Elaina Raponi – Kingston Running Coach
$125.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee
50% off your 1st month! 8th place at the 2024 Canadian Half Marathon Championships and a 2:46 marathon PR from the 2024 Chicago Marathon. I love working with athletes of all abilities and experience levels and am here to help you find confidence and joy in the process!
Description
Kingston running coach Elaina Raponi specializes in working with runners on the roads from the 5k up to the marathon, so whether you’re aiming for your first road 5k race, or trying to nab that elusive BQ, Elaina is excited to help you get there. Reach out to Elaina below to get started!
*** 50% off First Month for month-to-month Coaching – Coupon Code: 50%raponi ***
LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
TYPES: Road, Track
DISTANCES: 5k/10k/Half Marathon, Marathon
TRAINING PLATFORM: Final Surge
TRAINING PLAN: Individual, customized training plan
COMMUNICATION: Unlimited email, unlimited text, unlimited phone
RESPONSE TIME: Within 24 hours
LOCATION: Kingston, Ontario
IN-PERSON SESSIONS: No, online coaching only
SPECIALTIES
My specialty is primarily on the road from the mile to the marathon. If you’re a first-time runner looking to race your first 5k, or a seasoned runner looking to reach a new PR, I want to work alongside you.
I take a holistic approach to coaching by equipping you with the training you need while also helping you incorporate cross-training, mobility, and stretching. Beyond providing a training plan, I also help my athletes with their nutrition and fueling so they can continue doing what they’re asking their bodies to do.
In the age of mass-produced, impersonalized, and even AI-generated training plans, I offer truly personal, individualized coaching that’s unique to your needs and goals. At the end of the day, I’m here to keep you accountable, healthy, and motivated on the way to that next race. I encourage you to read reviews from a handful of the athletes I’ve had the pleasure of working with.
PHILOSOPHY
When I first started working with my coach he said, “You deserve to find out how good you could be”. This is the same approach I take with all of my athletes. Your goals are important to me and I want to equip you with the tools and knowledge to make those goals a reality.
Working with a coach and finding a community of runners has been life-changing for me. It’s helped me set and achieve goals I never thought possible, and increase my confidence inside and outside of running. That’s why I started coaching – I want to help athletes find or nurture their love for running and help them achieve their goals, whatever those may be.
From my own training, I’ve learned that running is about more than one race or one season – it’s about consistently showing up on the good days and the bad. I understand that everyone has varying commitments including jobs, families, and other hobbies they may enjoy, and my goal is to help you incorporate a running plan that meets you where you’re at to get you where you want to be.
I believe the best coach-athlete relationships are a product of good communication and feedback. I often share with my athletes that the training plan I create is only as good as the information I have. That is why I like to check in with my athletes to see how they’re feeling, how their bodies are handling the training, and make any adjustments that might be necessary. Having both quantitative and qualitative information helps me be the best coach for you.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
After working informally with family and friends looking to complete their first 5 or 10k race I began completing the National Coaches Certification Program (NCCP) through Athletics Canada.
I’ve worked extensively with new runners who are just getting into the sport and aren’t sure where to start to seasoned runners looking to tackle the marathon. I’ve coached athletes coming back from injury or burnout and helped athletes of all levels break through plateaus to reach new personal bests.
I believe that running is for everyone and embrace working with athletes of all abilities and experience levels.
ABOUT ME
“There’s a little bit of talent, but there’s a heck of a lot of hard work. That’s what people can identify with.”
I heard the above quotation on a podcast and I believe it speaks to who I am as a runner and a coach. I didn’t run in high school or college, rather running was something I sort of fell into. I don’t think I possess any “innate talent” when it comes to running, rather I work incredibly hard, and in doing so have made consistent progress over the years.
First marathon: 3:33 (2021) –> best marathon: 2:46 (2024)
First half marathon: 2:05 (2017) -> best half marathon: 1:19 (2025)
When I’m not running 100 miles a week I enjoy training for triathlon and practicing yoga. I’m a voracious reader, love traveling to new places, and like any good Italian, I love both coffee and pizza. Together with my husband, Brant (also a coach on Team RunRun!), we have an Australian Shepherd named Remy, and a hedgehog named Dill Pickle.
When I’m not coaching or running, I’m a full-time student pursuing my Masters in Counselling Psychology.
BIG INFLUENCES
I’m fortunate to have an amazing coach myself and he has without a doubt been my biggest influence in the sport of running. I also draw inspiration and influence from Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness. I don’t believe in quick fixes or “silver bullets” and firmly believe when it comes to sport, and running in particular, consistency compounds.
RACING HISTORY
I’ve primarily raced in Southeastern Ontario and the Northeastern United States. In 2023 I placed 3rd at the Cleveland Half Marathon (1:22:28), 6th at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon (1:19:55), and 1st at It’s a Wonderful Run 5k in Seneca Falls, New York (17:35).
I’ve ran the Boston Marathon twice and am looking forward to racing the Chicago Marathon in 2024!
CERTIFICATIONS
I’m currently completing the National Coaches Certification Program (NCCP) through Athletics Canada.
PRs
- Mile: 5:13
- 5k: 17:05
- 10k: 36:25
- Half marathon: 1:19:31
- Marathon: 2:46:23 (2024 Chicago Marathon)
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
- 8th Canadian at the 2024 Canadian Half Marathon Championships in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
CONTACT ELAINA
Finding a coach who is a great fit for you is really important. We encourage you to email your coach prior to signing up so you can connect, communicate, and ensure a good athlete/coach fit.
PUBLICATIONS
- Top Canadian Finishers at the 2024 Chicago Marathon
- Building the Perfect Running Shoe Rotation
- Rate of Perceived Exertion for Runners
- Post-Marathon Recovery
- One Runner’s Secret to Running a sub 3-hour Marathon
- New Course Record for the Napanee Heritage 5k
- Buffalo 4 Mile celebrates its 40th Anniversary
SOCIAL
Beth Boisvert –
I am so thankful for Team RunRun and coach Elaina! I feel like she took the time to really understand my goals and has been incredibly flexible in building a training plan that supports my ever-changing schedule. I appreciate how she builds and adapts my training to challenge me in new ways and has been so encouraging throughout! I appreciate how much insight she provides on pacing, approach to fueling and listening to the body. I’ve reached new milage in this training cycle and with 4 weeks until my big race have no doubts that I will be as prepared as possible to crush a PR! Thanks Elaina, you have been such a positive addition to my running journey!
Hillary Read –
Elaina is great! Super-supportive and flexible about her approach. It’s a pleasure to work with her!
Alex Renaud –
Elaina took the time to understand my training goals and was responsive and adaptable throughout my marathon journey. Her passion for running is infectious – she is a great coach!
Michelle Donahue –
Having Elaina as my coach has been a life-changer! At 56, I was struggling to find my potential as a runner, when I noticed my daughter Meaghan was reaching new running heights and goals with the advice and coaching from Elaina. I hired her too, and over the past three months Elaina has proven to be invaluable to me! Her training workouts are well planned and provide the structure, clarity and encouragement to help me reach greater speeds and endurance! I ran the Miami half marathon last month and exceeded my goal! I’m actually having so much fun running that I started entering local 5Ks and I’m crushing those goals too… I feel like I’m 10 years younger! haha 😉 Elaina has truly helped me find my potential for which I’m extremely grateful! I highly recommend her!
Ben Murphy –
Cant say enough great things about working with Elaina. She is organized, very responsive to communication, and incredibly knowledgeable. You can also tell she is genuinely extremely passionate about everything running, which is really motivational as someone working with her. Her programming is fantastic, and I’ve been able to progress up to high weekly mileage injury free (Injuries have happened in the past when trying to increase to my current mileage). Feeling the most fit I have in many years leading into spring racing season. Would highly recommend Elaina as a coach to anyone who’s looking to take their running to the next level.
Tania Agness –
I have been working with Elaina for almost 3 months and have built quite a bit of fitness since working with her. As a coach myself, I am pretty particular about what I am looking for in a running coach. I need someone who will push me past barriers and create a running plan that is bigger than what I would plan for myself. Elaina’s workouts seem to match exactly where I am. They feel good, but push me just past the edge of what I think I can do. Although I have yet to run my goal race, I am confident that I have the training to hit my goal time. At no point have I felt over or undertrained for my race. Elaina is also a joy to work with. She is positive, gives feedback, and has weekly plans ready on time. I have really enjoyed working with her and look forward to continuing our partnership.
Cassandra Sampson –
I’ve been working with Elaina for just a few months, but I’ve known about her and her approach for about a year through a friend. Deciding to invest in a run coach for the first time was a big step for me, and I’m so glad I did. Elaina’s support, collaborative attitude, and fun energy make training not only effective but enjoyable. She takes the time to listen and tailor suggestions to my specific needs, and her responsiveness makes working with her feel seamless. She really cares about helping me improve, while also understanding the need to balance running with life outside of it. In just two months, I’ve already shaved 3:58 minutes off my half marathon time — I’m seeing real progress, and I’m excited to continue working with her!
Maryann –
I started working with Elaina two months ago, after running my second my marathon, and have had nothing but a great experience! Elaina is incredibly knowledgeable and responsive. The workouts she programs are fun and challenging – and she sends a message after every single one checking in on how it went or with some words of encouragement! She has also given me very helpful info on fueling during long runs, an area that I think some coaches may overlook. I definitely feel myself becoming a much stronger and more confident runner while working with Elaina, and would highly recommend her to anyone thinking about working with a coach!
Anne Buchan –
I’ve loved and enjoyed working with Elaina every moment. Her patience, feedback, and thoughtfulness have been greatly appreciated. Elaina’s coaching allowed me to start slowly, build strength, and maintain a sturdy base. I love seeing a significant improvement and change in my running and heart rate over several months instead of the quick fix. I highly recommend Elaina to all runners!!!
Randi Martinez –
I can’t say enough good things about Elaina! Training for my first marathon while working as a nurse with a crazy schedule has been a real challenge, but Elaina has been an absolute lifesaver. Not only has she created a training plan that works around my unpredictable shifts, but the support and guidance I’ve received along the way have been invaluable. I’ve been running for most of my life, but taking on my first marathon felt like a whole new challenge, especially with my weird nurse schedule. I knew I needed a bit more structure and guidance, and that’s exactly what Elaina has provided.
What really stands out is how Elaina takes the time to understand my individual needs—whether it’s adjusting mileage, offering recovery tips, or helping me stay mentally strong. The communication is great, and I always feel like I’m on track even when life gets in the way. Thanks to Elaina, I’m feeling confident and ready to tackle my first marathon.
Joyce –
Elaina has been my running coach since late October 2024. Before working with her, I followed the Garmin training plan for my first half marathon in late 2023. The biggest difference between Elaina’s coaching and the Garmin plan is her personalized approach. She tailors my weekly training plan based on my fitness level and feedback from previous workouts, rather than just focusing on a time goal.
I can ask her any questions about running and the purpose behind each workout. Training with Elaina has taught me that running isn’t just about pace or time. Through her guidance, I’ve gained valuable knowledge about nutrition, recovery, perceived effort, and race strategy. While there’s plenty of information available on social media, it’s often overwhelming and difficult to determine what’s accurate. With Elaina, I’m confident that my training is on the right track, and the knowledge she shares is both relevant and trustworthy.
Her interactive and communicative coaching style eliminates the guesswork, ensuring that I train safely and effectively. Elaina is incredibly approachable, responds quickly to my questions and requests, and is always encouraging. I highly recommend her coaching services to anyone looking for personalized guidance in their running journey.
Samantha –
I’ve never worked one-on-one with a coach but have done online training plans, group coaching, and was certified 10 years ago as a running coach so although I don’t coach others, I have an understanding of training. As a runner of nearly 20 years, multiple marathons and over 20 half’s, I wasnt really sure if working with a personal coach would be worth it but after 2 months of working with Elaina I am SO happy I jumped in.
I’m not currently training for a race but had a goal of improving my speed/endurance over the winter and after a 10K “just for fun” I surprised myself with placing 3rd female.
Honestly, the best part for me is not having to think about my training. I’ve completely given up the mental load of figuring out what workout would be best, second-guessing myself, and my paces. Each week I get a new workout loaded to my plan and I truly look forward to seeing the workouts I have for the upcoming week. Each speed/tempo session is different and a challenge but not too intimidating. I’ve done more milage the last few weeks than I have the past couple years but it doesn’t feel like it.
Can’t recommend Elaina enough, her encouragement on basically every workout has been an unexpected benefit as well.
Jeremy Birkbeck –
I have been working with Elaina for over two months now and as a 61 year old training for my first marathon, I have no doubt this was the best thing I could have done! Right from the word go, she took on board my previous running experience and race times and has consistently given me challenging yet manageable and FUN work-outs for the week ahead. She patiently explained some of the running jargon that I was not too familiar with and is always very quick to respond to questions and give feedback to specific runs. In her profile, she also states that her philosophy is to ‘find out how good can you be’; well, I am very confident that I will be able to do exactly that with her expert guidance and support. Having an experienced coach and ELITE runner like Elaina in your corner is so exciting and inspiring and I highly recommend her!
Soly Shenouda –
I first chose Elaina as my coach because her profile made it clear she was an elite athlete yet had an affordable price. After talking to her before signing up with her, it was clear she knew what she was doing and would be an effective coach for me as I hope to complete many races in the future. Wow, she has NOT disappointed!
My FAVORITE thing about Elaina is that she comments on virtually every workout, whether it is a quick comment or a point of feedback or even just an acknowledgement AND she personalizes every single run, with a clear description and clear goals and a clear purpose. Even when I have questions, she responds almost immediately and leaves nothing unanswered! I have never had a fitness coach of any kind (and I have had plenty) that comments and responds with the intentionality and consistency as Elaina does. Aside from her amazing communication, I’ve literally been doing certain runs I never knew I had in me, because her plan WORKS! Who woulda’ thought that an elite athlete like herself would know how to coach someone efficiently and effectively.
If you are someone like me, you have completed a couple of half-marathons, now training for a marathon and beyond, Elaina is a no-brainer as your pick for a coach. She has the perfect balance of doing what works, but also accommodating to you and your training style, while being very communicative. Her running record speaks for itself, but also all of these 5-star reviews clearly agree on the things I mentioned in my review about Elaina.
Sarah Andrews –
I can’t recommend Coach Elaina enough! She was absolutely instrumental in helping me train for the Chicago Marathon. My goal was to run a great time while feeling strong and steady throughout the entire race, and thanks to her coaching, I achieved just that!
Elaina is incredibly responsive and always quick to answer any questions or concerns I had, which made me feel supported every step of the way. She’s not just a coach, she’s also your biggest cheerleader, always encouraging and uplifting you, no matter how tough the training gets. Her approach is so understanding and personalized—she really listens to your needs and tailors everything to ensure you stay on track.
The weekly workouts she created were fantastic, always varied, and included amazing speed training runs that kept me engaged and challenged. I never once felt like I was doing the same routine over and over. Each workout felt purposeful and helped me build the fitness I needed to perform on race day.
If you’re looking for a coach who knows how to help you meet your goals while making the journey enjoyable and rewarding, Elaina is the one! I can’t thank her enough for all her support—she truly made my marathon experience a success!
Chloe –
I have nothing but great things to say about working with Elaina. She is an accomplished runner herself and she brings her knowledge and experience to her coaching. Elaina is a smart and thoughtful coach, she listens carefully to my goals, my concerns and any life events that come up outside of running, and tailors my plan accordingly. Elaina takes the time to explain the purpose behind every workout and is quick to answer any of my messages. Elaina coached me to a 20 minute PB in the marathon and during my training, helped me set PBs in the 5K, half-marathon and 30K. I am consistently running at a higher mileage than I ever have before, without injury or burnout. In addition to running, Elaina has given me advice on fuelling, nutrition, strength training and recovery. Elaina is supportive, responsive and approachable. Working with Elaina has made me a faster, stronger and more confident runner. I would recommend Elaina to any runner looking for a coach.
Christian Sturlesi –
Working with Elaina has been awesome and easy. You cant go wrong with her. She helps you progress very quickly in a safe, injury free way, makes sure to stay in touch with you. She is highly supportive and makes sure to tailor coaching plans that fit your level, lifestyle and personal goals. Even if you’re training other sports, she will work with you to design a plan that will fit the runs ideally into your week. After 2 months of working together, I ran a half marathon (literally yesterday) in 1:50:03 on the hilliest and most humid course you can think of, down more than 10 minutes from my previous 2 hour best Half marathon PB (on a flat course). She is awesome!
Ciara Maynard –
Elaina is an incredible coach – she’s the most supportive, genuinely cares about your progress, and empowers you throughout your training. She’s extremely responsive, and ensures you feel like someone’s got your back. Her warmth and friendliness truly make it feel like she is a dear friend. In terms of programming Elaina is extremely knowledgeable – she’s been able to help me see meaningful progress in training for my first marathon while helping avoid prior injuries I’d been struggling with. Without a doubt recommend Elaina to anyone!
Maria –
*** October 2024 ***
Left a review back in Jan, and I wanted to come back and give an update now that it’s almost the end of the year.
It’s been amazing! She’s helped coach me on distances from 5ks to my very first Ultramarathon over the summer. Her approach is simple and smart, and it definitely gets results. I’ve really enjoyed working with her, and keep seeing progress. Elaina is so patient, kind and understanding, and helps to keep me accountable as we go after my goals.
I’d recommend her in a heartbeat, along with TeamRunRun. Have only had good experiences!
*** January 2024 ***
I’ve been working with Elaina for two months now, and I can’t say enough good things about her! I spent a year getting back into running on my own and saw plenty of progress. In two months training with Elaina though I’ve seen much more progress much faster than ever on my own! My mile run time is already two minutes faster than when we started. She’s incredibly kind, responsive, respectful and friendly. We had a consultation before I signed up where she answered all my questions and we chatted about her coaching style and what I was hoping for from a coach. I’m so excited to see how the rest of the year goes working with her. Every question I’ve had she’s been happy to answer. I really can’t recommend Team Run Run and Elaina more!
Chuck –
I’ve been benefiting from Elaina’s coaching for two months now. Her approach has increased my mileage, speed, and confidence while keeping me injury free. I appreciate her enthusiasm and knowledge—both of which she is eager to share. I was concerned that an online coach wouldn’t be very different from a book or Garmin type plan. It is! Having a caring and responsive person on the other end of the plan is a huge relief and allows me to just focus on executing the workouts without getting lost in the technical details. Elaina is incredibly responsive and her feedback on workouts really motives and educates. I can’t recommend her enough.
Reyden Bunag –
I raced my first ever Half Marathon at the Toronto Marathon in May 2024. My total time was 2:25hrs. Since then, I used the “Runna App” for “personalized coaching”. In July, I ran a 10km race @ a PR of: 1:05hrs. I noticed I didn’t make much improvements. I then reached out to Elaina for coaching.
For the past 2 months. I noticed significant improvements. We focused on aerobic easy paced runs and honestly… it was a game changer. The Runna App had me running mainly by pace and at times it felt like I was running my easy days hard. Elaina taught me what it truly meant to run your easy days easy. At first, I would run a 13:00-14:00min/mile at a Heart Rate of 155bpm and running a 10:00-11:00min/mile would shoot me up to a HR of 180bpm but I trusted the process and put my trust into Elaina. 🙂
Now, I just ran a 10km race two days ago and completed it with a time of 59:13. The effort surprised me! Majority of the race I held a sub 10:00min/mile. I felt good, race day nutrition and hydration were on point. I couldn’t believe I was holding a sub 10:00min mile for that long of a distance! It brought out my confidence during the race because I was proud about how hard I worked and consistent on the training I was given by Elaina.
I have my Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon upcoming. Whatever time I get doesn’t matter to me much… but just looking back on the two months of being coached by Elaina and the amount of improvements I have made is crazy!
I highly recommend being coached by Elaina. When it’s time for me to run a full marathon I will definitely reach out to Elaina.
😀
Christina –
Elaina has been helping me out for a couple of months! Along the way she has taken the time to educate me about the workouts she designs as well as why we are working on specific things. She’s incredibly informative! Within these few months I’ve become more confident in pushing myself and have seen results with both speed and endurance. I highly recommend Elaina for a multitude of reasons!
Jennifer Ryder –
I have been working with Elaina for a few months now. She is the first coach I have had and she doesn’t disappoint! She is helping me train for my first marathon and has put together a training plan that gives me confidence that I will be fully prepared for race day. I highly recommend her!
Kayla –
Elaina’s such a good coach! She’s helped me improve at a challenging but manageable pace and has helped noticeable changes in just 2 months! She’s so quick to answer texts with support and guidance as well as is fun to talk to.
Nick –
Elaina is amazing to work with. She is very encouraging and always available for questions. I can tell that her plans and workouts are tailored to me and not copy and pasted from a generic plan. I’ve been working with her for 2 months and I already see a huge difference.
Nick –
Elaina is amazing to work with. She is very encouraging and always available for questions. I can tell that her plans and workouts are tailored to me and not copy and pasted from a generic plan. I’ve been working with her for 2 months and I already see a huge differnce.
Giovanni Grimaldo –
I started working with Elaina two months ago to train for my first ever marathon. As a novice runner, she has shown me a whole new world of training. Her method of focusing on time has helped me reach attainable goals. She’s patient and understands that life gets in the way and sometimes we miss a workout. Nevertheless, she doesn’t give up on her athletes and always roots for us! <3 she’s fantastic at having the training plan on finalsurge in a timely manner. She is an excellent coach!! I look forward to continue working with her on my next race journeys (:
Bridget Re –
I have loved working with Elaina as she helps me prep for my first half marathon. She is incredibly knowledgeable and never makes me feel bad for listening to my body or switching around my workouts if need be. If fact, she encourages me to do what feels right making me feel incredibly safe this whole prep. She is very responsive and timely with providing my workout plan for the week. I highly recommend working wiht Elaina, she’s a joy!
Elise Qian –
I started working with Elaina to train for my second marathon because I felt like I needed more structure and guidance in training. She has been amazing so far! She is responsive, flexible, and supportive; with her coaching, I definitely feel like my fitness and confidence have both increased. I find myself looking forward to the workouts she plans every week, as they are so different from what I used to do on my own. I’m a planner myself, but I love that I can rely on someone who is knowledgable and experienced to plan marathon training! Elaina explains the purpose of each workout and how I’m supposed to feel during them, which is SUPER helpful context for when I’m doing them. I’ve learned so much already, and am excited to continue training!
Shannon Leonard –
Elaina has been a great coach! I am really enjoying all of the workouts/easy runs/long runs programed for me. It is quite obvious there is a lot of thought and purpose that goes into each and every workout I have had scheduled so far. I look forward to learning more about how to become the best runner I can!
Anna Whelan –
Elaina is truly an excellent coach! She has been so helpful and flexible with my ever-changing schedule. She is available and knowledgeable and has truly made me a better athlete in the short time I have been working with her! I hope to continue working with her for the long term!
Tim –
After just a couple months of working with Elaina, I’ve progressed further than I thought I could in just that short period of time. I fell into a little bit of a rut with running, and so far she’s really helped me really enjoy running again. I look forward to each day and what she has planned for me. She’s always on top of the planning a truly makes you feel like you are the only one she works with because she responds so quickly. I’m excited to continue working with her!
Katie Anderson –
I started working with Elaina soon after my first marathon after feeling that my training cycle could have really benefitted from more structure and guidance. My friends recommended Elaina and I’m so happy that I took the leap!!! In just 2 months of working with her I’ve already noticed such a difference in my training and can feel my fitness building under her coaching. My confidence in myself as a runner has also grown with her providing pace guidance for me that are personalized to my goals and abilities. She’s incredibly responsive and encouraging, both when I have questions and to just send me kudos after a solid run! She’s super prompt in sending over the plan for each week and includes awesome context/ guidance for her reasoning for each run.
Runners of all levels would benefit so much from working with Elaina! I can’t wait to continue progressing with her as my coach 🙂
Macon –
Elaina is so helpful at meeting me where I am at but also pushing me to keep focused and working towards the end goal! She is always so available and helpful whenever I have questions or need clarity on certain trainings! I feel so lucky to have her as a coach and as someone who can push to make me a better athlete!
Zachary B –
I cannot say enough great things about Elaina and her coaching. Her coaching brought me to a PR in my half marathon with a time that I would not have thought possible a few months. The runs that she has you do are manageable and she walks you through the different types of runs when they are given. Elaina is quick to respond to any questions that I had and very supportive. I would absolutely recommend to anyone looking for a running coach to run with Elaina!!
Natalie –
I started working with Elaina a few months ago after I felt like I needed to change-up my self-guided training. When we initially met, I immediately was comfortable chatting with Elaina, and felt inspired by both her knowledge of the sport and her personal accomplishments. That level of ease in communication and connection has definitely carried through in our coaching partnership so far! I really enjoy getting my weekly training plans and reading the details for different types of runs and workouts. If I have a question, Elaina is always quick to respond. She also checks in to see how a workout goes and makes sure I’m feeling good in my body with the training. She is super encouraging, supportive, and knowledgeable. I look forward to having her as my coach and cheerleader heading into Chicago Marathon in the fall!
One final note: It’s been great to remove the task of creating my own training plans, since life with three kids under 10 and a full time job is busy enough! I think that hiring Elaina has definitely helped to ward off burnout and reignited some of my love for running. 🙂
Rebecca Romary –
The most important things in running are consistency and passion for sport. These are two things I can always count on Elaina to deliver as my running coach. Not only does she take time out of her busy day to give prompt feedback on my workouts, she also responds to my many emails about pace, nutrition, injury recovering, injury prevention, and she also takes times to geek out with me over professional race results, athletes, books, etc. – and she does this consistently, without fail. Her knowledge and passion for the sport are very visible in her personal paces, race results, and just the amount of work she puts into herself- and this motivates to put in the work; to become a better athlete. 11/10 recommend.
Sydney Hornsby –
Elaina has helped me so much in the time we have been together so far. She has taken the guess work out of training for me and allowed me to really focus and enjoy the running! Always willing and ready to answer any questions and provide helpful insight, as well as checking in on runs and how my body is handling the training load. She is very encouraging and helps me navigate my busy schedule and training. I feel so prepared and confident in the training we have done for my next marathon because of Elaina!
Sarah Kuchel –
Elaina is a great coach. I was looking for a coach that’s professional but also personable and that’s 100% Elaina. She responds quickly to concerns or a request to tweak my schedule when life happens. As an intermediate runner, my biggest goals are to get faster and stronger while not getting injured and she has been instrumental in that. She is quick to respond and her availability and support helps me stay motivated to keep working to my goals. She’s a great cheerleader and has improved my running, no doubt. Cannot say enough good things about Elaina.
Megan Moss –
I am training for my first marathon after only running for about 7 months. When I first started running my pace was slow and my heart rate was insanely high. I also had ankle surgery several years ago so I decided to hire a coach because I wanted someone who could help tailor a plan based on my needs and goals and Elaina has done just that! I’ve been working with her 2 months now and my pace has gotten faster and my heart rate much more steady. She is also super responsive and adaptable so if something comes up or if I’m having pain anywhere she will help by altering workouts and giving stretching suggestions. She makes a point of checking in every couple of days (if not daily!) and is happy to communicate in whatever way is best for me. Although running is why we’re all here, I love that Elaina recognizes that people also have lives outside of running and takes the time to get to know you and your priorities when it comes to developing her plans. She’s also super personable, approachable, and supportive. I couldn’t ask for a better coach if I tried!
Lydia Yates –
I cannot say enough great things about Elaina or recommend her highly enough as a coach. She is just absolutely awesome! Not only is Elaina a wealth of knowledge and extremely responsive, she’s also your biggest fan and very encouraging. She really listens to understand you and what you’re working towards and tailors the plan to you. I began working with Elaina after having run my first marathon and can honestly say in just the few shorts months we’ve been working together I can already see and feel improvements in my efforts. I will not only be a better runner, but also a much more confident runner with the help of Elaina. So grateful to have found Elaina through Team Run Run!
Kristen Largay –
I have nothing but great things to say about working with Elaina! She was recommended to me a few months ago by a friend who is also training for her first marathon. I have done a few half marathons in the past using online training plans but having the personal touch of a coach has made such a big difference. Elaina is extremely responsive anytime I have a question and reaches out consistently throughout the week to comment on my runs and ask how I’m feeling. If something comes up and I can’t fit in a run, Elaina helps modify my schedule. I have noticed a huge difference in my runs and feel stronger than I ever have before while also consistently increasing mileage every week leading up to my race. I will definitely continue working with Elaina after my race and would recommend her to anyone looking for a coach!
Meghan Douglas –
I’ve been working with Elaina for about two and a half months now and it has been so worth it having her as a coach! I feel like I’ve made so much progress with her. A few months ago running a marathon seemed so intimidating but with Elaina’s help I feel so much more confident that I’m going to not only reach my goals, but exceed them. She’s done a great job of giving me workouts that push me while still being attainable. She is also so quick to respond whenever I message her and she often reaches out just to check in and see how I’m feeling/how a run went. I really appreciate all of her help and support and if you’re thinking about getting a coach I definitely recommend Elaina!
Elizabeth Luzum –
I have had a few coaches and i am extremely satisfied with how responsive elaina is to commenting on my workouts, answers to my questions, and new and reviewed information helpful for my runs! Although i have done a few marathons, i ALWAYS appreciate feedback. I will enjoy my path leading up to my next big race with Elaina!
Meaghan Donahue –
I love working with Elaina!! She is really responsive and organized, and very easy to talk to! I love how she breaks down workouts/explains the purpose behind each activity while keeping it fun. She has also provided a wealth of knowledge regarding fueling during runs and incorporating cross-training. I highly recommend her!!
Azadeh Barzideh –
When I started with Elaina as my coach, I already had a failed running experience using the Couch to 5K app and I wasn’t sure if running is my thing. But with Elaina’s planning and encouragement, I feel confident that my goals are achievable. Elaina is always ready to answer any questions I have and is eager to know how each run of mine feels like which is an attitude toward exercise that I truly admire. I’m a type of person that is consistent with my practice when someone is watching me and encouraging me which is the coaching style Elaina has for me. I definitely recommend Elaina to all who doubt if they should start running and whether they can keep up.
Jessica Li –
Elaina is a wonderful coach! She’s incredibly responsive, always answering my questions and being super timely with plans and plan adjustments. She’s super knowledgeable about all things running from tempo workouts to aerobic base building to injury recovering to stretching. I highly recommend Elaina!