I have been running as long as I can remember, and it was a lifelong dream of mine to run a full marathon. I ran cross country and track through high school, but ACL reconstruction surgery my senior year held me back from believing I could run confidently again. Though I did make my way back into running and participated in a few half marathons, I never felt quite strong enough (physically or mentally) at the end of my races to be able to do the whole 26.2. I didn’t quite know the best way to go about training being apart from a team, either, and didn’t feel like my workouts were as driven as I would have liked. I also found myself getting nagging shin injuries here and there that were a result of adding too much mileage on the road without a focus on strength or form. Last year, a couple of local Charlottesville friends clued me in to Formula, and I am so grateful that I joined the Formula family! The team here at the studio has undoubtedly boosted my confidence and improved my training regimen, leading to me running a happy and strong marathon this May.

Me celebrating running the marathon in my hometown of Pittsburgh!

Formula has helped me incorporate the speed, strength, and power into my workouts that I was really missing before. The Woodway intervals and purposeful strength training have helped me to move more efficiently (my mom even noted that my heel doesn’t “whip out” any more when I visited back home!) and avoid injuries while still running 5-6 times per week. Ann mapped out a training plan that helped me attain realistic mileage goals which I was able to fit perfectly into my schedule as a graduate student without causing burnout. I could not believe that during one of my longer runs, I had achieved my personal best time at 13.1 miles while still chugging along to 18 miles!

Formula has helped me to become a better athlete, and the crew and other members of the studio gave me the confidence to finally sign up for that first marathon, where I ran a sub-4 no less! There is such a sense of camaraderie in the studio; classes are always so lively and fun, and you’re astonished that you’re crushing your running goals while still feeling in control. The team makes every class count and I could not be happier that I have (in my humble opinion) the BEST instructors guiding me on my fitness journey. 100+ classes in and stronger than ever before; I cannot thank Ann, Jason, Emily, Pat, and everyone else along the way enough for getting me to where I am now!