LEADERSHIP TEAM
DIRECTOR/HEAD COACH:
DAN FINANGER
Running Experience: 41+ yearsCoaching Experience: 28+ years
Favorite Distances: Marathon & Half Marathon
Favorite Races: Twin Cities Marathon (Minnesota) & Boston Marathon
Number of Marathons Completed: 21
Personal Best: 2:57
Number of Half Marathons Completed: 27
Personal Best: 1:19
For nearly 25 years, I have had the opportunity to coach distance runners ranging from youth to the adult. I have coached more than 5,200 athletes across 16 states to complete a marathon, including several athletes to the 1996 U.S. Olympic Trials. In 1995, I was fortunate to have coached the Women’s Championship Team at the Boston Marathon, and the following year I trained over 100 qualifiers to compete at the 100th Boston Marathon.
My wife and I established Finanger Running Adventure Camps in 1998, which promoted running in beautiful venues such as the Cascade Mountains, the Rocky Mountains and the Maine Coast. The weeklong camps incorporated outdoor activities such as whitewater rafting, hiking, cycling and swimming to add to the fun. In 2008, the camps went international with running clinics in Saudi Arabia.
Fun fact - in 2007, Runners' World Magazine selected a handful of “Super Coaches” across the country for their contribution to marathon training, and I was fortunate to be on that list. RW also published my marathon-training program for beginners in the article.
I also served as Executive Director of the Twin Cities Marathon for 4 years, Course Director for Race for the Cure, Twin Cities for 26 years, and was the youngest winner of the Minnesota Distance Running Distinguished Service Award.
As the director of Carolina Club Run, I wake up every day with excitement for what lies ahead. After marrying my amazing wife, and having our two incredible sons, the next greatest joy, for me, is running. The only way to make running better is to run with a bunch of friends, which is why I think Carolina Club Run is a great program. We try to foster an environment of health, wellness, friendship and joy. Personally, I know I come for the fun, and stay for the run! I love it when others do the same!
COACHES
SUSAN HERMANN:
Running Experience: 28+ years (Ouch!)
Coaching Experience: 5+ years
Current Training Pace: 8-10 minutes/mile (Run-only)
Coaching Philosophy:
I am a quiet leader - I like to make sure the runners are comfortable and having fun first, then quietly insert coaching tips and techniques. I like to push runners out of their comfort zone without them even noticing ... (sneaky, I know)!
Favorite Distance: 5K & 10 Miler
Favorite Race: Twin Cities Marathon (Minnesota)
Number of Marathons Completed: 4
Personal Best: 3:13
Number of Half Marathons Completed: 10
Personal Best: 1:33
Favorite Running Story:
I was deep into the Twin Cities Marathon and began struggling to get to the finish. I knew I needed some energy, and I needed it fast. One of the best things at this marathon is the tens of thousands of spectators along the course, and along with the loud cheering, they are plenty of goodies being given out. Around mile 22 I saw a guy who appeared to be handing out bagels and oranges, and that was exactly what I needed. I reached out and grabbed a bagel and said, "Thank You" and I cruised by him! It wasn't even 30 seconds later when I realized I had taken his own bagel as I saw it was already half eaten. Oops!
This story often brings me back to what a wonderful sport distance running is and all the great people who participate. Whether you are a coach, captain, spectator, or the one who is running, we find ourselves on the same team and together we create an incredible venue to express ourselves, break through barriers and enjoy what makes us go … running! I am so blessed to have the opportunity to run and coach at Carolina Club Run as it is truly a special group with this exact philosophy!
SUSAN HERMANN:
WHITNEY HETZEL:
Running Experience: 35+ years
Coaching Experience: 7+ years
Current Training Pace: 7-9 minutes/mile (Run-only)
Favorite Distance: 10K or 15K
Number of Marathons Completed: 4
Personal Best: 3:20
Number of Half Marathons Completed: 17
Personal Best: 1:31
Favorite Running Story:
I grew up watching my dad run. He used to run 12 miles every weekend. Once he came home from a party where he and a friend decided to run the Chicago Marathon that was just 2 weeks away ... point is that he was not running much at that time, but he ran it anyways. I recall my dad soaking his feet in an ice bath afterward. As a young girl, I asked myself why anyone would ever run a marathon and suffer as much as my dad. Ironically, I ran cross country and track in high school, and eventually ran several marathons. I have even coached high school runners now for several years.
The best part of my running experience is that my twin sister and I have both run marathons, and we still run together today. Now we both get the opportunity to coach the Top Guns at Carolina Club Run. It is so much fun to share our experiences with others. I look forward to helping runners take their running to a higher level.
DIRECTOR/HEAD COACH:
CAPTAIN
TRICIA HART:
Running Experience: 4+ years
Current Training Pace: 9-10 minutes/mile (Run-only)
Favorite Distance: 10 miles & Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
Number of Marathons Completed: 1
Number of Half Marathons Completed: 5
Favorite Running Story:
When I first started running, I preferred to run by myself. I was embarrassed to run with others because I thought I was so slow that I would hold them back. After moving to Charlotte from St. Louis, I registered for my first half marathon. I had no idea how to train for one at that time, so I agreed to join a local running group. The group was well into their training season, so my first run with them was running an 11 miler. Until that day I had never run more five miles at one time! It was terrifying.
Then something happened that changed me forever. I met the most friendly and welcoming runner that day. Denise Steiner saw me struggling so she introduced herself and ended up staying with me throughout the entire 11 miles. She even walked with me when I started having pain in my leg. It was my first running issue (IT band syndrome), and I had no idea what to do. I couldn’t believe it when Denise refused to leave me that day. I learned the importance of a teammate who is willing to give up her own workout to make sure others were taken care of properly. It was a lesson that I took to heart and have wanted to share ever since.
Denise and I trained together that entire season, she even ran by my side throughout my first half marathon. She changed her race strategy to match mine, and when I struggled, she adjusted again for me. It was an amazing season and race, and I owe all my success to Coach Denise. I can honestly say that Denise made such an impact on me that season that it is the reason I am still running today. She helped me believe that I truly am a distance runner.
When I found out that Coach Denise was joining up with Coach Dan at Carolina Club Run I was one of the first to ask if I could be a part of the team. I know that the two of them will create a running tradition that will be inviting, welcoming, educational, and team-oriented at all times. I was honored when they asked me to be part of the leadership team of Carolina Club Run. It is something that has always been inside of me, but it took someone like Coach Denise to help me believe.
MILE MARKERS: (10 – 11:30 min/mile pace)
COACH
DIANE MEIROWITZ:
Experience: 10+ yearsCoaching Experience: 2+ years
Current Training Pace: 10-11:30 minutes/mile (Run-only & Run/Walk)
Coaching Philosophy:
I love to help people achieve their running goals while having a lot of fun and making new friends.
Favorite Distance: 10 Miles
Personal Best: 1:50
Number of Half Marathons Completed: 7
Personal Best: 2:29
I ran my first half marathon in 2013. It was absolutely the hardest thing I had ever done. In that race I found myself struggling to run the entire way. By the last few miles, I was walking more than running. It wore me out physically, mentally and emotionally.
The following year I did the same half marathon using run/walk intervals. I felt great throughout the entire race, and even finished 4 minutes faster than the previous year!
Since then, I been a big fan of intervals for my own training and have learned to coach runners in this method. It is so fun to see people go further than they ever thought they could before, simply by breaking the run into manageable intervals.
Here are some things I love about coaching for Carolina Club Run:
- The run/walk method is fully supported for those who want to do it.
- Each run is an opportunity for runners to learn something new about training, racing, nutrition, etc.
- I particularly love our track and hill workouts, where people find they can do things they never thought possible.
- Runners will be part of a pace team led by our incredible captains. We never leave anyone behind; everyone will have someone to run with, even if it’s not their best day.