Pace Groups and Pacers

Pace groups are organized by EASY PACE.

9-10 min/mi - EASY PACE

Wim Schalken

Hey all. I am Wim Schalken and started running more seriously (longer and faster) about 11 years ago and am absolutely loving it. My time with some of you goes back to the Luke’s Locker days as a participant and a coach. After lots of half marathons and a handfull full marathons I have learned that more cross training reduces my chance of injuries. I now alternate my running with swimming. I am also a field hockey coach and recently became an RRCA certified coach. I am looking forward to running with y’all.

Adebola Ogunkoya

Hey Frunners!

I am Adebola (ah-dey-baw-la) or Ade for short. Started running in 2020 during the pandemic as a way to unwind from being indoor all day, and there was little to no time to play my favorite sport, soccer.

I have learnt alot and still learning about the most addictive sport ever. Waking up at 5am to get my run in before my day starts gives me guarantee that I can face any challenge the day brings. So far I have done one full marathon (Dallas Marathon in 2021), four half marathon and some 5ks and 10ks. Currently, I am in the middle of Chicago Marathon training cycle where I will be running with Team Ronald McDonald Houseof Charities. I also plan to run Dallas half marathon in December and Houston Marathon January 2023.

I look forward to meeting you all during our running adventure together.

Mike Archibald

Hello, I’m Mike and have been running since high school. I love this sport and enjoy meeting people who get the same joy out of running that I do. I’ve completed about a dozen half marathons and will be working toward my first full marathon in January.

I have 2 little girls (2 and 4 years old) so I try to get the majority of my miles in before they get up for the day, so you can usually catch me running at 5am.

I look forward to being a part of your running journey!

Victor Ochoa

Hello i’m Victor Ochoa, 47 YO, Married and Father or 3 and used to be a lone wolf runner since probably 2010, running on and off, but never consistent.

My first experience in competitive races was in 2012 when decided to do in CA a called Beach Cities Challenge, which is running 1/2 marathons in Long Beach, Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach, each one 3-4 months apart from each other. After these again i was on and of with running.

It was until 2020 when i started following FRC on Facebook and sometimes crossed paths with some of them while running and during the summer of 2021 after always saying i wasn’t crazy enough to try to go for a full marathon, the night before the program started, decided to joined and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made. it’s been a great running learning process, i was finally able to run more than a mile without slowing down or walking, every week was able to be breaking my own personal records on distance, made some good friends along the way and the final prize, i was able to complete my 1st Full Marathon in Dallas 2021 in 4:07:07 hrs. (my target was 4:30-5:00 hrs.) and best of all with no injuries or issues. in fact, i was running again 2 days after that.

Other achievements i thank to FRC and specially to the 5am Crew, running several 1/2 marathons. i used to run this distance in 2+hrs and now i’ve been able to achieve a PR of 1:42:16 this in the Big Star 1/2 here in Frisco.

Next challenges:

Sept’22 Plano Ballon Festival 1/2

Nov’22 New York Full

Dec’22 Dallas 1/2

Jan’23 Houston Full

Feb’23 Cow Town 1/2

and already looking for more to fill out my running calendar year.

Looking forward to support and get some other people excited about running!!!

10-11 min/mi EASY PACE

Mike Scott

I have been with FRC since 2011, joining up following my first 5K at the North Texas Turkey Trot. Throughout my running career, I helped coach, been coached and everything in between. I’ve run one full marathon (MCM 2012), numerous half marathons, 15/10/5K’s, and last season as a pacer of the 9-10 crew successfully got my sub-2 hour at The McKinney Half.

My running career is a bit of a rollercoaster… beginning with 5K 101 for my first 5K, joining FRC on a chance signup in their tent at the Turkey Trot and signing up for a “free training season” (I thought it was a scam, lol). From there, Hamlin immediately encouraged (read forced) me to sign-up for my first half marathon at Rock ‘n Roll Dallas in 2012 and then ran MCM later that year after a few dropouts made a spot available (was talked into running it since I was doing the miles already). It’s not difficult to sense a theme emerging with my racing career.

I’ve never considered myself great on race day, but I really enjoy helping pace others and if it means reaching my goals along the way, that’s a bonus. Run/walking with the awesome BOP (Back of the Packers) to my sub-2 and everything in-between has made me appreciate what running has done for me. All of the previous experiences have given me a unique perspective that I look forward to sharing with my fellow runners.

Kristin Gonzales-Vega

Hi guys!! I started running with my dad when I was about 12, ran middle distance in HS, and started distance training in 2009 with DRC. I paced for years for them and then took a few years off when my kiddos were tiny (4 and 7 now) I’ve paced half’s and fulls since I started and love the comrade and friendships that come from the hours spent chugging along together! I can’t wait to help people reach their goals and have you guys push me as well. Excited to be able to meet up with you all soon and virtually! Let me know whatever questions you have!

My goal race this year is the Dallas Marathon and to also get back under 2 hrs in a half along the way. Ran a 2:02 this past Dec so I’m right there! I’m also a RunDallas Ambassador for the Dallas Marathon

11-12 min/mi EASY PACE

Eric Sessums

What’s up y’all! Eric Sessums here. Most of my friends & family just call me E, even my wife… I started running in 2013 for health reasons, but the running community quickly became my biggest draw. I love to help people! I love running in groups! The more the merrier! One of my all-time favorite races is the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta. It’s coined as the World’s largest 10 at 60k+ runners! I ran it in 2018. To date I’ve ran 20 half marathons, 37 races of various other distances, but never a full. (it’s coming) I am a medal junkie! I also am prone to challenge myself with things that are probably too hard for me, but I’m pretty stubborn. My mantra is “Consistency is key”. The only way to get better at something is to do it.

I joined FRC at the end of 2019 when I moved to TX. I did a full season of the FRC program in 2020 & PR’d my half marathon for the first time since 2014. So you could say I am drinking to Kool-Aid! And it’s delicious (because it works)! I’m a loyal member of the 5am Crew, Half Fanatics, & November Project.

I’m super excited to be a pacer for 11-12 easy pace group! So let’s have some fun and see what we can accomplish together!

Mark Hejnicki

Hi FRC!

I’m excited to serve as a pacer. I started running in May 2018 with a simple goal – run three times per week. As my miles increased a co-worker suggested I run a half marathon. I decided to give it a try and haven’t looked back. I love it!

All told I have run a handful of half marathons and three marathons – McKirdy Micro (Fort Worth), BCS (College Station) and Missoula, MT. I joined FRC in 2019, prefer the early AM start, will run as long as there is no lightning and most importantly – I look forward to running with you!

Let’s go out and crush it!

Brooke Murphy

Hey y’all! My name is Brooke, and I have been running with FRC since May of 2021. I absolutely love this group and have met so many amazing people. This is my first year as a pacer, and I’m excited to run with all of you!

I started running in 2004 to cope with stress, but it has become so much more than that. I ran my first 5k in the fall of 2004, and I have been hooked ever since! I have run multiple half marathons, but The Dallas half was my first one back in 2006. I ran it last year after a long hiatus from racing halfs, and I can’t wait to run it again this year!

I look forward to meeting everyone as we train together!

12-14 min/mile EASY PACE

Josh Douglas

Hey FRC.

I started running at the beginning of Covid, out of sheer boredom. With nothing to do and no sports on tv I decided I might as well try to lose some weight. I was a little over 300lbs. My “training” consisted of everyday trying to beat my personal record, it was miserable, and I ended up with IT band issues, shin splint issues so I started researching how to run. I ended up finding the MAF method of running and that is when I really started enjoying getting out and running. It went from running to lose weight to needing to run for the enjoyment of getting out there and clearing the head.

I joined FRC in 2021. I was a little nervous about it, I had followed them on facebook for a few months but didn’t think of myself as a runner and definitely not a fast runner, but it was the best thing I’ve done. I’ve really enjoyed meeting everyone at FRC and the running community is a great bunch of people that are very supportive. I ran my first half marathon this past year in OKC. I never ever would have thought when I was at my heaviest that I’d ever run a half marathon, but here I am 1 down and many more to go.

I’m a member of the 5am crew….at 430 am I want to denounce my membership but by 6am I’m glad I got up.

Come join us! Can’t wait to run with y’all this year and participate in your training journey.

Dennis Hardy

14+ min/mi EASY PACE

Bobbi Grimes-Davis

My motto: “My race, my pace! I am only in competition with myself, so I always strive to be a better me than I was the day before.” I love to be of service to others, in all areas of life, and being a part of the running community helps me do that. I get the greatest pleasure from helping other reach their goals, and helping to celebrate the smaller goals on the way to the big achievement.

I am a wogger, and always did a race a year for many years, but when I had to be able to run a mile for my black belt test in karate, I figured I should probably get serious about this running thing. I am a proud back of the packer (because that is where the party is at!) and have run many distances for my races, from 5K to 3 full marathons during the pandemic, but my favorite distance is 13.1 (I am half crazy). I am always outside running, no matter the weather (unless there’s lightning), because I love the outdoors and you can always find me on one of the many trails in Plano earning a medal of some sort (because if I am going to run, I’m gonna earn some bling for it!).

My personal goals for 2021 are to run the year (2021+ miles) for the third year in a row, continue my intentional movement streak (3 years and counting!), finish my fourth full marathon at the Marine Corps Marathon in October, and make new friends along the way. This is my 3rd year as a pacer for our training program, and I’m looking forward to helping you reach your goals!

Jeanette Caballero-Bell

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Stacey Wilcox

Hi Everyone!

My name is Stacey, I am one of the 13-15min/mi pacers and I have been a member of FRC since 2017/2018. This is my first year as an official pacer for FRC and I am so excited to run with all of you.

I first started running back in 2015 as part of my training for my karate Blackbelt test. I have asthma, so running was a real challenge in the beginning, but I kept going and didn’t give up and I was eventually able to run/walk 2 miles without issues. After my test, I realized that I loved running and I craved more challenges, so I ran my first 5k in July, 2016. Since I didn’t die, I decided to run more races and eventually ran my first 10k (by accident) in 2017 and my first half-marathon in 2018.

My goal this year is to run the BMW Dallas Marathon, which will be my first full.

Floaters

Nikki Drader

Hey FRC! I’ve been in the running game almost all of my life but didn’t take this running thing too seriously until after my son was born in late 2014.

I set my high school’s record in the 400m (it stood for a mere two years) but I can’t tell you what my time was because for the longest time I just ran because it was really fun. I didn’t care about paces at all. I once ran from New Jersey to Long Island with a car GPS… it died before I finished the trek and I was on my own from gas station to gas station until I made it over the GWB and 59th Street bridges, through Queens, and into familiar territory. So I have a great appreciation for those of you that are in this for the love of the sport. I share that with you on the deepest level.

I knew very little about running until I read Pam Reed’s book but from that moment on I wanted to know all there was to know about the sport. I don’t follow the pros too much but I’m obsessed with the physiology and finding out what it takes to perform at one’s absolute best.

I traded accounting services for free coaching services while in grad school to learn all I could about training. That is when Bill Leach put into my head that I had the talent to break 3 hours in the marathon. But that would have to wait until my career got off the ground and nearly 6 years later after a family and the foundation for my career in financial services, I began that journey to sub 3. With the help of a few coaches along the way, I worked my way down to a marathon of 2:54 at Houston in 2019 with a lot left in the tank.

I now train under James McKirdy of McKirdy Trained and am a founding member of Texas Iron Distance Project, who I train with most of the season. (If you are a female runner looking to chase big goals, whatever they may be, check us out @ www.texasirondistanceproject.com)

On my own quest to qualify for the Olympic Trials I’ve been battling injury on and off for nearly 18 months. (Hopefully that’s all sorted now

). But that setback has been what led me to all of you!!

Now I get to bring years of apprenticeship and self study to help each of you find new limits of your own.

So as we officially begin the training program today I ask you to internalize just one thing:

Believe in your ability to be more than you’ve been.

Because…

“If you think you can you are right

If you think you can’t (even if you say you can) you are right”.

Have a great first week of training and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Jason Reasor

Profile not available.

Ruth Atkinson

Hi, my name is Coach Ruth, and I am beyond excited to help you start or continue your running journey! I firmly believe running is for everyone, and no goal or dream is too big or small. When you are my athlete, you are seen as a person before you are seen as a runner, and our relationship will help me tailor your training to you and what you need for your own running journey.

I can’t wait to get to know you!

Phil Smith

I started running 12 years ago and became part of the FRC family 6 years ago. I have been a pacer for this program for the past 4 years. I love the constant challenge of pushing your body to the limits to see what you can achieve. The best part of running is all of the friendships that you make. When you are able to share your goals, training, and accomplishments with other people it makes it that much more special and creates lifelong bonds! I have run 7 marathons and my goal race is Jack and Jill Marathon at the end of July. I look forward to helping you achieve your goals!