When I first met Coach Kathy, I was a 53-year-old guy who had been running for less than a year. My longest run at that point? Eight miles. My biggest week? Twenty-five miles. I had the enthusiasm of a golden retriever and the running maturity of a toddler. Somehow, Kathy looked at that combination and didn’t laugh me out of the room. Instead, she said, “Let’s build you into a 100-miler.”

And that’s exactly what she did.

Kathy built a plan for me that was equal parts science, strategy, and a touch of magic. She didn’t just hand me workouts—she built a foundation brick by brick. Week after week, she guided me through progressively tougher terrain, longer distances, and race courses that made my quads question my life choices. She knew exactly when to push and when to pull back, always keeping me on the right side of the injury line.

She monitored everything—my heart rate, recovery, stress, hydration, nutrition, and probably my sanity. When something was off, she saw it before I did. She used her deep experience in working with nutritionists, PTs, and other experts to build a complete system that kept me healthy, strong, and progressing. She didn’t just coach my running; she coached my entire approach to being an athlete.

And then there’s the race-specific work. I’m convinced Kathy knows the Leadville course better than some people who actually live there. She walked me through every climb, every descent, every aid station, and every moment where things were likely to get “spicy.” She even spent time with my crew on Zoom calls—teaching them how to support me, what to expect, and how to keep me moving when the wheels got wobbly. By race week, my crew could have run the thing themselves.

One year after meeting Kathy, I stood at the start line of the Leadville 100 with confidence, a plan, and the ability to complete something that was impossible 12 months earlier. And with her guidance, I crossed that finish line.

If you’re looking for a coach who will give you a courageously honest plan, incredibly thoughtful guidance, and a borderline-ridiculous level of support, Kathy is your person. She doesn’t just train runners—she builds athletes, teammates, and competitors. I’m living proof.

– Mike McCalley (coached by Kathy Pidcock)