About Coach Karen

I first started running in 1976 when they started a track team in my junior year of high school. I went out for the team because there were no cuts. I had played softball and danced, but I was not very good at either event. I thought I’d be a sprinter, but it turned out I wasn’t very fast. I could, however, make it around the track. So, I ran the 400. The next year, I moved up to the 800. Since the program was new, we didn’t train very hard, but we had moderate success. 

I enjoyed the camaraderie in HS so when I went to my college orientation, I met with the track coach and asked if I could run track. He said I could come out for the team, but I’d need to run cross-country. He gave me a summer training plan that had 70-mile weeks – running twice a day and a long run of 2 hours on the weekend. I had never run more than 4 miles. I worked on building up the distance until I could run 9 miles by the end of the summer (not very fast though). At the first pre-season XC practice, I got blown away. Fortunately, one of the girls encouraged me to stick with it. 

During the two weeks before school started, we had practices 3 times a day. I was sore, tired, discouraged. However, I was making friends and slowly improving. By the end of the season, I was the 3rd runner on the team (mainly because several of the girls had succumbed to injury). I became friends with the girls on the team. I stuck it out – but was mediocre most of the time I ran in college. I was busy enjoying the other social aspects of college. It wasn’t until my senior year, when I thought I’d be graduating and done running, that I decided to focus more. I decided I’d try to PR at every meet during the track season and did. I finished my college career seeing a glimpse of what I was capable of. 

The week after my college track career ended in 1981, I ran my first marathon. I was in track shape, not marathon shape. However, I managed to struggle through with a 5th place finish in 3:11:20. I won a bronze trophy and a color TV set! I realized that maybe my running days were just beginning. After graduation, I got connected with a local running club. We met a couple of times a week – once doing speedwork, once doing hills. And then I signed up for road races. Having races kept me training during the week.

That fall, I started grad school and was fortunate enough to be accepted as a graduate assistant with the women’s XC & track program while I pursued my MBA. The head coach was not very involved with the girls, but I was. As I started coaching them, I realized how much untapped potential they had. Most of what I told them bounced back to me. I began to believe I could achieve more as well.

I became more consistent with my training. I got input from my former college coach. I put together a plan and set some goals. I found friends who were also in grad school or affiliated with the local running club. I kept improving – 3:02:48 then 2:52:55. The inaugural Olympic Trials Marathon was slated for 1984. I thought I had a chance to qualify since I only needed sub 2:51. I tried 4 times in 1983/1984 but didn’t. I was discouraged and gave up doing marathons – and fell off training for a few years.

In 1986 and 1987, I got back into training and was running well again at shorter distances so decided to do another marathon on minimal training. In January 1987, I ran 2:51:24. For the 1988 Olympic Trials, the qualifying time was sub 2:50. This time, I was more determined to qualify. I ran 2:45:31 in October and did! I participated in the 1988 Trials in May, 1988 - 12 years after I started running.

I have KEPT running – not because I love it but because I love how I feel when I’m done. It has helped me see that I’m capable of more than I ever thought was possible. It has given me confidence, it has helped me heal from deep wounds, it has been an avenue for me to make and develop close friendships. It was how I met my husband. It is what kept me sane during some difficult years in parenting. It has provided me with opportunities to travel and see our country and other parts of the world in ways that I never thought possible. It has allowed me to eat whatever I want to eat (within reason, of course). 

·  Competed all 4 years in XC & track at Bowling Green State University as a walk-on.  Co-captain for both XC & track senior year; lettered 6 times.

·  Graduate Assistant Coach (Women's XC & Track) at Ball State while earning MBA.

·  Former USATF Level 1 Coach.  Former High School XC & Track (Boys & Girls) Coach (2017-2023).  

·  Have provided coaching plans for all levels of athletes (beginner, intermediate, advanced).

·  Have been running for over 49 years with over 60,000 miles logged.

·  Have competed in over 600 road races.  Won over 130 races and consistently placed in top spots (Age Group, Master's or Grand Master's).

·  CTC Runner of the Year Rankings - consistent top finisher. Current member of Chattanooga Track Club (CTC). CTC Race Team Member.

·  Race director for an all-women’s 5K (with coaching clinics) in Indianapolis 1986 - 1990 (5 years).  Former member of CWRRC, Indy Runners, CARA, ERC.

·  Proudest achievements:  1988 Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier and Finisher.  Indianapolis Mini-Marathon Winner 1986 & 1987.

·  All-time PR's: 4:42 (1500m track); 9:45 (3000m track); 16:47 (5000m track); 34:18 (10K road); 1:18:09 (13.1m road); 2:45:31 (marathon)

·  Recent times (age 56-59): 23:37 (5K); 48:33 (10K); 1:44:22 (13.1m); 4:01:06 (26.2m) - Qualified for 2020 Boston Marathon (60-64 yr old age group)

·  Times in the last 12 months: 16:08 (2m; State Record); 26:20 (5K); 50:57 (10K).

Coaching has been a wonderful way for me to share my love of the sport and the knowledge that I’ve gained over the past 49 years. I’m not the most technical person, but I do know what works. 

I firmly believe that ANYONE can have “success” running if they set goals, make a commitment and follow through with a plan. Running is a sport for EVERYONE. Running is a great way to live life to the fullest.  It can be fun and a great way to meet life-long friends.

Most people have not tapped into their speed.  To run faster at the longer races, you need to run fast at the shorter distances. It is possible to run well without doing a ton of miles.  Days off can help prevent injury and extend your running career.

Running can be whatever you want it to be. If you want help with setting some goals and you want to experience some of these benefits, fill out the questionnaire and we can talk further!