Houston Fit Coaches
| Spring Purple | Spring 5K | Spring 5K/10k | Spring Marathon | Spring ATP | Red | Yellow | Green | PRx | ATP | Purple | Purple Half |
| Click on a color group above to see the list of coaches for that group. | |||||||||||
| About the Organizer | ||
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Felix Lugo flugo34@gmail.comThis is my 15th season with Houston Fit. I was the Head Coach for the Yellow Group for several years and Head Coach for the Fall Marathon Group. I now help to organize Houston Fit\'s Spring and Fall programs. I have run 45+ Marathons. This includes one (1) 50 Mile Endurance Trail Run. I have run the Big Three Fall marathons, Chicago, Marine Corp and NYC. I have also completed many sprint triathlons and one Half-Iron Man Triathlon. I have also completed the MS150 bike ride to Austin several times. My marathon career is the epitome of the Houston Fit slogan \"change your life\". Since my first introduction into this program my life has changed. I have met and made lifelong friends with many positive people and continue to do so on this remarkable journey. Run smart, run well and be kind to yourself | |
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Gay Gulledge Gay@houstonfit.comI have been running with Houston Fit for 13 years. This is my 12th year as a coach, first as an assistant coach in the Red Group, then as head coach for the Fall Group and for the past 5 years, head coach of the Red and 5/1 Group. I have now run 29 marathons or ultra marathons and have lost count of my half marathons. Some of my favorites are Big Sur, Chicago, Grandma�s, Steamtown, New York, Marine Corps and Paris. This season, I plan to run the inaugural Tyler Rose Marathon in October, Dallas White Rock in December, Houston Half in January and Austin in February 2011. I have also completed the MS 150 Houston to Austin bike ride twice, the Lance Armstrong Foundation Ride for the Roses and the Hotter Than Hell 100 Ride in Wichita Falls. I recently completed my third sprint distance triathlon and am training for an Olympic distance race in September. I am a testament to the fact that a coach potato who could barely make it around the block when she first started can indeed run a marathon. More importantly, Houston Fit has brought me friendships that enrich my life, with a truly diverse and talented group of people. I would never have met these people if I had not put on my running shoes the first time. Motto: Run your race with joy and you will always win it. | |
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ZZ Bette Lehmberg Bette@houstonfit.comAs a member of Houston Fit since 1996, this is my 11th season to coach. I have completed 25 marathons & just completed my second international marathon in Athens in October, 2010 (2,500 anniversary of the original marathon there). My husband, Phil, & I run & bike & have encouraged our college daughters & their peers to do the same as cross country team parents. In May, 2011, I treked to Base Camp of Mount Everest. As a native Houstonian (and twin), I graduated with a business degree from University of Houston and went to law school there where I met Phil. I practiced law for 16 years and public accounting for 2 years before becoming a trust relationship manager 15 years ago. That would make me 57 & very grateful to have a healthy and happy life, enjoying wonderful fellowship with my Houston Fit friends. I enjoy volunteering as Vice President of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas Foundation, as Board Member of Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council & Finance Committee member, as Endowment Trustee of Spaulding for Children & past President of the West Point Parents Club of Greater Houston. | |
| Spring Purple (13:45+ Group) | ||
| Diane Pinkston dianepinkston@att.net Head Coach | ||
| Walk To Run | ||
| Sylvia Lugo Sylvia Lugo Head Coach | ||
| Stay Fit | ||
| Jennifer Frahm jenilf@aol.com Head Coach | ||
| Spring Marathon/Half-Marathon Group | ||
| Sonia Stabinsky sstabinsky@comcast.net Head Coach | ||
| Spring ATP | ||
| Lisa Waskom Lisa.Waskom@westonsolutions.com Head Coach | ||
| Red Group and 5/1 Group | ||
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Joy Hughes joy_hughes@gensler.com Head Coach I started running after standing at the finish line of the Dallas White Rock Marathon/Half Marathon as a spectator and thinking \"I could do a half marathon!\". I have been running with USAFit for 7 years and this will be my 4th year as a coach with HoustonFit. I got the marathon bug and ran my first marathon in 2007 and have completed 8 marathons since, including one Texas Challenge and recently completed my first Triathlon. When not running the pavement with HoustonFit, you can find me mountain biking, skiing, swimming, or running the trails with my dog, Tucker. | |
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Rebecca Yzquierdo Primerra@yahoo.com Head Coach I have been with Houston Fit since 2004 and completed my very first marathon in January, 2005. Since then, I have completed a total of 12 marathons. I’ve been an assistant coach for about 4 years and have truly enjoyed every minute of it. While I love training for marathons, I must say for me, the best part is the fellowship I have found in my fellow runners and the incredible memories we have made through the years. I look forward to being a Head Coach, along with my friend and nemesis Joy Hughes, and lighting those flames of desires in each new person that joins our program. \"Each of us has a fire in our hearts for something... Find it and keep it lit!\" | |
| Andy McCormick Assistant Coach | ||
| Ashley Ready Assistant Coach | ||
| Bev Scott Assistant Coach | ||
| Claudia Hernandez Assistant Coach | ||
| Cyndy Bhattacharya Assistant Coach | ||
| David Rose Assistant Coach | ||
| David Williams Assistant Coach | ||
| Ed Teamer Assistant Coach | ||
| Edith Rose Assistant Coach | ||
| Fred Keinz Assistant Coach | ||
| Fred Scott Assistant Coach | ||
| Helen Stignant Assistant Coach | ||
| John Brentin Assistant Coach | ||
| Karie Green Assistant Coach | ||
| Kathleen Kuhn Assistant Coach | ||
| Kay To Assistant Coach | ||
| Ken Startz Assistant Coach | ||
| Kevin Spinnato Assistant Coach | ||
| Michael Barnes Assistant Coach | ||
| Yellow Group | ||
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Dennis Slate Head Coach I have been running with HoustonFit for 8 years. I was an assistant coach for 5 years and now going into my second year as a Co-head coach. I have completed 7 consecutive Houston marathons(yeah I get automatic admission!) and have run a total of 9 marathons altogether. My 10th marathon will be the 2011 New York City marathon in November. Running with this organization has changed my life. When I began running in May 2004 to prepare for my first year with HoustonFit, I was 265lbs and could not run 2 miles without walking. Not more than 9 months later I ran my first marathon, and have not looked back since. I love knowing that on any given day I can get out of bed and run a half-marathon without even preparing. I got that ability and confidence from running in this program. Even though running marathons has been one of my greatest accomplishments, it is not my favorite part of HoustonFit. What I like most about this organization are the friends I have made along the way in my 8 years here. If it were not for all the great people you meet here in this group, it would be really hard to get up for an 18 mile run in freezing temperatures. Knowing all those friendly faces are out there waiting for you and doing with you is quite motivating. The people you meet in this running organization are some of the most accomplished and self-motivated people in Houston, and I am glad to call them my friends. As for me personally, I am a father, a husband, a lawyer, a city judge, an Army Reserve officer, and a running coach. I like to stay busy. Welcome to the YELLOW group, and please come up and say hello, I look forward to meeting and running with you. | |
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Jennifer Alpard jkalpard@mdanderson.org Head Coach Wife, Mom, Marathoner I have been with Houston Fit for 7 years. This is my 2nd year to be a co-head coach for the yellow group. I have run 7 marathons and qualified for the Boston Marathon in 2010 and 2011. I have competed in 2 triathlons and more half marathons than I can count. I enjoyed participating in The Texas Independence Relay for the past 3 years as well. When I am not running, I enjoy outdoor activities such as swimming, skiing and biking with my husband, Scott, and my children, Cade and Callye. I work full time as a physician assistant at The MD Anderson Cancer Center and I am a co-founder of The Cade R. Alpard Foundation for Pediatric Liver Disease. Each week after our Saturday long run I will lead the group in core training and hope to improve your running with a strong core! | |
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Mike Clark mike@hartmanassociates.com Head Coach 1998 was my first year with Houston Fit and my life has not been the same since. Since joining Houston Fit, I have run nineteen marathons. Eleven of them have been the Houston Marathon. I was an assistant coach with the Yellow Group most of the years that I have been with Houston Fit. This will be my second year to co-head coach the Yellow Group with Dennis and Jennifer. It is the friends, the road trips, the marathons, and the state of mind marathon running has given me that is nothing short of amazing. I have been married for twenty-five years to Connie and have two great kids; one in college and one a senior in high-school. I am a corporate escapee who changed careers and am now selling real-estate. | |
| Atwell Williams Assistant Coach | ||
| Ben Nichols Assistant Coach | ||
| Bob Lauck Assistant Coach | ||
| Carolyn Cocanougher Assistant Coach | ||
| Christine Gentil Assistant Coach | ||
| Danny Kennedy Assistant Coach | ||
| David Underwood Assistant Coach | ||
| Doug Lance Assistant Coach | ||
| James Winslow Assistant Coach | ||
| Jennifer Gie Assistant Coach | ||
 | Joe Frey Assistant Coach This will be my 20th training season running with Houston Fit. This is my 19th year as a coach, first as an assistant coach in the Yellow and Green Groups and one season as the head coach for the Fall Group. I have completed 11 road and trail marathons, multiple triathlons, a 30K trail run and the Rim to Rim to Rim run in the Grand Canyon. Training with Houston Fit and helping others achieve their fitness goals has been a rewarding experience that has bought me back each year. I am looking forward to another training season with Houston Fit and sharing the experience with both returning and new members. | |
| Kaytha Coker Assistant Coach | ||
| Lynette Moore Assistant Coach | ||
| Mack Gibson Assistant Coach | ||
| Maggie Cevallos Assistant Coach | ||
| Mallory Hatton Assistant Coach | ||
| Megan Graff Assistant Coach | ||
| Nancy Webster Assistant Coach | ||
| Peggy Faulk Assistant Coach | ||
| Rick Routzon Assistant Coach | ||
| Robert Mitchell Assistant Coach | ||
| Robert Olmstead Assistant Coach | ||
| Robyn Wolverton Assistant Coach | ||
| Ruthie Deveau Assistant Coach | ||
| Green Group | ||
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John McClung jodmcc1@att.net Head Coach I have been with HoustonFIT for 11 years; 7 years as an Assistant Coach, 2 years as a Co-Head Coach and 2 years as the Head Coach. My running career started as a 110 meter high hurdler in junior high school and little by little progressed into 27 consecutive Houston Marathons, 1 Beaumont Marathon and 1 Sunmart 31-mile ultra. I want so much to help you reach your goal and complete it safely. I will never \"sugar coat\" the information I give to a runner. I want each and everyone of you to know what you are entering into and what to expect, so you are not shocked or startled when you get those aches and pains. If you put in the effort, I will make it worth that effort and get you to the starting line. | |
| Clark Hudgens Assistant Coach | ||
| Ray Layo Assistant Coach | ||
| Pace Rx | ||
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Jenn Sabin sabinjr@gmail.com Head Coach I began running as a graduate student in New York. My first marathon was the 2001 New York City Marathon. Since then, I have run 17 marathons, 1 Ironman triathlon, 2 half-ironman triathlons, and 30+ half-marathons, including 5 Boston Marathons and 3 New York City Marathons. I have raced over 160 road races over the years. I have been with Houston Fit since 2008, starting with ATP as a member, then as head coach, before starting the PRx pace-based training group in 2011. Other adventures in running have included the Hood to Coast Relay, Texas Independence Relay, and the Boston 2 Big Sur Challenge, which consists of running 2 marathons in 6 days on 2 coasts. I also compete in triathlons, and completed my first full Ironman in Tempe Arizona in November 2010! My goals for PRx is to help members improve strength and running form, understand and utilize pace-based training methods, as well as improve their marathon times, and, of course, appreciate finishing a 20 mile run before 8:00 am!! | |
| Abby Trammell Assistant Coach | ||
| Adam Robertson Assistant Coach | ||
| Brian Erwin Assistant Coach | ||
| Brooke Sizer Assistant Coach | ||
| Ryan Simpson Assistant Coach | ||
| ATP Group | ||
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Ashley Edwards Mangin ashley@adventureash.com Head Coach I am sort of known around the Houston Fit circles as Crazy Ashley! My passion towards working out and having fun seems to be infectious, if you have worked out with me, you know what I mean! I have been a long distance runner for 26 years! I have been with Houston Fit since my first marathon in 1997! Since then, I have run 16 marathons (2 Bostons, a Chicago and 13 Houstons!) I do the Houston marathon once a year in order to keep in shape for adventure racing. I adventure race about every 3 weekends throughout the year. My career race was in 2008 when I finished Primal Quest (a 542 mile race that took us 9 days and 4 hours!) I am a mobile dog groomer, I live in the Houston galleria with my husband Mark (who saved me from spinsterhood last year!), 2 dogs and 2 cats. | |
| Alan Henson Assistant Coach | ||
| Daniel Murphy Assistant Coach | ||
| Karen Toedter Assistant Coach | ||
| Lisa Waskom Assistant Coach | ||
| Robert Swanson Assistant Coach | ||
| Scott Shoaf Assistant Coach | ||
| Purple (13:45+ Group) | ||
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Sara Pressel spressel@sbcglobal.net Head Coach I am very happy to be a Houston Fitter! I work in the Texas Medical Center as a Project Manager and co-investigator for cardiovascular clinical trials. My husband, Gary, is a runner, so we keep each other going! The 2011-2012 season will be my 8th season with Houston Fit. I have completed 4 marathons and many half marathons, and I am a member in good standing of Half Fanatics. In 2008 and 2009, foot problems caused me to miss some training and some races (although I still loved hanging out with the group), but after surgery on both feet in 2009, I am grateful to be back and going strong! There is nothing that will get me out of bed at dark-thirty on Saturday morning except for the Purple Group! I honestly believe that anyone can complete a marathon or half marathon if they are faithful to the training. My training motto is from 1 Thessalonians 5:11 ...Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. | |
| Deborah Crump Assistant Coach | ||
| Ed Campos Assistant Coach | ||
| Gunda Fleischer Assistant Coach | ||
| Hugh Fraser Assistant Coach | ||
| Katherine Miller Assistant Coach | ||
| Lorinda Smith Assistant Coach | ||
| Purple Half (13:45+ Group) | ||
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Sara Jacobson sarajacobson@yahoo.com Head Coach I have always liked walking and hiking-I like to explore new places on foot and I like competing. Given my gimpy feet and being very slow as a runner, I never thought I could do a marathon-well not an organized one. But then I found out about Houston Fit and training to walk a marathon. My first training season was rough but with the advice and support from my coaches and fellow Purples, I tried several different shoes, different types and combinations of socks and finally hit on a winning combination and went on to complete the 2006 Houston Marathon. The next year I did the half marathon and it felt great-I had found my distance. I took a break from Houston Fit when my company sent my over to London; the walking is great there but I really missed the Houston Fit Purple people! Since returning to Houston, I have been an assistant coach in the Purple group and finished three half marathons. This will be the first full training season that we have a formal Purple Half Marathon training group and my first season as a head coach. Like Bubba Thames, the head coach for the other half-marathon groups, I want to make sure that everyone stays safe and healthy, has fun, and finishes strong. | |
| Debbie Kotzur Assistant Coach | ||
| Donna Fraser Assistant Coach | ||
| Ines Grimaldi-Hakam Assistant Coach | ||
| Nicole Costa Assistant Coach | ||
| Rene Scott Assistant Coach | ||
| Richard Robinson Assistant Coach | ||
