Alicia Jenkins Browder – Bellingham Running Coach
50% off your first month! Sports ortho PTA + running coach helping runners build strength, train smarter & chase big goals from 5Ks to 200+ miles.
From: $185.00 / month
Running Coach Description
Alicia Jenkins Browder is a Bellingham, WA-based running coach with a physical therapy background. Whether you are recovering from an injury or gearing up for an ultra, Alicia can help. No distance is too far, Alicia’s trained and raced for a 240 miler, so if distance is your thing, Alicia is your coach.
*** 50% off First Month for month-to-month Coaching – Coupon Code: 50%alicia ***
Specialties
I love working with runners across the entire spectrum—from someone training for their first 5K to an experienced athlete chasing a PR or preparing for a 200-mile ultramarathon.
In addition to coaching, I am a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant at Praxis Physical Therapy, a sports-based orthopedic clinic in Bellingham, Washington. Working with athletes in both the coaching and clinical settings gives me a unique perspective on training, strength, injury rehabilitation, and the demands that running places on the body. I can help athletes navigate their return to running after injury and incorporate strength training into their plan to build more durable, resilient runners.
My primary coaching specialties are the half marathon, marathon, and ultramarathon distances from 50K through 200+ miles. I have extensive personal and coaching experience in both road and trail running, and I especially enjoy helping athletes take on goals that initially feel a little intimidating.
As someone in long-term recovery, I also understand the role running can play in sobriety and recovery. I welcome athletes who are sober, sober-curious, or navigating recovery and want their training to be a positive part of that journey.
Philosophy
A coworker once told me, “You control the training log. The training log doesn’t control you.” That has stuck with me throughout my own running and has become a big part of how I coach.
Consistency matters. Hard work matters. But the “perfect” training plan means very little if it doesn’t fit into your actual life.
Most of us are balancing running with careers, families, travel, stress, relationships, and everything else life throws at us. Training should be flexible enough to adapt when life happens without making you feel like you’ve failed because you missed a workout.
I also believe training should be fun. Not every workout will be fun while you’re doing it—sometimes running is hard!—but your training as a whole should add something positive to your life.
Your plan will be individualized around your goals, your experience, your schedule, and the athlete you are right now. I’ll celebrate the wins with you, help you problem-solve the hard days, and give you a push when you need one.
Coaching Experience
I began coaching with Team RunRun in 2020 after informally coaching friends and family for several years.
Since then, I’ve worked with athletes across a huge range of experience levels and distances—from beginner runners completing their first 5K to experienced athletes chasing half-marathon and marathon PRs. I’ve coached runners through their first 50K, 100K, 100-mile, and 200+ mile races, as well as experienced ultrarunners looking to improve their performance.
My background as a Physical Therapist Assistant also shapes the way I coach. I work with runners and other athletes every day in a sports-based orthopedic physical therapy clinic, which has given me years of experience with strength, movement, injury rehabilitation, and return-to-sport progression.
Before becoming a coach, I coached myself for many years. During that time, I lowered my marathon PR by 40 minutes, qualified for the Boston Marathon, and improved my half-marathon PR by more than 15 minutes.
Since 2018, I’ve also worked with my own running coaches. Being on the athlete side of a coaching relationship has taught me how valuable a coach can be beyond simply writing workouts. Great coaching is about communication, problem-solving, encouragement, accountability, and adapting training when life—or your body—has other plans.
I love learning and continually seek out current evidence-based information on endurance training, strength, rehabilitation, recovery, nutrition, racing, and performance. Coaching is never one-size-fits-all, and I want to keep learning alongside my athletes.
About Me
I was born and raised in Bellingham, Washington, and still call Bellingham home. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a pre-physical therapy focus from Western Washington University in 2010 and my Physical Therapist Assistant degree from Whatcom Community College in 2013. I have worked as a PTA since 2014 and currently work at Praxis Physical Therapy, a sports-based orthopedic clinic in Bellingham.
My running story started when I was 19. My dad ran a half marathon, and I figured if he could do it, I could too. I still remember how exciting it felt the first time I ran two miles without stopping. That same year, I trained for my first half marathon.
Over the next several years, I ran everything from 5Ks to half marathons and completed my first marathon in 2010.
On December 27, 2015, I made the decision to get sober, and running became an important part of rebuilding my life. I set myself a goal that felt almost impossible at the time: qualify for the Boston Marathon.
My previous marathon PR was about 40 minutes slower than my Boston qualifying standard, but I decided I would rather try something big and fail than never find out what I was capable of. Within eight months of focused training, I qualified for Boston—and beat my qualifying standard by 10 minutes.
That experience helped shape one of the things I love most about coaching: helping people set goals that scare them a little and then figuring out how to get there.
Eventually, my running shifted toward trails and ultramarathons. I’ve since raced distances from 50K through 250 miles, including 100-mile races and multiple 200+ mile events. I still love road running, though, and continue to mix road races into my own training.
Whether it’s a first 5K, a Boston qualifier, a trail 50K, or a 200-miler, I love the process of seeing what happens when we give ourselves permission to go after something big.
Big Influences
My coaching has been influenced by coaches, athletes, researchers, and clinicians throughout the endurance world.
Jason Koop and Corrine Malcolm have been particularly influential in how I think about ultramarathon training and evidence-based endurance coaching. I’ve also experienced firsthand how valuable a strong athlete-coach relationship can be through years of working with my own coaches.
My overall approach combines evidence-based training with positivity, flexibility, accountability, and the willingness to work hard when it matters.
I want my athletes to enjoy running and feel supported—but I’m also not afraid to give you a little push when I know you’re capable of more.
Race History
I’ve raced everything from road 5Ks and half marathons to marathons, 100-milers, and 200+ mile ultramarathons.
Some of my biggest adventures have included Tahoe 200, Moab 240, Cocodona 250, and Bigfoot 200.
Some of my favorite races and running experiences include the Boston Marathon, Bellingham Bay Marathon, SeaWheeze Half Marathon, Bigfoot 200 course, Canadian Death Race 125K, Black Canyon 100K, Orcas Island 50 Mile, and Chuckanut 50K.
Certifications
- Certified United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy (UESCA) Ultrarunning Coach. Certification #12535
- Certified United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy (UESCA) Running Coach. Certification #12647
- Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in Washington State. License #P160424460
Awards & Accolades
- 3rd place at Moab 240 2021
- 5th Place Cocodona 250 2023
- Course Record for Badger 50/55k 2024
- 1st Place Triple Crown of 200’s 2024
Personal Records
- 5k – 19:51
- Half Marathon – 1:28:36
- Marathon – 3:20:32
- 50k – 5:28:41 (Chuckanut 50k)
- 50 mile – 8:46:24 (Badger 50 Miler)
- 100k – 11:58:41 (Black Canyon 100k)
- 100 mile – 22:35:22 (Badger Mountain 100 Miler)
- 240 mile – 79 hours (Moab 240 2021)
Publications
- Running the Rim to Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon
- April 2024 Video Interview – Staying positive, mental toughness, sobriety and running, and so much more!
- https://pacificmultisports.com/the-return-to-the-desert-ambassador-alicia-jenkins-runs-the-black-canyon-100k/
- https://pacificmultisports.com/teanaway-country-100-race-story-there-are-no-switchbacks/
- https://pacificmultisports.com/badger-mountain-100-race-story-alicia-jenkins/
- Trail Running 101 with She Jumps (on You Tube)
- Moab 240 Endurance Run Race Report – 10/8/21
- Fort Ebey Kettles Marathon Race Report – 2/20/21
Contact Alicia
31 reviews for Alicia Jenkins Browder – Bellingham Running Coach
Carly Silvernale –
Alicia coached me from January through my first 100-miler at Cascade Crest in July, and I couldn’t recommend her more. Her structured hill interval workouts were awesome (although brutal at times), and pairing them with heavy strength work got me through the whole block injury-free and allowed me to train efficiently with a busy schedule. She coaches the whole person, not just the runner — helping me to keep ski touring and having a demanding career outside of training while still taking the racing seriously. She was quick to respond to texts, checked in often, and knew my course cold, even navigating a last-minute reroute. She showed up to crew me in person (taping my toe in the middle of the night included) and helped me nail down all my crew and drop bag logistics.
Alicia always set my time goals higher than I thought possible, and she was right every time. This was my best racing season yet — progressive PRs from a 50k to a 50-miler to my first 100. Despite my competitive streak, she kept it fun and reminded me why we love this sport: the adventure, the community, all of it.
Can’t wait to keep working with her in the future.
Russell Benaroya –
Alicia just finished 6 months of coaching me in preparation for the Tahoe 200 that I ran in June 2026, Alicia was awesome. She listened to what my goals were as well as some of my limitations (largely around available time for training) and put together a training program that I could subscribe to and stay consistent with. She checked in with me regularly to see how I was doing. She is great at keeping it light so as not to create any unnecessary anxiety. She is also honest that things are sometimes going to suck and you just have to accept it and work through it. Alicia knows what she is doing and will always make herself available to lend support, guidance, and feedback. If you want to train for a 200 (if was my first) and get to the starting line with the right amount of confidence, work with Alicia. And, I finished within one hour of my goal 😉
Kaysen Brennan –
I’ve had the best year of running under the guidance of Alicia. She is responsive, a great communicator, and consistently shows a deep understanding of both training and real life — knowing when to push and when to adjust. I fully trust her expertise and approach, and it’s clear she truly cares about her athletes. Her knowledge and encouragement have helped me reach new levels. I highly recommend her!
Sarah Grant –
Working with Alicia the last few months has been amazing! She understands my needs and goals and strikes the right balance of giving me both direction and flexibility. It’s been particularly great benefitting from her PT expertise as I’m rebuilding post-surgery earlier this year. I’m excited to keep working with her!
Cathryn Paris –
Working with Alicia has been a game changer in my running! When I hurt my ankle on literally my first run that she planned (entirely my own fault) she helped me work through the recovery with strength and cross training and now I’m back and more comfortable with each run and workout that she plans. She’s helped me pick gear that works for me and troubleshoot small changes that have made a big impact. I’m excited to see how far (and fast) I can go working with Alicia
Anna Girin –
Working with Alicia for the past couple of months has been wonderful. I am training for my first marathon, which is incredibly daunting. Ever since I started working with Alicia, I feel more and more confident that I can achieve this goal. Alicia has a very positive and easygoing attitude, it’s very easy to reach her whenever I have questions or concerns. She works with what I can and can not do. It’s been the best decision in my training to work with Alicia!
Jake Griffith –
Alicia is a great coach and pleasure to work with. I enjoyed significant improvements in my performance under her guidance- highly recommend! 19:18 to 17:03 in 19 short months.
Anthony Biasi –
I have had Alicia as a coach for about 2.5 months. She has been great to work with and was very helpful when I had a past injury show back up recently. Alicia sent me some rehab exercises to do for my knee and in about a month the knee pain is gone!! Its great to have a coach who is also a PTA!! Thank you Alicia!
Johnny –
If you want a fantastic coach that communicates effectively and that will keep you on track, look no further than Coach Alicia. Her methods work. She keeps me on point and ready for races. She listens to my needs and adapts the training to fit my goals (ultramarathons). She never ceases to surprise me with her breadth of knowledge, upbeatness and willingness to help me achieve. I could not ask for a better coach.
Talia Jewell –
This is my first experience with a coach and all I can ask myself is why did it take this long to get one. Alicia takes out all of the guesswork and provides structured running and strength plans based around my ability and goals. I’ve PRed in two races since signing up with her and am looking forward to training for my first 50k.
Ryan –
I have only been working with Alicia for a short time now, but I am very happy and impressed. She is very responsive and provides individualized workouts and adjusts to what is happening with me. Very excited to continue working with her and achieving my goals
Chelsea Greenwood –
Alicia is a thoughtful, kind, no-nonsense coach! I appreciated our first conversations where I word-vomited all my nebulous running goals and she helped me to parse everything and come up with plans that made sense. Her additional expertise in PT has provided lots of peace of mind when I had questions about niggles or injuries. I’m in between training seasons now and already itching to be working again with her!
Joanne Petersen –
Alicia has been a HUGE blessing. I was looking for a coach to help me navigate a busy work/personal life who is accommodating to last minute schedule changes, and she has been AMAZING! She’s both supportive but also realistic, which I appreciate. I recently came down with Covid, and had to take an entire week off of training, and she has given me the confidence to both trust the process and that I can still be in shape/ready for my 50k in 9 weeks despite this setback. Would HIGHLY recommend her a coach!
Tim Jahraus –
I’ve been working with Alicia for about six months now and highly recommend her as a coach for other athletes. She has a wide ranging, impressive ultrarunning resume as an athlete that helps compliment her coaching skillset. Her background as a physical therapist assistant adds another component to her skillset, making her a fantastic option if you’re looking for a professional who can guide you through a range of training distances and environments, navigating physical workload and injury prevention, and managing the work/life/training balance we all struggle with. She brings a very professional demeanor that you’ll notice right away. She’s very positive, practical, and laid back, but still direct. You can tell she’s done this before. I find she’s always looking to improve on her side too and is open to feedback. In the six months I’ve worked with her, she’s made tangible efforts to cut back on her PTA work to provide more room for communication with her athletes, and in my experience she’s always been prompt about responding to anything urgent. She’s thoughtful about not forcing ideas on an athlete, but her wide range of experience lends itself to a deep pool of opinions based on her experiences as an athlete, coach, and PTA. She’s quick to give her opinion if you ask for it, won’t beat a dead horse if you decide not to take her advice, and has no problem saying “I don’t know” if she doesn’t have direct experience related to your question. To me, those sort of no-nonsense responses mean it’s coming from very specific experience without any speculating or guesswork, and that is invaluable. When that comes from a coach who’s all about positivity, having fun and loving the training process, deliberate in applying the “why” to what she assigns, and makes athlete-coach communication fun and easy, you have a fantastic coaching candidate.
Jake Griffith –
Alicia is easy to work with and is a dedicated and knowledgeable coach. I’ve seen improvements in my times and she even helped me rehab through a nagging injury. Highly recommend.
Elizabeth Guy –
I’ve been working with Alicia for 2 months and enjoyed how she makes sure the training progression load is manageable, checks in on how you are feeling, and offers PT exercises to support your training. I feel so much better having someone “take the burden” off trying to plan for my first 100 mile race and have someone create a plan that is manageable when trying to balance life and a busy work schedule.
Lena Grobe –
Alicia has been an amazing coach for the last 10 months and continues to help me reach PRs in multiple races. I have a love for both trail and road races, long and short, and I completely trust her coaching to prepare me for whatever it is. Her addition of specific strength training workouts for me to do at home with minimal equipment have helped me tremendously with injury prevention and made me a better runner- I’ve never felt stronger! She’s very responsive and flexible, and I enjoy working with her very much. Highly recommend.
Stephanie Brereton –
I have been working with Alicia for 4.5 months now, and really enjoy having her as my coach. She is supportive, understanding, encouraging, and flexible. On workouts where I don’t feel satisfied with my performance, she always manages to find something positive. I also appreciate her “effort level” based training. It helps me focus on the amount of effort I am putting into a workout, instead of obsessing over a specific pace. She can tailor the strength training to the specific person, their weaknesses, and what equipment they have available, which is super helpful for me. Not to mention, as an injury-prone runner, her understanding of how the body works with her background as a PTA is amazingly helpful. I have no doubt that if anyone can help me finish my 100 miler, she can.
Artemio Mendoza –
I have really enjoyed working with Alicia since November. She is easy to talk to and quick to respond with any questions. No doubt that she’s going to get me ready for my goal! I’m looking forward to being coached by her the rest of the year!
Dani Sole –
Alicia is so kind and encouraging as a running coach. I felt like I was able to tell her what was on my mind when it came to my running plan and how I was feeling mentally. She felt like a close friend when it came to the relationship. She is also a GREAT communicator. I definitely recommend having her as a running coach, whether you are just starting out or an experienced runner!
Allyson Watkins –
Alicia’s training program has been very effective in helping me prepare for my upcoming race and managing pre-existing injuries. I am thankful I have her to “think” for me – I open the app and just do what she tells me to do! It has worked, I am stronger and my endurance has increased. She is very easy to reach and eager to answer any questions.
Damien Scott –
Alicia is an amazing coach and her coaching is worth every penny. She has helped me with injury prevention, becoming a more durable runner as well as running faster than I ever have before. I’m 44 years old and in the best shape of my life. Her coaching plan is flexible to my time restraints and easy to follow.
Todd –
Alicia has been a great coach for me, is always very quick to answer any questions I have and builds a plan around my schedule so that it works for me. When I decided to hire a coach I knew that I wanted someone who would encourage me to do better and that is exactly what Alicia does…. nobody needs a drill sergeant.
Since she is a PT assistant she knows what is going on with any injuries and can make adjustments as needed to the training.
John Farley –
I have been working with Alicia for about 3 months. Although I have had the first few races cancelled and a few injuries, she has been with me the whole time adjusting the plan as needed. She has been very easy to contact and quick with feedback. Alicia is encouraging when I hit the set training plan as well as flexible and understanding when life throws curveballs and I need to adjust.
Kathryn Boehmer –
I have been working with Alicia since January in preparation for my first ultra and it has been incredible. I have been working through some of the longer lasting effects from COVID 19 and Alicia has been amazing with my programming. She is an awesome support and was able to adjust my training based off of how my body was feeling. I am set to run my first ultra in 1 week and feel very prepared. All thanks to my AMAZING coach ????
snapssmith –
I can’t say enough positive things about Alicia! I am a longtime runner, but this is my first time being coached and it has been a wonderful experience so far. She has given me workouts tailored to my goals and explains the science behind why we’re doing what we’re doing. I love that she has a PT background — as soon as I feel something crop up, she prescribes prehab exercises to combat any injury. I am also loving the strength workouts and can see that it’s leading to real improvement. She is extremely communicative and motivating, while being very understanding and compassionate in her approach. I’ve already seen a huge improvement with my running efficiency and speed in the short time I’ve been with her and I am feeling very confident about achieving my goals with her this year and beyond!
PaulGuillien –
I am very pleased with my coaching program with Alicia Jenkins. She is the perfect blend of scientific approach, highly knowledgeable, outstanding communications, and is also downright inspiring. Her consistent communications and thoughtful reports and analysis are very much appreciated. She is welcoming anytime I have a question and likes to have a call periodically to chat about how things are going.
She goes above and beyond, making her own how-to videos to demonstrate different stretches and exercises that she prescribes. Her background in physical therapy has been enormously helpful in fortifying the weak links in my 49-year-old body making me a more resilient athlete.
She is genuinely interested in the journey her athletes are on and is very enthusiastic about all things running. I appreciate that she is focused on ultra distance trail running in her own life the same way I am. Alicia is a very committed and talented coach who is worth every penny of the monthly fee. I am grateful to have found her and enjoy working with her to accomplish my trail running goals.
Miguel Reyes –
Alicia has made herself available whenever needed even with a 3-hour time difference. We communicate regularly and she is always rooting for me and her training plan definitely suits my exact needs and schedule. Would recommend Alicia for anyone!
Kara Hourdas –
I have really enjoyed working with Alicia over the past months. She’s a very knowledgeable runner and her positivity and encouraging words get you through tough workouts. I admire her tenacity as evidenced by her own accomplishments both as a runner and a person. I look forward to continuing to train with Alicia and I know she’ll be the coach to help me obtain my goals. Highly recommend her to anyone looking to meet their goals with a positive, responsive coach.
Kristen Hannon –
Alicia has been off and on coaching me for the past few years. She got me through my first 100k last February! She is sympathetic and easy to talk to as well as being tough and giving great motivation when needed. Overall, I only have great things to say and will continue with her for my 100 miler next year!
Goht VanDenBrink –
I have been training with Alicia for 2 months now and I’ve noted significant improvements in my pace and endurance. Our interactions via telephone and zoom calls have been very positive and helpful. She is fantastic at communicating with quick answers and insightful guidance that keeps me motivated and positive.