Coach Kristen de Keersmaeker

Kristen is an RRCA-certified distance running coach, and dedicated endurance runner, with over 150 races completed to date – including 36 half-marathons, 9 marathons, 3 ultra-marathons (60K), in addition to a duathlon and 4 Olympic-distance triathlons. While Coach Kriss has only truly come into endurance sports relatively recently, it has been a captivating decade-long journey all the same; a training and racing journey which has not only been self-rewarding, but has also ignited a fervent passion to guide others in discovering the myriad of health benefits this discipline offers. With a natural penchant for counseling, coach Kriss thrives on igniting curiosity and emphasizing the joy of running alongside achieving performance. This, for runners of all levels, operating under the firm belief that running is for everyone, and finding it uniquely stimulating to aid individuals grasp and unleash what they are capable of. That means both instilling enthusiasm in complete newcomers to the sport – aiding them build and sustain motivation over time, as well as assisting fellow, more advanced, athletes in unlocking their untapped potential! To that aim, and seeking to ‘pass it forward’ through opportunities to give back to the very vibrant running community of New York, Kriss reckons coaching ought to deliver a social exchange that allows all parties to grow from the experience, both physically and mentally – strength of character included! Kriss’s coaching motto – "Let’s get stronger together!" – fittingly encapsulates the above, while also reflecting upon a coaching philosophy that centers the trilogy of ‘Courage-Endurance-Perseverance’ as pivotal values, thereby drawing inspiration from (modern) Stoicism. Coach Kriss indeed believes that the latter core trilogy forms the foundation for mastering distance running – allowing one to build and/or sustain the capacity to transcend fear, endure hardship, and bounce back from failures, respectively. Whether online or in person, with Kriss for coach, one may expect a comprehensive approach that entails assistance in target-setting, structured and periodized personalized training plans, motivation, camaraderie, tips for training and race-day strategy, injury prevention advice, post-event analyses, and much more! -----> To beginners & newcomers to running: eager to embark upon an exciting training journey and discover the inner athlete in you? -----> To intermediate & advanced athletes: ready to take your running to the next level? Reach out, join Coach Kriss and ‘get stronger together’! 😉