THE COACHES
ADAM MULIA - EXPERT RUN GUIDE
I'm 36, and have been running for a little more than 10 years. I ran my first marathon in 2002 on 3-4 days a week training. I ran 3:30:46. Although it was a struggle I caught the marathon fever. From that point I started training with coaches, researching training methodology and experimenting on myself. Through process of elimination I found how to reduce the recovery/injury cycle in order to train consistently at a high level for longer periods of time.
My current marathon PR is 2:34:45, Boston 2010, half marathon PR is 1:13:48 in Queens NY 2010. I currently reside in Costa Rica with my wife, two dogs Paloma and Frank, expecting a baby in January (2013). 7000 feet altitude, mountain roads to train on, 65 degrees all year round, 2 hours from the pacific ocean. RUN BYFEEL is a way of life for me.
I was a beginner at one time and it is truly gratifying helping runners achieve their goals and improve in the most efficient way. As we are all training under a coach, or training program, we are training to become coaches of ourselves. I do have more to learn, and I am continuously seeking knowledge.
DIRK MUENCH - RUN GUIDE
I hated running until I was 30 years old. I rarely ran for exercise, and I only cycled now and then. It all changed in July of 2008, on a random single day. Bored at work, I accepted a simple bet: Run the NYC Marathon in under 3:00hrs to win $8,000 to donate to charity – run slower, drop out or don’t start and pay $8,000 to charity yourself.
I had never run a race, I didn’t know a thing about running and I had only 14 weeks to train.
I crossed the finish line in 2008 in 2:43. And, since that moment I am in love with running and with the journey of preparing oneself to run a fast marathon.
I ran three more NYC marathons: 2:39 in 2009, 2:33 in 2010 and 2:31 in 2011 (PR). I won the Brooklyn Borough Trophy in 2010 and 2011 and I placed no. 55 in total that year.
I have learned a great deal about running since that day in July’08 when I agreed to what seemed like a crazy bet. I have learned how to become a better runner, how to deal with setbacks, and how to overcome injury. More importantly, I learned how to have more fun training today than I ever had before.
I know I can offer two things to my clients: first, a path to a faster time; second, and maybe more important, I can offer a perspective on having fun while putting great effort into running that often rocky path.
email: dirk@runbyfeel.com
PATRICIA MULIA - RUN GUIDE
I started running in 2004, my first race was the Dash and Splash in Central Park, NYC on July 17th, my B-Day! I had just met Adam and he had encouraged me to run a 5 mile race for my B-day and enjoy the events in beautiful Central Park.
It was a very hot day, I had a cotton shirt on, pants (because I was embarrassed of showing my legs) and a pair of Nike sneakers (my first running sneakers).
When I think about it, it was a very tough day. I was nervous about not being able to finish the race. Just when I was ready to quit I saw Adam at the finish and I finished the race in 53:37(10:32 pace).
Here is where my training to race began. I trained for the Staten Island Half Marathon and other races that same year. I fell in love with running. I joined a team, raced and participated in the local running community in NYC. My life totally changed. I lost weight, I ate better, and I felt happier.
I began running major marathons all around the world. However, my improvement started to wane. I decided to formally train with Adam and he taught me how to run by feel and my times improved exponentially.
I ran the NYC Marathon in 3:27 minutes, I qualified for the Boston marathon, and I ran a Turkey Trot 5 mile race in 33 minutes (6:37 splits) and a 25K (7:17 splits). I have improved so much since I started RUN BYFEEL and I encourage your to join me.
I will be running the NYC Marathon in 2013 and London 2014.
DAVID NAYOR - RUN GUIDE
Adam's training changed my understanding of running to truly RUN BYFEEL. My background has always been in competitive athletics and running is now a huge part of my life.
I played both soccer and lacrosse while growing up. In fact I played rec soccer with Adam and his dad Sal was our coach. In high school I was captain of both the varsity soccer and lacrosse teams. I went on to play Division I lacrosse in college where I learned a lot about focus and discipline. However, a head/helmet to my knee took out my ACL, MCL and meniscus – I did score on the play though! Several months of rehab and I was back playing.
After college I tried to find athletics that would fill the competitive gap and running and road racing (bicycles) was what did it. Amazingly New York City has a huge running and riding community. Although I mostly ran the shorter races I had always wanted to accomplish a full marathon and New York is the perfect place to start. My marathon PR is 3:04 and my ½ marathon PR is 1:27 (6:40 pace). My Olympic Distance Triathlon PR is 2:29:23 at Lake George. I am a Cat 4 Road Racer (bicycle) and race in and around New York in Central as well as Prospect Parks. I also coached the 1996 Nutmeg state tourney champs, 14 and under boys lacrosse team – a truly rewarding experience.
I started this training a year ago when I lost to a competitor 4-years in a row at the 5-mile Turkey Trot. I was at rock bottom and raised the white flag. After RUN BYFEEL I finally beat him in 2012 with 31:25 (6:17 splits).
I live in New York and West Dover, Vermont – trail running is sick there! My Yellow Lab Sonny Boy comes on 10 mile hikes with me in the Green Mountains.