Me, at the end of my full distance triathlon

Me, at the end of my full distance triathlon

I never thought I’d be a running coach. Ever. I used to hate running...and now I love it. It took time. It took patience. It took someone HELPING ME!

I came to running from a competitive swimming and cycling background. I use the term 'competitive' loosely. I started swimming very young and stopped in high school. I then picked up cycling as an adult, racing on a local team in Seattle, WA. Again, I use the term racing loosely.

In 2012 I got a notion in my head that I wanted to do an Ironman distance triathlon. Because, you know, I'd never done a triathlon before, so why not start with the big one. And that's when I fell in love with running. It still kind of boggles my mind that I call myself a runner these days.  

But that’s why I’m here today. I’m a Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) certified coach, and I want to see you achieve things you don’t think you can achieve. I want your mind to be boggled too!

Unless a physician has told you not to run, or walk, the only excuse you have is the one you’ve made up. Let’s smash that excuse!

I work with new runners and experienced runners. But my real passion is for people who don’t think they can do it. The person who was JUST LIKE ME!

Looking forward to hearing from you!


I’m actually going to finish this thing!
— Me, Karen Blankenship, at the end of full distance triathlon

What I've done

  • Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) Level 1 Certified Coach

  • Precision Nutrition Certified Nutritionist

  • Challenge Penticton Full Course finisher - 140.6, Ironman distance

  • Walt Disney World Marathon x2 finisher

  • Multiple (>20) 1/2 Marathon finisher

  • Have lost count 10 k finisher

  • Absolutely no world records

  • Zero podiums

  • Have actually experienced the myth of 'runner's high'