Results: Over the last two years (my entire running career)I have always seen running as a means of strictly working out. Through this program, I have learned that running is a lifestyle that consists of most importantly having fun, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Through having incredibly talented coaches, and equally impressive teammates- I have been blessed to now have a group that I consider a support system and family in my eyes. Joining the Kamikazes (soon to be "Trail Apocalypse") has been one of the most positive and beneficial decisions I have made for myself in the last few years. Through this program, I have learned more of what I am capable of, and I am excited to see what is in store for my future and for the team as well.
Favorite Element of the Program: I would say my favorite element of the program is the fact that the workouts are incredibly varied. You are constantly switching up your workouts, which allows you to broaden your horizons physically. Never in a million years did I think I would be capable of running another marathon- and since I have started training with the coyotes I have completed yet another full marathon, my first trail race, lowered my half marathon road times, and completed my first ultra. The variety of the workouts are supremely beneficial to anyone who wants to see progress in their running.
David Chan
Age: 37 Occupation: IT Professional
Results: In 2007 my love of the mountains set in motion a thru-hike of the 2175 mile Appalachian Trail. The hike infused me with the endurance bug, and so I started running in 2008. After a handful of trail ultras I was fortunate enough to hike the 2650 mile Pacific Crest Trail in 2010. Next I set my sights on completing a 100 mile trail race. Long story, and two 100 mile DNF's later, after training with the Coyotes I was able to accomplish my goal and have plans for MANY more miles of adventure.
Favorite Element of the Program: The community. I am a stronger and more fulfilled runner for being part of a dedicated group who support each others goals and have FUN doing it. This was so apparent to my wife that she has since joined the Coyotes. Now we both benefit from the depth of coaching knowledge and inspiring community.
Rachel Bailin
Age: 26 Occupation: Entrepreneur
Results: Before I joined the Coyotes I was strictly in the mindset of "road only" or it doesn't count as real miles. Little did I know how much fun running can actually be! There was a time I couldn't imagine running up mountain trails but in just 4 months the Coyote team has made me a stronger and more confident runner. One of the greatest gifts I have learned from Jimmy and Kate is when to push yourself and when to listen to your body - this kept me injury free throughout my entire training season for the first time ever. I ran my first marathon after just 3 months of training with the Coyotes and the marathon felt like just another training run. At the finish line I was ready for another!
Favorite Element of the Program: I am originally from Iowa and in the four years that I have called LA home I have never felt more at home than with the Coyotes. I had been searching for a group like the Coyotes for years - people who are encouraging, supportive, friendly, but who are always pushing themselves to be better in a way it makes you want to unlock your inner beast and also become the best runner you can be. I actually prefer trails now because I'm not afraid of hills. I always liked running as a solitary sport and couldn't imagine running without music but now I find headphones are a distraction to the amazing conversation and company. Jimmy and Kate not just amazing coaches but incredible people who are knowledgeable and always there to talk about my training. I can't say enough about them or the rest of the coyotes - They make three hour runs fun and I feel like I finally found my LA family.
Chris Hays
Age: 41 Occupation: Waiter
Results: 2012 Twin Peaks 50 (13:56) 2012 Leona Divide 50 (10:56), 1st Western States Qualifying time 2011 Miwok 100K (13:58) - 1st 100k 2011 Los Angeles Marathon (4:04) 15 minute PR 2010 Northface 50 (12:28) 2010 Firetrails 50 (11:17) - 1st 50 miler 2010 Bulldog 50k 2010 Shadow of the Giants 50k - 1st 50 k 2010 Los Angeles Marathon (4:19) - 1st Marathon.
All with the Coyote training program.
Favorite Element of the Program: Since joining the Coyotes I've done things that I used to think were impossible. I've seen the most beautiful places in LA. I've meet the most amazing people from all walks of life. I've learned that a lot of girls run faster than me. My favorite part is the feeling you get on the trails and being able to share that with people who are having as much fun as you.
Brian Lhee
Results: 10/12 Xterra Pt. Mugu - 18K (1:38:50) 12/12 The North Face Endurance Challenge - marathon (4:56:44).
14 months ago, the longest distance I had run was 3 miles and I never thought, nor had any desire, to run a marathon. I inadvertently found out about the program at a Malibu trail race, where I tried to use a random runner in front of me as a pacer. She proceeded to drop me in no time - with a smile no less - and the next time I saw her was at the finish line garbed in a Coyote jersey. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em right? So I signed up for the Kamikaze program in August, and with it came the goal of completing my 1st marathon - trail or otherwise - at the Marin Headlands. I had no idea how to train for such an endeavor, so I went all-in with Jimmy and Kate and let them be my guide. They literally leave no stone unturned in their training methods, incorporating and fine-tuning speed, strength, form and nutrition, not to mention their most important facet - knowledge and expertise. Going into the marathon, my original goal was to simply finish. However, armed with months of base training, mental acuity and countless number of tips on how to attack the race, I somehow beat even the wildest of my projections... by over an hour.
Favorite Element of the Program: The program does the near-impossible: it makes you WANT to run. That, in and of itself, would normally be the most impressive aspect, but what Jimmy and Kate so keenly are able to do is to make it all so fun! They are responsible for fostering a real sense of community, so much so that the group has become an extended part of my family. HOWL!
Chandrasekar Sivaraman
Age: 28 Occupation: Software Engineer Results: American Heroes 10K – Sep 15, 2011 (First 10K) XTERRA Pt. Mugu Trail Run 18K – Oct 16, 2011 (First trail race) Rock n Roll LA Half Marathon – Oct 30, 2011 (First half marathon) Griffith Park Trail Half Marathon – Nov 12, 2011 XTERRA Topanga Turkey Trot Trail Run 15K – Nov 24, 2011 XTERRA Boney Mountain Trail Run 21K – Jan 8, 2012 XTERRA Black Mountain Trail Run 15K – Mar 25 2012 Leona Divide 50K – Apr 28, 2012 (First Ultra)
Before joining the Coyotes, the longest I had run was a 5K. I joined the Coyotes in August 2011 to train for my first half marathon. Within four months of joining the group, I had run not one but three half marathons. In 2012, with the help of the Coyotes, I trained for and successfully ran my first ultra – a 50K distance! In less than a year, huge thanks to the Coyotes, I have gone from running a 5K to running a 50K. But the biggest change I have experienced in my running (and the one I am most grateful for) is that running has become FUN. After all, it is the group’s motto ‘If you are not having fun, you are doing it wrong’…
Favorite Element of the Program: The coaches Jimmy and Kate are great role models for everything they preach about running (and also life!). Also, this group is full of amazing athletes (most of whom were ordinary runners once, like you and me, before joining the group) and there is so much to learn and be inspired by just watching them run. You will explore and run on a lot more trails with them. Your road runs will become more interesting. You will make new friends who will cheer for or pace you at your races or in the very least help out in any of the other small ways so you can have a good time on a run/race.
Lei Liew Age: 27 Occupation: Graduate Student
Results: When I joined the Coyotes, my longest race was a 10k, which I had run for fun the year before, and I hadn't run further than 10 miles. Through Jimmy and Kate's expertise, advice, and practices, and with the encouragement and camaraderie of my fellow Coyotes, I ran my first marathon after just two months of training in 4:02, an hour faster than I had projected. I also improved on my 10k time by 2 minutes to 46:46, thanks to pacing by a fellow Coyote
Favorite Element of the Program: The people! I used to think running was a solitary sport, and I loved running solo. However, I have come to love the running family that the Coyotes provides--everyone is so helpful, friendly, and encouraging, and it keeps me accountable to make running a priority. I also travel quite a bit, and I love how flexible Jimmy and Kate have made it for me - I join the Coyotes for practices when I can, and communicate with Jimmy and Kate on my progress, workouts, and problems when I'm out of town. They are excellent at responding and just as great at 'remote coaching' as they are in person.
Kevin Chan Age: 31 Occupation: Software Engineer
Results: 2012 Los Angeles Marathon (3:01:01) PR By 1h 27m 2012 Bandit 50K (4:59) PR By 42 minutes at 50k distance 2012 Rose Bowl 10K (39:09) PR by 8 minutes 2012 Los Angeles 13.1 (1:27) 1st Road Half Marathon 2012 Boney Mountain 21k (1:53) PR by 35 minutes 2011 Western States 100 (23:40) 1st 100 miler 2011 Miwok 100k (11:49) 1st 100K 2011 Santa Monica Boardwalk 5k (18:40) PR by 8 minutes 2010 Dick Collin's Firetrails 50 (8:56) 1st 50 miler
Favorite Element of the Program: SoCal Coyote is more than just a running group. Not only did it helped me set faster personal best records, but it also made me a better runner. Since joining the group, running has truly become a passion of mine even though it started out as a way of exercising, allowing me to lose weight. Besides learning how to become a better runner, the Coyotes have help teach me life lessons (through running) both directly and indirectly. The group created dreams and help me find ways to accomplish them even though I never dreamed of completing such feats. The group is an abundant of amazing, motivating, selfless people and you can't find a better family to run with. To me, this group has become my close family. Simply and amazing group of people. Thank you Kate Martini and Jimmy Dean Freeman along with the rest of you Coyotes!
Will Sipes Age: 37 Occupation: Network Administrator
Results: I signed up for the fall 2011 Coyote season with the objective of finishing my first 50 mile trail race. Not only was I able to finish that race, I had an amazing time doing it. Jimmy pulls no punches about the difficulties of running ultras and prepares you both mentally and physically. The varieties of terrain and types of workouts have made me stronger, faster and more adaptable to whatever might occur during a given run. I was able to carry that through to the Spring 2012 season where I achieved a huge LA marathon PR as well.
Favorite Element of the Program: Coaches Jimmy Dean and Kate are the core of a Coyote community that is supportive, encouraging and that all levels of runners can benefit from.
Natalie Kintz Age 25 Occupation: Graduate Student
Results: I never dreamed of running a marathon before I joined the Coyotes. But, within a year of running with the Coyotes, I completed my first marathon and my first 50k. I could not have asked for a better training program. Jimmy and Kate helped me with everything ranging from speed training to mental toughness. Their dedication to me and my training needs helped me develop the physical and mental skills to complete my first marathon in under 3 hours and fifteen minutes (Pasadena Marathon 2011, 3rd woman overall).
Favorite Element of the Program: Not only are Jimmy and Kate experienced, committed and motivational coaches, but the Coyotes as a whole are incredibly supportive, fun-spirited and talented runners. The Coyotes make running fun, they inspire you to set new goals and achieve new limits. I am honored to call myself a Coyote.
Steve Schuman
Results: 2:59:15 marathon and 1:20:17 half marathon, at 49 years old.
Favorite Element of Program: Jimmy and Kate provide more than just a training schedule and training tips. They create a positive atmosphere that is perfect for running (of, for that matter, anything else). I've been racing since I was 12, and been on teams that are cut-throat competitive. On the other hand, some running clubs go too far the other direction and do not provide much of a challenge. Jimmy and Kate have figured out how to encourage everyone to do their best, even to take on outrageous challenges, without creating any of that cut-throat competition. Quite to the contrary, the Coyotes go above and beyond the call of duty to support and encourage each other to do their respective bests, regardless of their level of ability. That, for me, is what running is all about. With the Coyotes, I find that I enjoy running more and my performance has been better than I could have hoped.
Laura Garrison Age 25 Occupation: Paralegal
Results: Jimmy was my coach for the Long Beach Marathon and he'll forever be in my mind as "Coach Jimmy." Going from zero knowledge of how to train, Jimmy taught our team all we needed to know to meet our personal goals: training, ratios, proper speed, keeping our bodies sound during training, how to deal with an injury and continue to train despite not being able to run for a few weeks, proper nutrition, hill and speed/track training and mental sturdiness. Result was completing a life-long goal and in a time I was proud of.
Favorite Element of the Program: Favorite part of Jimmy as my coach was the continuous motivational air about him, that continues to push me in my fitness goals, even today.
