Running With Life, LLC: Holistic Run Coaching

01/01/2025

What 2025 running goal are you determined to achieve this year?

Need help?? You know where to find me!

10/13/2024

Inspiring... I'm coaching two women running this marathon!! Despite any obstacles, can't wait until I run my next race!!

Ruth Chepngetich won the 2024 Chicago Marathon in the fastest women's time in history.

10/10/2024

Hey all, last weekend, one of my runners dropped a big PR from a 3:15 marathon that she could not break (and even was getting slower) down to a 3:06 - on a day with winds gusting to 30-35+ mph!

I'll share with you what she said: "

My biggest fear before coaching... there were multiple! First, having run the same distances at the same pace for years, I was worried about what the training schedule would look like, whether or not I would be able to do it, and how it would fit with my work schedule.

From the outset, Coach Amie paid a lot of attention to understanding where I was as a runner and tailored a plan to get me to where I wanted to go.

Having feared the variations in distance and pace coming into this, I now love them (as do my legs!). I now approach my runs with informed intentionality, and this has made me a stronger and better runner.

Another fear I had about hiring a coach was that of failure. What if I invested time and money in a coach and failed at whatever it was I was hoping to achieve?

From the outset, Coach Amie talked about how the process is as important as the end goal. By the time I got to the starting line of my target event, I felt so transformed as a runner — physically and mentally — that the goal time felt like a nice to have. The hay was already in the barn!

I really appreciated the way Coach Amie met me where I was, took time to understand me as a runner and a person, and was never afraid to call me on my sh*!t (I learned early on that the workouts are not open to interpretation!)

She pushed me to do things I never thought I could, and reassured me that all was not lost when I got Covid a month out from my target event! Coach Amie’s tough love was exactly the coaching I needed.

She will show you what you are capable of, even when you can’t see it in yourself. Everyone needs a Coach Amie!!"

**What I thought was funny was something that my long-time friends and clients likely nodded their heard about: "was never afraid to call me on my sh*!t " 😂**

Are you ready to take your running to the next level?

If you have a running or health improvement goal for the new year, DM me to schedule a free consultation. Let's work together to achieve your dreams!

04/02/2024

BREAKING NEWS: After years of dismissing it as an urban legend, I have finally uncovered the truth - the infamous Runner's High is real! 🏃‍♂️🏆

Through top-secret research and analysis, I've cracked the code on how to achieve this mythical state of euphoric bliss while running. The key? You have to run at a precise pace that puts you in the "Unicorn Zone" - a special heart rate zone that unleashes a torrent of endorphins and makes you feel like you're floating on clouds.

But there's a catch - the Unicorn Zone is extremely narrow and finite. One stride too fast or too slow, and you'll miss it completely. Thankfully, through my research, I've developed a revolutionary training plan to help runners hack into the Unicorn Zone!

For the low price of $499.99, you too can purchase my "Chasing the Unicorn" online video course. In it, I'll reveal the top-secret pace calculations, heart rate formulas, and ✨magical✨ training methods required to obtain the legendary Runner's High on every run.

This is a limited-time offer, as I can only let so many runners into the Unicorn Zone at once to preserve its power. So don't delay - sign up now and get ready to experience the ultimate natural high that will make your runs feel effortless!

Or, you could just enjoy running for what it is - an awesome way to stay healthy. But where's the fun in that? 😉🦄"

02/23/2024

2nd day OFF CAFFEINE. Have you tried going off it?

Still not back to running yet, as caffeine is a performance enhancer for running... I'd be an unhappy camper if I had to run right now with caffeine withdrawal 😱

02/12/2024

World Record Marathon Holder Kelvin Kiptum's legacy ended too soon.

The talented runner, who preferred to run up to 186 miles per week, broke Kipchoge's record with a 2 hr, 35 second marathon time at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon last October.

Previously also breaking the record for the fastest marathon debut in history at Valencia, he died at the age of 24, alongside his coach, last weekend in a car accident.

Remember his legacy: work hard, and be grateful for each day you have.

See more in the comments.

01/24/2024

I found out yesterday that we lost Bill.

I didn't understand at first, then I was like, no, not "Bill" Bartak, it must be someone else. But yes, Bill is gone.

I've coached several trail running clinics and workshops, and from the minute Bill heard about it, he joined and was in each one.

I held a meet and greet before the first session, and I remember thinking, who is this guy who is so enthusiastic about this whole thing??

From then, he didn't just join; he became part of the heart of it.

He was always there, encouraging others and being a positive force. I'd drive up and see him warming up, chatting with others, or doing a standing Yoga pose and meditating in the sun.

But more than a member of our running group, Bill was my friend.

We would talk about caregiving, as he had cared for his Mom with Alzheimer's, as I'm doing with my Mom. He would message me to check in on how I was doing. If I responded, "Meh... well, I'm still here", he would get it without any judgment.

As many of you know, several years ago, I was stalked and assaulted, which left me not only fearful of running outside but at times, not even wanting to leave my house. When I wanted to attend various races to support my coaching clients, who went with me so I wouldn't have to wander around alone? Bill.

He hand-made a card for me after one of the running workshops, telling me I was the best coach he'd ever had. I still have the card.

He was so inspired by trail running that he cut a trail on his own property and would often post pictures from out running on the "Bartak trail."

I considered doing another running and fitness group this year as I've not done one in a while due to my responsibilities with my Mom. Of course, my first thought had been, "I wonder if Bill would want to join?"

I'd frequently try to convince Bill to run an ultra. He would say he was unsure if his knees could make it (I think he could have done it.) Well, maybe now he is free to run or follow whatever ultra course he chooses.

We'd talked about going to run some area trails that we hadn't tried before. Now, we won't get to.

I want to hold an informal run at some point in Bill's honor. I don't have the mental wherewithal to decide where or when right now.

If you'd be interested in running, walking, or hiking in it, let me know.

Enjoy today, the longer I live, the more I realize that it's all we have.

PS: Bill, my knee is jacked right now, as you know. But it's healing. When it's better - I'm going to run one for you!

01/03/2024

Want to know how to reach your goals this year??

Listen to this interview with ultra runner and Navy seal David Goggins. (link in comments)

TLDL: There is no ‘hack,’ no ‘motivation tricks.’

Just get up and do it, even though it’s hard or when it sucks.

Then, get up and do it again the next day. Repeat.

One day, you’ll get there.

While I don’t agree with everything about the way he trains, I do agree with this.

Do hard things 💯

01/01/2024

What’s your biggest goal for 2024?

12/25/2023

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and the Best Holiday Season!

08/29/2023

Want suggestions on great running shoes? Time Magazine recently interviewed me about this - check out the top picks here:

Choosing the right running shoes shouldn’t feel harder than completing a marathon. We asked the pros to help us catch up with the best running shoes for women

09/19/2022

Good luck to my clients and all running in Berlin, Chicago, and other fall marathons and races!

You can always learn something from the GOAT marathon runner, Eliud Kipchoge:

“A human being is his mind. When your mind is okay, then your muscles are good. Now I'm trying my best to convince my mind that I've done a thorough training. I have done enough. My legs and muscles are ready. And on the big day, it will be to implement all these things.”

The double Olympic marathon gold medallist is aiming to lower his world record of 2:01.39 when he lines up for his fifth Berlin Marathon on Sunday, September 25, live on Olympic Channel.