501Testimonials

Read Runner's Testimonials

Northville/Novi Member

(6/26/09)

Coach Gina:

"I want you to know that I really value your input coach and I personally have never been confused by the philosophies and advice you put out there. I know running this group takes a lot out of you mentally. I may not be fast, but I have been running for 20 years and I know you have to pick up the pieces of information that work best for you and take it from there." ~Amanda S.

Winter Green Color Captain Andrea after DX AA race:

(5/31/09)

Hi Coach -

I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU again to you and to the Running Fit program for getting all of us to the race today strong and injury free. You wrote in one of your emails a while ago about having a sort of "support network" as an athlete (massage therapist, trainer, etc.) and the RF501 program has been a major element of my own little network over the last 3 years. The hill workouts ROCK, not to mention all the hills on our saturday long runs. It makes a race like Dx-A2 seem easy.

But it was fantastic to have all the cheer-ers and signs out on the road today. I had the privilege of running with JP and Mester for the first few miles, then caught up to Francisco and we ran together for the rest of the race - we (ok, maybe just me ;) had fun reading all the signs aloud. And the shirts are fantastic - we could spot a fellow 501er a mile away. Caught up to Francisco at mile 4, and then we kept a pretty steady pace the remainder of the run. Thanks! Andrea

____________________

David P. after running the Bayshore Marathon (5/23/09)

Thanks for your congratulations note and the ecard you sent. Yes, I am proud that I finished the marathon. I took my mom up to Traverse City with me and she popped a couple of buttons. I also want to say that Coach Ted Stilber did a great job at Bayshore. He waited a long time for me to show up on the track and ran the last lap with me to the finish, got me to the runners food area, and made sure I was OK. He did great. The last six miles where really hard, but I made it. My knees held up fine. My legs were pretty sore, but other than that I was OK. I am doing better today. Thanks for everything, David.

____________________

(April 2009)

Coach Gina,

Can you add 13 min PR to my time in the results page? Without Coach Suzi, Coach Doug and the rest of the 501er's, there's no way I would have turned that kind of time. I've also been using the techniques learned in the 501 class to assist a co-worker and lunchtime run companion. He took 27 minutes off his half-PR yesterday, and is expecting me to continue to encourage him to run a full this fall. Of course it also helps me get my miles in. ~ Al

_____________________

(March 2009)

Thanks for the encouragement Coach Ge. You know how tough it is to exercise while traveling but I always select a hotel that has a (dreaded) treadmill with 24 hr access. That way, I have no excuses. Since starting the 501 class, it seems I am always thinking about running – when to do it, checking the weather, planning my mileage, considering my schedule, gauging how I feel, etc. It’s a very different experience for me. Petie

____________________

Andrea's note to Coach Gina (Andrea is training for the Boise Ironman in June)

Coach Gina, you have a great program and I always highly recommend it to anyone I meet. I've always claimed "one and done" in the marathon arena but am sorta contemplating it again. HOWEVER, I am going to take some advice I heard somewhere, and, oh, maybe get many months of steady running in :) before I contemplate that endeavor!!! - Andrea

____________________

Melissa's note to her Coach, Wendy, 5/4/9 after running the Flying Pig Marathon on 5/3/09. (Her first marathon)

Coach Wendy,

The day was absolutely amazing! The whole experience was just incredible. I started out slow. That huge hill mile 5-8 that I fretted about every week...piece of cake. Got to the top and was like "that was it??". We had about 3-4 miles of flat terrain, otherwise, we were going up a hill or down a hill.

By mile 22. my thighs were numb, and I had a cramp in my calf. So many runners around me were dropping like flies. Then the mental part kicked in. It hurt more to walk than to run, so I slowed way down and kept trudging on.

Shortly after the 25 mile sign, I see Lauire walking on the sidewalk. She had finished, has her mylar blanket, an apple, a bagel and a bottle of water. I shout out to her. She wraps he mylar blanket around her waist, balances all that she is carrying into 2 hands and comes out to run with me! She had just finished running a marathon, and she selflessly gets out there to push me on! I was in awe. And we were a fabulous sight to see (I attatched a picture). She ran with me for about .25 where we found my husband who ran me in. Crossing that "Finish Swine" was incredible. I did it!!

This whole experience could have been a different senario if it wasn't for you and all the wonderful people I have met. The advice, the information, the encouragement...it's what got me to the "finish swine" and actually enjoyed it! I never would have been able to complete this hilly course without the training we did. Can't wait to see you. - Melissa

____________________

Coach Rob, Thank you for the encouragement and experience you lend to all of us all season long. You are an inspiring and passionate runner, qualities I hope to attain over the miles.

I really did have a great time in Detroit, cheering for all those

runners (especially my family of 501'ers). It was a moving experience to see so many of our group pushing through the miles and looking great. That was a testament to RF501 and our coaches. Thank you to all the coaches for preparing us so well. I'm on my way to NYC! - Cliff - Nov 2008

___________________

I’ve been a RF501-er for two years. And thanks to RF501, I have run 5 Half Marathons in that time, each one faster than the last. - Laurie - Oct 2008

____________________

Thank you so much for all the words of encouragement and remembering me even though I was not a perfect attendance attendee. I had a goal PR for a final race.

I got it and another BQ and really didn't think I could come back after blowing out that hamstring on the 4th of July. But your personality and "can-do" attitude just made me shift into Buddha mind and mindfulness of purpose. I blustered through chanting "PR" "PR" and ignoring that little voice that kept whispering "no you won't, no you won't". I've learned a lot about myself these past three years of 501. I enjoy the beauty of each run because it is about the journey. Yes, 501 is about training, but it's a "wholistic training". Thank you and run happy! - Laura - Seize the day Oct 2008