The People Behind the Pace Groups

If I could shake these coaches by the shoulders every day and tell them how awesome they are, I would.

Three days a week isn’t enough.

As coaches, they’re some of the most important people in our community.

What makes them special isn’t their race times, their experience, or where they stand in the group. It’s how much they give to the people around them.

Every week they show up with encouragement, advice, answers, and support through injuries, setbacks, breakthroughs, bad races, great races, and everything in between. They remember people’s goals, celebrate progress that most others wouldn’t notice, make newcomers feel welcome, and help nervous runners believe they belong. And the amazing thing is that none of them do it for recognition.

There are no trophies for being the person who talks someone through a rough run.

There are no medals for sending a supportive message.

There are no podiums for helping someone find confidence in themselves.

Yet they do it anyway.

Because that’s who they are.

Good people.

The other thing that makes them special is that they’re not standing on the sidelines telling people what to do. They’re out there doing it too.

They’re training, working toward goals, struggling through hot runs, having great days and difficult days, and showing up right alongside the runners they support. They aren’t training from above. They are living the same experience as everyone else.

They understand because they’re living it too.

That’s what makes Soul Runners feel different.

It’s not coaches and runners.

It’s runners helping runners.

It’s a community built by people who care deeply about each other.

These coaches are a huge part of what makes Soul Runners what it is.

They show up week after week, year after year, giving their time, energy, encouragement, and support to the people around them.

They make our community stronger, kinder, and more welcoming.

To our coaches: thank you.

Thank you for the early mornings, the late nights, the conversations, the encouragement, the patience, and the belief you have in people.

We notice.

We’re grateful.

And Soul Runners wouldn’t be the same without you.

Want to learn more about the people behind Soul Runners? Visit https://www.soulrunners.club/our-coaches