RNR Marathon and Half Marathon Coaches
| RNR Blue | RNR Green | RNR Yellow | RNR Red | RNR Orange | RNR Purple | RNR Get Fit | RNR Half | Organizer |
| Click on a color group above to see the list of coaches for that group. | ||||||||
| About the Organizer | ||
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Jennifer Harney jenniferharney@lukeslocker.com
Jennifer Harney is the Director of the Austin Fit Fall Training Program which begins in August and trains through February.
Jennifer began running at the age of 8 and fell in love immediately. She was a varsity Cross Country and Track runner in High School all 4 years and received an Athletic Scholarship to Stephen F. Austin State University 1997-2000 and Sam Houston State University 2000-2002. She had earned All-Conference Honors three times and graduated on the Dean's List with a Degree in Marketing. She took time off from running so she could concentrate on coaching. She coached for 5 years cross country and track at 2 different high schools. While at South Hills High School in Fort Worth, she coached both the boys and girls cross country teams and led them to Regionals (a first in school history) and as the Head Track coach guided the girls' team to a District Championship. At Stony Point High School, she increased participation, district standings, and encouraged 3 of the cross country athletes to run in College. She left coaching to focus more on her own training and her two young boys. After a year away, she realized she missed coaching way too much and decided to start a training company. The company, SISU, was formed in 2009. She marketed the company and wrote the training plans for different runners. With her partners, Sunshine O'Neal and Lara Ruthven, she coached a kid’s summer running program that was aimed to increase participation and knowledge of running among young kids and a marathon/half marathon training program for adults. In 2011, she went to work for Luke's Locker as the Training Program Director and continues to train and coach. Currently, she is pursuing a 5k PR in the spring of 2012. Jennifer enjoys being a part of the Austin Fit community and working with all levels of endurance athletes (runners and walkers). She brings passion, hard work, and a positive attitude every Saturday morning!! |
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Jeff Barnett red@austinfit.com Jeff Barnett is the Organizer/Director of Austin Fit's Rock N Roll San Antonio Marathon & Half Marathon Training Programs, AND he is the Head Coach of the Red Group (10:00 - 10:50 minutes per mile pace), AND he leads the 10:45 pace group.
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 pace run. But 26 weeks later, he completed his first marathon. Because of how Austin Fit changed his life, through coaching he has dedicated himself to helping others attain the same goal. Jeff has since run 19 total marathons and one ultra marathon, along with many half marathons and 10K's and 5K's. Running is a big stress reliever for Jeff and provides some diversion from the hectic pace of life as a lawyer, husband and father. But running and fitness also is something he shares with his family as well. His wife, Helene, has run/walked 3 half-marathons and completed one triathalon. His son, Shawn, who began coming to Austin Fit as a rider in a baby jogger at just a year old, and later rode his bike along-side "daddy" to distances as far as 15.5 miles, is now following in Jeff's footsteps -- literally and figuratively. When he was 7, he ran his first 10K (Capitol 10,000). When he was 8, he ran his first half marathon, and he did two more when he was 9. He has run in numerous 5K's and 10K's and has placed first in the 14 and under age group at the Blue Bell 10K in Brenham, TX. Jeff's daughter, Alesha, has just recently taken up running and walking and ran/walked her first 10K (Capitol 10,000) in April 2009 at age 11. |
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| RNR Blue Coaches | ||
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Johnathan Hegge johnathan@oceanhills.net Head Coach Johnathan Hegge is Head Coach of the Blue & Green Groups. Blue Group includes all runners under 7:00 minute pace per mile. Green Group spans 7:00 minutes per mile to 8:29 minutes per mile. Fast Facts:
I started running in high school in between football injuries. I kept on running and started playing soccer. One of my sisters was a runner so she encouraged me. I wouldn't run track but I always ran out on country roads and just enjoyed the solo challenge. In college I was lazy and really didn't run regularly but when I joined the Army, I started again. I ran with a competitive team, racing 2 mile formation runs and competing in 10Ks on the weekends around California. Running with so many dedicated and fast runners, I pushed into faster 10K times until I could almost break 37:00. I carried that training into Texas when stationed here, leading runners at my unit. My CO was an NCAA hurdler so I never was allowed to let up, he just kept pushing us. In reaction to all that PT when I left the Army and started working, I did nothing for about 2 years. I was burned out on 6:00am compulsory running. One day my oldest sister, 10 years my senior, called me and started taunting me for being so lazy. She told me she'd completed one marathon and trained with Austin Fit. She was never the athlete type but she harped about the marathon until I gave in and showed up. I'd never run more than 10 miles so I didn't believe I could do the distance. She trained another year with me then left me to follow the Blue/Green group coaches on my own. I learned from them over the years and still hang on to the miles, a happy distance addict. | |
| RNR Green Coaches | ||
| John Munro austin.john.munro@gmail.com Head Coach | ||
| Paul Pena Assistant Coach | ||
| RNR Yellow Coaches | ||
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Mercedes Orten coachmercedes@gmail.com Head Coach
Mercedes Orten is Head Coach of the Yellow Group which spans 8:30-9:55 pace per mile. She also leads the 8:30 min/mile pace group.
Mercedes began her coaching career with a city-based children's track and field program in 1999 and her interest in coaching grew from there. As a
competitive swimmer from age five, her running career occurred to her when she ran her first mile in middle school gym class. She shattered the boys
and girls school record and shocked everyone, including herself. It was when she set that record that she thought "I might like to try this in high
school, maybe I could enjoy it!" She then joined her high school cross country team and the fun, competition, and joy of running began. Swimming fell
by the wayside, with running as her primary means of staying fit and enjoying exercise. Her running then extended to the high school track team, to
marathons, to Ironman triathlons and beyond.
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| 8:30 Barbara Fellman Assistant Coach | ||
| 8:30 Mercedes Orten coachmercedes@gmail.com Assistant Coach | ||
| 8:45 Albert Ramirez Assistant Coach | ||
 | 8:45 David Ellis Assistant Coach Fast Facts:
"I never really planned to run a marathon, it just kind of happened! Three years ago I was reading the newspaper and saw an advertisement for a "12 week" training program for the Capitol 10K with Austin Fit. I had never even heard of Austin Fit, but thought, that sounds like fun, so I joined. Little did I know that I was going to get the "running bug" but I did. Next thing I know, after the Capitol 10K I'm training for a marathon. Like many others, after my first marathon, I said, "I will never do that again," and like most others, I did. Then I said, "OK, two marathons is enough for me," and the next thing I knew I was training for my 3rd! Why? Because I love running, it's fun, I make new friends, it keeps me fit, and makes me feel good!" | |
| 9:00 Robert Ostos Assistant Coach | ||
| 9:15 David Thompson Assistant Coach | ||
| 9:15 Steban DeLeon Assistant Coach | ||
| 9:30 Ann Collins Assistant Coach | ||
| 9:30 Steve Burns Assistant Coach | ||
| RNR Red Coaches | ||
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Jeff Barnett red@austinfit.com Head Coach Jeff Barnett is the Organizer/Director of Austin Fit's Rock N Roll San Antonio Marathon & Half Marathon Training Programs, AND he is the Head Coach of the Red Group (10:00 - 10:50 minutes per mile pace), AND he leads the 10:45 pace group. Fast Facts:
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 pace run. But 26 weeks later, he completed his first marathon. Because of how Austin Fit changed his life, through coaching he has dedicated himself to helping others attain the same goal. Jeff has since run 19 total marathons and one ultra marathon, along with many half marathons and 10K's and 5K's. Running is a big stress reliever for Jeff and provides some diversion from the hectic pace of life as a lawyer, husband and father. But running and fitness also is something he shares with his family as well. His wife, Helene, has run/walked 3 half-marathons and completed one triathalon. His son, Shawn, who began coming to Austin Fit as a rider in a baby jogger at just a year old, and later rode his bike along-side "daddy" to distances as far as 15.5 miles, is now following in Jeff's footsteps -- literally and figuratively. When he was 7, he ran his first 10K (Capitol 10,000). When he was 8, he ran his first half marathon, and he did two more when he was 9. He has run in numerous 5K's and 10K's and has placed first in the 14 and under age group at the Blue Bell 10K in Brenham, TX. Jeff's daughter, Alesha, has just recently taken up running and walking and ran/walked her first 10K (Capitol 10,000) in April 2009 at age 11. | |
| 10:00 Jennifer Burgess Assistant Coach | ||
 | 10:00 Lizet Alaniz Assistant Coach Fast Facts:
Lizet started running 3 years ago. Although she played soccer in school, she was never a distance runner. She never imagined she could, or would ever want to, run a marathon. She was about to celebrate a milestone birthday and wanted to do something significant for the big day. She decided to run her first marathon in New York City with two friends. Although her friends have not elected to run any other marathons (although they said they may reconsider if the marathon is in Europe), Lizet has continued. She loves the people, motivation and support of Austin Fit. She admires people who continue to exercise and run events in their 70's and beyond. She hopes to be among this elite group of people one day and to continue a fun, fit and active lifestyle. | |
 | 10:15 Ricky Vega Assistant Coach Fast Facts:
To be honest, I didn't start running until about 7years ago. I had never been very fit and had never run a single mile in my entire life. One day, I just decided one day that I needed to take better care of myself so I started walking and eventually running. A good friend encouraged me to join Austin Fit to train for a marathon and after my first, I was hooked. Running has become an important part of my life - a great way to stay fit, and giving me the opportunity to meet some great friends. I'm looking forward to another training season! | |
| 10:15 Stephanie Rios Assistant Coach | ||
 | 10:30 Jerry Velasquez Assistant Coach Fast Facts:
Why do I run? In 2002, one of my sons recommended more exercise so I would be a healthy future grandparent. I joined a marathon training group, Fort Bend Fit, and found everyday people of all abilities. At first I would run from one driveway to the next then take a walk break. Living in Austin now since 2006; I now run three marathons a year with Austin Fit. There are ONLY 2 reasons why you can't participate in a half/full marathon. Your doctor, or you, say you can't. I look at my granddaughter who was born 02/2009 and I have watched her first crawl and first steps. Now I wait for her first run! | |
| 10:30 Jessica Galloway Assistant Coach | ||
 | 10:30 Jim Long Assistant Coach (2 Run/1 Walk, or 3 run/1 walk) Fast Facts: Years running - 11 Years with Austin Fit - 3 Years with USA Fit - 10 Number of Half Marathons - hundreds Number of Marathons - 65 Number of Ultra Marathons - 0 Favorite Race - Big Sur International Marathon Favorite Distance - Marathon I do the "walk/run" technique promoted by Jeff Galloway of Runners World and others. I am currently doing 2 1/2 minutes of running and 1 minute of walking both in training and in marathons. With the right weather conditions I can do a 4:45 marathon with this method. For shorter distances I'll do a run half a mile and walk 30 seconds. Many folks find it hard to believe you can run faster by walking more, but it does work. | |
 | 10:45 Janee Briesemeister Assistant Coach Fast Facts: Years running - On and off for more than 20 years Years with Austin Fit - 3 Number of Half Marathons - Lots Number of Marathons - 5 Number of Ultra Marathons - Not yet Favorite Race - 3M Half Marathon Favorite Distance - Half marathon Janee started running in her late 20s, doing 5Ks and the Capitol 10,000, with breaks to have kids. She started running longer races, eventually running the Austin Marathon with Austin Fit in 2003. After trying other running groups in town, Janee came back to Austin Fit, which has the best camaraderie and support. | |
 | 10:45 Maria Mondragon Assistant Coach Fast Facts:
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| RNR Orange Coaches | ||
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Dave Drabek RunDrabekRun@aol.com Head Coach
I joined Austin Fit in 2000. I run to keep the eating under control. My favorite race is the Chicago Marathon because I grew up there and it's my favorite city. If I'm still alive when the Cubs make the World Series I'll be there. (I'm not holding my breath.) Running with Austin Fit keeps me going. | |
| 11:00 Janette Pichette Assistant Coach | ||
| 11:00 Joe Puscas Assistant Coach | ||
| 11:30 Dave Drabeck Assistant Coach | |
| 11:30 Joan Brook Assistant Coach | ||
| 11:45 Laura Miles-Valdez Assistant Coach | ||
 | 12:00 Lisa Barlow Assistant Coach Fast Facts:
Lisa started running in August 2005 with Austin Fit. First half marathon was the Bison Half Marathon in November 2005. First Marathon was the Austin Marathon in 2006. She has finished six marathons with the next one planned - the Rock N Roll San Antonio in November 2010. She has run several half marathons, 30k, 20k, 10 miles, and 10k races -- 3 years she did the Distance Challenge race completions. Half Marathon is a great race distance -- it has plenty of challenge yet she can recover and still have some daylight left! Austin Fit has introduced her to the world of running and the benefits of regular exercise goals. She has also made many great friends through the training and traveling to local races. This spring Lisa expanded her running to include "distance travel" and relay running by entering the Big Sur International Marathon with her husband, son, son-in-law and his father! | |
| 12:00 Racheal Kane Assistant Coach | ||
| 12:30 Karen Ostlund Assistant Coach Fast Facts:
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 | 14:30 Carmen Long Assistant Coach Fast Facts:
Carmen does the Galloway method of walk/run. Her current pace includes 40 seconds of running and 1 minute of walking on both marathons and training. All things being equal, she is able to complete a marathon between 6 hours and 6 hours 15 minutes. These walk/run ratios allow you to finish strong and have a quick recovery from long distance. Many folks find it hard to believe that you can actually run faster by taking the walking breaks, but it does work quite well if this is the way you train. Also, during training she only do the trails and tries to avoid the concrete as much as possible. | |
| RNR Purple Coaches | ||
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Elayne Barber elayne_barber@yahoo.com Head Coach Elayne Barber is the head coach of the walking group. Fast Facts:
Elayne enjoys getting out for a serious walk to relieve stress. She loves the longer distances because you have time to clear your head. Her first major walking goal was to do a marathon when she was 40, which she did! Her next major goal is to do a marathon when she is 80. Elayne's advice to others: Keep your hands up, look ahead and move your hands\arms forward like a train. (Railroad track do not cross over your body, if they do - stop walking, don't cross your hands over your body.) You can do a marathon, believe in yourself and stop listening to your lazy couch potato friends. Seek out professional nutritional advice for just you...and stop listening to your lazy couch potato friends - look at them. | |