Phoenix Fit Coaches
| Organizer | Green | Red | Yellow | Blue |
| Click on a color group above to see the list of coaches for that group. | ||||
| About The Organizer | ||
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Mercedes Cimino mercimino@hotmail.com Head Coach It is hard to believe that this will be my third year as organizer with Phoenix Fit and my fifth year associated with the program. The time has flown by and it seems like just yesterday that I showed up for my first meeting a little nervous that I was going to be intimidated by hard core runners. That preconception could not have been farther from the truth. Everyone I have met in association with Phoenix Fit has been friendly and supportive. The coaches are approachable and the members are eager to share their running experience and learn from one another. I have been a runner for the past 25 years and, until I joined Phoenix Fit I had spent most of my running time solo. I have since come to appreciate the benefits of running with a group. Not only have I learned many running tips from coaches and fellow runners, I have also benefited from the sense of camaraderie, and the commitment that comes from others expecting to see me each week. I look forward to seeing new and returning members each week for our seminars and organized runs and I cherish the opportunity to share my passion for the sport of running. | |
| Green Group | ||
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Daniel Garza eratiempo@live.com Head Coach I have always been a runner, a casual runner. To this day I am not in love with the sport. Since joining Phoenix Fit six years ago, I have learned to enjoy(not love) running. I have run in numerous 5Ks, 10Ks and fun runs. I have completed 6 marathons and 4 half marathons as a Phoenix Fit member. My times have and will continue to improve. I am 48 years old and I run better now then when I was younger. | |
| Red Group (A) | ||
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Jennifer Zonneveld janp1125@msn.com Head Coach I joined Phoenix Fit to train for my first marathon and I’ve been in love with the program, the coaches and the runners ever since. I’ve been a runner for the past 10 years – running local 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons and 2 full marathons. This will be my third year as a Phoenix Fit coach. I started running to lose weight and get healthy, but I keep running because I love the camaraderie and helping new runners accomplish their goals. | |
| Yellow Group | ||
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| Blue Group | ||
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 | Valeriya Butler vali_nedeva@hotmail.com Assistant Coach It all started in November, 2007 when I experienced my first 5K race. I stood up there on the start line wondering what it feels like to complete a race. “Would I be able to finish?”, “Am I going to finish last”, “Do I need a strategy?” When I crossed that finish line, the only thing I knew was that I wanted to do this again. So there I was, with the experience of one 5K run and a couple of much shorter attempts in the past. I found myself researching how to get better, faster and bring consistency to my running, which always felt incredibly fulfilling. While gathering more essential knowledge, experience and confidence, I completed a couple more 5Ks, 10Ks, and finally 2 half marathons, which I found as a great accomplishment. I jokingly mentioned to my friends that my next goal would be a full marathon. That was it! It was out there in the open and with no further excuses; I looked for a training program and support group. Phoenix Fit has given me not only the knowledge to be a smart runner, but also the opportunity to extend my network of friends with similar interests. It taught me to enjoy running and make it a part of my life. Now, it is my goal to pass my knowledge and show others “it’s never too late to make your dreams a reality, especially when you have the resources!” | |
