Leah-Kate Lounsbury – Newark, DE Running Coach
From: $99.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee
Former D1 athlete. Mom, runner, & coach for all levels, any distance up to the marathon. Coach LK is ready to help champion you & your goals!
Description
Newark running coach Leah-Kate has 10+ years of experience training athletes across various levels, distances and surfaces, all while helping maintain a work-train-life balance. Whether you are aiming to complete your first 5K or striving for a competitive edge, LK offers the expertise, guidance, and inspiration to help you reach your running goals. Leah-Kate also offers in-person sessions, reach out below to get started!
LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
TYPES: Road, Track, 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: Newark, DE
IN-PERSON SESSIONS: Yes, meet with 10 miles of zip code 19711. Options include: Personal race pacing, youth coaching & development, running mechanics & form work, workout partner, etc. Reach out to Leah-Kate with any questions!
SPECIALTIES
- Partnership with athletes of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities
- Race distances 1 mile to marathon
- Goal setting and mental coaching strategies
- Balanced training approach for injury/burnout prevention
- Off-season training for high school cross country & track athletes
- Youth sports development through teaching drills and reinforcing running mechanics
- Fueling & recovery guidance
PHILOSOPHY
With a strong personal background in the sport and a passion for running, I’ve dedicated myself to helping runners realize their potential and achieve personal bests. I’m committed to staying educated on run training methodologies and strategies. My philosophy combines evidence-based training methods with individualized plans customized for each athlete, taking into consideration their goals, abilities, and personal schedules. I emphasize injury prevention and mental health with a balanced approach to work-train-life balance, and I’m known for my astute attention to detail and carefully crafted plans to fit the lifestyles and aspirations of my athletes. I strive to cultivate a supportive and positive training environment where you feel championed and encouraged.
Be comfortable with being uncomfortable, the essence of the sport.
Hard work beats talent any day!
Let’s do this – together!
COACHING EXPERIENCE
- Established running coach with over 10 years of experience with beginners to more seasoned competitors
- Youth, high school, collegiate, and adult coaching since 2015
Throughout my career, I’ve successfully partnered with and guided clients to podium finishes, achieve personal records in wide range of event distances, earn Boston Marathon qualifications, and tackle long-dreamed-about goals/milestones. In my collegiate coaching season, I served as head cross country coach and led the programs to 3 national championship appearances in 5 years. At the high school level, I’ve helped athletes leverage their talent, set school records, and secure collegiate scholarships. My expertise extends to various running disciplines, including road racing, track events, and cross-country.
ABOUT ME
Born in the DC area, I moved to a small town in West Virginia at age 9. After dabbling with other sports, running seemed to be the one that stuck from grade 6 forward. I credit my mom for my interest and love for running, as she used to push me in the stroller as a baby on her daily runs. I also was a member of the varsity swim team and marching band during high school, and ultimately decided to pursue running in college (DI, High Point University). I now reside in Delaware.
Outside of coaching, I enjoy baking, the beach, the Shenandoah Valley, being outdoors, horses, and all things DIY.
BIG INFLUENCES
Coach Fischer. My coaching mentor. Someone who is constantly teaching and offering perspective.
Coach Espo & Coach Julie. My collegiate coaches, who helped me to understand my capability and how to apply it effectively. The ones who offered unconditional love and were catalysts to me breaking barriers both physically & mentally.
My daughter. The miracle I never knew I needed, and the reason I strive to do my best, give my best, and be the best example I can be.
RACING HISTORY
My first 10k was on a track (25 laps), and while some cannot stand running that many laps, I absolutely LOVED it. I completed my first half marathon in college. To this day it is one of my top favorite racing distances. One summer I worked as a beach lifeguard and competed in a summer racing series (5ks most weekends). It was the most challenging summer that I recall fondly – developed stellar physical fitness and crucial mental toughness. I signed up to run my first marathon in 2010, on a whim and to raise money for a charity. I had no idea what I was doing, but ran a BQ!
Now, as a working single mom, I very much enjoy continuing my active lifestyle and competing in races throughout the year. One of my biggest joys is getting to raise my daughter to be well-rounded and active (she’s a gymnast, and has completed 3x 5ks).
PRs
- Mile (downhill) – 5:05
- 5k – 17:52
- 5 mile – 29:44
- 10k – 37:34
- 10 mile – 1:02:35
- 1/2 Marathon – 1:23:07
- Marathon – 3:10:50
CERTIFICATIONS
- RunDNA Endurance Running Coach
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
- Rehoboth Beach Half Marathon – Overall Female Winner, 2017
- Reboboth Beach Half Marathon – 2nd Place Female, 2019
- Rehoboth Beach Marathon – 4th Place Female, 2018
- Rothman 8k – 1st Place Age Group, 2023
- Philly Half Marathon – 2nd Place Age Group, 2021
- Boston Marathon – 5x finisher (2012, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2024)
- Luck of the Irish 10 mile – 2x OA female winner (2019, 2018)
- Freedom’s Run 10k – Overall Winner, 2023
- Navesink 4 miles – 1st Female OA, 2023
- CoDel Half Marathon – 2nd Place Female, 2022
- Garden State 10 Mile Relay – 2nd Place Team, 2022
- Garden State 10 – 1st Place Age Group, 2023
- Delaware Downhill Mile – 1st Place Female, 2023, 2018
- NJCAA Atlantic Region Coach of the Year Nomination (2016, 2017, 2018)
CONTACT LEAH-KATE
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
Mike Schoenbeck –
Leah Kate is a fantastic, engaged run coach who truly personalizes training. She builds training plans that fit my busy schedule, gives feedback that is specific and actionable, and checks in often to keep me progressing. If you want a coach who is genuinely invested in your results, she is the one.
[email protected] –
Leah Kate is quite simply terrific. I have been with her since January when I contacted her specifically to assist with my first real foray into strength training. I am an older, set in her ways runner, but Leah respected my opinions while also gently encouraging me to change some of those ways such that I recently ran my second marathon not only achieving a BQ but with a PR 15 minutes faster than my previous marathon 4 years ago. Needless to say her coaching went beyond strength training and I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive, flexible or knowledgeable coach. I am so glad I found her.
Kristen Rosaio –
We’ve had such a wonderful experience working with Coach Leah-Kate! She trained both of my daughters together and made every session engaging, fun, and productive. My girls are soccer players, and Leah-Kate tailored their training to focus on improving their form, agility, speed, and endurance on the field. She kept them motivated and excited to work hard, and they absolutely love working with her. We’ve already seen such a positive difference thanks to her coaching. I can’t recommend her enough!
Chrissy –
We hired Leah-Kate to help our kids with cross country and track. She was wonderful and our kids really connected with her. Of particular note, our son has asthma but loves to run – she was able to help increase his confidence with running and focus on pacing and form. Definitely recommend!
Alex Grant –
Coach Leah-Kate has been amazing. I have been training with her since October and have found the fun of running again. She is the type of coach that truly puts the time and dedication into what she does and helps you get to the finish line stronger than you think you are able. Leah-Kate has a knack for dialing up individual plans that not only help you smash your goals but are completely unique. I would recommend her again and again.
David Northrop –
Leah-Kate is a great coach that helped me stay on track during the offseason. She has great running knowledge and has helped me get two PR’s in the first track meet of the season. I would definitely Recommend her for a coach.
Lenny Gebhart –
Leah-Kate has been an absolute game changer to my running routine.
I am training for my first full marathon, and the workouts she provides have been very focused and manageable.
My marathon is comming up next month in April but since I started using her as a coach I have crushed my 5K PR twice, and just today landed a Half Marathon PR! 🎉
Bailey Davin –
I have had Leah-Kate as my coach since August to help me train for the Philadelphia half marathon, and she helped lead me to over a 90 second PR (1:25:21)! All throughout my training, Leah-Kate held unwavering faith in my abilities. During most training seasons in the past I have felt the effects of burnout, however Leah-Kate has a natural talent at knowing how to create training plans that push you to be your best AND leave you feeling fresh and ready to go for race day! She is very detail oriented and doesn’t ignore critical parts of training, such as strength work, fueling, and stress management. I am excited to get to continue my work with her for Boston 2025!
John Fazio –
I have been working with Leah-Kate for over 3 years, and in that time she has coached me to PR’s in every distance, from 5K (18:55) to a BQ marathon (3:15:35) and everything in between! She has a unique ability to blend interesting and challenging workouts, without overtraining and risking injury. She is also great at listening to your needs so that you can balance running with daily life. I highly recommend Coach Leah-Kate!