ABOUT COACH MISTY
welcome!
Hello! I’m Coach Misty.
Running has shaped my life for over 25 years, not just as an athlete, but as a coach, mentor, and believer in what steady, consistent effort can do for a person.
I’ve completed more than 50 marathons, including nine Boston Marathons, and raced ultramarathons up to 100 miles. But what matters most to me isn’t my race resume.
It’s helping runners discover what they’re capable of.
Whether you’re training for your first 5K, chasing a marathon PR, working toward Boston, returning from injury, or navigating performance changes in midlife, I believe every runner deserves structured guidance, honest feedback, and a coach who truly pays attention.
My Coaching Philosophy
I believe in building athletes, not just training cycles.
My approach centers on:
- Strong aerobic development
- Smart, sustainable progression
- Heart rate and pace-based training
- Strength integration for durability
- Intentional load management
- Clear communication and accountability
Training should challenge you, but it should also fit your life.
There’s no one-size-fits-all mileage plan here. Every program I build is individualized based on your current fitness, goals, stress load, recovery patterns, and lifestyle demands.
Because longevity matters.
More Than Miles
As a UESCA Certified Run Coach and Endurance Sports Nutrition Coach, RRCA and USATF Certified Coach, Jack Daniels VDOT Certified Coach, and NASM Certified Personal Trainer, I integrate strength and fueling into every program I design.
Running well isn’t just about logging miles.
It’s about:
- Fueling properly
- Recovering intentionally
- Building strength
- Managing stress
- And adapting training intelligently
I coach the whole athlete — not just the pace on your watch.
My Background
I’ve spent over 25 years in endurance sports — first as a lifelong athlete, and then as a coach, mentor, and strength professional.
In my early years, I volunteered extensively within the local running community, helping introduce beginner programs through the Calumet Region Striders and the Southlake YMCA. I also coached Girls on the Run programs in local schools, guiding young athletes as they built confidence through movement. Those early experiences shaped the foundation of my coaching philosophy: meet people where they are and help them take the next step.
From 2000 to 2013, I served as Director of Training Programs for Fleet Feet Northwest Indiana, where I led structured programs from beginner 5K through marathon and ultramarathon distances and co-developed the Fleet Feet National Coaching Certification Program, mentoring coaches and helping shape endurance training standards nationwide.
In 2014, I founded Miles with Misty to create a more personalized coaching experience. Over the past decade, I’ve delivered high-touch 1:1 run and strength coaching both
in-person and online, integrating heart rate and pace-based endurance programming with progressive strength training and performance-focused habit development.
My coaching has evolved over the years, but my passion has remained the same: helping people build confidence, strength, and resilience that lasts.
Who I Love Coaching
I coach runners at every level — from first-time 5K runners to marathoners and ultra-distance competitors.
That includes:
- Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Runners
- Trail and mountain runners
- Boston hopefuls and Boston qualifiers
- Athletes chasing PRs
- Runners returning from injury
- Athletes who need thoughtful, attentive programming due to past setbacks
Durability and long-term performance matter to me just as much as race day results.
Strength & Longevity
On the strength side, I specialize in coaching women over 40 who want to:
- Build real muscle
- Protect bone health
- Improve performance
- Stay strong in every season of life
That said, I coach and train individuals of all ages and abilities who are ready to approach fitness with structure and intention.
An Integrated, Holistic Approach
I treat every client with an integrated approach that blends:
- Endurance coaching
- Progressive strength training
- Endurance sports nutrition
- Recovery and load management
- Real-life balance
Your training doesn’t exist in isolation.
Your recovery, fueling, stress, sleep, and life demands all matter.
My role is to bring those pieces together into a plan that supports performance, health, and sustainability.
With a lifetime in health, fitness, and coaching, I remain a student of the sport — continually studying evolving research in endurance training, strength development, and nutrition so I can provide evidence-informed guidance tailored to your current season.
Whether your goal is your first finish line or your fastest one, I’m here to help you build something that lasts.
my credentials
National Academy of Sports Science (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer
Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) Certified Personal Trainer
United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy (UESCA) Certified Running Coach
United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy (UESCA) Certified Nutrition Coach
Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) Certified Coach
USA Track & Field Level 1 (USATF) Certified Coach
Jack Daniels VDOT Certified
Functional Movement Screen Certified
CPR and First Aid Certified