Today we’d like to introduce you to Brenda Hodge.
Hi Brenda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m often asked where I ran in college, and the answer usually surprises people — I never ran at Northwestern. My only “endurance training” back then came from marching with the band. I didn’t become a consistent runner until much later in life, after my fourth child, when running became my outlet for fitness and stress relief.
My first marathon was the Chicago Marathon during my senior year — a 4‑plus‑hour finish that felt like a victory simply for completing it. Years later, in 2013, I ran the Bob Potts Marathon in 3:15:28. That race lit a spark. I began training more seriously, and over the next several years I chipped away at my times, eventually running 2:53:13 in 2018. I race all distances, but the marathon will always be my home base — the place where I learned what I’m capable of.
Before coaching, I was a music teacher and then a stay‑at‑home mom. As my running grew, I realized how much I missed helping others grow, learn, and feel supported. In 2015, I became a run coach. I started with six athletes as a small side gig. Today, I coach more than forty athletes across the country and around the world.
Running changed my life — and coaching lets me help others change theirs.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Even though I love what I do, the path here hasn’t been simple. Running a business has incredible upsides — flexible hours, the ability to work from anywhere, and the gift of spending a month every summer with my son in Montana. Coaching runners is the part I truly love. But running a business is so much more than coaching. There are taxes, paperwork, invoicing, systems, organization… all the behind‑the‑scenes pieces that no one sees and that I don’t exactly enjoy. And there’s always the pressure of finding new clients, keeping the business healthy, and making sure every athlete feels supported.
A few years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I kept coaching through treatment, but it was one of the hardest seasons of my life — physically, emotionally, and financially. Insurance for small business owners is terrible, and I’m still paying off those bills. It was a reminder that when you run your own business, there’s no safety net. If I get sick, there’s no one who can step in and do what I do. When I take a week off, the work still gets done — but only because I do it ahead of time.
These challenges shaped me. They made me more resilient, more organized, more intentional, and more grateful for the athletes who trust me. They’re part of why I coach the way I do — with empathy, structure, and a deep understanding that life is never as simple as a training plan on paper.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a full‑time running coach, and people often ask what that actually entails. The truth is: every athlete comes to me with a different purpose. Some want to run their first 5K. Some want to finish a marathon. Others have time‑based goals — a faster 5K, a PR, or qualifying for Boston. And a growing number of athletes come to me because they want to maintain a high quality of life as they age, especially menopausal women who need training that respects physiology, recovery, and long‑term health.
My coaching centers on individualized training plans that include running, basic strength, mobility, and the structure needed to progress safely. Every athlete receives weekly feedback — real coaching, not just a plan. I’m known for being hands‑on, detail‑oriented, and deeply invested in each person’s success.
What I’m most proud of is the relationships I’ve built. Most of my athletes come through word of mouth, which means people trust me enough to recommend me to their friends, family, and teammates. That trust is the foundation of my business. I’m also proud of creating something from nothing — taking a tiny side gig with six athletes and growing it into a thriving coaching practice with 40+ athletes across the country and the world.
I understand struggle, stress, setbacks, and resilience. And I bring that empathy, structure, and honesty into every athlete relationship. That’s what sets me apart — I don’t just coach runners; I coach humans.
Before I ever became a running coach, I was a music teacher. My goal wasn’t to create professional musicians — it was to help kids become lifelong music lovers. I carry that same philosophy into coaching. Most of the runners I work with won’t run professionally or win races, and that’s not the point. I want them to become lifelong athletes — people who move their bodies with confidence, joy, and purpose for decades.
That mindset shapes everything I do: individualized plans, weekly feedback, realistic structure, and coaching that respects real life. It’s why athletes trust me, why they stay, and why they recommend me to others. I’m building more than fitness; I’m helping people build a life they can keep living well.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I rely on a mix of tools, books, and ongoing education to do my best work — both for myself and for my athletes. One of the most important tools I use is the V.DOT app, which aligns with one of my coaching certifications. It helps me deliver individualized training by letting me see exactly what my athletes are doing — their paces, their workouts, their progress — so I can adjust their plans in real time.
I’m also a lifelong learner, so I’m constantly reading. Some of the books that have shaped my coaching philosophy include Brad Hudson’s training approach, Jack Daniels’ Running Formula, and Pfitzinger’s marathon training. I pair those classics with current sports‑science research — I like understanding why training works, not just what to prescribe.
I also learn a lot from other coaches. There are so many smart, generous people sharing high‑quality information online. One of the places I consistently look to is the Run Further Run Faster blog. Instagram has become a surprisingly rich space for coaching education, too — thoughtful posts, breakdowns of training concepts, and real‑world examples that help me stay sharp and keep evolving.
These resources help me stay grounded in evidence‑based training while continuing to grow as a coach. They keep me curious, informed, and connected — all things that ultimately benefit the athletes I work with.
Pricing:
- $165 for month to month coaching
- $30 for Unsupported Coaching
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.run717.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/run717coaching/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/268376887093356
