Margaret Quinn

Favorite Race Distance?

This is tough! I’m a fan of all distances. I run 5ks most often, but nothing beats the challenge of training for a Half Marathon and the exhilaration of crossing that finish line!

Favorite Race?

My absolute favorite was the 2024 Madrid Half Marathon—it was so sentimental to run through a city I studied in 50 years ago!

Favorite thing to do besides running?

I’m usually hanging out with my family or working in my garden. I find working in dirt is good for the body and soul. Every once in a while I produce a tomato.

How long have you been running?

I’ve been at this since 1988! It all started when a co-worker invited me to join a team to run the "Manny-Hanny" Corporate Challenge in San Francisco. Not a runner, I was terrified of finishing last, so I trained for it and actually did reasonably well. I've been hooked ever since.

How long have you been coaching?

I’ve been coaching with Fleet Feet for about five years now. It’s basically my favorite "second career" after retiring from Sandia. I’m an avid consumer of science/research based running education, and enjoy sharing what I learn with our participants.

What do you enjoy the most about coaching?

I usually coach the novice level, Make It A Mile and 5k No Boundaries. I truly love helping people learn more about running, fitness and good healthy habits. Encouraging our participants to show up each week and reach their goals. And just having a fun, joyful time in the process. I get so excited when someone who is “not a runner” discovers they love running by the end of our program.

What do you hope that every athlete you coach takes away from working with you?

I hope they experience the joy of running and develop a life-long habit of regular, consistent exercise. For more advanced runners, I hope they acquire a greater technical understanding of running form, the how and why to do different types of workouts, strategies to train for races of all distances and injury prevention.

What's your one piece of advice for all runners?

When you take up running or start back from a hiatus, be patient with your progress. Slow and steady wins the game. Be consistent, put in the work, and stick with it for several months to feel the results. Whether you run for recreation, for general fitness, for the competitive challenge of races, or maybe all of those reasons, running is more enjoyable when it becomes a consistent, sustainable habit.

Why should someone join a training program?

People join our programs for many reasons. Sometimes, for the psychological boost when you’re just starting out or coming back from a break. Or, to enjoy the group camaraderie - we have lots of fun together and that makes the workouts seem less like work! Some really like the personalized weekly training plans so that they are well-prepared for a particular race event. As coaches, we do our best to tailor each participant’s experience to meet their goals.

---

 

Nancy Blair

Favorite Race Distance?

I enjoy 10k and half marathon races.

Favorite Race?

My all-time favorite is the Santa Cruz Wharf to Wharf 10K, followed by the Livermore Half Marathon and Monterey Half Marathon.

Favorite thing to do besides running?

I enjoy trail hikes, bike riding, and working in my yard which brings me joy!

How long have you been running?

As an adult, I’ve been running for about 13 years and all of those years have been with Fleet Feet. I joined the Saturday Huffers and Puffers running group, now known as Run Crew, and decided I was too slow to participate.  I went away for a while and returned with more skill, a better attitude, and was able to keep up - mostly. I joined a couple of 10K and Half Marathon training programs and I have been running with Fleet Feet ever since.

How long have you been coaching?

I have been coaching with Fleet Feet for about 3 years, on and off, due to the pandemic and an injury.

What do you enjoy the most about coaching?

I LOVE convincing new runners they can run! I love encouraging them and giving them information they can easily understand and use at each training session.  I can relate to their initial frustrations, struggles, and the "why am I doing this" stage. The biggest reward is seeing their smiles after a crazy hill workout, or long run they may or may not have been looking forward to.

What do you hope that every athlete you coach takes away from working with you?

The take aways is that they know it takes work and dedication to become a successful runner. They have the foundation to move to the next level in their training and continue to make progress.

What's your one piece of advice for all runners?

My advice to new runners and experienced runners is: be kind to yourself, realize that each run is different from the last one, humor plays an important role in your self-talk, and dedication to running on a routine basis is KEY.

Why should someone join a training program?

I would tell anyone wanting to join a training program, especially a beginning program, that the camaraderie they develop with the other participants will be the best support system they will be a part of! Followed by the fact that the training program touches on all aspects of running including theory, nutrition, determination - physically and mentally, along with the super cute technical clothes that support running! All of these, along with a supportive coach, mentors, and Fleet Feet staff to support their needs.

---

  

Ethan Falls

Favorite Race Distance?

My favorite distance race is the half marathon. The half marathon is the perfect blend of speed and endurance — long enough to be a real challenge, short enough to race hard the whole way.

Favorite Race?

My favorite race is the Knickerbocker Canyon Trail race in Auburn California. Stunning scenery and a course that demands everything you've got.

Favorite thing to do besides running?

Running is my first love but swimming is a close second.  When I am not running you can probably find me at the pool.

How long have you been running?

I have been running for 48 years. My brother challenged me to a 10k race. The Devil Mountain 10K in Danville when I was 14. I beat him in the race and he never challenged me to race again.

How long have you been coaching?

I have been coaching with Fleet Feet for 16 years.

What do you enjoy the most about coaching?

I love helping people reach their fitness and health goals. Watching someone cross a finish line they never thought possible never gets old.

What do you hope that every athlete you coach takes away from working with you?

Consistency is the key to improving performance. I also stress the importance of good running form — and I hope every athlete carries that forward in their running for years to come.

What's your one piece of advice for all runners?

The one piece of advice for all runners is to get fitted for shoes at Fleet Feet.  Having the correct shoes for your feet is crucial to enjoying running.

Why should someone join a training program?

Joining a training program is a great way to meet friends and training partners. The shared experience of training with a group is so much more fun and enjoyable than going it alone.

---

 

Locations