Running Coaching

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Comments from people I work(ed) with:

I just want to send a big ol'hug and shout out to Olga Varlamova-King. Olga reached out to me when I was a young pup in this sport and helped guide my training. Later on I got the chance to learn from her directly when we participated in events together, sometimes as her pacer, sometimes as a fellow runner. One of those times was at Bighorn in 2007. It was both our first time and we had planned to do the whole thing together, pacing each other throughout the run. I learned a lot that day. I'll pass on two; don't take your time at the aid stations unless you really need it and walk like you run - with purpose. She wore me out on that run, running after her leaving the aid stations (her 30 second stops vs my 2 minute lounge time, running after her when I get dropped trying to keep with her walking. Since 2007 a lot has happened in Olga's life, life changing events, injuries, etc but she has always managed to come back strong and swinging. Last weekend at San Diego 100, my favorite all-time 100, she came under 24 hours on a very hot day. 188 started and only 82 finished. She would state later in Facebook that it was worse than 2006 "Fire and Ice" Western States. I was there too in 06, I can believe it. Olga is impressive because she is a strong person on and off the trail and after all this time she is still kickin' ass. Continuing to drive forward through all the ups and downs. I'll think of you this weekend my friend, hopefully hours ahead from our splits from 07.
Rick G.

Hi Olga!!!

Thank you so much for taking me on to train me for this event!  It was definitely difficult, but so happy that I made it through and completed it!!!  There were definitely highs and lows but I kept focused on why I was doing this...which was for my puppy that passed in may...I loved her with all of my heart and soul and wanted this to pay tribute to her....I became so emotional at the ending shoot because all I felt I had to work through just to get to that point.

I will definitely be taking it easy for a bit!!! Thank you for all of your help and guidance!

Angela G.

Bottom line what I learned from you is that focus gets you to the finish line. I really thank you for helping me. You're the best coach I've ever had. EC

Just wanted to officially thank you for the awesome coaching job you did. Thanks to you I'm a better runner, at least I think am and have learned to keep going when the body doesn't want to)...As soon as training starts I'll get in touch again for yet another training regimen :-) Thanks again. HH.

The race went well today (marathon)!  Went totally by HR and kept it under control...then realized I was set to qualify so I went for it....even had 2 bathroom breaks along the way!   I was totally surprised today that it went so well!  Definitely due to your training!  Did a 3:38! - BQ! Angela.

Thanks to Olga for coaching me and giving me words of encouragement in an Olga kind of way.  HH.

Hi Olga,

first off, thanks for mentoring and coaching me this year, it has been a hell of an experience in the best kind of way. I wish you the best next year to you, Larry and the rest of your family.

 I busted my big toe (black nail) and a nice trail tattoo on the forearm after falling at the Dome. I like the fact that I ran the last two laps almost at the same pace. And yes, it's been nice to drop 10 extra lbs. since you started couching me! A.

I do love the punishment indeed! Today, I ran the 26 miler without walking! Well, actually I settled for 25 because I ran out of water and it was so freaking hot! I kept repeating to myself "No walking allowed!" for five hours, even after landing on a superman fashion, I had to run right after getting back on my feet! 

Thanks for all your awesome coaching!!!!

Hills.  - This was amazing.  I am still in shock over the whole thing.  As I was running up, I kept thinking about that first time we ran it together and how it seemed impossible back then.  This run was still a challenge, but nothing like it used to be and I ran all the way up and got faster each time!!! The power walking is a real challenge - I can see that the real trick is going to be trying to maintain a steady and fast powerwalk even when I am dog tired during my 100. S.

Gotta share just a tad bit of good news: After running 2 quality workouts Fri & Sat and an easy trail pace but solid route this morning, I finished the day with a great tempo run on TL. 5 miles in 43 min. Yeh! I can only write this to my coach!

I can say the success and word of the day was: consistency. I ran rock solid with no real high's or low's. Nutrition spot on. Finished strong! Yeh! Cris S.

Huge PR! Felt bad all of for 5 min only!  I felt like I was flying over that rough terrain.  Felt great! Jim O.

All I can say it THANK YOU Olga King. Today I ran all the way up Smokey Valley, Mountainclimb, Ladera to the second Backtrail on the Sunday road hills run - first time ever to run all the hills! Now to get faster at it! Stephanie H.

So, I'm home recovering from the race.  Sore quads but that is to be expected because of the hills.  You'd be glad to know I actually ran negative splits.  My second loop was 2 min. faster than the first.

I really am grateful for all that you've done for me so far, and even though things haven't been as I'd hoped, I have still learnt a lot. Thank you also for being so supportive of me.

Yes it was worth it. I woke up this morning and my first thought was that I really did run 100 miles. I'm glad I stuck with it with the injury set backs. It shows what can be done. And of course you rocked as my coach. I think a lot of coaches would have given up on me once I bust my foot. Thanks for sticking with me and helping me believe   I could do it. And that best sound bite "it is hard." And, not that I care, I wasn't DFL! Did you see the drop rate? About half. It doesn't make sense. The weather was perfect and the course is really nice. I think a lot of HCTR folks could do well at this race. There's a lot of short rolling hills and some mildly rocky sections. Anyone training in the green belt would have it down. Sometimes it can be hot and humid (not this year) but by early June people in TX have been running hot and humid for 2 months. It's a nice race and the people were good. Talk to you when I get back. Julia

I was telling my friend that I ran with tonight that the gains I made with you came so quick it was incredible. I can see I am much stronger now....thanks to you. G.

I know I am a stronger, faster runner right now than this time last year.  C.

Hey, thanks a lot! I owe a lot to you and whenever I'm asked how I got to where I'm at, you're always a big part of it. This past year was a real shock to me. I went to Cactus and planned on a 33 hour finish, the at Rocky, I went just to try and finish, and if that was in sight, then I'd try for a sub 24. Crazy, huh? Your training is still with me! T.

I am feeling stronger and love that feeling.  J. 

I told some friends that I should write a book.  How to go from not running to ultramarathon in 18 months. Thanks for all your help and support!!! J

Thank you - I know I have gotten much stronger in the past weeks since I started your workouts.

I really felt I was benefitting greatly from the coaching and just beginning to feel fitter and stronger. N..

Over the past few weeks since I started working with you I've enjoyed my running so much and begun to feel so much stronger (mentally and physically) - I've loved pushing myself on hard sessions and the two longer runs at the weekends.  This is exactly what I wanted to feel - as although I want to improve so that I can race and be as competitive as I can be, the major reason that I want to become stronger, faster, fitter is because I love being outside and running so much and it's really good for me.  

I feel like I can run stronger for longer when I'm actually doing the running part. J.

She's trying to kill me, I swear that woman is going to kill me BEFORE the race. I had to take a nap before lunch I was so tired!

Thanks, Olga! Can't say enough good things about you and your coaching, just love it! 

Well we must be doing something right since I am feeling pretty darn good, I have to say! Angela.

I have never worked so damn hard on my own! And to think I thought the tempo run was a challenge! Ha!  I was beyond sore next day, but I just thought sore=soar in my next race! I value the quality of the weeks you put together. Thanks you! E.

And a very special thank you note to Olga who helped me to complete CR100 with the proper training, care, and advice! Arturo.

Thank you for all your support all season in preparing me well for CR this year. Cris

Thanks again for solid training schedule. I thrive on having someone tell me what to do. It works and I'm keeping it up. Elizabeth

I have felt like my running has been faster and I've been stronger so thank you for all the great workouts that obviously resulted in my strong performances.  I'm not sure what I'm doing for 2013 but when it comes to serious training I'll be hiring you again. Jeanette

Thank you for your training, friendship, and support.  I a truly grateful to you!

Olga, Thank you for helping me to discover that there is more potential in me that I originally thought. Arturo