MICHAEL GANN
RUN COACH
BIRMINGHAM
I am 52 years old and have been married to my wife, Ginger, for 28 years.
Although very athletic in my youth, playing basketball and baseball in high school (baseball in Jr. College), I never ran track or had a desire to run more than 2 or 3 miles at a time. In the early 2000’s I dabbled with running a few miles a week to get in shape for basketball and softball leagues until putting a marathon on my bucket list. I trained and ran the Chicago Marathon in 2003 in just under 5 hours at the age of 38. I was not sufficiently prepared, making it a miserable experience and didn’t run another step for 7 years.
In 2010, Ginger and I were blessed with our 5th child, and only son, Olen. I was 45, overweight and out of shape. After an eye opening physical, where my doctor advised me to exercise and lose weight, my running journey began. I ran Chicago again bettering my time, but only to 4:51. Over the next 3 years, I lost 25 lbs, read several books on marathon training, hired a run coach, and in 2013, ran my 11th marathon in 3:44. With this success, I wanted to help others reach similar goals I had been able to reach, so I became certified through the RRCA as a run coach. In 2014, I ran a ½ marathon PR of 1:39. Over the next couple of years I ran 3 more marathons, but struggled with injuries during training, hit none of my goals and figured my PR's might always be behind me.
In late spring 2016, I sat down with Cary Morgan, who gave me an overview of the Cadence training philosophy. Although, I knew how to write my own training plan, I needed accountability and a mentor. “I know you have the ability to achieve your goal of a BQ – it’s my job to help you get there” were his encouraging words. After my first training cycle with Cadence, I ran the Chicago Marathon for the 5th time in a PR time of 3:38. In March of 2017, I ran the Snickers Marathon in another PR time of 3:33. In early November '17, I managed a half marathon PR at the Magic City Half Marathon in 1:38. Three short weeks later, I ran the Rocket City Marathon for yet another PR, and this time also in a Boston Marathon qualifying time of 3:28. In just 18 months with Cadence, I went from dreaming of qualifying for Boston, to believing I could, to achieving the goal. Whether you want to run your first 5K or qualify for the Boston Marathon, I would love to help you too achieve your running goals the CADENCE way.
PERSONAL BESTS
5K – 20:58
10K – 45:32
Half Marathon – 1:38:20
Marathon – 3:28:09
Although very athletic in my youth, playing basketball and baseball in high school (baseball in Jr. College), I never ran track or had a desire to run more than 2 or 3 miles at a time. In the early 2000’s I dabbled with running a few miles a week to get in shape for basketball and softball leagues until putting a marathon on my bucket list. I trained and ran the Chicago Marathon in 2003 in just under 5 hours at the age of 38. I was not sufficiently prepared, making it a miserable experience and didn’t run another step for 7 years.
In 2010, Ginger and I were blessed with our 5th child, and only son, Olen. I was 45, overweight and out of shape. After an eye opening physical, where my doctor advised me to exercise and lose weight, my running journey began. I ran Chicago again bettering my time, but only to 4:51. Over the next 3 years, I lost 25 lbs, read several books on marathon training, hired a run coach, and in 2013, ran my 11th marathon in 3:44. With this success, I wanted to help others reach similar goals I had been able to reach, so I became certified through the RRCA as a run coach. In 2014, I ran a ½ marathon PR of 1:39. Over the next couple of years I ran 3 more marathons, but struggled with injuries during training, hit none of my goals and figured my PR's might always be behind me.
In late spring 2016, I sat down with Cary Morgan, who gave me an overview of the Cadence training philosophy. Although, I knew how to write my own training plan, I needed accountability and a mentor. “I know you have the ability to achieve your goal of a BQ – it’s my job to help you get there” were his encouraging words. After my first training cycle with Cadence, I ran the Chicago Marathon for the 5th time in a PR time of 3:38. In March of 2017, I ran the Snickers Marathon in another PR time of 3:33. In early November '17, I managed a half marathon PR at the Magic City Half Marathon in 1:38. Three short weeks later, I ran the Rocket City Marathon for yet another PR, and this time also in a Boston Marathon qualifying time of 3:28. In just 18 months with Cadence, I went from dreaming of qualifying for Boston, to believing I could, to achieving the goal. Whether you want to run your first 5K or qualify for the Boston Marathon, I would love to help you too achieve your running goals the CADENCE way.
PERSONAL BESTS
5K – 20:58
10K – 45:32
Half Marathon – 1:38:20
Marathon – 3:28:09