Laurie Porter – Portland Running Coach
$99.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee
Specializing in everything from the 800 meters to the Marathon. Whether you are a beginner or elite, developing the whole athlete.
Description
Laurie Porter is a running coach near Portland, OR who is passionate about helping runners improve their skills, both youth and adults, as she’s well-versed on the track and on the roads, from 800 meters to the marathon. She offers in-person and online coaching. Find out more below!
LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
TYPES: Road, Track, Trail
DISTANCES: 5k/10k/Half Marathon, Marathon, Ultra
TRAINING PLATFORM: Final Surge
TRAINING PLAN: Individual, customized training plan
COMMUNICATION: Unlimited email, unlimited text, unlimited phone
RESPONSE TIME: Same day
LOCATION: Washougal, WA
IN-PERSON SESSIONS: Yes, meet in Washougal, Camas, or Vancouver, WA. Options include in-person workouts, on the track, road or trails. Workouts can include: Instructions on various paces and efforts, consulting on form and gait analysis, race strategy, various drills, strength, flexibility, etc. Reach out to Coach Laurie first if interested.
SPECIALTIES
Training youth to masters of all abilities.
Specializing in everything from the 800 meters on the track to the ultra Marathon. Whether you are a beginner or elite, developing the whole athlete using an integrated approach involving all components of fitness including endurance, strength, speed, agility, flexibility, recovery, balance and nutrition.
PHILOSOPHY
Success in running is a result of hard work, consistency and determination. Chances are, you are reading this because you have all these qualities. Does that mean we can all qualify for the Olympic Trials? Certainly not. What is does mean is you can reach your full potential under the right circumstances. There is so much more to the sport of running than meets the eye. It is a joy for me to pass on my knowledge to all generations.
Helping you reach your goals is my greatest passion. Keeping it fun, staying healthy, being flexible with the ups and downs and most importantly, communication and getting to know you are the essential keys to your success.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
In 2003, I started as a Volunteer Assistant Coach for Cross Country and Track at Hockinson High School where my four children attended. Eventually I became the Head Cross Country Coach and Distance Track Coach. Wanting to learn everything I could, I earned several Certifications including: NASM Personal Trainer, USATF Level 1 Coach, NESTA Biomechanics Specialist, KIPS Speed and Agility Specialist, and more (see my certifications below).
After Moving to Washougal WA., I landed the Head Cross Country Coach position at Camas High School in 2013, where I am currently coaching.
In addition to coaching High School athletes, I have enjoyed coaching people of all ages to reach their goals from the 5k the marathon. My clients have enjoyed personal bests and some have qualified for the Boston Marathon under my training.
ABOUT ME
Not your typical journey is how I would describe my running career/journey. I started running at the age of 40 wanting to make sure my daughter Sarah would be safe preparing for her first Cross Country season. The next spring, I ran my first 5K placing 3rd woman overall and that is when I got hooked.
My running career started taking off in 2007. As an elite Masters runner at the age of 47, I just missed qualifying for the Olympic Trails for the Marathon in 2008 by a little over two minutes with a time of 2:49:29. I competed in every distance from the 1600 meters to the 50K and I am still competing and coaching people of all ages.
My four children have experienced successful High School and Collegiate running careers and now my three daughters are Professional Sponsored Athletes. My son is currently serving in the United States Marine Corps as Captain. My husband George (a runner also) and I live in the forest of beautiful Washougal, WA.
When I am not running or coaching, I teach fitness classes and do one on one personal training. Spending time with my family, reading, and traveling are my other favorite pastimes.
BIG INFLUENCES
My former Coaches, Dr. Tom Cotner, Women’s Elite Coach Club Northwest, Sean Coster of Complete Running Programs, have greatly influenced me as well as Bill Victor, Elite Master Trainer and Founder of Victor Fitness Systems. I am currently coached by my daughter, Sarah Crouch. All of the above have helped shape who I am as a Professional Coach and Trainer.
RACING HISTORY
- 2007
- 6th place finish overall 1st Masters AT&T Austin Texas Marathon (2:50:38) . . .
- Champion of the Foot Traffic Half Marathon Sauvie Island (1:23:09) . . .
- 2nd place finish overall Portland Marathon (2:53:50) . . .
- 3rd Masters California International Marathon (2:49:41) . . .
- 2008
- 12th place finish overall 2nd Masters Chevron Houston Texas Marathon (2:49:29) . . .
- 2nd Masters Lilac Bloomsday 12K (47:29) . . .
- 10 Three Time National Champion Masters Scoring Team Member USATF Club Nationals XC Championships. . .
- 2010 USATF Outdoor Club Nationals Masters 10K National Champion
CERTIFICATIONS
- NASM Personal Trainer
- USATF Level 1 Coach
- NESTA Biomechanics Specialist
- KIPS Speed and Agility Specialist
- Enhanced Fitness Master Trainer
PRs
- 3 Mile 17:36 – Salmon Creek 3 Miler 2/21/09
- 5K 18:23. – Rockaway Beach OR 7/4/2009
- 10K 37:00 – Pints to Pasta Portland, OR. 9/10/07
- Half Marathon 1:23:29 – Foot Traffic Flat Half 7/04/2007 Portland, OR.
- Marathon 2:49:29 – Chevron Houston Marathon 1/14/2007
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
- 2015 and 2019 Washington State 4A Cross Country Coach of the Year
- 2011 National Finalist Enhance Fitness Trainer of the Year
- 2013 Girls 2nd Place Team at State Championships
- 2014 Girls 1st Place Team at State Championships
- 2014 Girls 1st Place Team at Nike Regional Championships Boise ID
- 2014 Girls 13th Place at Nike Nationals Portland OR
- 2015 Girls 1st Place Team at State Championships
- 2016 Girls 2nd Place Team at State Championships
- 2017 Girls 2nd Place Team at State Championships
- 2018 Girls and Boys 3rd Place Team at State Championships
- 2019 Boys 1st Place Team at State Championships
- 2019 Girls 2nd Place Team at State Championships
- 3 individual State Champion Titles in Cross Country and Track and Field
CONTACT LAURIE
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
Denise Dicks –
Laurie is an excellent coach — supportive, communicative, skilled in creating workouts. I am delighted with the progressive I’ve made in only 2.5 months. Her confidence in me and my potential has risen my own confidence. It’s led me to challenge myself in ways I couldn’t have imagined prior to her coaching.
Joyce Duval –
The training plan and schedule is great. Laurie is very knowledgeable. She is supportive, encouraging, and personable. She has a great sense of humor.
Kyle Leif –
Working with Laurie has helped me to set PRs in every distance from the mile to half marathon. I am now comfortably and confidently running at paces I thought I had lost over the last 10 years. She has a very consistent and pragmatic approach in her programming that gradually pushes you just enough each week to create lasting gains over the course of a training cycle. She is also very willing to help with race planning and strategy. I highly recommend her to everyone!
Tariq Dabash –
Coach Laurie has been an excellent running coach for the past two months! The price you pay for is excellent and competitive considering her expertise and experience! You could have contact with her endlessly! She truly deserves the price you pay (probably even more) as she really invests her time and money for you. She’s really busy at times but she does so well at responding! She can help you reach fantastic goals! I’m reaching my goals gradually and very quickly at the same time! She’s considerate about so many aspects of your running which are really important! Depending on your goals, she does really well at planning workouts specifically for you and also at adjusting your schedule if you’re not able to workout at certain times. She will adjust your schedule accordingly. It’s best to let her know as soon as possible if your planned workout schedule conflicts with your own schedule! I found out about her after seeking for help in order to find the right coach! For me, she was the one! Good luck on reaching your running goals!
hannabailey6 –
Laurie is an awesome coach! She has been coaching me for just over a year, and I am running the highest mileage and the fastest paces I have ever run in my life. Her training plan is catered towards my personal needs as a runner. While it has helped me improve my speed and endurance, there is also a lot of emphasis on strength training and injury prevention. Working with Coach Porter has not only made me more physically fit but also has been a huge confidence booster. She always approaches training with a positive attitude, and her faith in me and my fitness makes me much more confident in myself. Training with her for the past year has been such a blessing, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to anyone who is in need of an amazing coach!
Erica Hunsberger –
Coach Laurie has exceeded my expectations going into this process after self-coaching for a number of years. We hit the ground running right away and from the start she has been very attentive to my specific running needs. In only a little over 2 months I have gone from being at the bottom of fitness due to medical reasons to PR-ing a half marathon that I wasn’t even aiming for! Her creative workouts have enabled me to gain a lot of confidence that I was lacking in myself. Her knowledge and experience has allowed me to learn a lot about myself as a runner. Most importantly, the believes in me and my goals and will do whatever it takes to get me where I want to go.
Mechele Knable –
I am on my 3rd month with coach Laurie and she has exceeded my expectations. She is not my first coach – but is by far the best . She always responds to any questions I have – and listens to the feedback from my workouts and plans my training accordingly . I 100% recommend coach Laurie .
Sheli Morrell –
Laurie is a very knowledgeable and encouraging coach. She has set up my schedule in away that is sensitive to my needs and time as a full time working mother. She understands when life happens, but also provides opportunities and workouts that are challenging and fun! Being a solo runner for so long, I tried to make up my own workouts, but wasn’t really sure if it was “right.”….nor did I have the time to figure it out or do the research. With Laurie’s help, I don’t have to plan anything, I’m running fast and feeling good!
Seth Gamble –
Laurie is a great coach and has helped me improve a lot as a runner.
Jennifer Berg –
I have been working with Laurie for several months and the experience has been incredible! I have been a runner for many years, but the amount of knowledge that Laurie provides is amazing. Her experience and expertise is very evident in her approach and how she coaches. She explains the reasons behind the different types of workouts and how it impacts improvement as a runner. I’ve learned so much! She is very responsive with questions and always gets back to me quickly. She is so encouraging, supportive and knows how to challenge and push me. I feel the strongest I’ve ever felt as a runner!
Timothy Williams –
Laurie has been coaching me for about three months now as I prepare for my first ultra. Laurie been thorough in ensuring I understand why we’re performing workouts and how to best execute specific workouts. Laurie also provides a level of experience within running and coaching that is evident from the first meeting.
She has been attentive, understanding, and proved to be an experienced mentor for a tough journey. I will continue to trust
Laurie for my future endeavors in running and racing for these reasons and recommend her coaching to anyone.
Jodine Imms –
I have been working with Laurie for 7 months. I was looking for a coach that has experience coaching the older runner. Laurie was the perfect fit for me and helped me recover my running fitness after a nasty bout of plantar fasciitis that lasted over 6 months. I am now running injury free and loving it once again!
Allison Holden –
I have been working with Laurie for two months, and she has been very supportive and available to answer questions. I have been impressed by how knowledgeable she is about all aspects of running and feel like I am in the best hands to prepare me for my first marathon!
Mark Porter –
I have been working with Laurie for about two and a half months now. I am 57 years old an was just recovering from a stress fracture when I signed up. Laurie has been a great motivator, but has also done a great job of keeping the brakes on me so I don’t over-train and hurt myself again. I am thrilled with my progress to date. I have never been able to do my speed runs as fast as I am right now and my “normal” pace has improved dramatically. Laurie checks every run and workout and will provide feedback daily. She checks in regularly to make sure I’m not experiencing new pains that might turn into injuries. I email Laurie with questions or other life commitments and Laurie has always responded that day to my questions and works with me to make adjustments to my training schedule because life happens.
Carl Anderson –
I am so thankful for the coaching that Laurie has provided in the few short months I’ve worked with her. She has been amazing at providing guidance, feedback, and encouragement through my entire program. It’s incredible the progress I’ve seen already.
I can’t recommend Laurie more highly. Seriously, she’s the best.