Testimonials | KC Endurance

Dan Kampen

After two unsuccessful attempts to qualify for the Boston Marathon, I contacted Jeremy. He developed a training plan that included making sure I was prepared both physically and mentally. He provided support all along the way. He challenged me when necessary and provided support during the rough times. He also made it fun. I had more fun preparing than ever before. Along the way I set new personal records in a 10K and half-marathon, and won my age group in both a 5K and 10K. We both celebrated when I achieved an 8 minute PR in my marathon and beat my qualifying requirement by 6 minutes. I continue to train with Jeremy. Our 2013 goals include setting new PR’s in a 5K, a 10 mile race and half marathon. I look forward to running with him in Boston in 2014! I can’t speak highly enough of him.

Dave Britt

On Sunday, October 7, 2012 I watched my wife Jenny, run the Chicago marathon. Jenny signed up for the marathon as a challenge to herself after giving birth to our first child, Kate. Although Jenny had never run even a half-marathon, she performed so well that she just barely missed qualifying for the Boston marathon! Jenny’s goal had just been to finish but she crushed the race and it was an amazing experience not just for her but for Kate and me as well. Kate and I chased her from checkpoint to checkpoint around Chicago and the energy of the city was incredible. One couldn’t help being caught up in the excitement and positivity surrounding the race. What Jenny did that day was an inspiration not only to me, but our friends and family as well. It was at that moment that I knew that I wanted to run a marathon.

Between moving back to Kansas City, having our second child, Griffin, and buying dental practice, we were too busy for either of us to train for another marathon. Around Christmas of 2013, I decided that I wanted to try to train for a marathon in the fall of 2014. After two pregnancies, I had put on a bit of “sympathy weight” as some might call it. Although our kids were too young to notice, daddy was starting to carry a little extra insulation around the mid-section. It was important for me to not only be healthy for our children, but also exude a healthy lifestyle to them as well. After having been overweight for years, I was starting to wonder whether or not I would ever be able to break out of the rut and be the parent that I wanted to be. I knew that a difficult goal would push me to get there. With the blessing of my wife, I started making plans to start training for my first marathon.

Back in January, I was incredibly fortunate to find Jeremy and KC Endurance online and that Jeremy agreed to be my coach. I was also lucky to gain admittance into the Chicago Marathon on October 12. I set the lofty goal to achieve a Boston Marathon qualifying time on my first marathon, and with Jeremy’s coaching, I think I have a real shot. The last 9 months of training have been amazing, but I couldn’t have done it without the support of my wife and family. They have been incredibly supportive and have sacrificed a great deal for my training. In the end, it’s been an incredibly positive experience. I’ve lost 32 pounds, gotten myself healthy for the first time in years and have gained a real passion for running that I hope will stay with me for the rest of my life. I never thought I’d be losing toenails, running with bloody nipples or getting up at 3:45 am run around the downtown airport, but I wouldn’t have changed a thing. On race day, I know that anything can happen, so if I don’t end up qualifying for the Boston Marathon, I’ll be okay with that. With Jenny’s support and Jeremy’s coaching, I know that October 12 will be a day I’ll remember forever.

Robin Tucker

Over the past 2 years, running has become a normal part of my life. I have always had an interest in fitness and with being physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually healthy. I have discovered running has become a key factor for balancing all four elements.

In October 2011, I entered my very first race. A colleague of mine asked if I wanted to run a race in her home state of New York. I thought sure, why not. I wasn’t a trained runner, but had a morning routine of walking and/or running on a daily basis. I also worked out at the gym and felt I was in pretty good shape for a race. I knew nothing about the running world, so when my friend mentioned it was a ½ marathon race, I was still in it. In my mind, I was thinking “it’s just running.” Little did I know it would turn out to be more than “just running.”

The day of the race I woke up feeling pumped and excited that I was going to run my very first race. I laced up my so-not running shoes, (but they were cute), pinned on my bib number, and headed towards the race location. My friends and I huddled together talking and chatting with one another, while attempting to stay warm since it was a little chilly. In the mean time, the “seasoned runners” prepared for the race by warming up with stretching, jogging, and whatever else that would mentally and physically prep them for the 13.1 miles of running. I was thinking to myself, “There is no way I’m going to wear myself out before I get started. “

The race began and I was off to a great start …so I thought. I believe I did fairly well for the first 3-5 miles, most likely running off of excitement with the bands playing and running with thousands f people. . By mile 6 or7, I was completely exhausted and had the worst foot pain ever. I completed the race and promised myself I would never run another race a day in my life. My entire body ached for days. I could barely walk because of blisters on my feet from wearing shoes not meant for running.

Needless to say, once I started to feel better, I somehow remembered that runner’s high as I crossed the finish line. I knew I wanted to do it again and I had to do it the right way. I contacted Jeremy and I began training in July 2012. Training with Jeremy has made a world of difference in my running abilities. Some days it’s hard to consider myself a “runner” however, I have come to realize running is my individual sport that I enjoy. Since my first untrained race in October 2011, I’ve had both good and not so good 5k, 10k, and ½ marathon races. None the less, each race has inspired me to do my very best. Running and racing reminds me that I am my own competitor when it comes to setting goals for me.

My future goal is to run a marathon within the next year or two. …no promises Jeremy! Robin Tucker