Running during and/or after breast cancer, run-walk, injury prevention, 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon

Trusting Your Body Again: Cancer treatments can make you feel disconnected from your body. I help you rebuild that trust by teaching you to listen for signs of lymphedema, surgical tightness, fatigue or other cancer related side effects.

Flexibility: Recovery is rarely linear. Your training will adapt to how you feel each day, focusing on Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) rather than strictly tracking pace or heart rate. As your side effects clear, we will incorporate additional progress metrics.

Biomechanics: Surgeries and radiation can impact posture, core stability, and upper body mechanics. As a certified Cancer Exercise Specialist and Endurance Athlete Injury Prevention Specialist, I can provide targeted, low-impact strength work to address range of motion limits and shoulder mobility for those who want to build this into their running program.

Self-Compassion: Running after cancer is a deeply emotional process. My goal is to guide your training toward health, joy, and longevity while helping you reach your personal running goals.

I coach breast cancer survivors returning to running, as well as those lacing up their shoes for the very first time. Following my own breast cancer diagnosis, I searched for a coach to help me navigate the unique challenges of running after treatment. Finding no specialized coaches, I decided to fill that void. Since then, I have worked with runners of all experience levels—from first-time racers to athletes training for half marathons and marathons.

As a UESCA and RRCA Level 1 Certified Running Coach and a Certified Cancer Exercise Specialist, I combine evidence-based training with a personalized approach. My coaching emphasizes rebuilding trust in your body, flexibility, long-term development, and self-compassion to help athletes reach their goals with confidence and joy.

I believe a coach’s education is lifelong. During the off-season, I continue taking courses to refine my knowledge and skill set. My training includes specialization courses in the Galloway Run-Walk Method, Injury Prevention for Endurance Athletes, and Physiological Adaptations to Endurance Exercise.

My favorite part of coaching is seeing the joy my athletes experience when they cross the finish line and accomplish something they didn’t think was possible—whether that is running a new distance, achieving a PR, or conquering a challenging course.

When I’m not running or coaching, you can usually find me outside with a cup of coffee. I’m a proud dog mom to Ellie, who is 16.5 years old! I also love to travel and have visited 43 states. The National Parks are my favorite places to explore, and my husband and I are working toward visiting all of them.

Arthur Lydiard’s General Approach: Focus on building a strong aerobic base first, embrace the importance of hill training, and introduce speed work before the taper.

Steve Magness’s Formula:

1. Lots of easy work
2. Occasionally moderate work
3. Sometimes hard work
4. Work that is “feel-good fast” (train, don’t strain)

The Power of Repetition: While introducing constant variety can prevent boredom, the body adapts best through repetition. Consistently repeating workouts allows the body to gain the maximum benefit from training.

Below is a list of races that I have raced, and can help you with race logistics, specific training, etc…

• Akron Marathon Race Series
• Wineglass Marathon Weekend
• Flying Pig Marathon Weekend
• Hall of Fame Half Marathon
• Rock n’ Roll Savannah Half Marathon
• Cleveland Marathon: 5K

Local Northeast Ohio Races

• Women’s 6K
• To the Clock Tower and Back 5K
• Kenmore Cowbell 7K
• Kurent Dash 5K
• Berlin Amish Country Half Marathon
• St. Malachi 5M & 2M
• Towpath Half Marathon
• Towpath Marathon: 10K
• Home Run for the Homeless 4 Mile
• The Great New Year’s Eve Run 5K

• UESCA Run Coach
• UESCA Injury Prevention for Endurance Athletes Specialist
• UESCA Physiological Adaptations for Endurance Exercise Specialist
• RRCA Level I Run Coach
• RRCA Galloway Run-Walk-Run
• CETI Cancer Exercise Specialist
• Urban Poling Nordic Walking Instructor

Personal records (PRs) are just that- personal. After my breast cancer diagnosis, I struggled greatly with PRs as my body completely changed. I truly did not recognize it. Managing the mental pressure of chasing PRs—and deciding when to set them aside—remains an ongoing balance, especially when sharing them publicly. While I have achieved some lifetime PRs post-diagnosis, others remain out of reach. For me, the best thing that I can do for my mental health is to keep PRs personal.

For fellow breast cancer survivors navigating this same space, I encourage celebrating post-cancer PRs. They serve as meaningful stepping stones as you rebuild. For some, pre-cancer PRs may no longer be realistic targets, but setting and celebrating new post-cancer milestones can be just as rewarding.

I understand why athletes want to know a coach’s PRs to gauge if they are the right fit. If you are considering working with me, please reach out. I am always transparent about whether your goals align with my coaching capabilities. At a minimum, I am happy to share general guidelines on returning to running after breast cancer.

• Returning to Running after Breast Cancer
• https://fitafterpink.substack.com/