Meet Sam…
These are my running partners, Grif and Chaga. Grif is the fuzzy guy on my right, and Chaga is the bug-eyed one on my left. My husband, Chris, took this picture on what we call Blueberry Hill. You can’t see our kids, Zoe (age 14) and Hazel (age 12), in this picture but they were standing by holding dog leashes and offering all sorts of commentary.
I have been a runner since high school in western Maine where I ran cross country primarily as a training tool for my Nordic ski season. I grew up in a family of avid (some would say maniacal) hikers and backpackers so trail running was a logical progression for me. My love of the outdoors presides over all that I do and has led me to a variety of career choices including backcountry work with the Appalachian Mountain Club in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, instructing at the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School in Maine, ski patrolling at Sunday River Ski Area in Maine, and almost a decade of running and training sled dogs in Alaska. Currently, I am the Outdoor Community Organizer for Maine West Project Play where I coach youth and middle school mountain biking, Nordic skiing, and running. I also coach at the Craftsbury Running Camps at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center in Vermont.
You will not find me in the gym, though I strength train regularly. I am an outdoor exerciser – I like the wind, the rain, the sun (as long as it’s not too hot), the snow (always), and the fresh air.
I came to coaching through my love of science, outdoor exercise, and local food. Science helps us understand how our bodies can adapt to training stimuli; outdoor exercise keeps us moving and connected to nature; local food nourishes our bodies and connects us to our communities.
I am a certified running coach, ultrarunning coach, and sports nutrition coach through UESCA. I am a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through ISSA. I also have a Level 100 Cross Country Coach certification through USSA.
My little runners are skiers too!