Coach: Dawn Litrenta

Meet Our Mid Distance Coach Dawn. My running journey started on a hill (I know shocker). I would run it everyday in middle school. By the time I was in high school, I added 3ish miles to my hill run to stay in shape for sports. College was more of the same. I went to Loyola so I had the pleasure of Cold Spring Hill on the daily.

After College Running pretty much fell out of my life until after child #3. I lived in the perfect neighborhood for running. My neighbor was a runner and of course there was a hill (Thornton Road). She said let’s run together. Sounded like a Great idea! Except I always ran, alone and I hadn’t run in 10ish years. But I was still excited, that was until I quickly found out how out of running shape I had become. I couldn’t make it to the first mailbox on my street! She took off and left me pondering the situation. My goal that day became to run one more mailbox everyday. I did that for awhile, until my niece suggested we run a marathon together for my 40th birthday.

Being a person who loves a good challenge, I agreed. Keep in mind that I had never run more than 5ish miles. I knew NOTHING about training and had NEVER even run a race of ANY distance!!! Nevertheless I was up for the challenge and started training in January 2010 (the year of the blizzards). I read everything I could but still did everything wrong – except buy the right shoes at Charm City Run. Well, that May I crossed the finish line of the Frederick Marathon with my kids there. This remains one of the most poignant moments in my life, as it was forever changed forever.

I was hooked on running! Then Charm City Run entered my life in a different way. They had an opportunity for me to Coach Running. I loved Coaching but running was something I did for myself, alone so I wasn’t so sure about it. That is until I watched my first group of people cross the Bay Bridge Run finish line in 2014. From then on, running was no longer about me but about the people I coached. Sure I still do it. I run EVERYWHERE I can. I’m a lot slower. I seldom run alone anymore. The races I run I’m coaching. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. The people I have met along the way and have had the privilege to Coach have inspired me more than any of them will ever know. Love what you do and you will never work another day in your lifeI am truly blessed!

Follow your coach on Instagram! @dawnlitrentatraining

Coach: Ashley Woods

Ashley is an RRCA-certified run coach with a professional background in mental health, allowing her to bring a holistic perspective to coaching, focusing on the vital connection between physical performance and mental well-being. Her training philosophy is built on nearly a decade of diverse athletic experience, ranging from competitive Spartan racing and ultramarathons to road racing—including a 3:20:33 marathon PR and participating in the 130th Boston Marathon. As a pole fitness instructor and functional stretching coach, she specializes in designing well-rounded, sustainable routines that integrate strength, mobility, and agility. Ashley is passionate about meeting athletes where they are and helping them build a stronger, more resilient foundation to reach their goals.