McRae explains, “Our clients have asked for additional options in training and instruction that only Keith and I can offer.  Our team approach to coaching and development gives our clients the enhanced knowledge they need to improve the quality of their performances, both in day-to-day training and challenging races.”

“Paul and I have very similar and complimentary coaching styles.  Our combined depth of coaching and service to the running community, as well as our national and international racing experience, gives us the opportunity improve the training and racing experience for runners of all ages and abilities.  By combining our efforts, a Personal Running Solutions Client will receive an unmatched level of coaching and mentorship leading to improved enjoyment and performance in their running.” Brantly stated.

Keith will direct the Personal Running Solutions presence in St Johns and Flaggler Counties. He and Coach Paul strive to provide a better individual coaching experience to all of the athletes they coach. The merger represents Personal Running Solutions’ goal of building solid connections and ensuring all Personal Running Solutions athletes have access to the best network of running related experts.

About Keith Brantly:

With a running career spanning three decades, many experts consider Keith Brantly to be one of the most successful Long Distance Runners in United States distance running history.  Keith has enjoyed successes in national and international competitions at distances from the mile to the marathon.  His accomplishments include:

• 1996 United States Olympic Team Member, Marathon.
• Five-time U.S. Olympic Trials participant for 5K, 10K and marathon, competing in a total of seven event trials.
• Twelve-time member of United States National track, road racing and cross-country teams.
• Eight-time United States National Roadracing Champion in the 10K, 20K, 25K and marathon.
• Lifetime personal bests include: Marathon 2:12:31, Fifteen kilometers 42:50, Ten kilometers 28:02, Five kilometers 13:36, 1500 meters 3:40.7 (3:58 mile)

Keith conducts inspirational and entertaining motivational seminars for corporations and special interest groups on topics related to health and fitness.  As a successful specialist in healthcare sales, Keith inspires sales teams and organizations with meaningful and practical formulas for success drawn from his years of successful athletic competition.  He especially enjoys speaking to children and young adults, encouraging them to start and stay involved with sports and recreational activities and stressing the importance of strong leadership practices.

Keith’s volunteer service includes a term as President of Florida Track Club, volunteer coach for Best Buddies and motivational speaker for the American Heart Association.  Twice he has appeared on the cover of Runner’s World magazine.  He is also a member of United States Olympic Team Mentoring program.  Keith is also a proud board member of the National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer, 26.2 with Donna.

In 2005, Keith was inducted in the Road Runners Club of America, Hall of Fame; in 2004 he was inducted in the University of Florida Athletics Hall of Fame.

http://jacksonville.com/sports/local-sports/local-racing/2010-12-19/story/kim-pawelek-prime-form-first-place-finish

Kim Pawelek in prime form in first-place finish at Jacksonville Bank Marathon

Jacksonville resident runs her best time in years in marathon.

By Jeff Elliott

It was cold and windy with a light mist falling Sunday for the annual Jacksonville Bank Marathon throughout the Baymeadows/Mandarin area.

For Jacksonville resident Kim Pawelek, it was ideal.

The former University of North Florida runner overcame the tough elements to win her third Jacksonville Bank Marathon, finishing as the first female runner in a time of 2:41.28.

The significance of the time is that it’s four-and-a-half minutes under the 2:46.0 clocking that Pawelek had targeted. That’s the qualifying time to be eligible for the Olympic Trials in Houston in January 2012.

“Making the Olympic Trials qualifying time was my main focus today,” said Pawelek, winner of the 2003 and 2006 marathon races and the 2004 half-marathon. “This was a tough race today. I was cold almost the whole day. Fortunately I had some guys I was running with and they were helping me out by breaking the wind so I was able to just tuck inside them.

“Probably, if it wasn’t for them, I don’t know if I would have run as well as I did.”

The men’s race was won by Justin Gillette, 27, from Goshen, Ind. He ran the 26.2-mile race in 2:29.17 to finish nearly two minutes ahead of runner-up David McCollam from Bridgeport, W.Va.

The top local finisher was Jacksonville resident Paul McRae, 37, who finished fifth overall in 2:37.37.

Pawelek overwhelmed the female competition. Her time was 15 minutes faster than runner-up Katie Aldridge of Alpine, N.Y.

Click Here for Complete Results of the Marathon and Half-Marathon

It was also nearly 15 minutes faster than her winning time of 2:56.04 that she ran in winning this race four years ago.

“I’ve won this before, but I’ve never quite trained for it,” Pawelek said with a laugh. “I know that sounds oxymoronic when you’re running a marathon, but this race is a local event and if I feel good, I’ll finish it. If I don’t, I’ll drop out.

“This time around, I really trained for it because I didn’t want to have to fly somewhere else and try for a qualifying time. What better way to get your time than to get it in your hometown. You don’t have to worry about anything. You have the comforts of home, you get to wake up when you want to, not when the buses leave.

“Everything just fell into place today. It feels really good to get that monkey off my back.”

This is the second time that Pawelek has qualified for the Olympic Trials. She also qualified in 2008, but fell short in her bid to make the U.S. Olympic team by finishing seventh in the race in Boston despite running her second-fastest race ever. Only the top three finishers in that race made the Olympic team.

When the Olympic Trials are held in 2012, it will take place a week before Pawelek turns 38.

“I think I’m past my prime of trying to make the Olympic team, but today was the fastest time I’ve run in probably 10 years,” said Pawelek, who works for 1st Place Sports. “I want to keep pushing myself. My best time ever was 2:37, and today I was 2:41.30, not too far from it.

“At the same time, I’ve also got to be realistic and run to my limits and my abilities. The Olympic Games are always in the back of my mind. I just want to go out there and see what I can do within my potential.”

PHOTO GALLERY: 2010 Jacksonville Bank Marathon

Doug Alred, owner of 1st Place Sports and race director of Sunday’s marathon, praised Pawelek’s winning effort.

“That’s a good time for her. It’s an excellent time,” Alred said. “I’m impressed. She’s trained hard for this race. To be as good as she is, you have to live like a runner. You can’t just be a runner. That’s what she’s been able to do.”

Top 5 men

Name, Time

Justin Gillette, 2:29.17

David McCollam, 2:31.13

Dustin Hicks, 2:31.38

J. Leuenberger, 2:36.48

Paul McRae, 2:37.37

Top 5 women

Name, Time

Kim Pawelek, 2:41.28

Katie Aldridge, 2:56.29

Jennifer Eberman, 2:59.14

Heather Schulz, 3:06.09

Lauren Kretz, 3:06.52

From Left to right: Loretta D., Judy R., and Shelley K.

http://jacksonville.com/lifestyles/health_and_fitness/2009-09-28/story/stress_management_program_helps_soldiers_with_ptsd