MEET THE COACHES
Alex’s Rates:
(RRCA COACH CERTIFIED)
8 + weeks … $22 per week
12+ weeks … $20 per week
16+ weeks … $18 per week
ALEX WENDLER
What excites you about coaching? I’m so excited to encourage other runners in their running journey and help spark joy in running!
Background: I began running in college when my sister invited me to run the WDW Half Marathon with her (I never was a HS or college athlete, so this was a big commitment for me!). I started training for this race nearly a year in advance, starting with only a half mile at a time. I admit, it probably looked far more like walking than running. I slowly increased my distance from a half mile to a whole mile, to a mile and a half, and gradually more and more. And it was over this long (and often frustrating) process that ultimately I unexpectedly fell in love with running. Because with each run, each new distance reached, I was challenging myself and accomplishing something I never thought I would. (p.s. it's important to note that it took awhile for me to reach this place...it's very normal to really struggle with running at first!)
Thus, my running journey was only beginning with that half marathon. Since then I have done many half marathons and five (about to be six!) full marathons. I tend to prefer longer distances simply because I have learned that my strength lies more in endurance than in speed...I may not be fast, but I can go far!!
My hope in coaching is to help individuals see that they are capable of far more than they ever imagined and assist them with reaching a place where running adds joy to their lives. A holistic approach to running is important to me, as I think "success" encompasses the entire individual, not just pace, distance, etc.
Favorite part of running & training: I love the simplicity and beauty of it. At its very core, running is simply putting one foot in front of the other. And yet it has had this profound effect on not just my physical health, but also on my mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
Fun fact: I have two doggos, Moose & Minnie (see my picture), who are fantastic! Moose is 4 years old and a certified therapy dog, so he’s got his own little career going. And Minnie is still just a pup and set on destroying all created things (and relatively succeeding).
Alex’s Rates:
8 + weeks … $22 per week
12+ weeks … $20 per week
16+ weeks … $18 per week
ALEX RONGSTAD
What excites you about coaching? Aw geez, I think what excites me the most about coaching is the potential to really help positively shape an individual’s journey towards health and movement. As human beings, we have an innate drive to move. Having the courage to take that first step is always so inspiring and having a positive support system when working towards our health goals can make all the difference in how we reach and sustain them.
Background: I began running Cross Country and Track my freshman year at North High School. I was a team captain through my Junior and Senior year and have kept running as a common thread throughout my life ever since. Never running collegiately, I felt compelled to get away from a “competitive” training perspective, and instead choose to make my own joy the basis for my own process - if there is joy in what I’m doing, then I’m on the right track. I often think that we get too bogged down by performance goals that we forget our love of running, our fundamental connection to move and enjoying the freedom that comes from that.
Favorite part of running & training: I feel like running can be such an amazing metaphor for everything we do in life; how we choose to get out and move can very much be a reflection of our current state of being. So I love running for how it gives me such an honest look of where I am at any given moment in time and when anything is out of balance, (which it often is) allowing me to think critically and creatively for solutions, to reflect and to begin again with a fresh perspective.
Fun fact(s): I began a project in mid-2021 to run on every single street in my hometown of Eau Claire. Growing up here, I developed a genuine interest in learning more about the community that helped shape me into the person that I am today. And by simply exploring the streets that make up this city, I came to realize all the wonderful and nuanced ways in which we are connected to one another - all streets lead back to you.
On December 12th, 2021, I organized a 50 mile run through town that traversed the entire city, inviting anyone and everyone to run along with me, completing the last two streets on both the Northern and Southern borders of the city. What was most amazing to me about this experience was not the distance or the streets, but how every step of this 50 mile effort was run in tandem with the amazing people in this community, I was never alone. Running is a transcendental thing that we get to do. By simply putting one foot in front of the other, we can change the narrative of our lives, we can create real, lasting connections to the space and people around us all while creating a positive and healthy relationship with what it is to be alive.
Brent’s Rates:
$20-$25 / week depending on coaching duration
BRENT WATHKE
What excites you about coaching? Everyone is on a different running journey, I love helping people push themselves to achieve what they didn’t think was possible.
Background: I started running long distance 12 years ago shortly before my son was born in my late twenties. I was looking for a way to get “in shape” because it had been a decade since I played hockey. I had a few friends that had run marathons and I remember watching my mom run when I was a teenager, so I figured I try a half marathon and a marathon. To this day I remember going out in the middle of January to try this running thing out. It was hard, uncomfortable and very cold. I had no idea what I was doing but kept at it and eventually figured it out completing my first Grandma’s Marathon in 2011. I was immediately hooked and started to figure out how this running thing worked and how to improve. I’ve since completed 23 marathons (16 under 3 hours)and every distance from 5k up to 26.2.
I have been coaching for at least 6 years and have coached many runners from middle school cross country to adults (men and women) pushing the limits of the 100k, qualifying for the Boston Marathon, breaking the 3 hour mark in the marathon and crushing their previous personal best.
Some of my favorite races include Boston, Twin Cities, Chicago, Grandma’s and Eau Claire. Everyone of these races present not only a great challenge but great crowd support and camaraderie with other runners.
Favorite part of running & training: The best part about training is finding balance with running and the pace of life. I’m a dad of two kiddos, a husband, and work a full time job so finding a balance for my runners is essential. To be successful we need to have find our center and be the best version of ourselves by finding what we think are our limits and breaking through them. I have no doubt most people haven’t even scratched the surface of what they’re capable of physically or mentally, I look forward to working with you on that journey.
Fun Fact: … I love teaching middle school and eating candy!!!
Matt’s Rates:
8 + weeks … $22 per week
12+ weeks … $20 per week
16+ weeks … $18 per week
Matt Wenaas
What excites you about coaching? I have an incredible passion for coaching. I love to teach people and watch them achieve their goals.
Background: I am originally from Chippewa Falls and went on to run Cross Country and Track for the UW-Eau Claire. During my time as a Blugold I developed a deep understanding of training and running. I went on to be an all-conference runner and a member of 2 national qualifying teams in cross country. My favorite races were the longer distances in college
PRs: Mile: 4:24, 3k: 8:42, 5k: 14:56, 8k: 25:12, and 10k: 31:21.
Favorite part of running & training: I love developing a plan and watching myself (or others) improve and gradually get better. A close second is competing! I love competing against others and more importantly myself to get new PRs.
Fun fact: My wife, Briana, and I love camping and travelling around the countries visiting National Parks and Forests.
Rebekka’s Rates:
8 + weeks … $22 per week
12+ weeks … $20 per week
16+ weeks … $18 per week
Rebekka Dow
What excites you about coaching? I am very excited to coach because I absolutely love running and I think that runners are the coolest people around.🤩I also love sharing the joy of running with others.
Background: I have always been a runner and my love of it started at a young age. My dad entered me in my first track meet at age 7. I ran cross country and track in middle school and high school. I was fortunate enough to be a part of several Division 1 state titles and podium finishes in track and cross country at Eau Claire Memorial. I had so much fun and the memories from competing in high school are still some of my all time favorites! Although I chose to focus on academics and not compete in college, I continued to run to stay in shape and do road races. Throughout my adult life, I have raced 5Ks to marathon distances and have enjoyed increasing my training and pushing myself in the last 5 years as I have found more opportunity and time to do so as my kids have gotten older. Favorite Races: Boston Marathon, Houston Marathon, SeaWheeze Luluemon Half Marathon, Eau Claire Half Marathon
PRs:
5 mi: 29:38 // 10K: 37:15 // Half Marathon: 1:21:03 // Marathon: 2:48:26
Favorite part of running & training: Running always makes me feel totally like “me.” It is there for me and accepts me for who I am. I love that running allows me to continue to set goals for myself and challenge myself physically and mentally. I usually run very early in the morning and that allows me to see the most beautiful skies and early morning sunrises, which I cherish. It makes my heart so happy!
Fun fact(s): I have been married to my wonderful husband Jordan for 18 years and have two amazing daughters, Calista (11) and Hailey (9). I hold a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and work at Mayo Hospital when I am not coordinating my daughters’ soccer, basketball, tennis and social activities. I also coach my daughter’s basketball team and enjoy cooking yummy food and baking. Jordan and I ran the Boston Marathon together in 2008! Our family loves to be active in many ways, with one of our favorites being spending time on the lake water skiing, wake surfing and wakeboarding!