Hi, I’m Grace, a certified RRCA Level 1 running coach, longtime athlete, and proud board member of the CT WaveRunners. I’ve been running for more than a decade and have completed more than 60 races, but I never expected running to become such a big part of my life.

My journey into running wasn’t a straight line. No, I wasn’t an athlete in school. I was a theater kid who smoked cigarettes and dreaded “The Mile” test every year in gym class. I tried cross-country once in 7th grade, and quit after the first practice. I ran away from practice to my dad’s house that day because he lived about 1.5 miles from the school, and I never went back. My running journey started with grief. When I was 21, I lost my dad suddenly, and I didn’t handle it well. I numbed the pain with food and alcohol, slipping into habits that left me physically and mentally unhealthy. I didn’t know how to process what I was feeling, so I just didn’t.

My sister, Moira, was the first person who inspired me to start running. She saw I was struggling and encouraged me to try it. Luckily, she was (and still is) the only adult in my life who I would listen to. I could barely get through an eighth of a mile without stopping. It was hard, but I kept showing up. Eventually, I ran my first 5K with her, the Branford Turkey Trot in 2015, and I haven’t looked back since.

Running saved me. At first, I thought I was doing it to lose weight, but the truth is that it was helping me heal. It gave me something to work toward, a way to cope, and eventually, something to love. Now, more than a decade later, I still run for my mental health. I run for strength. I run to grow. Every race, I learn something about myself, and I know the best is yet to come.

As a coach, I believe running is deeply personal. Your goals are allowed to evolve, and mine certainly have. I started this journey just trying to feel better. Now I’m pushing myself with new challenges and helping other runners do the same.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been racing for years, I’m here to support you. I’ll meet you where you are, create a plan that fits your life, and work with you every step of the way. My goal is to help you train with structure, race with confidence, and most of all, feel proud of the runner you’re becoming.

Let’s run with purpose. Let’s run with grace.