Scott Ramos- Director of Training
What sparked your running journey?
I was diagnosed with asthma later in life and became tired of it controlling me and my
daily habits. After 15+ years of inhalers and limiting my activity levels, I decided to take
control of my health and started running. It began as easy runs on a treadmill a few
times per week, to an absolute obsession! I haven’t used an inhaler in over 5 years and
am in full control of my health.
What do you love about coaching with Fleet Feet?
I love sharing what I’ve learned about running, overall fitness, and living a healthy
lifestyle with others. Watching people take this information and apply it to their lives,
while also digging into the knowledge themselves and finding out what works best for
them, is a beautiful thing to see happen.
Favorite nutrition product.
Maurtens Gels/Bars and Tailwind
Interesting fact about you.
My family has lived in Vacaville since 1907
Sean Birdwell- Full Marathon, Half Marathon & Trail Head Coach, FVRC Lead What sparked your running journey?The biggest thing that sparked my running journey was the number on the scale. Then,
once I started it was the community and satisfaction in running that I found. Now I’m
fueled by the desire to keep going and achieving new goals!
What do you love about coaching with Fleet Feet?
I love helping people achieve their goals whether they are first time runners or seeking a
new PB and just need that additional encouragement on the road to success!
Favorite nutrition product.
Pineapple Coconut Salt Sick & Blueberry Huma Gels
Interesting fact about you.
I’ve put over 2500 miles on my jogging stroller!!! It’s easier because it has wheels!!!
Ron Rondares- Half & Full Marathon, Trail Running Coach What sparked your running journey?I started running at 47 years old to get healthy and grew to a different level enjoying the
physical benefits and the camaraderie developed amongst other runners.
What do you love about coaching with Fleet Feet?
Great to share my experiences with new runners as well those seasoned.
Favorite nutrition product.
Ucan and Gu Energy Gels
Interesting fact about you.
Team player with a great sense of humor! Easy to get along with and love to be part of
the coaching staff!!
Melissa Huff- Half & Full Marathon, FVRC Lead What sparked your running journey?I grew up swimming, but swimming isn’t something you can do everywhere. So, at the
end of college, I decided to do a half marathon and then my running journey began! I
dabbled in triathlon a bit, but I found my joy in running.
What do you love about coaching with Fleet Feet?
I love helping people achieve their goals and being someone that people can talk to
about anything. I’ve met the most wonderful people through Fleet Feet.
Favorite nutrition product.
Any fruit flavored Gu Gell, Honey Sticker Waffles, and Superieur Lime Blueberry
Interesting fact about you.
I’ve been riding horses since I was 10.
Sarah Joubert- 5k/10k Head Coach, FVRC Lead What sparked your running journey?It's been a lifelong relationship. Driven by soccer early on and then for general fitness
and lately for mental health.
What do you love about coaching with Fleet Feet?
I love the community it creates and the joy it can help people find in running.
Favorite nutrition product.
Salt Stick Tablets
Interesting fact about you.
I was born in Alaska!
Jeff Camp- FVRC Lead What sparked your running journey?I started running with my dad at the ripe old age of 6. He ran all the time and I wantedto tag along, so the only solution was to start teaching me how to do it properly.
What do you love about coaching with Fleet Feet?
What I love most about coaching with Fleet Feet is the community that we’re building in
Vacaville. I feel like I have a second family and can find joy in others’ accomplishments.
Favorite nutrition product.
Maurtens GelsInteresting fact about you.
I qualified for the Illinois State Cross Country and Track championships 7 years in a row-
from 6th grade through 12th grade.
Hailey Marques- Half/Full/Trail Coach
What sparked your running journey?
I ran a 7 minute mile in middle school PE because I am a try hard and the high school cross country coach recruited me by calling my mom. I didn’t know what cross country was at the time but I didn’t have any friends so I thought why not? I ended up making so many lifelong friends through cross country and ended up being pretty good at it too! To this day I still can thank my high school cross country coach for teaming up with my PE teacher for shaping me into the athlete I am today!
What do you love about coaching with Fleet Feet?
I love getting to meet new people who have the same goals as me and who love being active! There is nothing better than helping someone reach a new distance or time PR. The community here is so welcoming.
Favorite Nutrition Product
I like GU roctane gels! Especially the raspberry lemonade or strawberry kiwi flavor. They never mess with my stomach on long runs and I like the caffeine.
Interesting fact about you
If it sounds difficult or challenging I am probably going to want to do it! I don’t like boundaries. Also I am a twin but my twin hates running with a passion lol
Alex Sanchez- Half/Trail Coach
What sparked your running journey?
Back in 2009 my doctor told me I should stay away from running because I might have arthritis when I get older and had sciatica. I wanted to prove him wrong about running.
What do you love about coaching with Fleet Feet?
Meeting new runners, watching runners reach their goals and joy when they complete their "longest run" over and over again during training.
Favorite Nutrition Product
Ucan, Huma, Salt Sticks, Maureen Gels
Interesting fact about you
I've been running with my dog Oreo for almost 10 years.
Tracy Newman- 5k/10k Coach
What sparked your running journey?
In an attempt to start exercising regularly I joined a friend to do the Hot Chocolate Run 5k a few years ago and it didn't go so well. So I signed up for a few more 5ks and started walking regularly as a form of training to get ready for the next year. I got to the point where I was walking so fast I figured I might as well start running. So I stopped by Vacaville Fleet Feet and found out about the Wednesday Fun Runs. A couple weeks later I finally made it to a Wednesday run and before I knew it I had signed up for the Turkey Trot Training group. That was one of the best 10 weeks I ever experienced. The coaches were super supportive and my fellow trainees were incredibly friendly and encouraging. After the training program ended I kept coming out to run as I was enjoying myself and have been a regular ever since.
What do you love about coaching with Fleet Feet?
I love being able to encourage and support other runners the way I was encouraged and supported when I started running. It feels good to be able to pass on something awesome to other runners.
Favorite Nutrition Product
UCAN Edge Strawberry Banana flavor, but the Lime Blueberry Superieur is a close second.
Interesting fact about you
I used to drive vintage 1950s RT Double Deck buses. My favorite bus is actually back in a museum in London now.
Kat KoparaTrail- Hiking Coach
What sparked your running journey?
I started challenging myself each week to beat my mile time in sixth grade. In seventh grade, I joined cross country and track and never looked back.
What do you love about coaching with Fleet Feet?
I love that the community is supportive of everyone's individual goals and lifestyles; we cheer others on despite differences in events, speeds, distances, etc.
Favorite Nutrition Product
Gu Chews
Interesting fact about you
I referee high school wrestling
Mandy Winkler- Half/Full/Trail Coach
What sparked your running journey?
was enlisting so I needed to start running for training. We made friends that, at the time, were in a training group with FF so we started tagging along and realized how much more fun running is with people.
What do you love about coaching with Fleet Feet?
I like meeting people and helping people. And honestly just the community it brings.
Favorite Nutrition Product
I can’t really do the gels and chews but I do love Tailwind and Superior.
Interesting fact about you
I used to HATE running. Like despise it. I was the kid in middle school that would think about how I could get out of running the mile for weeks when I knew it was coming. Turns out I just didn’t understand that running is so many different paces and not just a sprint. Ha ha.
Jaime Erickson- 5k/10k Interval Coach
What sparked your running journey?
To improve my heart health which will transition over and improve my weightlifting
What do you love about coaching with Fleet Feet?
I really enjoy helping people and seeing them succeed and the community is really awesome.
Favorite Nutrition Product
Honey Stinger GU Salted Caramel
Interesting fact about you
I get up at 4:30 am during the week to lift weights.
Dani Sanchez- 5k/10k Walking Coach
What sparked your running journey?
Covid. Before Covid, I was a cyclist. When everything shut down, my group stopped meeting for rides. Back then my boyfriend, my now husband, who is a runner, introduced me to this amazing sport, since then I have been a runner.
What do you love about coaching with Fleet Feet?
Fleet Feet Vacaville is not only a store, is a dream machine where running/walking dreams come true, and I feel so happy to see my trainees reaching their goals.
Favorite Nutrition Product
My favorite nutrition products are Skratch and Jambar tropical trio.
Interesting fact about you
I love chocolate, but I don’t like chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. It’s just too much…. or not enough!
Meet Our Running Coaches
Program Start: We have multiple training programs throughout the year!
Program Fee: Programs range from $35 to $300
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