Program Director

Veronica

How long have you been with PIM: I started training with the Dawns in 2006. I’ve been coaching since 2008 and have also served as Director of Power In Motion.

Favorite running shoes: Asics Gel Nimbus, though, everyone is different so it’s very important to get fitted to find the best shoe for you.

Running Watch: Apple Watch.

Why do I run: It’s a fun and easy way to stay fit, enjoy the outdoors and stay in motion. I also enjoy coaching and helping others on their fitness journeys which has led to others’ self improvement journeys like going back to school, starting a business or travelling solo. It’s inspiring to see my runners transform.

Favorite place in Houston to run: Pretty much anywhere outdoors.

Running accomplishments: I’ve completed 1 marathon, 4 half marathons, 1 25K, several 10Ks and countless 5Ks. My biggest accomplishment is helping others go from never having run to enjoying running and also making it a part of their lives.

Running Clubs: Power In Motion

Favorite Fitness & Running apps: 8fit (has all types of boxing, HIIT, yoga, pilates, stretch, band, strength, meditation and barre workouts), Intervals Pro (tracks running workouts), & RunCoach (to help prepare for a race whether5K, half or full marathon).

Assistants

Cindy

Email: featherstons@hotmail.com

Cindy has been active with PIM since 2009. In addition to PIM she belongs to HARRA, Striders, Bayou City Road Runners and does half marathon training with the Runner’s High Club. She ran her first half marathon when she turned 50, and as a Houston Half Marathon Legacy Runner, recently completed her 18th Half. FAQs: Garmin, Strawberry Pop Tarts, Mizuno Wave Inspires, New Orleans

Dave

Email: dstadnick@computer.org

Dave has updated the registration and website for Power in Motion this year. In past years, he has coached and been the program director. He is a long time runner and volunteer in the runner community. Dave is a certified RRCA coach. Contact him for help finding the right slot within the PIM program or to find other running opportunities in Houston.

Coaches

Michael

Email: mpmateja@sbcglobal.net

How long have you been with PIM: Began in Kathi group in 2016. Have been coaching since 2018.

Favorite running shoes: Way too many to mention. Brooks Glycerin, Asics Novablast, Saucony Triumph, Saucony Endorphin Pro for “Game Day”. I have 10+ pairs (which is probably enough)

Running Watch: Garmin 165–It does everything I need. I keep my heart rate on the main screen. I’m not concerned about pace or distance.

Why do I run: I weighed nearly 290 pounds in 2010. Lost 80 pounds and kept most of it off. I stopped drinking in 2015. Running is my mental and physical release. I don’t necessarily “enjoy” running but have established it as part of my identity & a necessity.

Favorite place in Houston to run: Memorial Park

Running accomplishments: I’ve completed 45 1/2 marathons to date, with 31 of them being in the past 4 years, 12 states. My biggest accomplishment will be getting back into form from having a spinal laminotomy in early June. I’m following the 10 week program myself to minimize re-injury.

Running Clubs: Striders, Bayou City Road Runners, & P.I.M. I like staying in the “middle of things”. Of course, I’m a member of HARRA.

Favorite Instagram sites for running info: run_shoe_bible, Running explained, bodkick, inspiretorunner, spacecityshelby

Diana

Email: dmetyko@gmail.com

How long have you been with PIM: I joined the Kathi group in Spring 2022, then Meb (run farther group), then Pre (run faster group) for 3 seasons. Then, I thought I might be able to help as a coach, since I vividly remember not being able to run.

Favorite running shoes: Asic Gel Nimbus but get a shoe fitting at a running store like Fleet Feet. Every foot is different and a proper fit is so important.

Running Watch: I love my Coros Pace 2. It’s my personal running coach.

Why do I run: Running allows me to stay active on my own schedule for free. I enjoy the great outdoors. Running year round in the same parks, I love seeing how they change with the seasons.

Favorite place in Houston to run: Memorial Park mostly. I continue to find new trails to explore. (Like last night!) I also run at Hermann Park for a change up. Hermann has a 2 mile loop around the golf course plus a variety of other trails around the park.

Running accomplishments: I’m still surprised I run. I didn’t think I’d run farther than 5k. Then, I won an entry into the Lululemon 10k in a PIM raffle and it was fun! I ran my 1st half marathon last January and plan to run my 2nd this January.

Running Clubs: PIM, HARRA, and Runners High Club to prepare for my half marathon

Favorite Fitness & Running apps: The app for my Coros watch. The two go hand-in-hand.

Favorite Instagram sites for running info:

runningexplained (She also has a podcast of the same name)
thedietitianrunner
featherstonenutrition

Dennis

Email: dsimshaeuser@gmail.com

How long have you been with PIM: Several years. I was interested in the casual nature of it all. Want to run an ultra? Start here. Want to just feel the power of motion? Stay here!

Favorite running shoes: Vibram. The original “toe shoe.” They were flat, minimalist shoes for keeping in touch with the ground. Just some rubber and felt. Originally, I bought them as a conversation piece and didn’t intend to run in them. They shortened my stride and I felt every nuance of an unpaved surface. Today, they are available with laces and more cushioning than a tempurpedic mattress. Find what works for you. Your foot is the connection to the ground you walk on. Get your gait evaluated and find the shoe that satisfies that connection between you and the Earth.

Running Watch: No watch. Kitchen timer. But if you are into tracking, experiment and find what interface works for you. A phone is too heavy and may influence your stride. Many wear it on their arm. If I take my phone, I center it under my belly button, or back. Try to avoid it. Get a good data collector and sync up when you are finished. Don’t follow the numbers when you are still chasing them (exception: a heart rate monitor is recommended during your run, as I have learned to appreciate.) My suggestion of not tracking your numbers live does not apply if you are training rather than casual running.

Why do I run: It’s fun! I’m all about the outdoors and running is the easiest way to stay tuned into (and see) nature. No equipment needed.

Favorite place in Houston to run: Bear Creek Pioneers Park. Great off road opportunities in an open space. Memorial Park is a close second. The sound of gravel under my feet is hypnotizing. Unfortunately, the park itself is no longer close to me.

Running accomplishments: One Houston Half. One Houston 10K, countless 5ks and several “off mile” events such as 4 the Park, a Memorial Park benefit run. I also enjoy staying on my feet and helping others accomplish their goals. In my opinion the hardest miles are the first ones a person takes when they pick up this hobby.

Running Clubs: Power in Motion.

Favorite Fitness & Running apps: None. I have the Fitbit, Garmin, Sports Tracker and most recently (any guess why) the Interval Timer app. I get out and listen to the app in my head. Periodically, I compare my believed heart rate with my actual one. They do not always align! Listening to my body is good, but sometimes I misunderstand what it’s telling me! I do like to track hikes for the distance and route. That’s helpful when blazing your own trail.

Laila

Email: laila.kahkeshani@gmail.com

How long have you been with PIM: I started with the group in 2022 and this is my 2nd season as an assistant coach coach.

Favorite running shoes: Altra Escalante Racer (minimalist shoe), I started out running with the brooks Ghost but switched to Altra’s last year.

Running Watch: Garmin (previously apple watch), There also a lot of great apps available for free that you can use to track your runs.

Why do I run: I’m driven by setting big stretch goals for myself—the kind that feel so ambitious, they’re almost embarrassing to say out loud. After achieving my first goal of applying to grad school, I realized the mental hurdle was much bigger than the actual process itself. That gave me the confidence to take on another challenge: running a marathon. At first, I didn’t fully grasp what the distance meant or what it would take to achieve, but I knew it was what I wanted. I dove right into training and decided to target a half marathon as a stepping stone. I’m still working towards that marathon goal and have my sights set on running the Houston Marathon in two years..

Favorite place in Houston to run: Trails at Memorial Park behind the running center

Running accomplishments: 2 half marathons and probably a dozen 10K’s and 5k’s each.

Running Clubs: Houston Fit (training club), PIM and I’m also a member of HARRA (Houston Area Road Runners Association). Like many others, I am still looking for a regular club to run with, with paces that match my own.

Favorite Instagram sites for running info: Running Explained, RunRX,