Women's Running Coaches Collective

Anne talks about her two very influential, and very different coaches - Gordan Pirie and John Davies.  Her second coach John Davies saved her from quitting running and made her the extraordinary athlete she was on the roads and track. She talks about their two different styles as well as specific workouts. - She talks about her ability to earn a good living on the roads for a decade - Anne gives advice to coaches today on establishing a relationship with their athletes - Anne gives us her "secret" workout she believes made her a standout as a road racer.  This has never been shared before! - Anne talks about the state of track and field today - Anne shows us her MBE (Member of the British Empire) medal she shares with other illustrious British celebrities such as Elton John and Paula McCarthy!

Anne Audain is considered the "winningest" female road racer of all time. From 1980 through the 1990's Audain won 90% of her races, dominating the road racing scene for over a decade. At the 1981 Cascade Run Off in Portland, Oregon, Anne accepted the $10,000 1st place prize money, and was immediately banned by New Zealand's Sports Association. She went on to be the first woman to legally sign a professional contract with Nike, and to be able to earn a living from her running. For today's athletes, it is important to understand the devastating consequences Anne could have suffered because she needed to earn a living from her hard work, and her wins on the road. She was the pioneer woman runner who demanded equality and openness, and pushed running into the professional world it is today.

Anne Audain is considered the "winningest" female roadracer of all time. From 1980 through the 1990's Audain won 90% of her races, dominating the road racing scene for over a decade. At the 1981 Cascade Run Off in Portland, Oregon, Anne accepted the $10,000 1st place prize money, and was immediately banned by New Zealand's Sports Association. She went on to be the first woman to legally sign a professional contract with Nike, and to be able to earn a living from her running. For today's athletes, it is important to understand the devastating consequences Anne could have suffered because she needed to earn a living from her hard work, and her wins on the road. She was the pioneer woman runner who demanded equality and openness, and pushed running into the professional world it is today.

In the fall of 1976, Patti Catalano Dillon ran her first marathon.She had been running for just 6 months but won the race with a time of 2:53. Training in “knock off” earth shoes, still smoking and knowing nothing about running, she won that day and her illustrious albeit dramatic career began. In her first 10K she placed 2nd behind Olympian Lynn Jennings at the Boston Bonne Belle in 34:50. Breaking WR after WR in the 30K, the 20K, and the ½ marathon, Catalano Dillon had 55 career wins, many at national and international races. She was the first American woman to go under 33 minutes in the 10K, and the first to break 50 minutes in the 15K.  She broke the AR in the marathon twice, first in 1980 at the NYC Marathon, and then again at Boston, running 2:27.52. From the late 70’s through the early 80’s, Patti was America’s best woman distance runner, and 2nd in the world only to the great Grete Waitz of Norway. Unknown to anyone during her peak years, Patti was struggling with Bulimia. After a disappointing 2nd place at the Boston Marathon in 1981, Patti began to be plagued with injuries and personal issues. She felt she was no longer running for herself, but for others. Her incredible story is one of a discovered great talent, of fortitude and courage, and finally of acceptance and peace. It is a tale that helps us understand what it took to be one of the greatest of all times, and how it felt to fall from such a great height, survive and then find an even greater happiness. Her amazing life will make you “laugh and cry”, and you will understand what it took for her to come through her hard times, whole and healthy.

In the fall of 1976, Patti Catalano Dillon ran her first marathon.She had been running for just 6 months but won the race with a time of 2:53. Training in “knock off” earth shoes, still smoking and knowing nothing about running, she won that day and her illustrious albeit dramatic career began. In her first 10K she placed 2nd behind Olympian Lynn Jennings at the Boston Bonne Belle in 34:50. Breaking WR after WR in the 30K, the 20K, and the ½ marathon, Catalano Dillon had 55 career wins, many at national and international races. She was the first American woman to go under 33 minutes in the 10K, and the first to break 50 minutes in the 15K.  She broke the AR in the marathon twice, first in 1980 at the NYC Marathon, and then again at Boston, running 2:27.52. From the late 70’s through the early 80’s, Patti was America’s best woman distance runner, and 2nd in the world only to the great Grete Waitz of Norway. Unknown to anyone during her peak years, Patti was struggling with Bulimia. After a disappointing 2nd place at the Boston Marathon in 1981, Patti began to be plagued with injuries and personal issues. She felt she was no longer running for herself, but for others. Her incredible story is one of a discovered great talent, of fortitude and courage, and finally of acceptance and peace. It is a tale that helps us understand what it took to be one of the greatest of all times, and how it felt to fall from such a great height, survive and then find an even greater happiness. Her amazing life will make you “laugh and cry”, and you will understand what it took for her to come through her hard times, whole and healthy.

The Joan Benoit Samuelson story parallels that classic Nike Ad “There is no finish line”. Joan is an icon, a legend in women’s long distance running. Through her many decades in the sport, Joan has never stopped challenging herself with competitive goals, running with the same passion that gave her an Olympic Gold Medal in 1984 at the first Women’s Olympic Marathon in LA. Her interview starts in her early running days as she discovers her talent, then winning the 1979 Boston Marathon, running in college, and as a professional with Athletics West. She talks about the drama and uncertainty of the 1984 Olympic Trials, and later her win in the Olympic Games. Her story is both thrilling and inspirational. And now, in her 5th decade as a runner, she continues to train and race in the sport she loves. We learn how she trained over the years. Her need from the beginning to find balance in her life in order to have success. The coaches that helped her along the way and the stories of her training and racing that brought her the greatest of successes.  An Olympic Gold Medal.

Head Coach Robyn McGillis has a BA in Anthropology, an MBA in Management and Sports Marketing, and a former career in Human Resources. She is the Co - Founder, along with Marie Davis Markham, of Wildwood Running (www.wildwoodrunning.com), an organization whose Mission is to "educate coaches and athletes, and to uplift, empower and enrich the experience of the female distance runner". Robyn's thoughtful and unique approach to coaching combines her many skills and her passion for running to create a positive community environment where her runners can thrive and grow. Listen to Coach McGillis's story of going from Assistant girls XC Coach at Central Catholic HS in Portland, Oregon to Head Coach, and then first time Mt.Hood District Champions and a berth at the Oregon State Meet! In addition to the Head XC Coach, Robyn is also the girls distance track coach, and Director of Operations for both the girls and boys T & F teams. Robyn is also a mother of two, and talks about her quest to balance family and coaching. It can be done!

Head Coach Robyn McGillis has a BA in Anthropology, an MBA in Management and Sports Marketing, and a former career in Human Resources. She is the Co - Founder, along with Marie Davis Markham, of Wildwood Running (www.wildwoodrunning.com), an organization whose Mission is to "educate coaches and athletes, and to uplift, empower and enrich the experience of the female distance runner". Robyn's thoughtful and unique approach to coaching combines her many skills and her passion for running to create a positive community environment where her runners can thrive and grow. Listen to Coach McGillis's story of going from Assistant girls XC Coach at Central Catholic HS in Portland, Oregon to Head Coach, and then first time Mt.Hood District Champions and a berth at the Oregon State Meet! In addition to the Head XC Coach, Robyn is also the girls distance track coach, and Director of Operations for both the girls and boys T & F teams. Robyn is also a mother of two, and talks about her quest to balance family and coaching. It can be done!

Coach Tania Fischer was a successful age group, college, and professional runner. In 1996 she qualified for the Olympic Trials 5000m with a time of 15:33. Tania later went on to co-found The Janes Running Club, as both a runner and a coach. She currently holds the head coaching position for both boys and girls in XC, and Track and Field at Santa Monica HS. Tania talks about her early days in So Cal as a top age group runner, her two years running in Germany under the government system, and her transition to head coach at Santa Monica HS. Her story is fascinating and informative about coaching, being a leader, and her experiences as an elite runner.

Coach Tania Fischer was a successful age group, college, and professional runner. In 1996 she qualified for the Olympic Trials 5000m with a time of 15:33. Tania later went on to co-found The Janes Running Club, as both a runner and a coach. She currently holds the head coaching position for both boys and girls in XC, and Track and Field at Santa Monica HS. Tania talks about her early days in So Cal as a top age group runner, her two years running in Germany under the government system, and her transition to head coach at Santa Monica HS. Her story is fascinating and informative about coaching, being a leader, and her experiences as an elite runner.