Why I Run with Fleet Feet

Come run with us!

Bill says he turned to running in 2014, after spending too much time behind a desk.

“I signed up for Fleet Feet training for the Pittsburgh Half Marathon in May 2024, and again for the Columbus Half in October.”

His training with Coach Jon helped advance him to the next level.

“I never thought of myself as an athlete until now.”

At 56 years old, his speed, endurance and overall confidence continue to improve. This year in Columbus, he set a PR with an average pace of 9:25 minutes per mile.

“I benefited from the support and encouragement of Coach Jon and my FFRC family during our Sunday long runs, as well as weekly customized workouts laid out in the Final Surge app. Jon also was extremely responsive when I texted and emailed him with questions. I could not have done it without Fleet Feet.”

Chuck Murphy was looking to rekindle his love for running when he found our training program.

“I had tried other run clubs and training programs in the past, which resulted in over-training and injuries which lingered and made me fearful of committing to such programs again.”

He decided to train with Fleet Feet, and it far exceeded his expectations.

“I found the fall training program to be FANTASTIC.”

His goals?

“Merely to see what I was capable of, and to get comfortable being on my feet for longer durations (looking ahead to a long term goal of running the 2025 Pittsburgh Marathon). Not only was I able to run my first ever half marathon (Buffalo Creek), but I was able to run quickly and confidently, feeling every step of the race that the FFRC training program prepared me to perform at my best.”

Now, he fully endorses our training program.

“The group is diverse, supportive, and most importantly, they are welcoming!”

Feeling scared to jump into something unfamiliar? Chuck has been there, too.

“It can be scary joining a group of strangers to do something that you may feel anxiety, or shame, based on your ability levels. This group was nothing but inviting from the moment I stepped out of my car for the first Sunday long run, and I made wonderful friends and training partners along the way!”

As we approach marathon training season, we’re taking a moment to ask our runners, “why Fleet Feet?”

Mary Beth Kulin hit a PR in 2022. But her next two marathons were slower, so she knew she had to change up her training routine.

“I started training with Jon and Fleet Feet in August 2023 and never stopped. Sure, I hit some PRs in the year plus since I started, but the best part has been the community of runners who I now call my friends. Running is no longer something I do all by myself, but something I enjoy doing with my coach and Fleet Feet teammates.”

Running alongside friends helped her push through goals.

“I did beat my marathon PR at Chicago this year, and coach Jon was there to celebrate when I got back. 10/10 recommend the training program to any runner with goals (aka every runner).”

If you want to join in on the fun, you can register at the link in our bio. Just hit “2025 Pittsburgh Marathon & Half Marathon Training Program.”

Our training program sparked Mary Stacy’s joy for chasing a marathon.

So much so, she revisited a goal from more than a decade ago.

“A sub 4 hour marathon has been my marathon goal since 2009 when I started running marathons. Prior to this year, I have run five marathons all within the range of 4:01-4:09, while close, never achieving my goal.”

She joined Fleet Feet’s running club in May of this year.

“I first started with just the group long runs on Sundays to get back into the swing of things. Shortly after a couple of weekends with the group, my joy and drive for chasing a marathon returned.”

Mary chose the personal 1-to-1 marathon training plan to help her achieve her prospective sub-4 marathon.

“My training plan was perfect for where I was at and where I wanted to go. I felt like each week challenged me, but kept me on the path to success. I cannot say enough good things about the group long runs on Sundays which kept me motivated and made me feel like part of a team.”

Working on these goals in the summer was no easy feat.

“In the summer heat, the water jugs at the end of the runs were magical – I often joked that the thought of the water at the end got me through some tough, long, hot runs! I am happy to report that not only did I finally accomplish my sub 4 hour marathon, but exceeded my own expectations with a 3:45 time in the Indianapolis Marathon,” she said.

“The camaraderie and support of the Fleet Feet family is amazing and something I truly valued and appreciated. I am now excited to see what else I can accomplish and what new PR’s I can set and plan to use the Fleet Feet training to aid me in those goals.”

Last year's Columbus Marathon was his 6th training cycle with Fleet Feet, and second of the year!

For every cycle, Keith is presented with a fresh plan that gets him to race well-trained, and injury-free. He especially liked the group runs, providing him with maps and exposing him to routes he wouldn’t normally run.

“My favorite part of training with Fleet Feet is the people. We have such a supportive and fun group. Wednesday Track Nights help me to do my speed work in a supportive environment. Sunday long runs are fun adventures with friends. Every Sunday brings in new faces who become familiar faces and friends. The environment is very welcoming.”

“Columbus weekend was amazing. It’s great to do an out-of-town marathon and have so many people join in the trip. We had a dinner the night before and then a celebration after the race. It made for a great weekend! I am looking forward to doing it again next fall!

…As someone who has trained alone in the past, I will never go back. Training with Fleet Feet has become an important part of my life, as have the people I have met along the way!”

If you want to join in on the fun, you can register at the link in our bio. Just hit “2025 Pittsburgh Marathon & Half Marathon Training Program”