Golden Runs

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10/23/2026

A few things went wrong before running Chicago. Here’s why I still had a great race. 👇

Night before: we ordered our usual pasta takeout early. The restaurant texted us at 5:45 that it was ready… It wasn’t. Neither was anyone else’s, and 30+ of us stood outside for over an hour, waiting for pasta that never came. By 7:30 we had to give up and grab questionable pizza slices from another spot so we could get to bed.

Race morning: We got to the start early and luckily used the porta potty twice. But after my warmup, I got in line again at 6:45, sure I had plenty of time before the 7:20 corral cutoff… At 7:19 there were still 3 people ahead of me, so I reluctantly left the line.

Old me would have spiraled and panicked in both of these situations. 😅 Instead I reminded myself:

🍕 We’d eaten pizza before long runs in training, and my carb loading was already on point.
🚽 I’d already gone to the bathroom twice, the feeling would likely pass once I started running, and worst case there’d be a porta potty on the course.

I know that neither of these is anywhere near a catastrophe. But when you’re out of town for a big race, small things going sideways is normal, and any one of them can snowball if you let it. No training cycle is perfect and no race weekend goes exactly to plan. What matters is how your brain responds when it doesn’t!

Running (especially marathons) is so much mental strength, not just physical. I’m glad I’ve been practicing this and it paid off big time on race day. This is something I work on with my athletes too, because the mental side is often the missing piece to your next PR!

What’s gone wrong before your races, and how did you handle it? Who’s got the craziest story?!

10/21/2026

Friendly reminder that post-race downtime is part of training!

After Chicago, I took 5 days completely off from running (more is okay!) and I’ve only done easy runs since. I waited until both my body AND my brain felt ready.

That doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t be doing anything though - light movement like walking, hiking, biking, etc. are great ways to keep moving while taking some time off from running. For me that means extra long walks in the woods with Frankie 🐾🙂 (skip the high-intensity workouts until you’re fully recovered.)

Just wanted to remind you that taking downtime doesn’t make you any less of a serious runner, and it doesn’t mean you’re not chasing big goals. It’s actually an important part of the process.

10/14/2026

A bunch of Golden Runs athletes took on the Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Mohawk Hudson River Half & Full Marathon, and while I was so sad to not be there in person, they made me so so proud!!!

In the half marathon:
🔸 Lara K ran her fastest half marathon in 29 years… at 57 years young! 🙌
🔸 Gene M ran his first official half (he’s done ultras!) and crushed his sub-1:40 goal.
🔸 Jason R ran a strong 4-minute PR coming off injuries that forced him to back off his training.

In the full marathon:
🔸 First-time marathoners Rocky D, Sam J, Randy J & Ivo O all ran strong first 26.2s, battling the “what do I expect?” nerves, trusting their training, and finishing feeling strong.
🔸 Molly B ran a ~15 minute PR in just her 2nd marathon, plus a half marathon PR along the way, even with stomach issues early on.
🔸 Mark N ran 24 minutes faster than last year!
🔸 Tim H & Peter G gritted it out when things got tough, which is never an easy feat.

Regardless of the time on the clock, these athletes worked SO hard over the past 12 weeks. They trusted me to guide them through new territory: first-time speed workouts, higher mileage, longest-ever long runs week after week, new strength routines, new fueling strategies, mental strategies, and much of it dealing with the heat and humidity of summer.

They all leveled up this training cycle, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for each of them!!!

10/13/2026

Chicago Marathon 2026 🎉

So grateful to be on the start line healthy and strong after missing two marathons earlier this year. It’s changed how I approach racing. I smiled the whole way (plus some dancing, singing along, and high-fives). Chicago brought the energy and the crowds were unreal! I had SO much fun out there!

I thought I might swing at sub-2:50 on an A+ day. I hit the half in 1:25:22 feeling warmer than I’d like, and holding pace got tougher after mile 20. Still thrilled with a 7+ minute PR: 2:51:50, 124th woman, and 4th place Emily out of 321 Emilys. A lotta fast Emilys out there! 🙃

Things I thought about over 26.2 miles:

- In 2022, my all-out Houston Half was 1:26. Now that’s my marathon pace?! I soaked in how strong it felt and I’m so appreciative of my body.

- Years ago, I thought a smaller body and eating less would make me faster. So not true!! I ate the most carbs and took in the most fuel I ever have, and felt so freakin strong.

- 12 of my athletes raced Mohawk Hudson back home. I was sad not to cheer in person, but sharing this journey with them means so much. Different cities, same day, in it together. I thought of each of you. So proud of this group!

- At every timing split, I swear I could feel the cheers from friends and family tracking me at home. It kept me on pace when it got warm, so lucky to have amazing support! Special shoutout to Pete, who has inspired and coached me year after year (and keeps balancing the husband and coach hats. Love you!)

- The running community is amazing. So many people do the hard work of training and show up to support each other. I love being part of it and helping others experience it, too!

Thank you Chicago!! 🤩 Can’t wait to get back to work soon, more goals to chase 💪🏻

10/01/2026

If you didn’t get into the Boston Marathon… I see you, and I’ve been there myself.

I ran my first BQ in 2017, but missed the cutoff by a few minutes. At that point I was honestly just ecstatic to even be that close.

I qualified again in 2018, this time making it under the cutoff and getting into the 2020 Boston Marathon…

Which was cancelled due to COVID. Then the 2021 cutoff was crazy, and I didn’t get in once again.

Finally, in 2021 I ran a 3:17 marathon which successfully got me to the 2022 Boston Marathon.

It took me five years from my first attempt until I actually got to run Boston. If I can do it, you really can too! I was never on the track or cross country teams, not a standout athlete in any sport, just someone who loved running and was ready to work hard. When I first started running, Boston was a lofty dream - I was never really sure if I would get there at all. And now I’m running sub-3 hr marathons… what?!

If you didn’t get in this time around, don’t think of it as a rejection. It’s information, it’s a chance for you to reflect on your training and find manageable ways you can take it to the next level. Reach out if you want to chat about what some of those next steps might be to get you to that starting line in Hopkinton!

09/28/2026

Racing the Mohawk Hudson Half or Full Marathon??
Come run with me and a bunch of other runners on the course one week before race day! A perfect way to visualize that finish line to help you have a strong race.

📆Sunday, October 4th
⏰8:30am
📍Corning Preserve Boat Launch

The run is an out & back on the bike path, feel free to run whatever distance/pace you’d like. (We’ll try to form some groups before we start.)

I have run both the full and half marathon myself, and I’d be happy to answer any questions about race strategy, race week nerves, carb loading, etc.

Not racing Mohawk Hudson but looking for a group run? Come join us, all are welcome!

09/25/2026

When’s the last time you got out of your comfort zone…?!

I closed out August (delayed post) gravel biking through Vermont, from the Canadian border down into Massachusetts over the course of 1 week with an amazing group of friends. I was WILDLY unprepared/undertrained for this trip. I thought my summer marathon training fitness would carry me through and I learned the hard way that was not the case. I had plenty of moments of asking myself “can I really do this?” while grinding up the steepest gravel hills I’ve seen, or hanging to my handlebars for life on an unexpected single track mountain bike trail.

I realized this is my third summer in a row of some type of adventure that has put me out of my comfort zone (climbing half dome 2 years ago, running escarpment trail run last year). I’m getting familiar with the question, “Am I actually capable of this?”

All of these experiences have changed my running for the better. I’m carrying these with me into my next marathon ( ) and reminding myself when it gets hard, I’ve been there before, I can sit in the uncertainty and doubt, and I CAN do it.

I wrote a lot more about these experiences and how they’ve made me a better runner in my latest newsletter:
https://www.goldenruns.com/community/

And if you have goal that sounds a little too scary to say out loud - that’s the one worth chasing 😉

09/22/2026

About this past weekend…
Most of the time, you’ll find me either running in the race or spectating on the side cheering on my athletes and friends. But every now and then, I get to step behind the scenes to help make these races happen. This weekend I spent much of it working with the ARE Event Productions team ARE Event Productions to help bring two new races to the capital district (out of nine races total in just one weekend!)… the Hope House 5k in Schodack and the iRun Saratoga Half Marathon!

There’s so much that goes into putting on a race, and it’s awesome being part of such a motivated team that makes it all come together. It’s worth the early morning wake ups and all the physical lifting (so many barricades to move!) to watch the race unfold, see the looks of determination on runners faces at the start and the smiles at the finish, and feeling the energy of a race all around you!

As a coach, this experience has been so valuable - I can answer my athletes’ logistics questions and help calm any race day nerves. I love getting to be a part of the running community in so many different ways (including behind the scenes at races).

And, of course a HUGE shoutout to Golden Runs athletes who crushed it at the Saratoga half - Dan & Madeline both ran a PR (even in the rain), and Tim & Ivo put together strong, smart races as they gear up for their marathon in 3 weeks! So proud!!

P.S. Let me know if you find yourself in the start video 🙃

05/31/2026

Run for Women 5k 2026!

Three months ago I had major doubts about making it to this starting line after being injured this winter - just so happy to be back and feeling strong! And to be in the elite corral, pinch me… I don’t take it for granted that I get to stand next to some of the fastest women in the area let alone professional runners, these are the experiences I’ll always remember!

I had to look back at the first time I ran this race back in 2017… When I’m maybe a little disappointed that I wasn’t more competitive, its a nice reminder to see how far I’ve come. Never ever would have thought I’d be running times like this in my mid-30s. It’s a solid reminder that consistency pays off.

I’m so grateful to be part of a team of fast, supportive women who continue to push me every season . For my sister and husband bringing the energy on the mics, and my parents cheering - the best support crew! AND one of my favorite moments of the whole morning was hanging out near the finish to watch my athletes fly through that finish line looking so strong!

Thanks for another fantastic race and !

I’ve said it before and will say it again, we have the best running community in the 518, if you’re not part of it yet- what are you waiting for?!

The world would be a better place if more people ran, and if we had more women in charge of things. 🏃‍♀️🙂

05/20/2026

Running on the track doesn’t have to be intimidating!

Whether you’ve never run on a track, you’re not sure if you’re doing it “right”, or you’re just curious about how to add in speed work — this is for you!

We’ll break down track etiquette, key markings, common workout types, and demo some warmup drills together. Plus an optional intro workout at the end for anyone who wants to try out some speedwork! ALL levels of running experience welcome!

📆 Monday, June 1st at 6:00pm
📍SUNY Albany Track (park in the Dutch quad visitor lot next to the basketball courts then walk to the track)

One suggestion- you should be comfortable running 2-3 miles without stopping before attempting the workout at the end. Not there yet? The clinic and drills are open to everyone!

Swipe through for details, and drop any questions in the comments below! 👇

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Albany, NY

Website

https://www.goldenruns.com/

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