.  

But her “why” goes deeper than that. Much deeper.

When she was in nursing school, Hart experienced tachycardia symptoms, and was diagnosed with Wolffe-Parkinson White Syndrome. After seeing a cardiologist, she had the problem surgically corrected by ablation at age 24. Continue Reading →

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