LFS Run Coaching

04/07/2025

Congratulations to everyone who made it into NZ’s most iconic mountain race this morning! As always, it sold out near instantaneously - my 1:1 athletes are a mixture of in and on the waitlist!

Remember, even if you’re waitlisted, this waitlist moves FAST. Train as if you’re in - my first year I got in three days before the race, after being close to the bottom of it.

If you’re in and wondering what’s next, let’s chat! I’ve got personalised ten week plans available if you want to train independently, but if you want full supported coaching, I also have 1:1 spots available - and an exclusive discount for Challenge or Grunt athletes new to LFS. I’ve been involved in this race literally since I was in primary school - I know I can help you achieve your Kepler goals!

02/07/2025

The news is out! That’s right - LFS is an official sponsor of Kepler Challenge and Luxmore Grunt Mountain Run!

My favourite race of the year, this’ll be my 9th official loop and 10th time racing there - if you’re hoping to gain one of the coveted entries on Saturday, I’d love to help get you to that finish line. Drop me a line and let’s chat!

This doesn't happen without our major sponsors, and the Kepler Challenge has some of the best!

Please take a minute to join us in thanking the legends that have our runners backs and make our event possible. A few of them have some surprises and epic Runner Deals up their sleeves... so for those runners that manage to secure their entry (or a place on the waitlist) this weekend, keep an eye out in your inboxes in the days following....!

FreshChoice / FreshChoice Te Anau
Southern Lakes Helicopters
Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas
RealNZ
PURE Sports Nutrition
Moana Road
Montane New Zealand
Emerson's Brewery
Luxe Tours
CLIF Bar
UltrAspire
Julbo
The Moose
Mountain King
LFS Run Coaching
and 'Good planets are hard to find'.

30/06/2025

This post based on a very true story.

26/06/2025

This time next week we'll be all gearing up for entries opening in the morning (and then closing a minute later because it's sold out).

Who's giving the big dance a go this year?

24/06/2025

Who's that pup? This was Loki's first ever run!

When you want your dog to be your running companion, it's important to build them up carefully and slowly. I worked with Loki's vet to understand what was best for him. He's a small (and stocky) fella, and a working breed, so he was able to do a bit more than most.

A couple of principles we followed was to stick to trails, rather than roads or concrete - which was softer on his joints, and to only go off leash at first as it meant he could regulate his own pace (and change it up often - think of those 'puppy runs' I schedule!). This meant we built up together safely and slowly, setting Loki up to be a little endurance machine at my side for a long time!

20/06/2025

Did you know, when you support LFS you're supporting a LGBTQIP+ owned small business?

We've also taken the - a commitment to the visibility and safety of everyone we work with from the rainbow communities and beyond. It's super important to me to treat everybody with equity no matter who they are, and I'm proud to have my business stand behind this.

And to celebrate , 10% of our profits this month are going toward to help rainbow New Zealanders access essential services. There's never been a better time to sign up - check our website lfsruncoaching.com for all our products and services!
🌈

19/06/2025

What's your running origin story?

I don't have a particularly inspirational tale of how I got into running - I literally just put on my shoes one day and off I went to see how far I could run. (As a coach I'm honour bound to say this isn't recommended.)

But my ultra origin story? I fell in love with . It was my first ultra - as you can see I ran a pretty sharp time too! - and I realised just how amazing it is to put your body and soul on the line to run around in the mountains for a really long time. It's been my favourite race ever since, and one I'll always go back to!

How did you get started?

15/06/2025

Athlete spotlight! Kylie was the very first athlete supporting me as a coach when I started LFS, and she's stuck with me ever since. She's an absolute legend. Together we got her to her first ever 50km at Merrell Race Tekapo last year, where she was running so well at the end I was hard pressed to keep up with her. We've got her well under a 30min 5k, to her first Backyard Ultra, and many, many more races - with even more to come. You can see her next at Naseby, knocking out another ultra.

There's so much I love about Kylie - be it her determination, her grit, her consistency, her spirit; it's hard to choose. She's always upfront about her struggles and I know is someone who a lot can relate to - because things don't always go to plan, but she always shows up for herself. Plus, she's a wonderful human to boot. I'm privileged to call myself her coach! About the only thing I'd change about her would be the way she always books a holiday right at peak mileage time 😂

Love seeing every step of your journey Kylie - here's to many more shared miles & smiles.

13/05/2025

Personally, I avoid this issue by having a COROS instead - no advanced features means no judgment 🤣

12/05/2025

Don’t forget about the guaranteed way to get into our favourite race - and do some good for the community at the same time! 🙌

Jump the queue and get your Kepler Challenge entry secured early!

CHARITY CHALLENGE APPLICATIONS ARE OPENING SOON!

The Kepler Challenge is and always has been a community-run event and as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to the local Fiordland Community, a limited number of entries are set aside each event to raise money for local groups, clubs, charities and causes.

General entries open on the first Saturday in July and can sell out in as little as 2min. BUT... the Kepler Challenge opens a special opportunity for runners to obtain a guaranteed space for $1000 per person, ahead of those vying for a general entry. And 100% of all money raised from these entries goes to local sports teams, community groups, charities and causes.

In the past few years our Charity Challenge entries have been snapped up almost as quickly as the general entries - so if you are considering taking up one of these special places, please read the following information carefully.

Charity Challenge applications open on the first Saturday of June - this year that will be Saturday 7th June, 2025. To register your interest as a Charity Challenge runner you must email our Race Secretary at [email protected] on Saturday June 7 (don't jump the gun!). Places are awarded on a first come first served basis, and the first 20 people to register their interest will be sent instructions on how to secure and finalise their entry.

For more information visit:
https://keplerchallenge.co.nz/charity-challenge/

A few weeks after the Charity Challenge entries have been allocated, local Fiordland community groups will be invited to apply for up to $20,000 for their cause. More information on how to apply for that will be available closer the time.

To all of our previous years Charity Challenge runners - you are absolute legends and incredible supporters of both the Kepler Challenge and the local community. THANK YOU for the opportunities your generosity has bought to the people and projects of our region!

09/05/2025

SPOTLIGHT ON... !

This race in the Mackenzie country here in Aotearoa is one of the favourites of the LFS team every year. They offer 5k, 12k, 21k, 32k and 50k options, and coming into their fourth year running the race, it's a slick operation.

The course itself is phenomenal no matter which distance you do. It's incredibly runnable, so you can expect some quick times - with a few technical bits and hills (one in particular!) to keep you honest. The aid stations are well stocked and frequent, and the timing of the races means there's a good chance you'll finish near your friends no matter what race they're in - in year 2, ran the 12k while I ran the 50, and we finished within 5 minutes of each other. I also rank it as the best first ultra in the country.

It's become a mainstay of the calendar for me and my athletes - this year we've got many of us running the 50 (including an ultra debutant or two!), as well as quite a few of the usual suspects scattered across literally all the other distances. The fun kicks off mid-September - are these gorgeous pics enough to convince you to join us?

05/05/2025

What phenomenal efforts from the team this weekend!

Two LFS 1:1 athletes both hit huge half marathon PBs this weekend. I couldn't be more proud! First Tom at the Sydney Half taking his PB from 2:16:31 to 2:00:48, followed by Kimm over in San Fran at the Bay Bridge half annihilating hers - from 2:25:06 to 2:17:57. Incredible efforts!!

If you or someone you know wants to knock this kind of time off your half marathon time, well... you know where to find me!

😎😎😎