Kayla Girard – Avon, CO Running Coach
From: $75.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee
I love getting people excited about running, let me motivate and coach you to your first (or next) half or full marathon finish line!
Description
Avon running coach Kayla Girard specializes in working with beginner to intermediate, on both the roads and the trails, over all distances up to the marathon. Looking to run your first half marathon or aim for a new PR? Reach out to Kayla below!
LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate
TYPES: Road, Trail
DISTANCES: 5K/10K/Half Marathon, Marathon
TRAINING PLATFORM: Final Surge
TRAINING PLAN: Individual, customized training plan
COMMUNICATION: Unlimited email, unlimited text
RESPONSE TIME: Within 24 hours
LOCATION: Avon, CO
IN-PERSON SESSIONS: No, online coaching only
SPECIALTIES
- Coaching beginner and intermediate runners to their first 5K, 10K, half and full marathon finishes or PRs!
- Keeping runners strong and healthy with mobility, strength training, and enough rest between hard workouts.
- I consider myself an expert at juggling training with busy schedules and travel. I’m happy to adjust your training schedule as needed to fit in with your other demands and activities!
- I am also passionate about nutrition, in everyday life as well as running specific fueling. I am happy to share tips and tools for strength and nutrition as well.
PHILOSOPHY
I believe a balance of progress and fun is very important, training needs a balance of recovery, and that strength training complements running very well! And I think running should be fun and give you a sense of accomplishment! I believe that adding running into your lifestyle improves your health, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
I also believe that there is absolutely no shame in running at a slower pace! You don’t have to be fast to be a runner and if you’re newer to running (or even if you’re not), we can absolutely start with run/walk intervals!! Don’t be intimidated, I can get you over any hurdles of starting out as a newer runner!
COACHING EXPERIENCE
I have coached athletes to 5K, trail 8K, and half marathon finishes, as well as planning fitness routines for busy professionals and moms to provide them with support and accountability. I’m eager to continue working with more runners with wide ranges of goals! Along with my coaching experience specifically in the sport of running since 2022, I have been coaching and teaching sports since I was in my early teens and enjoy to combining my love of running with my skill and love of coaching!
One of my strengths is definitely inspiring and motivating people! I signed up for a nordic skiing marathon a few winters ago (about two months before the race) despite never having been on skate skis in my life! I took a few lessons to learn how to skate ski, and I was so excited about the race that I ended up convincing my instructor to sign up for the race as well and we both successfully completed the nordic marathon!
At 14 years old, I began teaching karate to kids and adults in group classes as well as private lessons to prepare them for competitions. I coached some of my athletes to wins and medals at the state, regional, and national tournaments.
In college, I joined the ballroom dance team with my brother as my partner. We began competing at the collegiate level, later moving on to the amateur level and becoming instructors at a ballroom dance studio. We competed in multiple professional divisions in numerous competitions, including the national and world championships. I also taught private and group lessons to numerous students and coached high-level students who danced with other teachers.
In 2017 I began working as a ski instructor in NJ. I earned multiple certifications and for the following season I moved out to Colorado to work as a ski instructor at Vail Mountain. I taught children for two seasons at Vail in group and private lessons, though my second season was cut short when the mountain was closed early.
One thing I’ve learned is that I get just as excited when my athletes succeed as I do when I personally succeed!
ABOUT ME
In addition to running, I have many other interests including hiking, backpacking, cycling, and traveling! I’m currently on a mission to run a half or full marathon in every US state. When you reach out ask me which number state I’m on!
BIG INFLUENCES
- Shalene Flanaghan – In addition to being a huge fan of her as a runner, I absolutely love the three cookbooks she has written with Elyse Kopecky and cook recipes from them frequently.
- Emma Bates
- Amelia Boone
RACING HISTORY
I started running races in 2016 where I warmed up with a few 5Ks, an 8K, and a 10K, then ran a half marathon and an ultramarathon in 2017, then my first full marathon in 2018. I took 2019 off then built a great base in 2020 and started running half marathons again in mid 2021. I’ve now run a total of 22 half marathons, 6 full marathons, and an ultra.
CERTIFICATIONS
- UESCA Running Coach
- UESCA Endurance Sports Nutrition Coach
- UESCA Sports Psychology Specialization
PRs
- 5K: 28:21 (2021, not attempted since)
- Half Marathon: 2:18:03 (4/1/23) Revel Mt Charleston Half Marathon
- Marathon: 5:23:40 (4/24/22) Big Sur International Marathon
CONTACT KAYLA
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
Annabella Waszkiewicz –
I started working with Kayla because I wanted to get into a consistent workout routine to benefit both my physical and mental health, but because of my busy work schedule I was nervous about starting a workout regime (especially as someone who always struggled with running/jogging and rarely felt motivated to go out and do it!). I can confidently say that working with Kayla has been the absolute best decision for my fitness journey. She has helped me get into a consistent workout cadence that aligns well with my job while also keeping me healthy and happy. Kayla is positive, calming, and willing to work with your schedule, no matter the constraints. She is attentive to your goals, priorities, preferences, and limitations; she worked with me to craft a workout schedule that I could balance with work and travel without ever feeling overwhelmed. I am so grateful for Kayla’s support and encouragement, and I’m proud to say that I’ve achieved several of my personal fitness goals thanks to her help. I would recommend Kayla as a running coach to anyone – even, and perhaps especially, to those with busy jobs who are nervous about getting into running and/or committing to working with a coach. I know that she will put as much care and passion into each client’s fitness journey as she has my own.
Maureen Weakley –
I can confidently say that my experience was nothing short of exceptional. As a new runner, I was hesitant and unsure about how to start my running journey, but Coach Kayla quickly put me at ease with her expertise and flexible approach.
She tailored the training program to my individual needs and goals and crafted a plan that was both challenging and achievable. This personalized approach not only kept me motivated but also helped me progress steadily without feeling overwhelmed.
Whenever I needed to reschedule my training plan, Coach Kayla was always accommodating and understanding, making it easy for me to stay on track despite challenges outside of running.
I’ve seen significant improvements in my endurance, speed, and overall fitness level. I feel more confident as a runner and am excited to continue pushing my boundaries.
If you’re a new runner looking for a coach who is not only knowledgeable and experienced but also flexible and supportive, I highly recommend working with Coach Kayla. You won’t be disappointed!
Maureen Weakley –
I can confidently say that my experience was nothing short of exceptional. As a new runner, I was hesitant and unsure about how to start my running journey, but Coach Kayla quickly put me at ease with her expertise and flexible approach.
She tailored the training program to my individual needs and goals and crafted a plan that was both challenging and achievable. This personalized approach not only kept me motivated but also helped me progress steadily without feeling overwhelmed.
Whenever I needed to reschedule my training plan, Coach Kayla was always accommodating and understanding, making it easy for me to stay on track despite challenges outside of running.
I’ve seen significant improvements in my endurance, speed, and overall fitness level. I feel more confident as a runner and am excited to continue pushing my boundaries.
If you’re a new runner looking for a coach who is not only knowledgeable and experienced but also flexible and supportive, I highly recommend working with Coach Kayla. You won’t be disappointed!
Judy –
I love having Kayla as my running coach. She is knowledgeable, concerned, and very responsive. She helps me achieve the goals that we have set forth.
As my running coach she has also helped me improve my endurance which has benefited my pickleball and paddleball games. With Kayla’s assistance I am seeing improvement in many different athletic ventures.
Even when I travel she is able to adapt my workouts to fit my schedule which is a huge benefit to me.
I highly recommend Kayla to be your running coach. I’m sure you will be as pleased as I am.