Hi, I’m Samantha…and 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. We also have a Border Collie named Scout. My husband, Chris, took this picture on what we call Blueberry Hill, an old blueberry barren on the coast of Maine. You can’t see our kids, Zoe (age 15) and Hazel (age 13), 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.
In addition to my work as a running coach, I am the Program Coordinator for Maine West Project Play, a community sports organization in western Maine. My job is to build community through endurance sports. I am lucky enough to work with athletes of all ages, but I particularly enjoy working with Masters athletes. I appreciate the complexity of designing a training plan that fits into a demanding life with unique goals, training history, injury history, work demands, family obligations, and community responsibilities.
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, sports nutrition coach, and strength and conditioning coach through UESCA. I also have a Level 200 Cross Country Coach certification through USSS. In addition, I have taken Dr. Stacy Sims’ Menopause 2.0 and NEXT GEN courses.
