L2 Performance Training – Personal Training Testimonials (Runners)
L2 Performance Training has successfully trained runners and endurance athletes of all ability levels, in all cases improving their performance and helping them achieve their endurance racing goals. Below are some of their stories:
Karl hadn’t run regularly in years due to chronic, nagging knee pain. Then he joined our Personal Training and RunSMART programs (he still participates in both). ” Now, with Laurie’s help, that I am back to pain-free running, at age 61 I have a renewed joy for running and I’m in the best shape I’ve been in decades. I have also rediscovered the fun and challenge of participating in (road) races again. As a result, I have been working on time goals. Recently I cut 6 minutes off of my half-marathon time and 3 minutes off of my 10K time in just 1 month! My half marathon time is now within 10 minutes of my best time I ran more than 40 years ago! Thank you again for helping me get back to pain-free and enjoyable running.” Karl has since completed 12 marathons and 7 Boston Marathon Qualifying Times (including a 2023 and 2024 Boston Qualifying times) with no pain or injury issues. Karl ran the 2019 Boston Marathon and completed it with another Boston Qualifying time. He has recorded three 2020 Boston Marathon Qualifying Times: 3:48 at the Milwaukee Marathon, 3:49 at the 2019 Boston Marathon and 3:42 at the Chicagoland Spring Marathon. He has had age group placements at other distances, including 2nd in age group in a Spring 2018 Half-Marathon. Karl recently told me “I don’t think I would have gotten to where I am now without your guidance and coaching. I would not have known about what to do to strengthen myself as a runner, how to stay injury-free and how to train for a race like the marathon”. Karl also says, “Laurie’s background and credentials are impressive and her knowledge base is extensive. As a result, I have complete confidence in the workouts she prescribes and the advice she gives knowing that it is reliable, correct and in my best interest. For me, the results speak for themselves.” Read more about Karl’s journey back to pain-free, competitive running here.
Carolyn was a talented runner with one marathon (and a Boston qualifying time) under her belt when she came to us for help training to conquer the hills at the 2018 Boston Marathon while staying injury- free. She completed Boston with good form and injury-free in very bad conditions (rain & wind). She also ran a 1:53 half marathon in 2018. Carolyn completed the Gold Standard Coaching Program and continues to take RunSMART. “She gave me all the tools I needed to take on and finish the Boston marathon. I couldn’t have done it without Laurie’s help. She is the best!” Carolyn has completed the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon and the Big Sur International Marathon. She also recently achieved a 2021 Boston Marathon Qualifying Time and Personal Record at the 2019 Chicago Marathon. Read more about Carolyn’s success here.
Peter V. was an excellent runner, but nagging injuries hampered his training and kept him from his goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. Peter continuously participates in the RunSMART and Personal Training programs. “One thing Laurie won’t have you do is to give up on your dream, she’ll make you get there.” Peter has since qualified for Boston four times and ran the 2016 Boston Marathon and the 2019 Boston Marathon. This past year Peter completed his first Half Ironman Triathlon and plans to run again in 2019. He completed his First Century bike ride in 2018. He also plans his first 50 mile race in the Fall of 2020. ” Laurie is a dedicated trainer who has my success as her goal. She has an amazing understanding of the human body and the mechanics of running. Her training schedule and classes are very organized and she keeps track of my progress”. Read about Peter’s Boston Qualifying success.
Mary had a serious running injury that had her sidelined. Read about her ongoing journey with our Personal Training, not just to recovery, but to success as a runner – so far she has completed several half-marathons, her First Marathon at the Fox Valley Marathon in 2015 and her second Marathon at Fox Valley in 2016, recording a 1 hour Personal Record. She has now completed 10 marathons with a marathon PR of 4:07 and a half marathon PR of 1:58. “I never could have imagined running a marathon before I began training with Laurie. I could not have done it without her. Because she so thoroughly prepared me both physically and mentally for race day I knew I would cross the finish line. It was one of the best moments of my life. Laurie was at the finish line cheering me on. I am so happy I got to share that moment with her. It was as much her accomplishment as mine. She took me from an average runner to marathoner. I can’t wait for the next marathon!” Read Mary’s Injury Recovery and Marathon story.
Daisy started training with us to prepare for the 2015 Boston Marathon. She wanted to make sure she was strong and ready for the hills. After following the strength training and running program that were part of the Gold Standard Coaching Program, she successfully completed the 2015 Boston Marathon! Now in 2020, several years after she has relocated to the west coast, she continues to run marathons. She recently said “I appreciate the training support you provided me in the past and I continue to use the strength exercises you taught me”. Great to see you still running!
Joe was interested in taking up running and came to us for help with strength training and a running program to get him to a successful marathon completion. Joe completed the Gold Standard Coaching Program. He completed his First Marathon at the 2016 Chicago Marathon in a great time of 4:01. Congratulations Joe! “Laurie helped me through my first half marathon and now my first marathon. She has been through it many times and will help you achieve your best!”
Connie was injured just 3 weeks before her first marathon and came to us for help in achieving her dream of successfully completing her first Marathon. Connie completed the Training Kit for Runners. “For a personal trainer and marathoner herself, whom I just met for an hour, to show so much support made me realize that she truly loves running and cares about her clients’ success and achievement of their goal.” Connie has recently started RunSMART classes. Read Connie’s injury recovery story.
Michelle S. was a runner ‘in denial’ – sort of wanting to run farther than a few miles but thwarted by injury. Michelle currently participates in RunSMART and Personal Training – read about her journey to completion of her first Marathon in 2015. “I did it….it was long, and ugly but I finished. 26.2! I absolutely could not have managed without Laurie’s help.” Michelle completed her second Marathon in 2016 with a 70 minute Personal Record. She also completed the 2017 Chicago Marathon and has had age group placements in several races. Read about Michelle’s journey to becoming a marathoner.
Diane had all but given up on her dream of running a marathon 20 years ago due to injury, but her Personal Training with us has allowed her to reach her goal. Read about her achievements (including completion of her first Marathon in 2014 and multiple age-group medals in shorter races). “Not only have I run my first marathon, I am now running faster and placing in my age group in every race I have registered since training with Laurie.” Diane has now completed 5 Chicago Marathons. Read about Diane’s 20 year road to the marathon.
Jerry took up running late in life and struggled – read about his journey to become a runner, lose weight (55lb and counting!) and improve his overall health. Jerry does Personal Training and RunSMART. “She offers her clients a high degree of inspiration and motivation to get you physically and mentally turned around, eating properly, exercising properly, back on track and in shape in short order. She is a great coach!” In 2016, Jerry completed his First Half Marathon at age 70! On his recent 72nd birthday, Jerry told me “I feel like 29 because of all the things you do for me.” Jerry continues to run and has placed in his age group at several 5K races. Read about Jerry’s running and weight loss success.
Jonathan is a busy MD and signed up for the Training Kit for Runners. He was a beginner as a runner and wanted help getting ready for his First Half Marathon with only about 6 weeks of training time before the race: “As my kids are off to college, and now in my 50s, I have made physical activity more of a priority to stay healthy. Over the last year I have been having longer and more vigorous workouts: mostly biking in the summer, and elliptical trainer, and some treadmill in the winter . Meanwhile my son, in college, was going to run in a half marathon in St. Louis in April, so I made it as a goal to run the same race with him. The problem was I had done very little running, and had not gone on more then a 1 mile run since college. Having only a few months to train I was concerned I might have an injury. Fortunately, I was referred to Laurie Lasseter. She gave me a baseline assessment, looked at how I ran, and gave me a training schedule. She showed me how to improve my running form so that I would cause less stress on my forefoot, knees, and calves. She showed me how to strengthen my gluteal muscles, that are important for running, and that I was not using during my other workouts. Laurie gave me important advice several times during the training when I contacted her about soreness after some of the long runs. Two weeks prior to the race, I had my longest run of 11 mi, at very comfortable pace. My wife and I drove to St Louis, and spent Saturday with our son enjoying St Louis cuisine. On April 7, at 7am, we were off running through the beautiful Forrest Park Zoo, and through the city. My son ran the entire race with me and we finished together, with my wife cheering us on. It was very special, and could not have happened without the expert training I had from Laurie. Thank you Laurie.”
Wally was a consistent runner (9-12 miles per week) with the completion of a marathon an unfulfilled dream. Wally takes the RunSMART class. Wally had his first marathon completion in 2011 and has had continuing marathon success with L2 Performance Training (8 marathon completions and counting). “Laurie is always adding new things to the program to strengthen and balance my body and make it healthier, fitter and stronger. She knows how to address your needs when something begins to hurt and correct it before it becomes an issue.” Read about Wally’s international journey.
Mike ran just to warm up for his workouts and really didn’t like running, read about his journey to becoming a consistent runner who actually enjoys running and a 2-time marathoner. “As a result of Laurie’s training program and pacing plan, I am pleased to say I did ‘Beat Oprah’ – I finished in 4:26!” Read about Mike’s marathon and weight loss success.
Jim has been a runner for quite some time and was experiencing some nagging injuries as his running career progressed. Jim has had pain-free running since joining our Personal Training and RunSMART programs. He regularly participates in local races without pain or injury. “She sets a high standard for what she wants and coaches you to achieve it.” Read about Jim’s training.
Dana was looking to lose weight and avoid running injuries when she joined our Personal Training program: “I’m making progress with strength, stability and minimizing imbalances. I’m feeling better about my weight loss process now that I’m working with Laurie on it (progress is slow, but I’m building steam). And Laurie’s been helping me push through the winter doldrums to get myself aerobically active even if I can’t feasibly run outside; now that the weather is starting to give way to Spring, I’m looking forward to taking these improvements out onto the trail and hopefully enjoy being less injury-prone this season.” (Dana has since completed 3 marathons without injury)
Peter K. had been inactive due to years working at a desk and raising a family when he joined our Personal Training program. “Thank you for all you have done for me. I couldn’t even walk around the block without being in pain and now I am running some. My daughters and I did do the Color Vibe 5K, and while my time was a little slower than I had hoped, the point is that I did it and that would not have been possible if I had been training with you.”
Steve has been a consistent L2 Performance Training Group Exercise participant and has developed into an accomplished marathoner, triathlete and distance cyclist. “Over the years I have learned quite a bit from Laurie related to running and most likely would not have done as well in my races without obtaining the skill and knowledge Laurie shared with me.” Read about Steve here.
Larry was a runner (10-12 miles per week) but never thought he could complete a marathon. Read about his success – 18 marathon completions and a sub-4 hour marathon finish. “I never would have accomplished this without Laurie’s help and advice.”: Read about Larry’s marathon successes.
Burnsie has had great success as a marathoner (Boston Marathon Qualifier) and Ultra-Marathon runner with a 104-mile Personal Record in a 24-hour event, as well as several 50 mile trail-race completions. “Laurie is fantastic at training anyone to reach the level they are capable of obtaining.” Read about Burnsie’s ultra marathoner journey.
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L2 Performance Training – Recommendations
Brian Sommer has been a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) for over 16 years and has worked on numerous runners of all ability levels. Read what he has to say about the techniques and programs used at L2 Performance Training.
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I want you to come to Florida and re-vitalize my running – 12 marathons but lost my confidence due to Achilles tendinitis issues