About Katherine

I was born and raised in Chicago, IL where I currently reside today. I started coaching in 2019 with Team Sugar Runs and recently made coaching my full-time job in 2022! I have been running for over 10 years. I started out as a soccer player, but I realized that I was enjoying the running part of soccer a lot more than the sport itself and transitioned to cross country and track and field halfway through high school. It was there that I fell in love with distance running. I participated in lots of road races throughout college, including my first marathon at the age of 19. The marathon humbled me, but I loved how much room for improvement there was over the course of a 26.2 mile race. I took my marathon personal best from a 4:10 to a 3:38 in the pursuit of chasing a Boston qualifier. However, it wasn’t until I started working with my own running coach, Jessica (aka Sugar Runs), that I was finally able to achieve my goal of a BQ by running a 3:28 at the Berlin Marathon, and since then have gone on to achieve things beyond my wildest dreams including a 3:07 marathon and 1:27 half marathon. Working with a running coach can change the trajectory of your running journey forever. I’m so thankful I entrusted my training to a coach who pushed me outside of my comfort zone and helped me realize the possibilities are endless; all you need is a big dream, determination, hard work, and a plan to get there.

In October 2018, I became an RRCA Certified Running Coach so that I could help others succeed in their own personal running journeys. I started coaching because I love helping athletes of all ages and abilities set goals and chase down their dreams with carefully thought-out training plans. I believe that every goal and journey is unique; whether that be achieving a new lifetime best at a specific distance, a PR, a Boston qualifier, or running for the pure enjoyment - each goal is equally important. I became an NASM Certified Personal Trainer in 2022 after developing an appreciation and love for strength training and wanting to become more knowledgeable in the field. You can read more about my personal running journey on my blog. I am excited to provide run-coaching services to Sugar Runs’ athletes and look forward to working with you to achieve your goals!

- Katherine