USA Fit Gwinnett Coaches
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| Click on a color group above to see the list of coaches for that group. | ||||
| About the Organizer | ||
| Jan Kelley info@usafitgwinnett.com | ||
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Kevin Nagel black@usafitgwinnett.com Head Coach Years Running - This will be my third year as a committed runner. Previous to that I had a few brief periods where I would try running for a couple months at a time, but never stuck with it for too long. Favorite distance - the half marathon because it is challenging but still something that doesn't take everything out of me. I like settling into a speed and enjoying the distance. Favorite race - So far my favorite race has been the Weather Channel Thanksgiving Half Marathon in Atlanta. It was my favorite distance, well organized and a great way to start Thanksgiving! Goal - Another marathon is definitely the number one goal on my list. My first (and only) marathon did not go as planned and wasn't my best experience. I'm looking forward to a better run with much better results the next time around! When I moved down to the Atlanta area I decided that it would be a good idea to finally dedicate myself to running on a regular basis. It seemed like the best way to do this would be to join a group where I could meet new people, get to know some different parks and keep myself motivated. Within a year of joining the group I ran my first 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon. None of that would have happened without the support of the group and the help I got from my coach. One of my best memories was the finish line of my first marathon. As bad as I was hurting, it was great to see a smiling face of a teammate cheering me on. It reminds me to smile during my runs and remember how much it should be enjoyed and how much fun it can be. | |
| Tina Sullivan tina.sullivan1@comcast.net Assistant Coach | ||
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Erin McKinney yellow@usafitgwinnett.com Head Coach Years running - 2 Favorite distance - 13.1 miles Favorite race - 2010 Mardi Gras Marathon Goal - 2010 Marine Corps Marathon, improve time in shorter distances I started running in 2008 and joined USA Fit the summer of that year. That season I trained for my first half marathon and that is still my favorite distance. I'd have to say my favorite race thus far was the 2010 Mardi Gras marathon, and there are so many reasons why. The race itself was very well-organized with lots of crowd support and water stations, and we couldn't have asked for better weather. But, what made this race so special was what came before and after. I trained with my teammates through one of the coldest and wettest winters in recent years and through a very painful personal time in my life. After the race, I joined those same teammates as we celebrated our hard work and accomplishments. I couldn't, and wouldn't, have achieved this goal without the constant and unrelenting support of the USAFit team. As a coach, I want to share that experience with others. I love to tell people "you'd be amazed what your body can do if you just ask it to." Whether you are new to running, trying a new distance, or just want to stay fit, I will be there to encourage you, cheer for you, and guide you the best I can so that you reach your goals. | |
 | Stan Paz stanpaz@gmail.com Assistant Coach Years running I have been running for 10 years now but not year round and never followed a training schedule. I normally trained for the PRR and dropped off after that. Favorite distance I love running the 10K and ½ marathon distances. Favorite race My favorite race by far is the Peachtree Road Race. Goal - My goal is to run a full marathon and to stay healthy enough to continue to run in the future. This year will be my 10th straight year running the PRR. I remember watching the PRR from the Beer Mug in my college years and truly respected the dedication it took to train for such a race. I was also amazed at the number of people who ran it. In 2001, I agreed to run in the PRR with some college friends and I was hooked. I loved the cheering crowds and the energy they bring to the runners. Last year, I thought I would try to run my first ½ marathon just to see what my physical limits were. After training with USA Fit and successfully completing my race injury free, I started to set my sights on running a full marathon. I am excited to start training for the PRR and a Fall full marathon. I have enjoyed running and training with USA Fit because of the encouragement and camaraderie that I experienced and hope to pass that on to others. | |
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Donna Gakstatter runnerdawg@comcast.net Head Coach Years Running 15 yrs Favorite Distance 10k and Half Marathon, I enjoy the training for the longer distance Favorite Race Most memorable is 2010 Mardi Gras Marathon and my favorite to run is the Dacula Memorial Day 5k since I run the 1 mile with my daughter before the 5k, it's a fun family affair! Goal To improve my Half Marathon time and like Krista have a PR in Savannah! And I would like to run another Full Marathon, just not sure when yet. I have been running on & off for 15 years and this will be my 3rd season with USA Fit Gwinnett. When I signed up to run the full marathon I knew I would need the support of a running group, so I joined the group in July 2009. Since I joined the group I have stuck to the training plans for my races which have made me more prepared for them than I ever was before. I have set new PRs for my Half Marathon time and have been able to run those races knowing I have done all my training. I also was able to complete a full marathon and all the training that went into preparing for that race. It was an amazing time and experience that I will never forget. I love running with everyone whether it be a Saturday morning run, Track Workout or we're all at a race together cheering each other on. The camaraderie and encouragement from the group is great and I hope to share that with others! | |
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Joanna Key josie77@hotmail.com Head Coach Years running 3. I started running in 2004-2005. I took a few years off and started back again in 2009. Favorite distance Half marathon. I enjoy training for a longer distance so I can push myself. I also enjoy 5Ks. Favorite race The Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville was one of my favorites. The Lake Lanier Triathlon was very well done! Goal My goal this year is to work on increasing speed through interval training and the track workouts, as well as complete an olympic distance tri and the Augusta 70.3 Ironman. I want to end the year with the Savannah Half & Atlanta Half. I started running after college because I wanted to start setting fitness goals. I trained for a small 5k race in Nashville that also had a 10k race. Apparently, there weren't many runners in the 5k and I wound up winning first place in my age division. It was a nice moment for a beginner runner. In 2005, I ran the Country Music Half with Team in Training. I had a wonderful experience and enjoyed the race. Although I remained active, I took a break from running and started back in 2009. I joined USA Fit in 2010 and it has been so rewarding! I have learned that I actually enjoy getting up early on a Saturday morning to go run. In addition to running, I have learned a lot from the triathlon workouts. I was new to biking and swimming and because of the coaching I received from USA Fit, I was able to complete 3 sprint triathlons last year. I hope to provide the same motivation that I have been given from training and I'm excited for the opportunity to support others in achieving their goals. | |
| Carlene Hutchinson carlenezz@yahoo.com Assistant Coach Years running - 15yrs Favorite distance - 10k Favorite race - recently, my first Triathlon! Goal - to try to improve my speed over distance I joined as a lapsed runner, having run several marathons, half marathons and countless shorter races when I was a little younger! Now, as I begin my fourth season with USA FIT Gwinnett, there is no doubt that being part of the group has not only revived my interests and kept me fit, but has also helped me, as a foreigner, to feel at home in a new environment. The infectious camaraderie of the group has been a huge bonus, and I am happy to have the opportunity to do for others what so many have done and continue to do for me, which is to encourage and support. | ||
 | Krista Brandon kristachad01@yahoo.com Assistant Coach Years running 12 yrs Favorite distance 10k Favorite race The Peachtree Road Race Goal to improve my speed over distance and PR in Savannah! Why I started running: I played soccer growing up but never thought that running just to run was worth it! I thought, why would anyone ever do that? After college, my sister-in-law and I started signing up for 5Ks and found fun in running local races. After many 5Ks we bumped up to 10Ks and took the plunge in January 2002 with our first half marathon in Disney World and loved it! What a fun race to do! Ive run 10+ halfs since 2002 and finally took the plunge and ran the Rock and Roll New Orleans Full Marathon in Feb 2010. It was an amazing experience and I was so thankful to have a wonderful group to train/run with. USA Fit also encouraged me to rise up to the challenge of doing a Triathlon. I did two during the summer of 2009 and loved every minute of it! How Id like to help you: Id love to be that person you think of on a dreary cold rainy day or any day for that matter when you just dont feel like getting up or going out for a run. I definitely need someone to make me accountable and there are plenty of incredible USA FIT members that are that person for me, so Id love to be that person for you! | |
 | Tim Hall tim.hall2@earthlink.net Assistant Coach Years Running 14 yrs Favorite Distance Half Marathon, I enjoy the longer distance Favorite Race Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston, SC Goal To improve my speed and endurance. I have been running for 14 years. I ran for 5 years during college then did not run much during my time in the US Navy. I started back running in 2002, but I did not train consistently. I joined USA Fit in the fall of 2007. I finished my first marathon in 2008. Since joining the group, I have followed the training plans for my races which have helped me enjoy them much more than in the past. I am not the fastest person but I have seen the impact that consistently training has had on my running. I hope that my experiences can be motivation for others to succeed at running, whatever the distance. | |
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Aniko Brewer aniko27@att.net Head Coach Years running I started running in high school on the Cross Country team. I started out with a 45 minute 5K and by the end of my Senior Year I had a PR (personal record) of 21:22. I stopped running right after high school and didnt pick it up again until after the birth of my youngest daughter in January 2009. Everything comes full circle, I started out again at 45 minutes. Who knows, some day I may be back down to 21:22 again. Favorite distance I really like doing 5Ks, but since doing my first Half Marathon in March, I think I have a new favorite. Favorite race Tutus For Tatas Rockin Rib 5K Run has to be my favorite race. Its a fundraiser for the Tutus for Tatas a group that does the Susan G. Komen 3 Day walk. During the race, there are cheerleaders wearing Tutus and signs and lots of encouragement. Its like a mini Peachtree Road Race with a lot less people! Goals I want to be healthy and set a good example for my little ones. I think its important to lead by example and practice what you preach. I definitely want to do another Half Marathon, and keep doing the Sprint Triathlons. Id like to improve my time on all my races. The highlight of my running career was last year when I was on the Front Page of the Sports Section in the Gwinnett Daily Post on July 4th. They were looking for a runner to feature for the Peachtree Road Race. My story was pitched to them and they ran the story! I was so flattered. I think a big selling point to my story is that my middle child has autism. I started running (again) to not only relieve stress, but to be able to have the stamina to keep up with my son! I really feel that if I can do it, anyone can do it. I have many excuses not to be able to fit in exercise, but there are also just as many excuses to make sure I fit in exercise. I hope that by telling my story, I can inspire and motivate others to get out and move. | |
 | Marge Jones marge52@comcast.net Assistant Coach Career: Legal Secretary, Atlanta Family: Three grown kids and four grandsons. All spread out between South Dakota, Texas and Canada. Why I started running: I was a sprinter in school, and when my oldest son was in middle school he ran cross country and I did some running then, but that was in WY. I started running again in about 2002 for the exercise and to get out and see the sights here in Atlanta. A friend invited me to run with her. When I first started, I was a walker. After awhile I added a little jogging, then a little more, then a little more until I was jogging more and more. I joined USA Fit in 2008 and am so glad I found this group. Running Career Highlights: My first road race was the Turkey Trot in Riverton, WY in 1988. I won in my age group. Since I started running longer distances, I have completed 7 Peachtree Road Races, 5 of them with my daughter, and 2 ING half marathons, along with several other smaller races. I was so excited when I finished my first Peachtree in 2003 because I had never run more than 4 miles and I had done 6.2. After all the years of running I finally won and award in my age group for the Bull Dog Dash in 2008. That was my first-ever award. The rest of the awards are the finishing of the races. Running Goals: I would like to be running when I am 70, and to have my grandsons run with me. I would like to do at least 1 half-marathon a year. I want to stay healthy for me and my kids. How Id like to help you: I would like to help you reach your full potential while also having fun doing it. I will laugh with you and cry with you. We will celebrate your accomplishments together. I would like to do that for each and everyone of you. | |
.jpg) | Theresa Moore thremoore@gmail.com Assistant Coach Years running 2 yrs Favorite distance Half Marathon Favorite race Its a tie between the Peachtree Road Race and the Disney Princess half marathon Goals to improve my overall fitness [weight, speed, endurance] to prepare for Triathlon(s) in 2012 Ive tried to run over the years but never fully committed. I knew Id have a lot of free time when my only child left for college. Knowing Id have a lot of time to fill, I decided to try fitness as a hobby instead of extending work hours or returning to school for another certification/degree. When I joined USA Fit, my goal was to complete a 5K. Mission accomplished 2 months after joining. Id heard a number of people mention the Peachtree Road Race, so decided to give it a shot. I totally love seeing people from all walks of life come together. Another unexpected benefit of our group has been providing a safe environment to step out of my comfort zone. Over the past 12 months, Ive participated in My First Triathlon and conquered my fear of deep water [who knew]! I love the opportunities and possibilities this group provides. How Id like to help you: Id like to help the new runner in you emerge. In the past two years, so many people have helped me with different aspects of fitness and I want to pay it forward. My goal is to offer words of encouragement while assisting you with overcoming the fear of trying new things. | |
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Karen Whitlock kwhitlock@bellsouth.net Head Coach Years Running 3 Favorite Distance Half Marathon Favorite Race I have done a few Disney races and you cant go wrong with those. I would also count the Cincinnati Flying Pig as one of my favorites. It is a fun race course with great crowd support. What is not to love about a race whose mascot is a cute pink pig? Goals I am training for the Ironman 70.3 in Augusta in September 2011. I am looking forward to conquering the bike leg and learning to enjoy the ride. In terms of running, I know I can go the distance, now I would like to work on finding a little more speed. My favorite running memory is probably my first half marathon in March of 2008. I had started running in January of that year at the encouragement/insistence of a trainer at my gym. He was in a charge of my fitness group and had us all do a couch to 5k type program with some prizes for the winners. I had run a handful of races in the past but never trained for them. I am not even sure it occurred to me to train for them. I just went out there, pinned a number on my shirt and ran. Those were some miserably painful races! At some point during the training for the 5k, before I had even run that first race, I talked myself into registering for the ING Atlanta Half Marathon at the end of March. I found a training plan and followed it religiously. The day I conquered a double digit mileage run was beyond exciting! Fast forward to March. I dont remember much of the race course other than being amazed at all the crowd support, bands and enthusiastic volunteers. The finish was sort of through this winding chute in Centennial Park . Crowds were lining both sides of the chute and cheering. I was so choked up at the thought of what I had accomplished; I was hyperventilating and could barely breathe. I sprinted through that chute (something the trainer had taught us which I still do today), crossed that finish line and got my first medal. Eleven half marathons and five full marathons later, I have a drawer full of medals but that one is the best! | |
| Scott Kelley orange@usafitgwinnett.com Assistant Coach | ||
