Austin FIT Fall Coaches
Austin FIT coaches are ready and here for you to start your training!
For any program or season, these coaches will help prepare you for your race!
Coach Linda
Organizer/Coach
FAST FACTS:
- Years Running: 20+
- Years with Austin Fit: 13
- Ultra Marathons: 1
- Number of Marathons: 25
- Half Marathons: 10 plus
- Favorite Race: USA Fit Resolution Race
- Goal – Help anyone willing to meet their training goals! She’d also like to run a full or half marathon in all 50 states
Linda is a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) through NASM who enjoys the art of fitness. Linda coordinates a local boot camp in her community and is always amazed at how people become receptive to exercise by simply being exposed to it.
Linda is a Personal Trainer at UT – Division of Recreational Sports and a Professor at Huston Tillotson University where she enjoys working with students and assisting them in reaching their academic pursuits.
Linda ran track in high school and continued to run in her adult years, but never really considered herself a runner until joining Austin Fit. Prior to joining Austin Fit, she ran her first 13.1 miles in 1997; thereafter, Linda ran mainly 5Ks and 10Ks. She started running marathons in 2005 and has now run about 15 marathons and11 half marathons.
Linda takes much pleasure in coaching runners and helping our members get to the finish line of whatever race they desire. The distance she enjoys running most is a 10K. Her most exciting run is the 3M half marathon. Linda’s most challenging runs are any runs (short or long) in hot weather.
Head Coach Marzi - Yellow/Red Groups
Full Marathon (Red – 10:30 to 10:59 min/mile Pace, Intervals TBD)
FAST FACTS:
- Years with Austin Fit: 8
- Half marathon: 15
- Full marathon: 4
- Ultra: 1
- Favorite Race: Big Sur Marathon
- Goal: Do a race ( either half or full) in every state.
Marzi’s story begins with a challenge from a friend ….1000 mile in a year …challenge accepted !! She did that in 2016! She also joined Austin Fit in 2016 and haven’t stopped since! Marzi maintains, she’s now addicted.
Coach Roy
Full Marathon (Yellow – 9:30 to 9:59 min/mile Pace, Intervals TBD)
FAST FACTS:
- Years with Austin Fit: 4
- Half marathon: 15
- Full marathon: 3
- Favorite Race: Tokyo Marathon
- Goal: Continue run and help others improve
Roy is driven by a deep passion for running and the sense of accomplishment it brings. Starting at the age of 50, he discovered the transformative power of running, not just for physical health but also for mental well-being. The thrill of crossing finish lines, the camaraderie of the running community, and the continuous pursuit of personal bests keep him motivated. Since starting to run, he has completed over 15 half marathons and 3 full marathons. His commitment for the sport were highlighted when he placed 3rd in his age group at the 2015 Austin Distance Challenge. Roy’s late start in running has not hindered his success; instead, it has fueled his determination to inspire and guide others in their own running endeavors. Additionally, Roy finds immense joy in helping others to take up running, proving that it’s never too late to start and achieve great things.
Coach Nakisa
Full Marathon (Yellow – 10:00 to 10:29 min/mile Pace, Intervals TBD)
FAST FACTS:
- Years Running: 10+
- Years with Austin Fit: 4
- Number of Marathons: 1
- Half Marathons: 8
- Favorite Race: San Francisco Half
- Goal – Run more races
Excited to join the team!
Coach Brett
Half Marathon (Yellow – 9:30 to 9:59 min/mile Pace, Intervals TBD)
FAST FACTS:
- Years Running: 20+
- Years with Austin Fit: 9
- Number of Marathons: 1
- Half Marathons: 15
- Favorite Race: 3M
- Goal: Have fun, keep in shape as I get older and help others to experience and enjoy running!
Brett has coached for seven years with Austin Fit and has been running much of his life. He ran cross country and track in high school and loved the camaraderie and sense of team accomplishment. Brett’s father, Jon, is his running inspiration and a long-time cross-country coach. Running with his dad, Brett completed his first marathon in Wichita, KS. Since that time, he has completed several half marathons and has fallen in love with that distance. After a couple years off, Brett is excited to be back coaching.
Coach Prasad
Half Marathon (Red – 10:00 to 10:29 min/mile Pace, Intervals TBD)
FAST FACTS:
- Years Running: 21
- Years with Austin Fit: 16
- Number of Half Marathons: 4
- Favorite Race: Twin Rivers
- Goal for this season: To support my fellow runners as a first time coach.
I’ve been running since 2003 and started with Austin FIT around 2008. Part of why I love Austin FIT is the community it fosters. My favorite race is the Twin Rivers, which I was fortunate to run with my daughter, Nina. The race route was beautiful and scenic-truly unforgettable! Outside of running, I like to travel and enjoy hiking in nature.
Head Coach Valorie - Orange Group
Half Marathon (Orange – 11:00 to 11:29 min/mile Pace, Intervals TBD)
FAST FACTS:
- Years Running or Walking: 17
- Years with Austin Fit: 2
- Number of Marathons or Half Marathons: 7 Full Marathons and 50+ Half Marathons
- Favorite Race: LA Marathon
- Goal: Feel better and stronger 💪
Valorie picked up running after college. Her and a co-worker at the time, signed up for a 5k and it was that race that sparked her passion for it. The two of them decided the next day to sign up for a half marathon.
Then came the training and the runners highs followed suit. After 20+ half’s Valorie decided it was time to try a full. She loved the finish line adrenaline and sense of accomplishment that came with these events. She’s since gotten married, had two children, and now has decided that she IS going to be a runner again. 2021 is when she joined AustnFit and now she feels like this community is the perfect motivation to stay active and build long runner relationships with.
Coach Javier
Full Marathon (Orange – 11:30 to 11:59 min/mile Pace, Intervals TBD)
FAST FACTS:
- Years Running: On and off for a few years.
- Years with Austin Fit: 3
- Number of Marathons: 4
- Half Marathons: 1 (Mexico City); training for two more
- 10Ks and others: Capitol 10K, Turkey Trots, Mini Triathlon
- Favorite Race: San Diego Marathon
- Goal Race: Boston Marathon
- Goal – Help members achieve their individual goals.
Coach Amy M.
Full Marathon (Orange – 12:00 to 13:00 min/mile Pace, Intervals TBD)
FAST FACTS:
- Years Running: 10
- Years with Austin Fit: 6
- Number of Marathons: 2
- Half Marathons: 8
- Favorite Race: Marathon to Marathon
- Goal: Conquering The Grand Canyon Rim to Rim with some friends this October.
Amy is passionate about sports and fitness, and found a new love for running when she moved to Austin in 2013. With the support of friends/fellow Austin Fit members, she slowly started signing up for races. Most of all, she embraced the supportive and uplifting community of AustinFit while making lifelong friends and unforgettable memories.
Coach Liz
Half Marathon (Orange – 11:00 to 11:29 min/mile Pace, Intervals TBD)
FAST FACTS:
- Years of Running: 13
- Years with Houston Fit: 4
- Years with Austin Fit: 4
- Number of Full Marathons: 3
- Number of Half Marathons: 15
- Goal Race: Big Bend Ultra 50K 2026
- Favorite Race: TIR (Texas Independence Relay)
Coach Charles
Half Marathon (Orange – 12:00 to 13:00 min/mile Pace, Intervals TBD)
FAST FACTS:
- Years Running: 30+
- Years with USA Fit: 7
- Number of Marathons: 12
- Half Marathons: 6
- Goal – Train easy. Help members achieve their individual goals.
Head Coach Torey - Jump Start
10K (11:00 to 13:00 min/mile Pace, Intervals – 1 minute run/1 minute walk)
FAST FACTS:
- Years running: 30
- Years with Austin Fit: first year
- Number of Half Marathons: 1
- Favorite Race: Rock and Roll Half Marathon
- Goal: Stay fit
Excited to join the team
Head Coach Paula - Walk Fit
Half Marathon Walk (16:00 to 18:00 min/mile Pace)
FAST FACTS:
- Number of Half Marathons: 16
- Favorite Races:
- (1) Austin 10/20 (10 mile) – 5x;
- (2) Distance Challenge Series – 5x
- Goals: Keep walking and make new friends
I began walking with AustinFit in 2009. I wanted to get moving by walking with a group and train for the Austin Half Marathon. Through the walking program, I became more fit and made some lifelong friends. We met each Saturday morning and planned social activities as well. Austin Fit makes it easier to walk the long distances because I know my walking friends will be there for me each Saturday.
Coach Steffi
Half Marathon Walk Fit (18:00 to 20:00 min/mile Pace)
FAST FACTS:
- Years Running: 20+
- Number of half marathons: 8
- Favorite Races: Cap 10K, Run for the Water, 3M Half, Austin Half
- I have run over 100 races from 5K to half marathon
I started running regularly when in college to stay in shape while playing on the Ultimate Frisbee team. While I didn’t continue frisbee, I have been running ever since. I got started running distance races in Northern Virginia. Seven years ago I moved to Austin, found Austin Fit, and I’ve been a Saturday morning regular ever since, both running and walking.
Coach Laura
10K Walk Fit (20:00 plus min/mile Pace)
FAST FACTS:
- Years with Austin Fit: 12 years
- Half marathon: 12
- Full marathon: 4
- Off Road Races: 3
- 10K: a lot
- 20K: 1
- Favorite Race: Capt’n Karl’s Trail Series – Pedernales Falls, 2024
- Goal: Help others accomplish their life’s goals
Laura learned from a young age that running was important – not just for physical goals but mental and emotional goals as well. Over the years, various races have given her bragging rights, and Austin Fit has given her new friends. Instead of concentration being placed solely on the time, Laura enjoys conversation and learning the different pathways through Austin since they change rapidly! Laura began running around blocks in 3rd grade, and later she ran Track. In college, she began running 5Ks, and later began running long distance, including her first marathon in 2012. Since then, Laura has consistently enjoyed running, mostly with people from Austin Fit. Now she is enjoying off-road running and walking groups.
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