About Coach Jaci

My story started when I fell in love with running because of how it made me feel

and it gave my mind a rest from the constant thoughts rolling through my head with work, my Master’s degree and studying for the CPA exam. After running my first half marathon and feeling awful I KNEW I could do better. With a Master’s in Accounting, I’m driven by numbers and figuring out ways to improve numbers (or my time and pace in this case).

Through my own journey, I learned how much nutrition and strength training impacted running, YET at the time (2018), I rarely heard or saw anyone talking about the importance of them. I only heard “run more miles” or “run faster.” So I dove into the topics and learned as much as I could while also sharing with others. I started helping others with what I call “ALL THE THINGS” – strength training, nutrition, sleep, rest, life stress, mindset, mobility, etc. – all the things that impact running outside of a run. With the success that I personally had, as well as the success I was seeing from those who I shared the information, I started my coaching business to continue to spread the word and help more runners.

In the beginning, I was focused on “ALL THE THINGS” outside of a training plan because that’s what I saw was missing – run coaches focused on the structured training plans and runs but not a lot helped with the other training principles (ALL THE THINGS). However, not all my clients had run coaches and were asking me for recommendations. I had an interest in creating training plans, so why not get certified?

I got my first run coach certification from Road Runners of America (RRCA) and am now able to help more runners by offering a holistic approach to running and training. I’m now also a UESCA Certified Run Coach, a Certified Running Gait Analyst, an IIN Certified Holistic Run Coach, and an 8020 Endurance Certified Coach. I build training plans for their goals and races (Although not all my clients are training for races. Some are new to running, some have no desire to race anymore, and some are focused on other things in life while using running to benefit their mental health. Every runner has a different focus with different goals.) – yet I still talk about “ALL THE THINGS,” I don’t just talk about the training plan – which days they have to run and how far. I make sure they are strength training and fueling their bodies properly. I help them understand how their stress level is playing into how they feel on their runs. I talk through different situations in life that may be trickling into their running/training so that we can address the root cause. I make sure they are prioritizing rest and recovery and working on their mindset. It all makes a difference. And this is where I’m at today. I absolutely love getting to know my clients and helping them understand the parallels between running and life – any lesson that pops up during training can be applied to life.

Credentials, Accomplishments, Titles, and Awards

• Marathoner x6 (First marathon in 3:15 in 2018, PR of 3:09)
• Half Marathoner x27 (2:29 in 2016 to 1:24 in 2019; went from 2:29 to 1:43 in 4 months in 2017)
• RRCA Certified Run Coach
• UESCA Certified Run Coach
• 8020 Endurance Certified Coach
• VDOT 02 Certified Distance Running Coach
• Certified Running Gait Analyst
• IIN Certified Holistic Nutrition Coach
• Masters of Accountancy Degree from NDSU

• 3rd Overall – Go Far Women Half Marathon,  8/19/17 – 1:34
• 1st Female – Dick Beardsley 5K, 9/9/17 – 21:13
• 1st Female, course record – Lake Region Half Marathon, 6/2/18 – 1:27
• 1st Female, course record – Running Wild Trail Run 7K, 6/9/18 – 31:03
• 1st Overall – Go Far Women Half Marathon, 8/11/18 – 1:26
• 1st Female – Dick Beardsley Half Marathon, 9/8/18 – 1:25
• 1st Female – Dick Beardsley 5K, 9/8/18 – 20:42
• 1st Female – Fargo Mini Marathon, 10/20/18 – 1:25
• 1st Overall – Fergus Falls Turkey Trot 5K, 11/10/18, – 19:08
• Top 10 Female – Fargo Marathon, 5/18/19 – 3:09, Boston Qualifier
• 1st Female, course record – Lake Region Half Marathon, 6/1/19 – 1:26
• 1st Female, course record – Running Wild Trail Run 7K, 6/8/19 – 30:32
• 1st Overall, course record – Wonder Woman Half Marathon, 6/29/19 – 1:28
• 1st Overall – Go Far Women Half Marathon, 8/10/19 – 1:26
• 2nd Female – Dick Beardsley Half Marathon, 9/7/19 – 1:24 (PR)
• 1st Female – Fergus Falls Turkey Trot 5K, 10/12/19
• 2nd Female – Central Lakes Cycle 20/4/7 Duathlon, 9/18/21 – 2:12
• 1st Female – Lake Region 10 Miler, 6/4/22 – 1:13
• 1st Female – Running Wild Trail Run 7K, 6/11/22 – 35:27
• 1st Female – Go Far Women 5K, 8/12/22 – 21:56
• 2nd Female – Central Lakes Cycle 20/4/7 Duathlon, 9/24/22 – 1:56
• 2nd Female – FM Halloween Half Marathon, 10/29/22 – 1:32

NOW LET’S TALK ABOUT FOOD