Jennifer Kozak – Pacifica Running Coach

Description

Pacifica running coach Jenn Kozak knows how to balance training with family, on both the roads and the trails, whether you’re dipping your toes in trail races or tackling new goals on the roads, from the 5k up to the marathon. Reach out to Jenn today to get started!

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Contact Jenn

LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate
TYPES: Road, Trail
DISTANCES: 5k/10k/Half Marathon, Marathon
TRAINING PLATFORM: VDOT
TRAINING PLAN: Individual, customized training plan
COMMUNICATION: Unlimited email, unlimited text, unlimited phone
RESPONSE TIME: Within 24 hours
LOCATION: Pacifica, CA

SPECIALTIES

• Beginner and intermediate athletes (especially first timer half marathon and marathoners)
• Athletes returning from injury
• Mother runners
• Building in consistency around a busy schedule
• Finding the joy in running!

While I have mostly worked with individuals who are pursuing success in road races, we often mix in trail running to maintain physical health. I also have experience with trail races from 5k through to the half marathon distance.

PHILOSOPHY

Run to feel good! That is the main goal, whether it is building consistency and fitness or smashing some PR’s along the way.

While I’m familiar with the many flavors of endurance training, my approach does not follow a single type of training philosophy as every athlete is an individual. I strongly believe in a collaborative approach, as the athlete knows their body better than anyone. I work with athletes to find their unique path to reach their potential, while maintaining the joy in the process!

I strongly believe that open and honest communication is the goal to success! The more feedback I receive, the better I can help guide the athlete to their goals. From me, athletes will also not only receive a custom and adaptable training plan, but I will provide the “why” behind each type of run, and what it is hoping to achieve. I can also provide information on race day nutrition, racing strategies, running gear, running tech, etc. Let’s geek out on running together!

COACHING EXPERIENCE

After being coached myself for 3 years, I began formally coaching in early 2021 after obtaining my RRCA certification. Since then I have coached a number of individuals in a 1:1 virtual environment. My athletes range from complete beginners (running their first 5k and 10k’s), athletes returning from injuries, masters athletes, and intermediate athletes who broke 4 hours in the marathon.

While 1:1 coaching is my passion, I have also coached children at an after school run club, and have written beginner and intermediate 5k training plans for our local running club.

ABOUT ME

I was born and raised in Revelstoke, BC, Canada. Growing up, I played group sports but thought of running as punishment. I would see people running and wish I could be like them, but I didn’t know how! As a result, I didn’t start my running journey until my early thirties after signing up for the Nike Women’s Half Marathon in San Francisco in 2014. The race was fantastic, but I also thoroughly enjoyed the training leading up to the race. I was hooked and wanted more!

After taking some time off to have children, I began the journey of returning to running. I fell into most (if not all) of the traps that recreational runners fall into when following free online training programs. I ran all my runs too fast, I didn’t hydrate or fuel, among other things! After a series of injuries, I decided to delve deeper into the science of running, fueling, and injury prevention to see if there was the potential for improvement, even later in life. Spoiler – there is definitely room for improvement!

I’m currently living in the Bay Area with my husband and two children. I have a doctorate in organic chemistry, and worked for a decade in the biotech industry as a medicinal chemist. These days I’m almost always training for something, reading something running related, and helping others reach their goals!

I find so much joy in helping other athletes strive for their potential by applying all that I have learned (and continue to learn). My hope is to get people excited about running and make it an enjoyable part of their lives!

Please reach out if you’d like to find out what it’ll take to make you run to feel good!

BIG INFLUENCES

My biggest influences with regards to training theory are Matt Fitzgerald, Jack Daniels, and Megan and David Roche.

I look up to so many different runners from road to trail that it is impossible to list them all, but here is a brief sample: Courtney Dauwalter, Keira D’Amato, Molly Seidel, Malindi Elmore, Tasha Wodak, Sally McRae, Jazmine Lowther, Des Linden, Shalane Flanagan…and on the list goes!

I feel like the most inspiration on a day to day basis comes from recreational runners reaching their goals. I’m continually inspired by stories of years long training to snag that sub-2 in the half marathon, or finally get that Boston-qualifying time!

RACING HISTORY

Nike Women’s Half Marathon – San Francisco 2014

• This was my first half marathon and I LOVED IT! This one race proved to be my gateway into finding the joy of running. It is interesting to look back on it though. I started out too fast, I didn’t fuel or drink at all for the entire race, I was walking within sight of the finish line, and I crossed in 2:01! I didn’t even know that a sub-2 was a goal. If only I knew then what I know now!

Skyline Half Marathon (trail race):

• Trail running is so difficult yet so rewarding! This was my longest trail race to date and the experience, the nature, especially the community makes me want to do more, and longer races!

Napa Valley Marathon (2023):

• This was one of my favorite races ever! I ran a PR of 13 minutes. I ran with more guts than my first marathon. My husband and kids surprised me at the finish line. And to top it off, my athlete who ran it snagged her sub-4 and took of 57 minutes from last marathon!

CERTIFICATIONS

• Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) Level 1 Coach
• VDOT
• CPR & First Aid

PRs

• Mile: 6:43 (2/14/21) Virtual
• 5k: 24:06 (8/21/22) San Francisco Giant Race – 2nd place age group
• 10k: 52:06 (2/6/2022) Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon, 10k and 5k
• Half marathon: 1:57:55 (11/13/2022) Monterey Bay Half Marathon
• Marathon: 4:05:00 (3/5/2023) Napa Valley Marathon

CONTACT JENN

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.

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