USA Fit Team Spirit Coaches
| Blue | Green | Yellow | Red | Run/Walk | 5k/10k | Founder |
| Click on a color group above to see the list of coaches for that group. | ||||||
| About the Organizer | ||
| Kevin Patton | ||
| Leslie Fink | ||
| Blue Group Coaches | ||
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Kevin Patton runatlanta@yahoo.com Head Coach Education: Freshman year at Furman University. Graduated from the University of Georgia in 1994- Criminal Justice major. Minor in Spanish Career: I am a system analyst at Hewitt Associates. Family: Married to Sally-Ann. We have two 'children'- a cat named Munchkin and a dog named Abby. I was born and raised in Atlanta and have family here and scattered around the country. I have a brother who is just 11 months younger than me and two nieces. Brief description of how or why you started running: My dad used to run every morning and I remember the excitement of watching him run the Peachtree Road Race in the early 80's. That probably planted the seed at an early age. I started running the Peachtree by '90, but never really trained for it (I would run a couple of times at the end of June each year to get ready for it!). That's how running was for me until I met Gayle Barron. I never thought about running a marathon until I finished a 5k in Buckhead back in Dec -97. Gayle and Dennis Headings were just kicking off Team Spirit (for the spring '98 season) and had some flyers at the finish line. A friend at the race challenged me to train for the marathon with him and the rest is history. I've been running with the group ever since that 1st season. Running career highlights: I have run 31 marathons over the past 11 years and countless 5k's,10k's and a handfull of half marathons. As far as running career highlights, I'd have to say that crossing the finish line in my first marathon was a highlight even though it was a 4 hour day in which I almost quit. I think getting humbled every now and then in a race can actually be good for you. Over the years I learned how to train better and my goal was to just learn something from each season/ race and apply experience forward in order to get better. Since that 1st race, my favorite running highlights have been qualifying for Boston, setting a PR in the Motorola marathon (Austin) in '04 in a time of 2:49, and raising money for Habitat for Humanity while training for Team Spirit. Looking back, running has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. It's led to many new lifelong friendships and a healthy, active lifestyle that I don't ever want to give up! Running goals: Having fun with my running and trying some new races that will allow me to travel to places I've never been. In 2010, I plan to focus on the 5k, 10k, and 1/2 marathon distances to see if I can improve my times. Long term, I'd love to do a marathon in all 50 states. | |
| Green Group Coaches | ||
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Ken O'Dea kenodea10@yahoo.com Head Coach Education: Bachelor of Science - Marketing Management - Virginia Tech. GO HOKIES! Career: Operations Manager - Curtin Law Firm in Atlanta, GA. We are a Civil Law Firm in Buckhead on Peachtree Road. Family: I have 5 brothers scattered around the country from New Jersey & Connetticut to Jacksonville, FL and San Francisco, CA. My folks live in sunny Jacksonville, FL too. My dog Hallie, is a 6 year old Siberian Huskie who also likes to run...mostly without me. Brief Description on how or why you started running: I signed up for the 2003 Baltimore Half Marathon and trained to run with my cousin. At the expo in Baltimore, I signed up for the 2004 San Diego Rock n Roll Marathon. By the Spring of '04 I was training with 2 friends. They both knew about Gayle and Ben Barron's TEAM SPRIRIT group. TEAM SPIRIT took me in, made me family, and taught me the value of a running group, stretching, friends, and water! Without Gayle & Ben's excitement, energy, and love for running, I would not have succeeded. I miss you both. Running Career Highlights: I have run 7 marathons since 2004. I have run all of the ING GA Marathons and PR'd with a 3:52 in 2008. Cold weather rocks! I have been able to run the Peachtree 7 times and the Thanksgiving Half 7 times. I have run Chicago twice. I have had the opportunity to run the USAFIT Team Spirit Group and realize how much effort goes into the group. The coaches have all been great. I could not have succeeded without our Wednesday Night Runs (up the hills), and our Tuesday Track workouts which helped me PR in 2008, and our Saturday post-run breakfasts kept me coming back, along with my running partners. TEAM SPRIT and USAFIT Team Spirit have been a defining change in my life. People know I like to run, and I take that energy with me each Saturday and when I travel. Running Goals: My ultimate goal would be to run the NYC Marathon. Other than that race, I want to find the most exciting races and see the country and fly overseas to run too. I hope I can influence just one more runner to start, train, and succeed! | |
 | Albie Whitaker albiewhitaker@hotmail.com Assistant Coach Education: BBA in International Business from the University of Georgia and an MBA (focus in finance and investments) from Goizueta Business School at Emory University Career: I am Client Advisor in Private Wealth Management with a large Regional Bank based in Atlanta. Family: I am an only child and not married, so this might be a little thin. But I do have a lot of friends (on Facebook anyways). Brief description of how or why you started running: I grew up in Aspen, CO where everyone is always outdoors and in shape. As a result of work (and my discovery of Happy Hour), I was not in what you might call "peak" shape. During graduate school, I decided to get back into shape, but needed something to do that was inexpensive and I could do on my own schedule...Running was the best option available. My first jog, I think I made it 1/3 of mile. Now I'm training for a 100 mile race in March. My what a difference 4 or 5 years can make! Running career highlights: My two most memorable moments are.... The 2004 Doug Kessler Lightning 10K. I ran the whole thing and didn't throw up or pass out. The 2007 NYC marathon. I finished my first marathon a few days before my 30th birthday and after 2 days of recuperation, was figuring out what my next marathon was going to be. Running goals: Finish the Umstead 100 in late March (if the stars really align, do it under 24 hours). I also want to better my PR's in every distance I have run from 5K to marathon. That's not too much to ask, is it? | |
| Yellow Group Coaches | ||
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Leslie Fink ldfink@hotmail.com Head Coach Education: BBA in Finance from the University of Georgia. Career: I have been in commercial real estate for about 10 years. Most of those years were spent on the retail side before moving over to the industrial side. Currently, I work for First Industrial Realty. Family: I was born and raised in Albany, GA, and most of my family is still there. I have a sister, brother, two nieces, and two nephews. How did I start: I started running in college to stay in shape, and began doing 5k races. I have never been a fast runner - I ran track one year in high school. I loved the practices, but did not think the shorter distances were for me. So, after trying out a few 5k’s, I moved up to 10k’s and ran my first half marathon (Atlanta Thanksgiving half marathon) in 2000. I have been hooked ever since! How long: I joined Team Spirit in 2005 to train for my first marathon, the NYC Marathon. Running Career Highlights: Crossing the finish line at the NYC Marathon in 2005. I have run several half marathons – Atlanta Thanksgiving, Country Music in Nashville, and several in NYC. My best time in the half was 2:02 in Brooklyn, so I hope to one day cross the finish line in under 2 hours. I have met so many wonderful people since I started running, especially with Team Spirit. It really makes a difference to train with people who are preparing for the same race. Running Goals: Improving my time in the half, getting some more marathons under my belt, continuing to enjoy running and help others enjoy it as well. | |
| Red Group Coaches | ||
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Dawn Gagne dawnmgagne@yahoo.com Head Coach Age: 36 Education: Graduated from Simmons College (in Boston) in 1992 Career: I'm the Marketing Communications Manager at Exide Technologies. We manufacture and recycle batteries for transportation and industrial markets. I have to admit - my job is pretty fun. I plan events at NASCAR races, the Masters, major tradeshows, etc... Family: I am originally from Freetown/Lakeville, MA. All of my family is still in MA. I am the oldest of five children (three sisters and one brother) and so far have five nieces and three nephews. I moved to Atlanta in 1995 - for no particular reason except to be here when the Olympics came. I decided to stay. Before that, I lived in Washington DC and Boston. Goals: I try not to take myself too seriously. I just want to be happy in life, love and my career. Brief description of how or why you started running: I had always tried to run a little bit on my own - maybe a 5K here and there. But I was never able to run more than 2 miles without stopping and walking. One day, I received a postcard in the mail advertising for marathon and half marathon training and thought: "Are you crazy?!" How long?: I joined Team Spirit in Jan 2002 to train for the Vancouver half marathon. I finished that race and felt great. (Thanks to the wonderful training!) I signed up for the Chicago marathon the next day. Running career highlights: Have run three marathons (Chicago twice and New York once) and six half marathons. My fastest marathon was 5:03. Running goals: I'd like to qualify for Boston. (Ok - just kidding!) I'd really like to do as many more half and full marathons as my body will allow me to do. In the immediate future, I'm planning to train for and complete the 2008 GA ING Marathon in March. Other than that, I just want to keep running for fun and fitness. Running is one of the only things that will get me out of bed at 5:30AM on a Saturday. | |
 | Amanda Miller amandanmiller@gmail.com Assistant Coach Education: UGA 2006 (Finance) Career: Corporate sellout at SunTrust Family: Devil kitten named Ava, 2 wonderful roommates, and all family here in Atlanta. Brief description of how or why you started running: The only family tradition I can really remember is that the ENTIRE extended family came down to Atlanta every year for my grandfather’s birthday (7/7), and they’d all run the Peachtree together (all generations, from the teenage cousins up to my grandfather). So, family peer pressure led me to begin running with my dad when I was 11 and joined the family for the annual Peachtree race soon after. I’ve been running since then, doing my first half marathon in 2008 and first marathon in 2009. Running career highlights: Completing my first marathon at the ING Georgia this year! Other big moments were improving my half marathon time by 10 minutes in 2 weeks (possibly more due to the easier course than a miraculous speed improvement!) and placing first in my age group at a church community 5-k (ok, so there were only 6 people in my age group given the small race size, but I’ll take it!). Running goals: I need to beat Oprah's 1994 marathon time of ~4:30 at the 2010 Marine Corps Marathon!! | |
| Purple | ||
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Laura Guerin lmguerin@bellsouth.net Head Coach Education: B.S in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Auburn University, 2003 Career: Currently the Operations Manager for the Southern Economic Development Council, a professional association for Economic Developers in the South. I plan their meetings and conferences as well oversee the membership of the association. I have been in the meetings and events industry for a little over 5 years. Family: I am a true Atlanta native (born and raised!), with a small immediate family and a wonderful very close extended family! Brief description of how or why you started running: I got introduced to running while on the Sham Rock n’Roll committee through the Junior League of Atlanta in January 2008. I joined the training group for JLA’s race, then I found myself running my first Peachtree and before I knew it I had signed up for my first Half-Marathon- The Kiawah Half Marathon in South Carolina. Every race I think, I can’t believe I am actually out here. Training has completed changed my life. Running goals: Pretty much to just cross the finish line in each race I start! I hope to continue running a half-marathon or two each year and hopefully get a little faster with each one. | |
| 5k/10k | ||
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Sally Ann Patton sallyannpatton@yahoo.com Head Coach Education: Rand Afrikaans University South Africa, B Com Sports Management Career: Physician recruiter for Pinnacle Health Group Family: Married to Kevin Patton. We have two 'children'- a cat named Munchkin and a dog named Abby. I was born and raised in Johannesburg South Africa and have been residing in Atlanta for 10 years. My parents( married 39 years) live in Atlanta, brother Stephen and his wife live in Orlando and sister Kathy lives in Nashville. Brief description of how or why you started running: My parents have always been fit, active and healthy. The benefits to sports and surrounding yourself with healthy people was a philosophy they wanted to ingrain in me at an early age so they got me into ballet, gymnastics , tennis and swimming at the age of 5. In primary school I participated in all sports and gymnastics. In high school my focus was swimming, tennis, field hockey and track ( 100m and 200m) . At University I remained fit but wasn’t focused on races. After graduating I embarked on my childhood dream to tour the states and snow ski. I traveled with my childhood best friend for 8 months and arrived in Atlanta 15 pounds heavier. It was a this time that I knew I needed some long term help and was introduced to 5km, 10km and triathlons. I have also completed one marathon and a dozen half marathons. Running career highlights:I love the short stuff like 5km and 10km races and sprint and Olympic distance triathlons. My best half marathon was Kiawah and placed 5th in my age group. There is no slacking off when you are married to Kevin. He keeps me motivated, dedicated and determined to never give up on my goals. Running goals: Trying to remain injury free striving to one day run a 20:30 5km and 44min 10km. I would also like to break my 1:45half marathon time and maybe one day attempt another marathon and aim for 3:45. | |
| Founder | ||
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Gayle Barron Head Coach Since winning the female division of the Boston Marathon, becoming the first and only five time winner of the world renowned Peachtree Road Race, and formerly ranked third in the world as a marathoner, Gayle uses her running platform to promote health and fitness not only in Atlanta but across the Nation. The Atlanta Journal/Constitution recently voted her one of the tops 100 Georgia Athletes of the Century. Gayle was also inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. Not only recognized as the ³First Lady² in running by Runner¹s World Magazine, she has been honored by the United States Jaycees as one of America¹s Top Ten Healthy American Fitness Leaders, which was sponsored by Allstate Life Insurance Company until 1996. Using her Journalism degree from the University of Georgia, she is an author of ³The Beauty of Running² and was a radio and television commentator in the late 70¹s and 80¹s. She worked on Channel 5 (currently Fox 5) for eight years as a field reporter on Weekend Magazine. She also was the Spokesperson for Lean Cuisine, Crystal Lite Drink Mix, and Evian Bottled Water traveling around telling the public about these products when they entered the market in the early to mid 80¹s. Gayle knows the value of being an active participant in her community. While she was on the Board of Directors of the American Foundation for the Blind, she started the ³Gayle Barron Track Meet for Visually Impaired Children² which lasted for eight years. Then in 1992, she became the Statewide Coach for the Leukemia Society Team In Training Program. After working with the Team In Training program for six years, she started her own training program for beginner and intermediate runners to train for the 10K, half marathon and/or full marathon distances. In 2002 and 2003, Team Spirit raised over $225,000 for the AFLAC Cancer Center for children, which is affiliated with Children¹s Healthcare of Atlanta. Since 1992, Gayle has trained over 6,000 runners to run either the 10 K, half or full marathon distance and has had a 99% success rate with her runners. Gayle has recently become the spokesperson for Waffle House and will be telling people how to choose alternative items off of the Waffle House menu to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. | |
