I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Coach Lisa, an accomplished and inspiring figure in the running community. As an experienced Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) certified coach, Lisa brings decades of personal and professional expertise to her work with runners of all levels. In our conversation, we explored the powerful relationship between physical therapists and running coaches, and how they can work together to help athletes reach their goals while staying injury-free.
A Quick Look at Coach Lisa’s Athletic Journey
Before diving into the insights from our interview, it’s worth highlighting some of Coach Lisa’s impressive accomplishments. Her athletic journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. A competitive distance runner, cyclist, and multisport athlete, Lisa has been recognized both locally and internationally for her talents. In November 2016, she was inducted into the Bender JCC of Greater Washington’s Sports Hall of Fame for her duathlon achievements. She also earned a gold medal in the half marathon at the Pan American Maccabi Games twice, once in 2003 in Santiago, Chile, and again in 2023 in Buenos Aires, Argentina—20 years apart!
Coach Lisa has completed over 40 marathons, including an astonishing 20 finishes at the Boston Marathon, and she has raced as an elite athlete at prestigious events like the ING New York City Marathon. Her experience as a member of Team USA at the World Duathlon Championships and earning All-American honors in Duathlon demonstrates her deep knowledge of both running and multisport training. But what sets Lisa apart is not just her personal success, but her passion for coaching and helping others.
Along with her best running friend and fellow certified coach Julie Sapper, Lisa co-founded Run Farther & Faster in 2010. Together, they’ve built a community where adult and youth runners of all fitness levels can thrive. Lisa has a special love for working with new runners, guiding them as they discover the joy and rewards of running.
The Power of Collaboration: Coaches and Physical Therapists
During our interview, Coach Lisa and I discussed how physical therapists and running coaches can work hand in hand to support athletes, particularly those recovering from injury or working toward performance goals. Both disciplines are essential to helping runners stay healthy, maintain proper form, and achieve longevity in the sport.
Lisa explained that one of the most significant benefits of this collaboration is the comprehensive care that athletes receive. A physical therapist’s role is to assess, diagnose, and treat injuries, addressing the biomechanical issues that may be contributing to pain or dysfunction. A running coach, on the other hand, focuses on form, training plans, and mental and physical endurance. Together, they provide a holistic approach that can prevent injury before it starts and ensure a safe return to running after an injury.
The Benefits of a Holistic Approach
The synergy between a running coach and a physical therapist goes beyond injury management—it enhances performance, too. Lisa emphasized that her goal is to help runners reach their full potential, and that often means addressing both their training and any physical limitations that could be holding them back.
If you’re a runner looking to improve your performance, recover from an injury, or simply start running safely, the partnership between a running coach like Lisa and a physical therapist can make all the difference. Together, they’ll help you run farther, faster, and healthier.
