“After having a good year of running in 2009 with PRs in 5K, 10 mile, 1/2 and full marathons I wanted to build on my fitness, so I joined PRS for some speed work over the summer. I enjoyed the sessions with Paul immensely and the work has paid off for me with new PRs in 10 mile and 1/2 marathon distances again this year. I hope to return again this summer.”

Ron P.

After a 10 year layoff, I started running competitively again in 2002.  My races times in events ranging from 5ks and marathons to half-ironman triathlons improved, but in March of 2009 my performance hit a plateau.  Adding additional volume to the training schedule or modifying another training schedule I found on the web wasn’t going to suffice.  I was looking for a breakthrough in my training, so I asked Coach Paul McRae to create a program that would help me achieve 6 goals I established on 1/1/2009. Wow!

 After one year with Coach Paul, I achieved every goal I set.  Personal bests in the 5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon, half ironman and Olympic triathlon.  Most of the personal records I set weren’t by a matter of seconds, but by minutes!    I know the difference has been adding an experienced set of eyes to my training that is able to make subtle changes to my training regime. Another benefit is having someone that is keenly aware of my potential and can push me that extra little bit to realize that potential.  Sometimes (OK, usually) it hurt, but on race day  I was always ready.

 I recommend Coach Paul to anyone interested in seeing huge gains in their training and performance.

Marshall Butler

Patrick K. on route to a PR!!!!

“I ran my first 5k at the age of 10, and at 35, I felt it was finally time for me to tackle the marathon.  I finished the Jacksonville Bank Marathon in 2007 in 4 hours 22 minutes.  While I was grateful to have finished, I knew that I could do better.  But I also knew that I needed a structured training regimen that would offer me personalized advice, challenging workouts and the encouragement of a group.  I found all of that with Paul McRae’s Personal Running Solutions.  Paul has a great knack of taking a client’s goals and mixing them with their current abilities and his training methods to reach concrete and definite results.  Immediately after following Paul’s guidance I noticed signficant changes in my performance.  Also, Paul’s group training runs include runners of all abilities so that you can participate in challenging workouts at least twice a week.  While my confidence occassionally took a hit, Paul was always there with encouragement and advice on how to keep pushing forward and on how to keep having fun doing it!  As a result of Paul’s guidance, I finished the Austin Marathon in February 2010 in 3 hours 36 minutes.  That’s a 46 minute improvement!!”
 

Patrick K
Neptune Beach, FL

“I started running in the summer of 2008 with the ultimate goal of completing a triathlon. As I progressed with my running through 2009, my times in various 5Ks were getting worse and worse and I was starting to feel like maybe I would never be a runner. I saw an advertisement for Personal Running Solutions and decided to give it a try, starting with the 5K training group. Not only did I meet great people and make new friends, but the improvements were almost immediate. On the one year anniversary of my first race ever, a 10K, I beat my PR by over 10 minutes. I’ve since beat my 26.2 for Donna half marathon time by over 30 minutes. Paul and Personal Running Solutions has helped me to beat my PR in every race I’ve tried and has prepared me both mind and body.”

Charlotte H.

Bail and Trail

“Thanks to all for your help, motivation and support. When I signed up for Half marathon my goal was to complete in decent time. With Paul great training technique and support from group I was able to complete Donna Half Marathon in 1:40:31.”

Naresh G

  “I never thought I could be a “runner” let alone somebody that could run a half-marathon, but I decided to give running a shot. I signed up for my first 5k and told myself if I could run it in under 30 minutes, I would sign up for the half-marathon and for a training group. Needless to say I was running with Paul on Wednesday nights and signed up for the half marathon. Still, I second guessed myself every run. With the help of Paul’s individualized calendar, his constant support and the support of the rest of the running group, my confidence began to grow and I knew I could accomplish what I initially thought was impossible; the half marathon. February 21, 2010 I accomplished my long term goal and surprised myself. So thank you Paul and the rest of the running group for helping me accomplish something that I never knew was possible. “

Katie G.

  “On February 21st I ran my third marathon (26.2 with Donna Deegan). Under your coaching my PR improved significantly. Although, I was not able to make it to all the group meetings, I followed your training schedule and trained on alternate days when I did not meet with the group. To my surprise my PR improved by 31 minutes. My ING Miami Marathon was 5:26:33, my 26.2 with Donna Deegan Marathon was 4:55:13! My next full marathon is in June in San Diego, CA (Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon). Thank you Paul!”

Lolita

DEFYING AGE

I was under the impression that at age 50, there would not be much room for improvement with regard to my running.  Coach Paul has proven me wrong!  Track workouts and bridges have been so much fun.  Best of all: my pace has increased and I can run greater distances and faster-with less effort. Your plan is just what I was looking for.  Thanks Coach!

 Judy Reed

I started running in 2007.  My first race was the JP Morgan Challenge Race in NYC, June 2007, where all companies from NY, NJ and CT get together and run a 5k.  Its like the Gate River Run out here in JAX.  EVERYONE shows up and its not a race to determine time as there are waaaay toooo many people.  It was a 5k that I ran in 30 something minutes.  That year I ran 3 races, the longest being 4 miles and I remember emailing my girlfriend who is a marathon runner, “do you think I can do it?”.  In 2008, I slacked off on races but kept running, however the longest I had EVER ran then was 6 miles and it was just ONE time, just ONE time. Whe I moved to FL in 2009 I thought, “Sweet! Its warm most of the year meaning I can run practically all year round”.  So I started running but learned real quick that it was boring to run alone.  Again I talk to my marathon runner girlfriend and asked “what do I do?  How can I stay motivated?”  She recommended a running group.  THE GREATEST IDEA EVER!  We both looked online and came across Personal Running Solutions. OMG! OMG! OMG! THE BEST IDEA/SOLUTION EVER!! I joined Coach Paul’s running group on September 3oth 2009.  It has been 5 months since I joined the group and I have accomplished AMAZING goals!  Goals I never thought I could or would accomplish!  Since joining his group I have ran a 5k in 26:03, a 10K in 54:40, a 5 mile race in 43:03 and ran a HALF MARATHON IN 2:03:29.  I never thought I would EVER run a half marathon!!! When I first joined Paul’s group it was simply to make friends and have company while running and also to lose weight.  I never joined to “run faster” or “train for a half marathon”…NEVER!… but after running the Festival of Lights in 26:03, all of my girlfriends were asking, “why don’t you run the half marathon? You TOTALLY CAN DO IT”.  Never in my mind did I ever think I could, but with Paul’s training I sure did!!!!  I remember at the 12.8 mile mark (I have a Garmin watch, hence why I know the exact mile mark) I was approaching the finish line and saw my family cheering me on and I just started crying!! I thought to myself, “I AM REALLY ABOUT TO FINISH RUNNING 13.1 MILES! WHAT?!?!??!”  My sister was yelling out to me, “Raysa you can do this!! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!”  Yes I did do it, however I couldn’t have done without Paul.  Paul has pushed me to accomplish goals that I never thought I could.  He has made a true runner out of me, he has made me faster than I ever could (and who knows maybe I can become faster), he has made me believe in myself and believe that NOTHING is impossible, anything can be done with the proper training and with practice.  In 2006 I was a smoker and in 2009 I’m running a half marathon.  Before Paul I was just running 5k’s and a 4miler, now WITH Paul, I run a 5 miler race FOR FUN.  I am now training for the Gate River Run and although its 9 miles, I’m not scared as long as I have Paul and his training by my side.  He is an INCREDIBLE coach. No matter the size of the group, no matter the needs you might need, HE IS THERE FOR YOU physically and/or emotionally.  He is an AWESOME coach and I am BLESSED to have met him and train with him.  I recommend him to ANYONE AND EVERYONE!!! PAUL IS AWESOME!!! THANK YOU PAUL!!!

On a side note…I thought it would be good news to share…running my 1st half marathon ever is memorable in itself, what has made it even MORE memorable is that I GOT ENGAGED SHORTLY AFTER CROSSING THE FINISH LINE!!!  What made that even more special was that my family was present (they are from NY and all of them (5 of them) flew in the day before)!!!  For more details of how it went down read the attachment!! Feb 21, 2010 was awesome to me in SOOOOOO many ways!!! I ran my first half marathon AND become someone’s fiancee!!! Yaaay!!!

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

Two years ago I would classify myself as novice wannabe runner. My beginning pace was 10:30 to 11:00, and running more than 1 mile was challenging. I spent 5 months training (mostly on my own without much instruction) for my goal for the Donna half marathon (my first) and finished with a good time. Unfortunately in the process, I acquired over training injuries in both knees. I was forced to take over a month off from running. So, I joined PRS is April 2009, one year ago.