katherine

How did you learn about Charm City Run Training?

I won a Half Marathon Training Group voucher in a silent auction package in 2019. I upgraded and paid the difference to be able to participate in the Fall 2019 Full Marathon Group.

Which Charm City Run Trainings have you participated in?

• Charm City Run Timonium Fall 2019 Marathon Group,

• Charm City Run Timonium 2021 Winter Ultra Group

How did your Charm City Run Training Coach help inspire you?

I had an AMAZING training season/experience from Dec 2020-HAT 50K.

In addition to the group emails, with weekly running plan, fitness, nutrition and motivational tips, Coach Troy seemed to connect with each individual in the group. I always ran with music, since I never felt like I could keep up with other members of running groups. Troy has a "no man left behind" style to long runs and "we start and finish as a group" (of course there were a few different pace sub-groups). Within three weeks, I stopped bringing my headphones because I realized I didn't have to run alone. Conversations on the trails ranged from running stories, talking about family, inside jokes and weekend plans. Our long run sub-group really became a close group. I actually got stronger/faster because I challenged myself to push harder to stay with group, when sometimes I felt tired. There were times I planned to only do half/part the long run, because I didn't feel great, but ended up doing the whole thing because I didn't want to leave the group early. I cannot believe I looked forward to getting up at 5am every Saturday for four months to run 3-6 hours in the freezing cold, mud, rain, wind.

Also - Coach Troy is an accomplished ultra-runner, but he never comes across with an air of superiority. He puts himself right back where you are to meet your emotion and help you deal with it. He helped me think only of the next long run, not the final 50K. It seemed so easy each week, just tacking on another "few miles". When people asked me the week of the race "how are you feeling?" - it seemed so natural to say "I'm ready!", nervous of course, but no doubt in my mind, I was ready. I DID IT!!

Why would you recommend Charm City Run Training?

The power of group accountability is 100% under-appreciated, if you haven't experienced it. Knowing others are getting up early on a Saturday, makes it tough to say - "nah, I am gonna skip this one..". The plan in Final Surge is a great daily reminder and motivator, plus it's great to see your weekly totals add up!