Testimonials

About Individualized Training

"I first began training on a whim, because I wanted to do something to get in shape, and my company was subsidizing the cost. A month later they stopped that policy, but I was already hooked. Margie, Ray, and Cathy are incredibly knowledgeable and helpful coaches. With their encouragement, workouts, and gentle corrections of my technique, I found my form, distance, and speed all improving.

Running with the group has had an incredible impact on me - before joining I ran once a week or so - now I try to run at least 1000 miles a year and have over a dozen races under my belt including two marathons. Running has also made me healthier and happier - nothing burns off stress like a nice 5 mile run! I have also found that it helps my confidence in other areas of life: when the going gets tough I just tell myself 'If you can handle a 26.2 mile race you can definitely handle this!'"   - Adrian Hartline

"I joined the PR group for Individualized Training in 2005 in an attempt to improve my running for triathlons and with a vague notion that I might run another marathon. The structured training program and advice on running technique made a great difference, along with learning how to properly pace myself. My mile times went from 6:50 to 6:05 and my run performance in triathlons improved significantly. I also decided to aim to qualify for the Boston Marathon and using the skills I learned at the workouts I did it my first try, and then ran a 3:40 at Boston, having stopped for photos :-). The running skills I learned and the camaraderie made this one of the best investments in training I have ever done."   - Chris Bennett

"It's not an understatement to say that the PR Running Club (note, PR Training Programs' Individualized Programs were previously offered as "PR Running Club") changed my life.  I've had exertional asthma since I was a child, and in high school I couldn't even run a mile.  Since joining the group almost 5 years ago, I trained to run a number of races - 10ks, 10 milers, half marathons - repeatedly set personal records in all of these distances, and finally got to the point where training for a marathon seemed achievable.  I've since completed two marathons, am very excited to be training for another one this year, and continue to dream of one day qualifying for Boston. 

Although the sense of accomplishment and achievement from running these races is fantastic, what has really turned running into a way of life for me has been the consistency and social aspect of our group training runs combined with the expert care and guidance that we all receive from the coaches.  It's sometimes difficult to articulate why "ten miles is actually a short run," or why I am compelled to run whether it's 15 degrees out or 90, or how amazing it is to run with a few good friends on a regular basis - so I have to fall back on the explanation that I simply love it.

Do you every wonder about getting in touch with your true strength - a core strength you may suspect exists but never knew for sure that you had?  If so you should give this a try." - Diane Bartley

About Running 101

"I just wanted to let you know how much Running 101/201 with Taneen has changed my life. I never thought I had what it takes to be a 'runner' until she showed me otherwise with her expertise and passionate leadership. Now it's not only a great form of exercise but something that really gives me a feeling of joy, strength, and freedom.  And last week, while on vacation in France, I carved out time to run along the beautiful streets of Paris.  It was awesome and it occurred to me that if it hadn't been for Coach and the class, I never would have been able to have that cool experience. As a bonus, it turns out that running is also a great way to discover a new city!  Your program has made many people's lives more enjoyable I'm sure. Keep up the great work!"

- Diana Oo

"Before I signed up for PR’s Running 101/201, I had self trained and thought that 5k’s were the longest races I would ever accomplish.  And I was injuring myself a lot trying to improve my time on them, so I could feel respectable in the presence of those of my friends who have been running for years.  I ran mostly at night, and solo.  I had tried out a number of area fun runs, but I hadn’t found a group I was not uncomfortably self-conscious in.  After an achilles injury that stopped my running for 4 months I realized I was not going to be able to get back to where I was and stay healthy by myself.  I was desperate to run again, train again, and stay injury free, like the PR program promised.  Coach T got me to all those goals."  - Emilie David

About Running 201

"When I started the 201 training program last year, I was already a competitive age-group runner but wanted to take it to the next level. Our 201 coach Brian taught the group a wide variety of workouts--fartlek, intervals, hills, etc. that helped improve my speed and endurance.  It was never boring because it seemed the workout was always something different.  I learned the importance of warming up and cooling down as well as proper stretching techniques to reduce the risk of injury.  I gradually started to improve and got my first 5K PR in June after 3 months in the program.  After continuing with 201 during the summer, I saw significant improvement in the fall/winter races and ran a number of PR's (1 mile, 5K, 5 miles and 10K).  Brian even came to some of my races to offer advice and encouragement.  This is a great program with excellent coaching and I would recommend it to anyone wishing to improve their race times while having fun at the same time." -Steve Robinson

"I have been in the PR 201 class since the start in March of 2008, repeating each time it is offered.  I cannot even begin to put into words how this class has changed my quality of running.  The plyometric drills we go through on a weekly basis have dramatically changed my form for the better.  You can tell such a difference in pictures from previous years.  The speed workouts we do in class are things I would have never known how to do on my own and are probably things I would have NEVER done on my own.  My racing times have improved so much in such a short time.  But overall I love the support system I have gained from this class.  Everyone is so supportive of each other in class and at local races.  Even though I am a back of the pack runner Coach Brian makes me feel just as good and just as important as the front of the pack runners.  201 has given me a deeper love for running and more confidence at races."   - Sharon Scalan