Austin FIT Spring 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 Johnny
Spring Organizer
Fun Facts:
- Years Running: 2+
- Years with Austin Fit: 2
- Number of Half Marathons: 4
- Favorite Race: Philadelphia Half Marathon
- USA FIT Certified and RRCA RunLead Badge
- Goal: Become a stronger runner and help others achieve their running goals.
I started running because the lady I wanted to date ran marathons. She, along with my sister challenged me to do Hell’s Hills Trail run – Hell’s Hills was my first race. I now have the running bug. With 15 plus races later and a wife, I’m ready to help others reach their running goals.
Coach Tanner
Spring Half Marathon (9:00 to 9:59 min/mile pace)
FAST FACTS:
- Years Running: 15+
- Number of Ultra Marathons: 1
- Number of Marathons: 0
- Half Marathons: 0
I am an avid triathloner, but love running. I enjoy setting seemingly unattainable goals for myself, and celebrating those micro-victories throughout the journey. I enjoy biking and running with others, discovering their goals, and helping them raise themselves up to reach those goals. I am looking forward to celebrating your victories along your journey, whether it be reaching a new pace or a distance you never thought possible. Cheers.
Coach Marzi
Spring Half Marathon (10:00 to 10:29 min/mile pace)
FAST FACTS:
- Years with Austin Fit: 9
- Number of Ultra marathons: 1
- Full marathons: 5
- Half marathons: 15+
- 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 William
Spring Half Marathon (10:30 to 10:59 min/mile pace, 1 mile run/1 min walk intervals)
FAST FACTS:
- Years Running: 20
- Years with Austin Fit: 3
- Number of Ultra Marathons: 2
- Full Marathons: 14
- Half Marathons: 5+
- Favorite Race: Marine Corps, Paris & Houston Marathon
- Goal: To create community around the joy of running
William is an avid runner who began his marathon journey in 2006 with DC Fit. He’s run numerous marathons across the United States and one in Paris, including completing the San Francisco “Worth The Hurt” double-marathon, twice. He formed a marathon training group in Washington, DC and also served as a pacer for the San Francisco Marathon training team for several years. He’s been coaching with Austin Fit since 2023 and finds joy in supporting and guiding new runners as they work towards their running goals.
Coach Jeff B.
Spring Half Marathon (11:00 to 11:29 min/mile pace, 3 min run/1 min walk intervals)
FAST FACTS:
- Years running: 39 (first marathon in 2000)
- Number of Ultra Marathons: 2 (Sunmart 50K Ultra Marathon, Big Bend Ultra 50K)
- Number of Marathons: 39 (9 in Austin, and 30 others between San Diego (Rock N Roll), Nashville (Country Music), Phoenix (Ariz. Rock N Roll), Dallas (White Rock), San Antonio (Rock N Roll), Duluth MN (Grandma’s), Orlando FL (Disney), Houston (USA Fit), Houston (Chevron), Las Vegas, New Orleans (Rock N Roll), Little Rock, Tulsa (Williams Route 66), Anchorage Alaska (Mayor’s Midnight Sun), New York (TCS), Washington DC (Marine Corps), Joplin MO (Joplin Memorial Marathon), Mobile Alabama (First Light), and Marathon, TX (Marathon2Marathon), and Biloxi, MS (Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon).
- Number of Half Marathons: 18
- Favorite Races: (1) Disney Marathon, (2) Sunmart 50K Ultra Marathon, (3) TCS New York City Marathon, and (4)Mayor’s Midnight Sun Marathon (Anchorage, AK)
- Favorite Distance: half marathon
- Goals: (1) to run a marathon or half marathon in each of the 50 states and all 7 continents, and (2) to break under the 4½ hour mark
Jeff started running in high school and continued during his college years at UT Austin. While at UT, he got to where he ran the Longhorn Dam loop (MoPac to Longhorn Dam and back) three times a week. It was during that time that he set the goal to “someday” run a marathon. When Jeff went off to law school in Des Moines, Iowa for three years, he stopped running for a while. “With all the ice and snow, I found it very hard to run outside for several months of the year and I despise running long distances indoors or on a track.”
Upon his return to Austin, he slowly got back into running and ultimately stumbled upon an advertisement for Austin Fit. Remembering his goal to run a marathon, he signed up. At registration, he could not even complete the 2-mile pace run. But 26 weeks later, he completed his first marathon. Because of how this experience changed his life, he decided to become a marathon coach and he since has dedicated himself to helping others attain the same goal. He has been a coach, head coach, and organizer/director for Austin Fit, and he has been an assistant coach and head coach for Team In Training. Jeff has since run 39 total marathons plus two ultra marathons, along with many half marathons and 10K’s and 5K’s.
Running is a big stress reliever for Jeff and provides a diversion from the hectic pace of life as an attorney in Austin.
Coach Valorie
Spring Half Marathon (11:30 to 11:59 min/mile pace, 5 min run/1 min walk intervals)
FAST FACTS:
- Years Running or Walking: 17
- Years with Austin Fit: 2
- Number of Marathons: 7
- Half Marathons: 50+
- 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 Austin Fit and now she feels like this community is the perfect motivation to stay active and build long runner relationships with.
Coach Amy M
Spring Half Marathon (12:00 to 13:00 min/mile pace, 3 min run/1 min walk intervals)
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 Austin Fit while making lifelong friends and unforgettable memories.
Coach Desirae
Spring Half Marathon (13:00 to 14:00 min/mile pace)
FAST FACTS:
- Years Running: 25+
- Years with Austin Fit: 3
- Number of half-marathons: 15
- Number of full-marathons: 3
- Favorite Race: San Antonio R&R Half
- Goals: Improve full-marathon finish time and finish races feeling stronger
Desirae started running in 1993 and, after finding running buddies about ten years ago, began doing full- and half-marathons. She’s completed all of her races alongside her running tribe. It is this encouragement and support she wishes to share with her fellow Austin Fitters.
Coach Torey
Spring 10K (12:00 to 14:00 min/mile pace, 1 min run/1 min walk intervals)
2 FAST FACTS:
- Years running: 30
- Years with Austin Fit: 2
- Number of Half Marathons: 1
- Favorite Race: Rock and Roll Half Marathon
- Goal: Stay fit
Excited to join the team
Coach Nina
Spring 10K Walking Coach (16 plus min/mile pace)
FAST FACTS:
- Years running/walking: 13
- Years with USA FIT: 6
- Number of Marathons: 1
- Number of Half Marathons: 14
- Favorite Races: Diva Race Half Marathon in Galveston, TX
- Goals: Stay fit, have fun and do races in other states and countries
I ran track in high school and then was on the Texaco Corporate Challenge, which included running. Then, in 2011, my neighbor introduced me to AustinFit. I don’t run anymore, but I love walking and getting to know the team every Saturday and during the races. It keeps me motivated to reach my goals.
Coach Paula
Spring 10K Walking Coach (18:00 plus 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
Spring 10K Walking Coach (17:00 plus 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 5Ks 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.
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