Jessica McGarvey – Cincinnati Running Coach
$90.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee
$25 off your first month! Let’s make your finish line dreams a reality! Certified and a runner for 24+ years I personalize plans for runners to reach their goals.
Description
Cincinnati running coach Jessica McGarvey specializes in all distances and paces on the road no matter where you are in your running journey, from 5k to the marathon, along with incorporating strength training and post-injury running. Reach out to Jessica today!
*** $25 off First Month for month-to-month Coaching – Coupon Code: 25mcgarvey ***
LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
TYPES: Road
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: Mason, OH
IN-PERSON SESSIONS: No, online coaching only
SPECIALTIES
- 5K/10: beginner & intermediate
- Half marathon: beginner & intermediate
- Marathon: beginner & intermediate
- Strength training
- Post-injury running
PHILOSOPHY
Generic training plans generally don’t work! I learned after multiple injuries the value in working with a coach to tailor my training to meet me where I was on a given day. For years I followed plans from the internet or books that just don’t allow for personalization. By understanding where the athlete is, what life stressors they have, what their fitness is, their vacation schedules, their lives (!) you train smart. I’m a firm believer in Jack Daniels’ VDOT approach to training and Matt Fitzgerald’s 80/20 training. Keep the hard days hard and the easy days easy. And always remember, every pace has a purpose.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
- 1.5 years experience coaching adults (Group and individual) through STRIDE ( boutique treadmill studio offering classes)
- Coach experience Girls on the Run (3-5 grade girls)
- Coached 14 adults (4 first time half marathoners) to complete a half marathon or 5K in June 2022.
- Coached 58 year old female to complete first half marathon October 2022
ABOUT ME
As a wife, mom of two little girls and one very naughty yellow lab, running is without a doubt my sanity saver. For me, going out for a long run with my friends on Saturday morning is the highlight of my week! We have moved five times and each time, it has been through my running that I build my community.
During COVID I realized that I wanted to pursue my dream of being a running coach and became a certified personal trainer with the intention of joining a treadmill studio. In April 2021, I got my dream job of coaching runners at a studio outside Chicago. I decided to obtain additional certifications to specialize more in creating training plans for runners and earned my UESCA certification in April 2022 with this knowledge I put together a 12 week training plan for several members at the studio to complete a half marathon or 5K. All plans were personalized for them and group runs happened every weekend. Watching them cross the finish line was a complete and total DREAM and I knew this is what I was meant to do. Thirsty for knowledge and always trying to get better, I earned my VDOT certification in November 2022 and am looking for what I can learn next!
My most recent success story is getting a dear friend across the finish line for her first ever half marathon at 58 years young. Not only did she do it without injury, she crushed her original time goal coming in at 2:21:45. Since then she is training for her second half marathon and signed up for a full in April 2023. I love the process of helping her fit training in around her life, not fit her life around training. Together, we work through vacation plans, weather issues and anything else life throws at her to make running the best part of her day, not a chore.
Running is my passion along with helping people to get out of their comfort zones and believe in themselves. I’d love to help you become a stronger, smarter runner, all while laughing! Running should be fun!
BIG INFLUENCES
- Jack Daniels VDOT philosophy
- Hanson’s Training Method
- Coach Chris Bennett
- Alexi Pappas
RACING HISTORY
2021 Chicago Marathon: The race I learned the most.
I came into this race injured, knowing I shouldn’t toe the start line, but with 18 weeks of training, I was committed. I ended up getting a PR but after suffering pain for 26.2 and winding up in a boot for 6 weeks after. It was because of this race and the injury that followed, that I fell in love with the process of training and running. I learned a lot about myself during the race- my ability to dig deep when I needed it (when pain starts at mile 1 you learn quickly how to use your mind as an asset), how to run without a watch (I programmed tracking incorrectly!), how to run without music (dead AirPods!) but mostly I learned that I love running deeply and when it was taken away from me after the race I knew I would come back stronger.
2022 Queen Bee Half Marathon: The race I realized the importance of self-talk.
This was done as part of a build towards a full marathon. It was hilly, it was in the middle of training, and it ended up being one of my strongest efforts. I kept looking at my watch doubtful I could hold onto the pace (while being skeptical it was accurate- could I really be going that fast?) My last mile ended up being my fastest mile and I realized that if I could get my mind right, I could do even better. I never believed I could hold onto a pace faster than my workouts. It wasn’t until mile 12 that I thought, ok, I’m not going to blow up and die, I can do this! Our mind can be an incredible asset or a heavy blanket, weighing us down. It was in this race I realized the power of positive thinking and the ability of the mind to lead the body.
CERTIFICATIONS
- UESCA Certified
- VDOT Certified
- RRCA Level 1 Certified Coach
- NASM Personal Training Certified
PRs
- Marathon: 3:46:11 (10/10/21, Chicago Marathon)
- Half marathon: 1:37:17 (June 2018, Drop 13 Half- Big Cottonwood, PR but on downhill course 3200 ft. of decline
- Half marathon: 1:38:04 (October 8, 2022, Queen Bee Half Marathon, 671 ft. gain)
CONTACT JESSICA
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.
SOCIAL
Taylor Johannigman –
I have been a recreational runner for 10+ years, but never had any formal training. Over the last year I have wanted to become more competitive in canicross, and Jess has been so helpful in developing a plan that fits into my busy schedule and that also produces results. I have only been working with her for about four months, but my endurance and times have already improved. I also appreciate that she incorporates strength and cross training into the weekly workout schedule. She is very responsive to making changes and answering questions, and is motivating without being intimidating. Jess has been awesome to work with, and is an excellent choice for runners of any age/skill and any goal. It was hard to find a coach who was willing to work with my canicross goals, as they are not the typical running goals. Jess has stepped up to the challenge and I am so happy to have her as my coach.
Nicole F –
My experience working with Jess has been nothing short of amazing. This is my first time working with a running coach and I am so lucky to have found someone who invests so much into her athletes. She is knowledgeable, supportive, flexible and encouraging. I began working with Jess due to an injury I developed while training for my first marathon. Not only did she help me through my injury, she got me back to where I wanted to be and helped me get to the start line physically and mentally prepared. Cannot recommend her enough!!
Kate R –
Jess is fabulous!! I highly recommend working with her. I came to Jess as an experienced runner coming off of my 3rd baby and some months of lack luster running. She was so helpful in keeping me accountable to run as easy as I really needed to on easy days, and gave me fresh speed work I hadn’t done before that got me back in shape. I hit my goals for the Flying Pig Half 2024 which I’m confident I wouldn’t have without Jess. She helped me adjust my plan as needed when I had an injury flare up and gave me flexibility to ease back in and we still hit the goal!! Jess is so great! If you’re looking for someone professional to take you to the next level, give you true honest feedback, and boost your confidence, she’s your girl!
Katie McPherson –
I am fairly new to running. I ran a half marathon last year (Queen Bee) with an online training plan. I felt like something was missing and I hadn’t reached my full potential. With being new to running, I wasn’t sure what to change. I decided to try a running coach and am so glad I did. Jessica is wonderful. I had a 4-6 week respiratory illness and she was great with helping me know it was okay to rest and how to get back into exercise as I was starting to feel better. She has helped me balance my love for strength training with my running plan. It has been great having her make my schedule and she has adjusted as needed. I recently struggled to hit some paces I had hit in the past and she helped me figure out why and gave me advice. As a busy working mom of 2 kids in school and sports, it has made a huge difference to have help in training for my next half marathon and to have training decisions taken off my list of things to do and worry about!
Megan Neiman –
Jessica has been an amazing addition to my fitness goals and ongoing journey with running! I reached out to Jessica for support on improving my time for my 3rd 1/2 marathon! She was motivating and supportive all along the way! She provides individualized plans that meet all runners needs. She was aware that I am an avid peloton user. She included suggestions for me to include peloton workouts. She even provided links for specific classes to choose, that supported our fitness goals. I was able to shave several minutes off my 1/2 marathon! She is always available if you need a pep talk or offer support! She’s the BEST!
Amanda Solomon –
My experience with Jess has been everything and more I could want in a coach. She has not only kept me motivated but she has given me the push I and everyone needs.
Being that running is not a linear sport and progress can be hard to achieve, Jess has created the perfect plan for me with challenges that I have never thought I could achieve in a million years. Jess has helped me fall in love with the sport once again after feeling like I never wanted to run again after my past race a few months ago. She has created weekly runs for me that are not boring because of the diversity of each week and the extra challenges that are difficult but doable especially with her support. I have not only been able to improve my running but Jess has provided additional strength workouts that have helped my running improve. Jess has made it extremely easy to work together and has made this training block for me not only exciting but she has allowed me to challenge myself in ways I never have if not for her. She has allowed me and taught me to be proud of myself even on the days/runs that I am not feeling great or I felt like something was off. She is able to find the good in what we think is all bad.
Jennifer Cohen –
Working with Jessica has been a game changer for me. I have learned so much from her about running, my potential, and how to stay running for the long term while hitting new goals and being healthy. She provides such wonderful feedback that is motivating and honest. She is able to adjust the plan depending on what is going on with the weather, my body, my schedule and keep me on task. It has been an incredible experience and I am looking forward to working with Jessica while I train for the next marathon!
Kristi Webb –
I’ve never had a running coach before and am so glad that I signed up for training with Coach Jessica. I’m 58 years old and ran my first half marathon in October in 2:21! Before that, I’d never run more than a 5k. She made me feel like anything was possible. I’m currently training for my second half in April with a goal of 2:15.
I like a lot about her coaching style. She provides structure and motivation. She always has a plan to accommodate weather, injury, vacation or any of the things we all juggle while training.
She builds weekly training plans that are creative and challenging. I’m excited to look ahead to study what she has in store! I’ve learned that every run has a purpose and same goes for strength training. She also helped me incorporate yoga and foam rolling to help prevent injury. She takes a holistic approach to training and goals.
I would recommend Coach Jess for runners of any age and skill. She will build a training plan to help you achieve your goals!!