I met Penny about 10 years ago (wow!) when I was living in Syracuse, and joined the Syracuse Y runners team. I remember hearing her name over and over and just thinking “who is this woman, and why does everyone talk about her?” And then I had the joy of meeting her: she is the most genuinely caring, supportive, and encouraging person I have ever met. She has a deep passion for running, and inspires that in others on the daily.
Fast forward to 2022, several years after Alex & I had left Syracuse to head back home to Burnt Hills. I was training for Boston, and felt ready to run a PR at the Syracuse Half about a month prior to Boston. Well, that race didn’t go at all as planned and I was happy just to finish it. Who was at the finish line to pick up the pieces? Penny. I crossed the line – so relieved to be done, and so defeated by my performance. And Penny was there: with her smile, a hug, and the words “I am so proud of you”. I’m tearing up a bit as I write this because that moment was so special – and so “Penny”! She pours that pride and love into her own goals, and it overflows abundantly to everyone around her.
Penny was also at the finish of Boston that year and I got to see her right after I finished, with a course best time … and the year after when I just had a fun time in the rain after a winter injury detoured my training … I’m telling you, she’s exactly where you need her, when you need her! And this year, I got to be the one to greet her at the Boston Marathon finish: I had just been released from my shift in the medical tent and got to watch her cross the line (cheered on by Dakota Popehn, which was so cool!)
So when National PT Month rolled around, and the national organization announced “PT for Future Me” as the social media campaign – asking us to highlight how PTs are beneficial to people across the lifespan, and to demonstrate our role in lifelong health & well-being – I knew Penny had to be one of the people I’d highlight. And because of our decade+ long friendship, trust in each other, and the amazing things she has accomplished in her life, I felt it necessitated a whole blog so you get a bigger picture of this incredible human! Below is her story, and how we have worked together to continue to build the “future” for Penny as a marathon runner – and hey, maybe her story will inspire you to jump on this bandwagon too :)
I have always admired and enjoyed Megan since we were both part of the Syracuse running community. Megan came to mind a few years ago when I had the goal to run a Boston Marathon qualifying time. I wanted a coach who knew me, and I wouldn’t be just a name on a page. I also wanted a coach who shared my passion for running, and would treat me as an individual to help me reach my goal. I loved her weekly training plans because they were attainable with the perfect amount of challenge. I wanted to feel like a professional runner, and I did!
I contacted Megan again this year when I received late notification that I received a charity bib to run Boston in nine weeks (16-20 weeks of training is standard). The challenge this time was that I had COVID and Lyme disease 6 months earlier, and was not sure if I could get to the start line uninjured. At 72 years young and having finished 61 marathons in nineteen years, I was feeling old and tired. When I asked if she would coach me again, Megan said “normally I would not advise anyone to train for Boston in nine weeks, but I know you can.” Her faith in me and her positivity was contagious, and just what I needed.
Megan set up a wonderful weekly training plan that incorporated hydro running, yoga, cycling and mobility/strength exercises in addition to my running. This was key because I would have gotten injured if I had attempted the mileage I ran when I was 15 years younger. Megan also reminded me of the importance of nutrition and hydration, and advised me accordingly. I always felt valued, even though I was old.
Communication is always excellent, which is very motivating to me, especially the times we spoke in person or on the phone (since we don’t live in the same area anymore). It all helps me feel valued and will help me get to #63: the New York City Marathon, on November 2, 2025!
Penny signed off this email with “I hope some of this is useful. Thanks for all you do and for thinking of me.” Now, I get that I am the one providing a coaching service here but really, the thanks go to her. We’ve both faced our share of challenges as runners and coaches, but to feel this level of trust and confidence in me as a coach from someone like Penny is … invaluable. There are not many people who have run 1 marathon, let alone 60+, and even fewer who are still tackling that distance into their 70s! As Penny said in her story, the combination of all of the non-running things plus running was crucial: this is what helped her get to the start line, finish line, and looking ahead to the next one …
So Penny, thankyou for being who you are, inspiring all of us to be better, and inviting me on your running journey. It is truly a privilege to work with you, and I hope we continue this for many years to come! Good luck in NYC!!!
2025 Boston Marathon
2022 Boston Marathon
2023 Boston Marathon