Jennifer Kozak – Pacifica Running Coach
$85.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee
50% off your 1st month! New to running? Have a desire to run longer or faster? RRCA/VDOT certified run coach ready to help you reach your potential!
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!
*** 50% off First Month for month-to-month Coaching – Coupon Code: 50%kozak***
LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate
TYPES: Road, Trail
DISTANCES: 5k/10k/Half Marathon, Marathon, Ultra
TRAINING PLATFORM: VDOT
TRAINING PLAN: Individual, customized training plan
COMMUNICATION: Unlimited email, unlimited text, unlimited phone
RESPONSE TIME: Within 24 hours
LOCATION: Pacifica, CA ***Jenn recently moved to Revelstoke, Canada but was previously based out of Pacifica and the Bay Area ***
IN-PERSON SESSIONS: No, online coaching only
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 the 5k through to the 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 have a doctorate in organic chemistry, and worked for a decade in the biotech industry as a medicinal chemist. This work was ongoing while living in the Bay Area with my husband and two children. Recently, we relocated back to British Columbia. 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 getting 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
- UESCA Ultrarunning Coach Certification
- CPR & First Aid
PRs
- Mile: 6:43 (2/14/21) Virtual
- 5k: 23:52 (8/21/22) DSE Runners Mother’s Day Great Highway 5k – 4th Female, 1st 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.
PUBLICATIONS
SOCIAL
Grace Morris –
Jenn is an amazing coach. Truly amazing. I have been a recreational runner for nearly 40 years. I’ve done races from time to time, but never longer than 10K. In February, I decided to mark my 70th birthday with my first half-marathon, so I signed up for the Maui Memorial Half Marathon in Maui, Hawaii. I would never have been able to successfully and safely complete the course without Coach Jenn. Her skill, knowledge and expertise in all matters related to running were critical to the progress I made from the first run she planned for me to the day of the race. My performance improved dramatically with her guidance, support and encouragement. Even more importantly, my confidence and motivation as a runner increased significantly. Having a coach to whom I had to account helped me stay on track with my training. My plan was to train for the race, then discontinue the coaching program. However, now that I know what training with Coach Jenn can do for me, I plan o continue for the long term. Coach Jenn and I have been discussing new goals, and I am excited about my future as a runner. In conclusion, I highly recommend Coach Jenn. You will find her to be responsive, skilled, and very supportive. What else could you ever ask for in a coach?
Nicole Abramson –
Last year on a whim I signed up for a race bundle that included a 5K, 10K and 12 Miler. I also signed up for a half marathon two weeks after the 12 Miler. Prior to last year, the furthest I raced was a 5K and that was years ago. I set up my own training plan and followed it throughout the year. Shortly before the 12 Miler & Half I decided to reach out to a running coach to make sure my final few weeks of training were on track. Jenn worked with me to make some minor tweaks to my in-progress training plan and helped me really build my confidence going into the race. She helped build my confidence so much I had the idea to sign up for my first full marathon the same year. After talking with Jenn, she agreed I had enough time to safely train for the race. Only a few days after my first marathon I knew I wanted to sign up for another this year.
Jenn has been my coach for 7 months now and I am so happy with my decision to train with her! Every week when new workouts are put on my calendar it feels like Christmas checking to see what Jenn has programmed for me. Jenn is very responsive and has helped me with so many running related questions from gel recommendations to hats for racing in the rain. I can really tell I have gotten stronger as a run since working with Jenn and highly recommend her as a coach!
Jean Michel Lauzon –
For me, Jenn is the perfect coach. She has an athlete-first approach that empowers us to work as a tight-knit team. The level of support I receive from Jenn is incredible, exemplified by her responsiveness. I never wait long to hear from her about a workout or a question. I have no idea how she fits in her own run mom life because she’s constantly checking in on me!
Jenn’s knowledge is impressive, ever increasing, and expertly applied to my individual situation. She’s always listening, crafting programs designed specifically for me and demonstrating flexibility when things change unexpectedly.
Since starting with Jenn, everything about my running has improved: endurance, speed, recovery, you name it. The best part is the biggest gains I’ve seen are in attitude. I love running! Jenn’s positivity is infectious.
If you are looking for a supportive coach who will work with you on a science-based program to achieve both short- and long-term goals, you can’t do better than Jenn.
Ricardo Fainsilber –
Jenn’s expertise on running is outstanding, but what really makes her a great coach is her passion for running and training other runners.
I trained on my own for a half marathon a year ago and had a bad pain. I decided to look for a coach the second time around and what a difference it made! No injuries, no pain and a better, more effective training. The communication has been wonderful, her coaching style is engaging and motivating. I would highly recommend Jenn!
Todd Dubnicoff –
Jenn has been coaching me as I train for my first marathon (SF July 2023), and I cannot speak highly enough of her expertise and positive support throughout the process! Jenn sends me a well-structured training calendar with clear instructions via an app which really helps take the guesswork out of training (there are so many marathon training plans on the internet!) and allows me to focus on the running itself.
One of things I most appreciate about Jenn is her responsiveness. Not long after each training run, she’ll leave a note asking how it went and/or gives me great feedback on the post-run notes that I leave for her. And whenever I have questions, she’s great about getting back to me with really sensible, thorough answers.
As an older runner, it’s not surprising that I’ve have a few aches and pains during my marathon journey. Without Jenn’s guidance working through these bumps in the road, my training could have easily been derailed. Instead, she made adjustments in my training calendar and gave me smart advice that has helped me keep moving forward.
On top of all that, Jenn has a PhD in organic chemistry so she really knows what’s she talking about when she says, for example, my tempo workouts will improve my lactate threshold!
I am very grateful to Jenn’s support and I wholeheartedly recommend her as a running coach! Thank you Coach Jenn!
Chrystine Skelly –
Jen is such an incredible coach! She has helped me blast through my PR several times and sets me up with a training schedule that helps me achieve my goals! She helps me set attainable goals and meet them! Not only does she set up fun and challenging workouts for me but she explains the how and why of them also, so that I know WHY I’m doing what I’m doing! I started out training for a 10k, and now I’m training for a half marathon. Each week, I’m excited to see what new runs she has scheduled for me! I highly recommend Coach Jen!
Lauren Booth –
Jenn is a fantastic running coach!!
She is thorough, supportive and goal based. She meets you where you are at in your running journey and training. She also provides so much information and preparation for training plans and is always available for consultation.
Having experienced a bad injury last year she has helped me get back on my feet and back to running – I’m now training for the marathon! I couldn’t have done it without her and highly highly recommend her.