Run SMART client Maria Lauretani (middle) set a new PR at the Philadelphia Marathon this past weekend. The 38-year old from Pelham, NY ran 2:52:56 to finish first in her age group and 18th overall. [Full results] In only her fourth year of running Maria continues to make great progress. Her PR when she signed up for coaching last December was 2:59:54.
Scheduled to run NYC earlier this month she was able to make a quick adjustment with her Run SMART coach Ann Alyanak. Staying mentally and physically prepared to run her best three weeks later is not an easy task for everyone who knows the difficulty of navigating the right taper and timing your peak just right for a marathon.
After the race she credited her coach, “All to many times, the focus is on the runners after a great race, but today I have to send so much praise, admiration and thanks to my unbelievable coach, Ann Alyanak. It is because of you that I have had such a great year and more importantly, the best marathon for me yet. You have helped me through every obstacle and have been my side, through setbacks and injuries for an entire year.
Thank you Ann for being the greatest coach anyone could ask for, and more importantly, thank you for being such a great fan and friend. I never could have raced this marathon the way I did without your guidance, support, and expertise. I am eternally grateful to you and to Run SMART for teaming me up with you! Here’s to many more races to come! You are the best!”
Takes a great team. Congrats ladies!