Recently we caught up with our Beginner Coach, Jessi Broz, to ask her about her journey becoming a coach. From course marshalling to running races Jessi's experience make's her an invaluable coach with a wealth of knowledge.
I've been searching for words since the weekend ended, and am still not sure that I have the right ones to fully express what I am feeling.
In order to understand what this past training season meant to me, we need to go back in time to 2013. I had never really been a runner before, but my cousin had asked me in January of that year to run a 5k with her in June of that year. I thought to myself, "sure, why not? What's the worst that could happen?" Well, I would be spending all of my money on races and gear because that is when I discovered my love of running. Between 2013 and 2017, I ran 6 half marathons and countless 5ks, 10ks, and 15ks. I did my first Glass City 5k that year.
In 2018, my health derailed my ability to run. Thyroid issues were causing extreme difficulties with my heart rate and blood pressure whenever I would exercise. I had to stop running and really started to become depressed and anxious. In February 2020, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and because of complications, I was not able to get it removed until October of that year. Anyone who has lived with thyroid difficulties knows how difficult it can be to get medication levels right and finally start to feel better. It took a few years.
In 2023, I volunteered to be a course marshall at the Glass City Marathon, and has SERIOUS FOMO, wanting to be back out there. I love the energy of this race so much. So, I talked to my doctors and they all agreed that I was stable enough to start running. I downloaded a couch to 5k app and started training on my own. It went fine, nothing crazy. I signed up with a relay team for GCM in 2024 and really struggled on my leg of the race. But, I got out there and did it. I went to a wedding that summer and my friend's husband told me about Dave's Marathon In Training Program and how it had helped him to train and gave him accountability, especially for long runs (Thanks, Chip!). I gave it serious consideration and asked my parents to pay for it for Christmas, since I don't really need more "stuff". They agreed and I started in the Spring MIT program in 2025.
I was really worried about joining the program in the first place, because I am S-L-O-W. The wonderful thing about this training program is that there is a place for literally EVERYONE, no matter at what pace you train. I felt accepted from the first day. My work schedule made it difficult for me to train with my group each week, but Coach Joan stayed behind on the days where I had to train by myself and pushed me beyond what I thought my limits were. And, that spring, I ran my fastest half marathon ever...by 13 minutes!
I signed up again for summer/fall training, knowing that I wanted to run the half marathon at Akron in September (as I grew up there and still love to visit the area). I had done it before in either 2013 or 2014. I knew it was a tough course. That particular day was very challenging, but I knew that I could finish it (even though my time was terrible) because I could trust the training (and I heard Coach Wendy in my head telling me to just keep going). At the end of the summer/fall training season, I was talking to Wendy about coaching and she convinced me to give it a shot. I didn't feel ready or worthy. But, I put my trust in my coaches and threw my hat in the ring.
Fast forward to January of this year. I was accepted as a coach, and to my surprise, I was assigned the beginner 5k group (which I was not expecting). I am so glad that Coach Bob saw that this is where I needed to be. I was definitely nervous about coaching, but found the rhythm fairly quickly. I found myself excited for each group run to see what we could all accomplish together. There were some very difficult days of training, both for myself and for our group. Weather made it challenging to actually get our group runs in. My asthma became an issue on more than one occasion. But, this group really adapted and trusted me (along with our other coaches) to guide them through (even when I made them run extra miles by accident)!
By race day, I knew that our group was ready to tackle the 5k course...even when they didn't. I was not feeling well. I was tired and excited at the same time. I felt pressure to keep my group at a good pace. I was ready to be done. I had goals for myself. I was definitely stressed at the start. Then, we found our rhythm and stuck (mostly) together. That gave me the push I needed to get across the finish line. That is the power of this training program. You are not alone through any part of this process. There are always people cheering you on and rooting for you and believing in you. The Glass City Marathon is where it all started (and re-started) for me. I will come back as long as I can because this community is so encouraging.
