Laurie Porter – Portland Running Coach
From: $129.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee
Specializing in everything from the 800 meters to an Ultra 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 ultra marathon. She offers in-person and online coaching as well as ZOOM consultation and gait analysis. 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. I also offer Zoom consultations such as gait analysis, 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 retired in 2022. I’ve been coaching with Team RunRun with individuals of all ages, backgrounds, goals and abilities since early 2019.
In addition to coaching High School athletes, I have enjoyed coaching people of all ages to reach their goals from the 800 meters on the track to the ultramarathon. My clients have enjoyed personal bests and several have qualified for the Boston Marathon under my training. I also have worked with elite athletes competing in National and Worlds competitions.
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 write articles. Spending time with my family, gardening, 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, and my daughter Sarah Crouch 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, Georgia Porter. 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) . . .
- 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
- 2024 Hall of Fame Induction Washington State Cross Country Coaches Association
- 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
Lindsey Smith –
Coach Laurie has been such a blessing to my daughter who is in her senior high school cross country season. She equips her with new methods and strategies and encourages her to try new things that my daughter doesn’t think she can do but will try because she trusts Coach Laurie’s experience and wisdom. We can’t say enough good things about Coach Laurie!
Eric Wildi –
Laurie has been great and is very supportive. I am entering my 3rd month of training under her guidance and building my endurance and run distances nicely. The training plan is sufficiently aggressive to deliver obvious performance improvements while keeping me injury free given my age (71). Am now up to 24 mi per week with 12 mi long runs …. with this base the work to speed up will begin in earnest.
Nicolle Harvey –
Laurie has been such an amazing coach to my 16 year old son. She is knowledgeable and attentive to his needs. Laurie has created a successful training plan for him and it has been instrumental in his running and his PR. Since having Laurie as a mentor we have seen such positive changes in our son’s confidence! She has been his biggest motivator and encourages him every day! I love that they both share a strong passion for running!
Leah Evans –
I spent three months training for a 10k with a specific time goal. Laurie created a program to increase endurance and speed. I only missed one workout due to travel and she adjusted it on the app for me. I felt very prepared and reached my goal! Thank you for the help and guidance!
Melissa Reifsnyder –
I have been training with Laurie for almost a year now. She is an excellent coach and provides me with workouts that challenge me. As a middle aged runner I wasn’t sure how much I could push myself anymore or how fast I can go. Laurie’s workouts have pushed me to run faster than I thought I was able to run. She has also taught me to keep my easy days easy which definitely assist with recovery after hard workouts!
Jaime Flores –
I began looking for a coach because I had a nagging ankle pain that would flare up whenever I ran over 2 miles. I feel very fortunate to have found Laurie as has shown me techniques to run pain free and even shown me how to improve my speed through practical workouts. She is also very willing to answer any questions and always provides detailed explanations. I highly recommend her coaching to anyone looking to take their training to the next level.
Rachael Theis –
My daughter Christina is a high school track and cross-country athlete and we have been working with Laurie for a few months now. Christina has short and long term goals for herself and Laurie has done a great job working with her to make those goals a reality. Laurie has connected well with Christina and it is evident she cares about the whole athlete and is very encouraging. Whenever we have questions about training or running in general she is always available to answer our questions in depth. We are very happy to have Laurie as a coach and believe her coaching will bring Christina’s running to the next level.
Sarah Roy –
I am so grateful for Laurie! I am 49 years old, and contacted Team RunRun looking for a coach who had the experience and knowledge to understand my challenges as a middle-aged runner with a very busy work and family life. The first time I talked with Laurie, I knew she was wonderful! She asked really great questions about my current struggles, my past training and my future goals. She was genuinely interested in learning about me. She told me about her experience as a coach and runner, and asked me what questions she could answer for me. As my coach, she has been tremendously attentive and responsive. She pays close attention to the details of my workouts, and adjusts things as needed. She encourages me to improve. I am so, so blessed to have found her! I am very thankful to be working with her!
Gretchen Barros –
Laurie is a great coach. She is always very responsive to any questions that I have. Her training schedule is tailored to my goals as a runner and she has been helpful and supportive.
Gretchen Barros –
Laurie is a great coach. She is always very responsive to any questions that I have. She always responds very quickly. Her training schedule is tailored to my goals as a runner and she has been helpful and supportive.
Holly Kane –
As a RRCA and USATF coach myself, it has been hard for me to find a coach I can trust. A coach who listens, but has enough confidence to push me towards excellence. Laurie is everything any athlete should have and want in a coach. She is honest, yet kind, her workouts push me just to the edge without stepping off, but the edge is so so close. To have a coach who knows where YOUR edge is, who knows how to get YOU there without pushing YOU over, is a gift… and that is individualized coaching. Laurie pays attention to the details of each run, from my “walking time”, to the heat, the elevation, etc., and she analyzes everything, Laurie knows the details matter. This is why I pay for a coach, I do not have the time to analyze and periodize my training effectively, and now I do not have to even think about it. I just look at my training calendar, do the work, and with in hours Laurie will comment on the details. She is amazing.
To allow yourself to be coached is difficult because it takes 100% honesty from both the coach and client, but for the first time in my life, I have found a coach I trust 100%. Sometimes when I think a workout is too hard, I remember that if Laurie has it on my schedule then she must believe I can, therefore I will. I’ve had a few other coaches prior to Laurie, and never have I been so impressed and excited about my training. Laurie is knowledgeable and highly educated, and being a professional athlete herself, she understands the mental and physical side of training. If I train for the next 20 years, I pray Laurie will still be coaching because I just can’t see myself with anyone else.
I feel very blessed to have found Laurie, she is a very talented coach. I have no doubt I will toe the next start line, prepared and ready for the goal ahead.
Holly Kane
6th Grade PE & School Success Teacher
Middle School Cross Country Coach
Grace Christian School
RRCA and USATF Run Coach
Jodi O’Shea –
I have benefited with Laurie providing guidance and accountability to help me be more consistent and targeted in my training. I am a masters “has been” runner that she is helping me to find improvements in my running and set realistic goals and expectations. Better performance is harder to find I get older and I have had some health set backs along the way, Laurie helps guide me to keep reaching and trying. I am grateful for her knowledge, have fun attitude and overall she has made training a team effort rather than me just slogging away at miles on my own. I also appreciate her incorporation of strength and drills to improve running mechanics.
Natalie Morgan –
Laurie is fantastic. She is attentive, responsive and made an individualized plan for me. I feel like I’m getting stronger and making progress injury free.
Andrew Larkin –
I started working with coach Laurie six months ago. As a seasoned self-trained marathon runner I was unsure at first if an online coach was worth the cost and effort. Coach Laurie soon put those uncertainties to rest. Working with Laurie over the past 6 months I’ve seen consistent improvements in my physical and mental health. My risk of injury is at an all time low and love for the sport is at an all-time high and I’m recording personal best performances at distances from 5k to marathon, all while following a highly individualized training schedule that accommodates my family and work. From her positive attitude and uncanny ability to both listen to athlete needs and push athletes to strive harder or hold them back when needed, coach Laurie has exceeded every one of expectations and in my opinion is about as good as an online coach can get.
Jeanette Groesz –
Laurie has been working with me for about 3 months. I was looking for a coach who is experienced in coaching older runners. She has been amazing. She is encouraging & gives me workouts & tools to bring me to the next level. I trust her completely and the results in my running performance have improved already. Laurie comments daily on my workouts & it’s just nice to know that she’s there & knows exactly what I am doing. She’s the greatest!
Riley Etheridge –
I never imagined I could run up to 6 days a week. I thought I was forever plagued by injuries and had to walk on egg shells each time I went out running. In just a few months, Laurie has helped me run distances consistently without any injuries. Being attentive and flexible with my schedule and updating my training plan whenever needed. If you’re new to running or a seasoned runner, Laurie can cater to it all. Highly recommended!
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
Seth Gamble –
Laurie is a great coach and has helped me improve a lot as a runner.
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!
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 .
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.