Coach Kara’s Bio
Hi, I’m Kara - I’m a runner and a coach. I can’t remember exactly when my running journey started, but my love for movement began at age 5 when I put on a pink and black fluffy dress (with a matching hair bow) and went on stage for my first dance recital. I started running in college as a way to stay in shape and quickly fell in love with moving my body - especially outdoors, being able to find freedom and explore new surroundings.
Here’s the part where I got serious about running. In May of 2016, I went through a nasty breakup and was barely able to get out of bed most days. Prompted by a worried mom, my aunt who is a school psychologist called me to chat about what I was going through and challenged me to one thing. She said to me, “Get up tomorrow and run one mile. No matter how hard it is, no matter how much you don’t want to, no matter how little energy you feel like you have, put on your running clothes, get out the door, and move your body for one mile - don’t come home until you’ve completed it.”
That step out the front door that day turned into the first training run for my first-ever half marathon. I ran the Rockaway Beach Half Marathon in 80 degree weather running back and forth on the boardwalk in the unforgiving sun and ended up beating my cousin who was a star runner in high school, placing 5th female, and winning a pair of sneakers that were 3 sizes too big as an award. I thought to myself, “maybe I’m kind of good at this” and instantly knew that I wanted to set my sights on a full marathon next. I was hooked.
Since then, I’ve completed the 6 Abbott World Major Marathons (NYC, Chicago, Boston, London, Berlin, and Tokyo), 1 Ultra, The Speed Project (running 340 miles with a team of 6 from LA to Las Vegas), countless Half Marathons, 10ks, and 5ks. I’ve coached hundreds of athletes from the mile to the marathon, and coached myself from a 3:32 Marathon to a 2:54 PR, placing 10th American female at the Tokyo Marathon in 2023 and the first Abbott World Major female finisher of the year. My goal is to use my passion to help others find that euphoric, life-changing, magical feeling of running as well.
Why get Rerouted?
Rerouted Running is a full-service run, strength, and nutrition coaching company. I’ll take you from wherever you’re beginning to wherever you want to go. No goal is too big or too small - from running your first 5k to improving your 10th NYC marathon time. I’ll do this not just by handing you a program, but by investing in your overall well-being and catering to the full picture of who you are as an athlete, runner, and human being. This includes education on proper running form, nutrition, gear, pacing, workouts, strength training and the reason behind it all is what will get you to your goals and prevent you from being halted by injuries. I care about YOU and will be there for you as your coach, running buddy, and confidant from beginning to end.