The first time I ever ran a formal race was in 2012 at the Ft Lauderdale A1A Half marathon. My employer was a sponsor of the race and formed a “team” to run together. I knew nothing about running that kind of distance and did not have a training plan. I had always been “athletic” but never a runner and I erroneously thought that I could complete the 13.1 miles in less than 3 hours. Clearly, I knew nothing about distance running and had not trained adequately. After much walking and doubts of completion, I finished in 3 hours, 3 minutes. Fast-forward 2 ½ years, at the age of 50, I was in much better shape. I was running on a treadmill at the gym and getting faster and stronger and challenged my husband, Barry, who is also a FIT coach, to run the 2015 A1A Half with the goal of finishing in less than 3 hours. Together we trained, together we grew much more lean and fit and together we finished well under our goal. We have not stopped running since. We have completed >40 half marathons, several full marathons and many 5 and 10 K runs (I call them runs not races as completion and feeling good is my goal and not time/placement). We are empty-nesters and use runs across the country as excuses to travel. Running has added a unique dimension to our 31+ year marriage, and, although much faster than I, Barry stays with me on the long runs so that we can enjoy the experience together. We have been coaching with Friends in Training since the inaugural season in Coral Springs in 2016; we’ve been the head coaches since 2018, and we love sharing our passion for running with others.