Jim has been a runner for 45 years, starting on a 440 yard cinder track back in the day, running countless 5k,10k and half marathons, and earning a Boston Qualifying 3:22 marathon at age 50. I am thoroughly committed to helping my clients meet their running goals.īryan can provide training plans and on a case by case basis, one-on-one coaching. I plan to apply the extensive knowledge and experience I have learned from my own racing to my work as a coach. Throughout my running career, I have completed numerous 5ks, 10ks, and half marathons and eight marathons with my time ranging from 4:25 in my first ever marathon to my current PR, 3:11. My experience as a runner, both in high school and over the last 15 years of road racing, enable me to help Big River’s Training Team excel. Over the last several years, I have had the privilege to work with the Big River Training Team and thoroughly enjoyed coaching dozens of Training Team members. The relationships I build with the athletes year after year drive my passion for running. For the last 16+ years, I have had the honor to coach Cross Country and Track & Field. I returned to the world of distance running in 2001 when I was hired as a teacher and coach at my alma mater, De Smet Jesuit High School. I ran occasionally while attending Truman State University but I took a break from serious training. I enjoyed the challenge and the constant pursuit of a new personal best. While I was never the fastest runner on the team, it quickly became an important part of my life. I steadily improved over the course of 4 years of high school and ended up being a varsity runner during my last two seasons. What started out as a 12 week commitment to the track and field team ended up as a 4 year high school career. I initially intended to only run one high school season in preparation for wrestling, but quickly found myself enjoying the challenge of running.
During my freshman year of high school, I decided to join the De Smet Jesuit High School track and field team.
1993 – The year I found my passion for running.