CATHY

Back in August 2025, I decided I wanted to take on another marathon. I had completed my first marathon at the OKC Memorial Marathon in 2016, and after losing a significant amount of weight over the past few years and running faster than I ever thought possible, I felt ready to tackle OKC once again.

When I shared my goal with friends, they graciously agreed to train alongside me. My friend Keith, who was working through his coaching certification at the time, offered to coach me and create a training plan tailored to my needs.

Keith exceeded every expectation I had. He listened to what was realistic for me—how many days a week I wanted to run and the mileage I felt comfortable taking on—and designed a custom plan that fit seamlessly into my work and life schedule. But what truly set him apart was his willingness to go above and beyond. He signed up to run the race with me so we could train together and ensure I was fully prepared on race day.

I had a few goals heading into the season, and I'm proud to say I achieved the one that mattered most to me. My marathon training block was incredibly strong, and along the way, I even set a new half-marathon personal record, improving my previous PR by more than a minute thanks to Keith's guidance and support.

I cannot recommend Keith's coaching enough. His knowledge, encouragement, and genuine investment in my success made all the difference. I'm incredibly grateful to call him not only my coach, but also my friend.