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Coaches
Janis Berglas
Certifications:
Road Runners Club of America Certified Coach
USA Track & Field Level 1 Certified Coach
CCFA Certified Run Coach
Experience:
8 Marathons (6 Boston Qualifiers)
3 Half Marathons (1 New York City Qualifier)
5 Seasons w/ Team Challenge
Numerous Age Group Awards from 5k to Marathon
Why did I begin running?
Twelve years ago I felt I was literally not fit to be a mother to my two young daughters. Not only did my lack of fitness interfere with my ability to care for them, I realized that they were going to be looking to me as the female head of the household to set a lifestyle example for them.
Why am I still running 12 years later?
I run because I’m a better person for it. I’m more energetic, more focused, more even and balanced. My confidence has sky rocketed since I began my journey to become an athlete. The social aspect of running keeps me on the roads. I’ve created some of the most fulfilling relationships with training partners and people I simply meet along the course during a race.
Why Team Challenge?
I'm now in my 6th season with Team Challenge. When I was originally contacted to be the coach for TC, I didn't know anything about Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. I had to read up on IBD because I was told that up to 40% of my team could have the disease. I wanted to take this into account when coaching them. It has been those participants, the participants walking/running in honor of a loved one or friend, and the participants doing it just because it is the right thing to do that have taught me why this program is so important. They overcome physical, emotional, and mental barriers to become heroes to the 1.4 million Americans suffering with IBD. Our 100% completion record speaks for itself.
Daisy Pearce
Daisy Pearce has been following an athletic and healthy lifestyle for over 50 years. A gymnast as a child, Daisy later took up running in her 20’s to help recover from paralyzing meningitis. Since then, Daisy's healthy outlook has led her to become an aerobics instructor, a certified Body Recall trainer, an AFAA Pilates instructor, and an RRCA running coach. Daisy teaches that fitness, diet, attitude, and outlook are all equal parts of being “healthy”. Daisy has achieved many personal running goals through competing in races ranging from a few miles to a full marathon. Running always leaves her feeling energized and ready to face the world, but her greatest goal and pleasure is helping others know the joys and satisfactions of setting and achieving their own personal health objectives. She explains that the experience can be, "truly life changing." This will be Daisy's fourth season with Team Challenge.
Our coaches, with their 50+ years of combined experience and their fun yet uniquely different styles, WILL get you from couch to completion!
Team Challenge National Head Coach Dave’s May Tip
Stress + Rest = Success. Hard work is important, but it’s the rest after that work that allows your body to rebuild and adapt itself into a fitter, faster you! In addition to getting enough sleep every night, do everything you can to enhance recovery. Eating enough carbs (and some protein) after workouts, drinking enough water, immersing or showering your legs with cold water for a few minutes after workouts, and treating yourself to an occasional (or more frequent!) massage are all ways to enhance recovery.
Team Challenge National Head Coach Dave’s FAQ
Q: I’m not currently running or walking more than a mile or two at a time a few days per week. How will I be able to finish a half-marathon?
A: Your coach will design a program for you based on your current level of fitness, whatever it may be. You’ll gradually build your mileage over the course of the coming months until you can walk or run (or with a combination of walking and running) a ten-mile workout. From there, well over 99% of our participants complete their half-marathons.
Q: What kind of shoes do I need?
A: Everyone has different feet and biomechanics. The staff at your local running/walking specialty store will be able to fit you for these needs, as well as your mileage level, and the surfaces on which you train. To find a local specialty store, head to www.runnersworld.com/store-finder
Q: What’s a “GU”?!
A: “Gu” and other sports gels (PowerGels, Cliff Shots, Hammer Gels, etc.) are concentrated forms of carbohydrate about the consistency of honey. They are an alternative to sports drinks and are designed to provide athletes with energy for endurance activities. Each gel contains about 100- 110 of concentrated carbohydrate. Many half-marathons will provide gels in the later stages (around mile 10) to give runners and walkers an energy boost for the last few miles. Although they are generally pretty easy on the stomach, especially when taken with water, it’s always a good idea to try gels several times in training first before using them on race day.
Q: I had to miss three days of training. How do I make up the lost days?
A: You don’t! If you’ve missed anything less than a full week of training, just jump right back into the schedule. If you missed more than a week, talk to your coach about modifying your schedule to get you back on track.
Q: My fingers swell during my training walks. What’s going on?
A: Your heart beats harder and faster when you train, so blood is sent more forcefully to the extremities. Muscle action helps to return blood back to the heart, but many walkers don’t pump their arms very much when they walk (they should!), so blood pools in the fingers. Swollen fingers are more common with changes in temperature, during pregnancy, and when electrolytes are out of whack. Clenching and unclenching your hands, or shaking them over your head will help to pump the blood out of your swollen fingers.
