With 14 years of running experience, Kristen initially turned to the sport for its physical and mental health benefits, but over time, running became a true passion. Throughout the years, she’s experienced the highs and lows of running, falling in and out of love with the sport more than once due to challenges like motivation, self-confidence, injury, and health concerns. Kristen knows firsthand what it’s like to feel on top of the world after a great run and completely defeated after a tough one.

While training for her first half marathon, Kristen faced an unexpected health setback, experiencing symptoms of early-stage colon cancer. Soon after completing her half marathon, she underwent surgery to remove her colon and a section of her intestines, ultimately beating colon cancer in February 2018. Despite this, she has since pushed through and completed two ultra-marathons, five marathons, and countless half marathons, 10ks, and 5ks, proving that resilience and determination can overcome even the toughest of obstacles.

Driven by the desire to give back to the running community for the support and encouragement she received; Kristen began volunteering as a coach for a local program. To further deepen her knowledge and coaching skills, she then earned her Running Coach Certification through the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA).

Through it all, Kristen has discovered one key truth: the joy of running is essential, thus as a certified running coach, her mission is to help athletes of all levels have fun and enjoy running while building self-confidence and reaching their personal goals. That’s why she has affectionately named her training program Head Over Heels Training (HOH); after all, what’s the point of running if you’re not enjoying the journey?

Kristen is dedicated to fostering a sense of self-confidence in every runner, helping them reach their goals while always keeping the fun in the run. Whether you’re aiming for your first 5k, training for your next marathon, or just looking to stay active, she’s here to make sure you enjoy your journey every step of the way.