Meet the team – Filla Endurance

Meet
Coach Laura

Qualified support from a coach who cares and an athlete who has been in your shoes.

ABOUT ME

MEET COACH LAURA

My name is Laura. I’m a coach, athlete, mom of 2, and wife. My love of running began early after joining my middle school track team and blossomed into what it is today after a hiatus, and after becoming a mother. I’m an expert at performance trajectory efficiency and have first-hand experience balancing training with a family/career.

My coaching style is “advisor over authority.” I genuinely believe that most never reach their genetic potential in the running, and focusing on the process is the best way to cultivate that potential. Communication, support, belief and compassion are key values in the way I work with my athletes. I strive to improve in the science and art of coaching each day. Most importantly, I show people they are capable of more than they thought.

Personal Records

5K 18:58

Half Marathon 1:28:23

Marathon
3:04:24

Professional Qualifications

Personal Records

Road Runners Club of America

The American Council of Exercise

ABOUT ME

MEET COACH CHRIS

My name is Chris Oleksiw and I have been running for most of my adult life.

I started running recreationally in college with some friends as an affordable way to exercise. After my first 5k in 2011, I was hooked. Since then, I kept pounding the pavement, entering races from 5ks to marathons. Becoming a runner as an adult instead of growing up in track or cross country allows me to relate to adult runners who are new to the sport and might feel intimidated. I will meet you where you are because I was likely there too. Not only do I love the sport, but I love working with athletes and helping them become the best version of themselves.

I can’t wait to work with you to help reach your running goals!

Professional Qualifications

Personal Records

United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy

Personal Records

5K 18:58

Half Marathon 1:28:23

Marathon
3:04:24

ABOUT ME

MEET COACH AMANDA

My name is Amanda and I am a competitive runner of 17 years and counting, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, UESCA Certified Running Coach, and wife to my high school sweetheart. We met through running in high school and got engaged at the Chicago Marathon in 2016 (he ran and I spectated).

I didn’t always have a love for running. My parents strongly encouraged me to sign up for XC my freshman year of high school to ensure I was involved in school sports and to train for spring soccer tryouts. But I never made it to the soccer tryouts. I fell in love with running, joined spring track instead, ran XC and track all 4 years of high school, and ended up running for a D1 school in college.

After college, I felt burned out from competitive running and injuries, so I took a few years off of organized running. I returned more seriously to running after getting married in summer 2017. I went on to run my first marathon in 2018 resulting in a BQ. In 2019 I ran many more races and fell in love with running again. Unfortunately, in 2020, I suffered my first ever stress fracture and a string of other injuries after that. I did not go on to run a race or significant mileage until summer 2023. It’s almost 2024 and I’m excited to be back to healthy running and feel like I’ve just scratched the surface of my potential in running. This is in part due to people in my life who believe in my running potential.

Having a coach who understands how to navigate your complex life and running background + tap into your untapped potential is a game changer! I’d love to be that coach for you. Whether you’ve suffered from years of on/off injuries, are excited to chase big goals again after a long break from running, or unsure how to fit running into your busy personal and professional life, let me help you reach your goals. My coaching style is compassionate, flexible, and fun. I love studying running and consider myself a student for life. Coaching others is my favorite way to learn. Let’s chase your big goals together!

Professional Qualifications

Personal Records

United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy

Commission on Dietetic Registration

Personal Records

5K 18:58

Half Marathon 1:28:23

Marathon
3:04:24

ABOUT ME

MEET COACH KIM

I am a wife and mom of two boys, and running became my “me time” and the calm that I needed to recharge myself. I ran my first half marathon in 2018 and my first marathon in 2019. The emotions I felt after finishing these races were incredible, and I wanted to do more. I started working with Filla Endurance early in 2021 as a client training for my second marathon. I was inspired by the positive difference it made in my own running journey, and I became a pacer for a local running group soon thereafter. The joy I found in helping others gain confidence and achieve their own goals is the biggest reason why I became a coach.

Every runner is unique, and I want to build a relationship with my athletes to understand how I can best support them in their journey. My goal is for them to not only understand the why behind each run, but what we can do to adjust their training when life happens. I am excited to help others find run life harmony, see results and have fun in the process.