Coach Catherine

​Hi! I'm Coach Catherine. I have been coaching for over 10 years. I am an RRCA certified and Lydiard certified running coach. I absolutely love helping marathoners--both first timers and those looking to improve their racing times. I have been an "Ask the Coach" contributor to Philly.com's On the Run blog and have been featured in the "Ask the Experts" series in Runner's World' magazine.

I first tried my hand at running in high school. I ran outdoor track for one season but quit due to severe fallen arch pain and asthma. In my late 20's, I tried running again. This time, I joined a local running group, bought supportive running sneakers and had an inhaler. At the first run, I was the only "slow" runner. The group took off leaving me lost in a park and alone. I hung up my running shoes again.

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3 children later, overweight, at the age of 39, I decided I wanted to run the Broad Street Run, a local 10 mile race. I hadn't the slightest idea how far 10 miles really was. But this time, I was determined. I changed my diet, lost weight, began strength training and started running with a small group of new, but dedicated, runners. Soon after, I ran my first 5k race and was hooked! 

Since then I've raced numerous 5ks, 10ks, half marathons and marathons. I fell in love with running and have dedicated myself to studying the science of running. I am, by no means, "fast". I love the sense of accomplishment I get from working hard for something and achieving it. By applying principles of sound training to my own running, I've been able to take over 30 minutes off my half marathon time (PR 1:45) and 25 minutes off my marathon (PR 3:45). Over the last several years of coaching, my athletes have done the same and more.
​Like many of the runners I work with, I've struggled with balancing my love for the sport with the demands of a career as a full-time attorney, wife, mother of 3 children (ages 15, 17 and 22) and other social obligations. I understand that running is an important part of your life but not your whole life. My job as your coach is to provide smart, effective training to reach your goals in the context of the rest of your life. I love working with dedicated runners who have goals similar to mine: to run new distances, to get faster and to become stronger overall runners!