A group of people that started off as strangers 10 weeks ago quickly became family. This beautiful group of individuals all had different “Why’s” to train for the Battleship 12k and yet the same goal, in 10 weeks to cross the finish line on Nov. 13th, 2022. And they did just that. Some runners and walkers were wanting to come back to the sport they loved so much, for others, this would be their first race ever.  

          This group gave up their Tuesday nights and early Saturday mornings to train. They ran an allotted amount of time and then had a strength or yoga session with one of our coaches/mentors. This group had hill workouts, barefoot stride running, and even experienced trail running. These runners and walkers worked their bodies hard during the strength workouts and did amazing work during their yoga sessions. Full confession here, I was thrilled when others were also smack-talking our strength coaches, those workouts were tough but necessary. This group will happily keep anyone humble, including me! Haha!

Getting to know this group and watching them take on hills for breakfast and grind out the strength sessions taught me what courage really looks like and what the true definition of endurance is. From new Mobilians looking to get plugged into our community, runners who want to get back to a sport they loved once, new moms finding community, to veterans wanting an inviting environment to reach new goals, each runner and walker came together to cross the finish line. I am better for getting to know each runner and walker because they made me better. From laughing and talking smack to celebrating one another’s workouts, this was a fun group of people. To say the least, as a coach, I had a blast!

               I have said it for the past 10 weeks and I will continue to say it: “This was an amazing opportunity!” and what an honor to get to train alongside this group! They not only showed up to the workouts but were invested in one another. It was an authentic, fun, surviving the training together experience. And I am grateful to have had the opportunity to know them and train them.

               I have been told a lot lately that this program changed lives. While that is a very cool thing to hear, I did not go on this journey alone. I had the best coaches and mentors alongside me. I am humbled that they believed in me so much that they said yes! They are the ones who stepped up and helped make this training program the success that it was. Our two strength coaches: Cristin Waite and Sara Nell Lemond, made our runners and walkers stronger every Saturday. Chrissy Schneider, our yoga instructor kept us flexible. Kate Yates, our walking mentor, and Kristen Rather, our running mentor were top-notch in helping lead our group to the finish line. Did I mention that Kristen has also been training for a marathon?!?! And oh yeah, Sarah Nell placed first in her bracket at the Battleship 12k! I meant it when I said it was the best group of coaches and mentors. They encouraged me to take this training gig full-time. They helped push me beyond my comfort zone. And I am so thankful!

               On Saturday, November 12^th we met that morning to do a final walk together, then some yoga, and headed across the bay to pick up our packets. That night we met for dinner for a pre-race and had great food and plenty of laughs. But more than that, everyone had an opportunity to share their Why for joining the training program and what their favorite part was. It was such an incredible moment as a coach to hear the responses. Most shared that it was the community that came out of this program, two members shared how much they enjoyed the trail running, and one shared how this program had helped him become healthier, possibly even coming off some of his medication. This was such a priceless moment to share. This is what the mission of this training program was and will continue to be, a place to plant roots in the running/walking community. Sometimes there are misconceptions about our running community. My mission is to help break those barriers down and help everyone understand that anyone can become a runner/walker. We all put in the work; we all cross the finish line.

               On November 13^th, 2022 a family of runners and walkers crossed the finish line cheering one another on. The hugs and tears that flowed from that day came from a family that 10 weeks ago started off as strangers. And for that, I am honored to have had the opportunity to coach them. I am grateful that this group entrusted me to lead them to their goal and to earn that medal from Battleship 12k! Part of their stories will forever be with me and also their friendships. This is what coaching is all about!

Allison Gaillard

Run Your Story Training Program and Podcast