The Coaches

Your head coaches are the people you should talk to when you have a problem. We're here for you! When your current pace group isn't working out, you can talk to us. We've run many marathons and have been with USA FIT San Jose for many years, so we know the ropes. Find the coach for your color group below:  

Head Coaches
Georgiana Boewer	Organizer
Ted Tasch	Walking Half & Full Marathon Head Coach
Todd Morimoto	Runner Marathon Head Coach
David Collins	Runner Half Marathon Head Coach

  Coaches-only page

We do various programs here at USA FIT San Jose. If you're looking for the coach for one of these areas, you can find us below:  

Program Coaches
Amy Leonard	Webmaster/Social Media/Fit News
Mark Thibert	Track
Fernanda Perdomo-Arciniegas	Core
Arnon Amir	ATP
Lara Lewis	ATP
Lalitha Padubidri	Yoga

The marathon group has running all the way from 7:30 to 14:00 minutes miles per mile.  Many of our runners were former runners, and some have had other running experience. The group also gets a good number of new runners each year. Some pace groups will walk/run, especially when the distances get long, to help keep you going for the entire marathon. We love to talk and have fun while running. Depending on how you are progressing and feeling, you can move between pace groups. Find your coaches below:

 

Marathon Coaches
7:30 - 8:30	Babu Gopaladhine
9:00 - 10:00	Trevor Vaz
	Manjunatha Rajappa
10:00 - 11:00	Todd Morimoto
	Terry Ridgway
11:00 - 14:00	Don Dickey
	Georgiana Boewer
Rancho	Bill Dumonthier
Rancho	Satpal Dalal
Rancho	Ramana Reedy

The Purple group is for those who love to walk. The Purple group is out there longer than most of the other groups so we have more time together for lots of fun on the trail. We have people looking walking exercise to those looking to finish the half marathon and marathon distance. Come and join our group!    

Walking Coaches
<15	Ronit Katz
	Wendy Tomer
15 - 18	Ted Tasch
18 - 20	Kriba Narasimhan

Overview: 

The Half Marathon Coaches run between 8:00 and 15:00 minutes per mile. The Half Marathon is the perfect way to up your running game. It will challenge you more than a 10k, but is not as  intimidating as running a full marathon. Checkout our great Half Marathon coaches and find out where the fun of running happens!

Half Marathon Coaches
8:00 - 9:00	David Collins
	Erika Truong
9:00 - 10:00	Jess Ferro
	Kim Ferro
10:00 - 11:00	Teri Pierce
	Mithun Harkara
	Sarah Lisha
11:00 - 12:30	Jagan Satagopan
	Sheila Schmitz
12:30 - 13:30 (3/1)	Alexa Kaskowitz
	Mona Lisa Sharp
	Don Watson
13:30-14:30 (run/walk)	Surekha Pol
	Kim Bozsony
14:30 - 15:00 (5/1)	Ileen Dranchak

I started running with San Jose Fit in 2002. Since then I’ve run many marathons, half marathons, trail runs and fun-runs. I’m also a yearly walker and supporter for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. A firm believer in the philosophy ‘no runner/walker left behind’, I ensure every runner crosses the finish line.  I attribute my long association with running and San Jose Fit to the incredible bonds I’ve forged with my co runners/walkers over the years.

I started running to get fit, but never really enjoyed it until I got off the treadmill, hit the trails and ran my first race (4.2 miles). The feeling upon crossing the finish line was amazing, but it wasn’t until I joined San Jose Fit in 2010 that I discovered true joy in running and not just at the finish line. With the support of this wonderful community, I’ve run several marathons and half marathons and even my first ultra (50K). I’m honored to be coaching for a third year. I look forward to seeing you on the trail and supporting you in reaching your goals. “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” – Unknown

I joined San Jose Fit in 2002 and soon ran my first half at the San Francisco Marathon. I was thrilled! Since then I have run the San Francisco marathon every year, half or full. I started coaching in 2005, was head coach (2007-12) and organizer (2013-14). In 2011 I started coaching the Advanced Training Program (ATP) – Light, which is a funny name for training really hard to run “effortless”. My most special marathon was the 2010 Athens Classic Marathon, following Pheidippides’s original course (the 2500th Anniversary!) from Marathonas to Athens, finishing at the Panathinaikon Olympic stadium. But what really changed my life is all the friends I made in SJF, who support me along this journey. See you on the trails.

Coach Fernanda, San Jose Fit’s Core Class Fernanda Perdomo-Arciniegas started running in 2017 after the death of her mother in August as a way to cope with the grief of her absence. Running gave her peace, solace, and the time to remember her mother but also contributed to increased pain on her knees, lower back, and hips. So after suffering through two really painful 10K, she followed the advice of her friends, and looked online for a running club to help her out. That is how in April of 2018, she learned about San Jose Fit and immediately joined. During the 7-months plus of San Jose Fit training, Fernanda learned running techniques from her coaches and team mates. She also started reading more about conditioning, strengthening, and proper nutrition. Thanks to all these efforts, Fernanda's knee/hip/back pain is gone and only the soreness of a good run stays with her. As  San Jose Fit’s Core Class Coach, she will be sharing all she has learned with you so you can enjoy running as much as she does. Fernanda is a proud single mother who has two strong, smart and beautiful daughters, ages 18 and 9.

I have been teaching Yoga to San Jose Fit runners and to my friends/family. I am now offering Zoom classes due to Covid which I will continue. I have helped a lot of first timers get into Yoga. Hope to continue this as a way of giving back to the community. I taught yoga at Milpitas library to the general public for more than 2 years. It was one of the popular classes there. As a yoga instructor, I strive to help beginner yogis feel comfortable in their practice, learn essential postures, and ensure a safe practice for everyone.

I used to be a self-avowed “coach potato”. In February 2007 I started walking with a work-place wellness program and walked my first half marathon.  I joined San Jose fit a few months later and ran my first marathon that year.  I have since run many   half and full marathons, including two ultramarathons.   I became a coach for San Jose Fit in 2009. I am forever grateful for the gifts of fitness and comradery that I have received from these experiences, and it keeps me coming back again and again!  I love walking and walk-running.

I didn't think about Changing my Life but San Jose Fit did! Came to know about it through my friends and joined in 2015. I started discovering myself with just simple walking, the potential within me, which gave me the confidence to try out far-reaching things in life. I completed my first marathon in 2017! This will be my fifth year and I enjoy the walk with other Fitters. I walk at a pace that is comfortable for me and I encourage everyone to do so. Find your pace and enjoy it! 19-20 mins. Looking forward to meeting new Fitters this year and making new friends!

I did my first full marathon, the Maui Marathon, in 2002. I have been with San Jose Fit since 2009 and completed both full and half marathons with them. I have been an assistant coach since 2010. My walking pace 12.45 to 14 minutes per mile depending on the distance. I am looking forward to coaching this year and helping people accomplish their goals.

In Spring of 1999, I was walking my dogs on the LG Creek Trail one Saturday morning when a large group of people came jogging past me then another group wearing the same t-shirts walked passed me. There was this guy who was race walking, too. I had always thought of myself as a fast walker, but there was no way I could have kept up with him! My attention was caught! I went home & tried to get information about this group but could find nothing, but their name stuck in my mind – San Jose Fit. Some years later, I found information about the group I’d seen on the trail that day & learned they were a half & full marathon training group. I had secretly wanted to try running a marathon for years but had been busy raising my children. I made it my goal to join San Jose Fit as soon as my youngest child graduated from high school in 2009. April of 2010 was the beginning of my love of going long distances on my feet whether running, walking, hiking or backpacking. Though I haven’t been with SJF for all of the last 11 years, my heart has been with the group, & I’ve volunteered in some capacity every year. I’ve made amazing friends & accomplished goals I would never have achieved if not for the encouragement & camaraderie of my fellow Fitters.

I’ve been running with San Jose fit since the first season in 1998. Along the way I’ve taken some time out to do other things, but I’m back again to have fun with everyone again, this year. Back in 1998, I thought this would be a one time event. That I’d run my one marathon and that would be it. Cross it off my bucket list and be done. How wrong I was. Since then I’ve completed 48 marathons ( I’ll complete numbers 49 and 50 this season ) along with sixteen 50k runs, three 50 mile runs, and 40 half marathons.

Hello Everyone! Prior to joining SJ FIT running 5K was a biggest challenge for me. I joined SJ FIT in 2014 and ran my First Half Marathon in October, 2014 and have been continuing since then with SJFIT and successfully completed multiple Marathons and Half Marathons. San Jose Fit provides an excellent and flexible training program that accommodates all (Walkers, Slow Runners & Speed Runners) pace groups where you no need to worry about your current pace. I enjoy running in group and always look forward to the Saturday long runs and Monday Hill Runs.

I joined USA Fit - San Jose in 2009 and started as an assistant coach in 2021.  I have run many marathons and ultramarathons including 1x125 miles race, 8x100 miles races, 20x100 Kilo-Meters races, 11x50 Kilo-Meters races, 36 marathons, and 22 Half Marathons. Many of these races were completed in rugged mountain terrains in severe heat or cold conditions. My most favorite race was the 2021 Western States 100 miles endurance race - which was the ultimate goal of my life, so henceforth I live and run with the pure joy of living in the current moments without any expectations of any kind, I have also lead pace groups in several famous marathons including the San Francisco Marathon and the California International Marathon (CIM). I love running and playing with my beloved Coach Bill Dumothier at San Jose Fit and look forward to another great season and many more, so let's run and have fun 🙂

I joined San Jose fit in 2018 with a goal to complete a marathon and I did complete my first marathon in the same year with the help of structured training and encouragement I got from San Jose Fit. Running has become my lifestyle and it helps me stay healthy and Fit. I have completed many races and trail runs after Joining San Jose Fit.

Structured training plan,  In-person training, encouragement, precious tips and company I got from the experienced coaches and fellow runners is amazing and trust me I don't think  you can get this from an “online search engine results”.

I have got so many friends through San Jose Fit and now I never have to worry about running alone, I always find somebody interested to run the same race/trail with me, making my runs memorable. Running long distances helps me find my inner peace and boost my confidence. Find out what running can offer you by training and running a race with the San Jose Fit family.

I joined San Jose Fit in 2013. My goal was to check off a bucket list item – to complete a full marathon before I turned 50. After completing my first marathon, I was hooked and I continued with San Jose Fit and participated in many other races. Through the years with San Jose Fit, I received a lot of help, encouragement and training for which I am very grateful. This year I volunteered to coach for the first time. Running for me is like meditation. My mind is serene and calm while my body is outdoors getting its exercise. I view running as a competition with oneself. There will always be runners faster than you and who can run longer than you. What matters is how well you are doing relative to where you were. San Jose Fit provides an excellent structure and coaching to help you improve your running capabilities.

I started running with San Jose Fit in 2011. I ran my first marathon that year. I thought it was going to be a "bucket list" thing that I could check off my list and be done with it. Little did I know that training for and running that one marathon would lead me to run a few more marathons and three 50K trail races. I was an assistant coach for the blue group in 2015 and I learned a lot from that experience. Mostly, I learned that I need to slow down in order to improve my time over the 26.2 miles. I hope to share my experiences and encourage others to start, or keep on running whatever distance. Oh, and I coach the track program where I encourage people to run as fast as they can, but for way shorter distances. It all adds up!

I have been with SJFit since 2015, running with the Blue/Green group. SJFit community has helped make running a lifestyle choice, not just for physical and mental fitness. I have learnt a great deal from my coaches and other experienced runners in group. I completed the six marathon majors when I ran Tokyo Marathon in 2018. I am truly blessed to have family and friends who helped me raise more than $20K for various charities. It has been a fulfilling and satisfying achievement. I am happy to share my experiences, to help fellow runners reach their goals.

I joined SJ Fit about six years ago, and discovered a herd (family of runners with a shared vision). SJ Fit has inspired me in life & running. I have run Boston Marathon six times. My best marathon in 3:08 in CIM. My goal is to run 70 marathons by end of this year, then continue on to run 100 marathons by the time I am 60. I would like to run under 3 hours for the marathon. I want to share my running wisdom gained over my 20 years of wisdom – literally earned by blood, sweat, and tears.

I run because it makes me feel free and happy. Going down memory lane, I can recall when I first started. Not being an athlete, a friend of mine asked me several years back to go for a run with her and the San Jose Fit running group. My response was, “Say what?! Are you crazy?! I don’t run.” Well, the rest is history. I joined Team In Training shortly after that. They coached me to completing my first marathon. I have now finished a total of four marathons, and I’m happy with that. I’ve done many half marathons, 10Ks and 5Ks.. Everyone is motivated to exercise in many different ways. Mine, is to just cross the finish line. Here’s a saying that I like, “Run Often, Run Long, But Never Outrun Your Joy of Running.” By Julie Isphording.

Hello everyone! I joined sjfit in 2017 and ran my first Half Marathon in October 2017. I have always enjoyed running since my childhood. I was a 100 and 200 meters sprinter in highschool then turned into more of an endurance runner in college. Running stopped for a while after I entered the profession of Physical Therapy where many other forms of exercise took over. One of them is Yoga and now I am certified and use it in my practice. Overall, exercise has been my passion which is why I enjoy Physical Therapy where I can combine my experience and knowledge to help myself and others. San Jose fit has great coaching and I would love to contribute in whatever way I can while learning from each one of you. Thank you for giving me such a wonderful platform and opportunity!

Pace: 12:00 - 12:30 min / mile I started running with San Jose Fit in 2000 because I saw this group of people running by my house in their underwear each Saturday morning and thought “WOW! What a bunch of loonies! My kind of people!”. Seriously, my goal is always to get every runner through the training program and to the start line healthy and ready to run. Once they “toe it up” at the start line, they will KNOW that they can “Git er Done!”. Each year I see people cross the finish line in their first half or full marathon and I know that this group of coaches and their fellow runners combined to make a very memorable “first” in that person’s life. That’s why I enjoy this group every year.

I was an active, competitive runner for short distances from high school until my thirties. I picked up running again about 5 years ago, and have completed 15 half marathons, with times ranging from a 9 minute mile to a 7 minute mile. For me, running is a great way to stay active, push myself, and connect with others who are looking to do the same.

I have been running with San Jose Fit’s Half Marathon group since 2011. I regularly run in San Jose Rock and Roll and Morgan Hill races along with our group and have completed nearly 10 Half Marathons. I am excited to coach our group this season.

I joined San Jose Fit six years ago with a friend not really knowing what I was getting myself into, I never even ran more than 2 miles. With the support of my awesome pace coach (Teri), and the friends I made on the trail, I completed my first half! As many runners do, I caught the itch, and signed up for more and more races to beat my personal goals! Since then I’ve completed over 15 half marathons and my first FULL marathon in Oct 2015. Now that I’m a coach, I get to help others accomplish their own personal goals.

I started running with San Jose Fit in 2016. My original aim was to be able to run at least one half marathon. I have finished 6 half marathons since then, and that’s thanks to San Jose Fit. It provides an ideal environment, with a supportive and encouraging group of people, that are passionate about running. As a coach this year I hope to help others like me achieve their goals.

I started my fitness journey a few years ago with a couple of women at work - we started walking and then sped up! I'm an ObGyn at Kaiser and one of our medical assistants convinced us to join this amazing running group at work called Personal Best. I went from a couch potato to a runner in the course of one amazing season thanks to this incredible group! I have run with SJFIT and KP Personal Best for many seasons. With the help of my inspiring SJFIT and also PB coaches, I have now run 6 marathons and multiple half's and 10k's. I also enjoy biking and love talking about the crazy drivers I yell at on my daily bike commute! I am super excited to be coaching this year and looking forward to sharing our journey together!

I’ve been running/coaching with San Jose Fit since 2011.  Years ago, I remember driving home from work on the Stanford Campus and seeing runners everywhere - they looked fit, happy and above all, carefree.  That’s when I decided I wanted the same for my life and began running with the Stevens Creek Striders.  We ran 3 times a week for many years.  I came to realize that running in groups, with new friends, people with essentially the same goals was the key.  Being a part of the San Jose Fit coaching team, I want to impart that same value running in groups has given to me by supporting you and your fitness goals.   One of my favorite quotes: "A good laugh and a long run are the two best cures for anything”

I have always enjoyed running, and after joining San Jose Fit years ago, I finally found a safe way to increase my distance. I began training for my first marathon nearly six years ago. Since then, I’ve completed numerous half marathons and fun runs. I  have found that group training is not only motivational but fun and supportive!

I have been running for many years by myself but in 2019 I decided to join USA Fit San Jose and cannot be happier with the results of this program. I found great running buddies and I have improved my running speed greatly. My goal was running a half marathon in under 2 hours and I have accomplished my goal in at least 4 half marathons. This is my first year as a pace coach and I am looking forward to help another runners on their goals

I joined SJFit in 1998. I showed up at LGHS by myself not knowing what to expect. That October, I became a marathoner. And, the journey was just as rewarding as the event.

In 2008 SJFit expanded to include the half marathon program. It’s an excellent fitness program and our target race is San Jose Rock n Roll.

The best part about SJFit is the mix of new runners with veteran runners. We support and encourage each other.

So lace up your shoes and join us. Everyone is welcome.

The half marathon……..

half the distance, twice the fun!

Pronouns: (she/her)

I joined San Jose Fit in 2015 to get in better shape and burn off the stress of work and commuting. Then I learned that huffing and puffing along a trail with others can be FUN. I met some characters. I learned about pacing myself. I made friends for life. Fit's walk-run method allowed me to push myself while staying safe and feeling good. Thanks to the coaches and other runners, I have done seven half marathons since that first year. But the bigger prize has been the simpler joys: exploring the city and countryside on foot, watching the seasons, spending time with nature, being part of a community, and growing from the challenges we set for ourselves. I’m excited to help you with your own goals for this season. See you on the trail!

Pronouns She/Her

I joined SJ FIT in 2017, this will be my first season as a coach. I have been running since the early 2000s, and I specialize in 5ks & 10ks, but Coach Teri made me love Half Marathons and negative splits. I decided to join SJ Fit to up my running game, but I keep coming back because of the amazing people. My favorite things to chat about on a run are food, new restaurants, baking, books, the Bachelor or any reality TV, and if you bring up cats, we will be friends forever. I am looking forward to a great season!

I have been a runner most of my life but never ran more than 5 miles at one time until joining San Jose Fit in 2006. In 2006, I ran my first 10K, my first two half marathons, and my first marathon at the age of 50. I could not have run my first marathon without the support of my friends at San Jose Fit or any of the marathons or ultras since. I started coaching in 2009, and it has been a lot of fun watching new runners succeed at their first marathon. Since 2006, I have run five 10K’s, 13 half marathons, ten marathons, one marathon relay, two 50K’s, one 50 miler and countless miles in training.