The Coaches

Brian Hsia
Brian Hsia had a dream in creating an official team for the Alzheimer’s Association in participating as a charity for the New York City Marathon in 2006. He joined the Junior Committee (JC) to learn more about the Alzheimer’s Disease because his grandmother first showed signs of it in 2003. He brought up the idea to former JC President, Meghann McKale, which probably at the time thought he was crazy. He got that dream fulfilled in 2009, after 2 years of rejection and despair applying and reapplying. Modeling the program from two previous Alzheimer’s Association chapter running programs: Chicago and Boston, and teaming up with an even crazier runner, Jeff LeBlanc, they set forward in putting a running program together in 1 month. (really,first impressions of Jeff was that he had to stay off the caffeine.)

Trained as an architect, Brian has been running since high school in Westchester, NY. Since moving to New York City seven years ago, he has evolved from a sprinter into a long distance runner. When Brian attempted to run his first half marathon, his only goal was to "complete" the race. He now runs ultra marathons and multiple marathons in the same weekend. The marathon is his favorite distance with the perfect combination of speed, distance and time. He has competed in 30 marathons and has a quest to complete a marathon in all 50 states. He recently ran his personal record of 2:54:42 in the 2010 Boston Marathon. He enjoys running competitively, although giving back to the running

community is a better satisfaction than any personal achievement. Best known for running with his camera and taking pictures of teammates, and capturing race moments along the way, he enjoys saying hello to friends in Central Park.

Trained as a Road Runners Club of America and USA Track and Field certified coach, he is also the New York City marathon coach for the New York Road Runners Team for Kids in New York. Brian

also served as the co-director of the marathon training program for the New York Flyers, one of the largest running clubs in New York City and has been featured in The New York Times.

Brian’s advice to a new runner training for a marathon is, “Just have fun with it. Have no expectations, enjoy the moment and believe in yourself. You are doing this for yourself. You will gain so much more than you will expect as you bond friendships, memories, and new experiences in your life”

Jeff LeBlanc

I found Brian and Meghann in 2008 after a phone call to the NYC Chapter about ways to get involved in the fight against Alzheimer's (my grandmother was in advanced stages of the disease at the time). Their energy for the cause was contagious and inspiring, so I signed up immediately to help out wherever possible: as a JC Treasurer early on, and when R2R finally came together in 2009 thanks to their valiant efforts, as a team coach and P.P.A. (Peer Pressure Administrator -- to get first-timers signed up and excited to run the race, of course)!

I'm honored to be coaching the team for a second time. This year will make me a three-peat R2R member (woohoo!). In terms of experience, I have a weird mix of 45 marathons and ultramarathons under my belt, including a 100-mile run in Vermont to raise $25,000 for the Alzheimer's Association in 2008. I've experimented with barefoot / minimalist running, different footstrikes, various running fuels, handheld water bottle running, etc., so if you have any questions in these areas, I am happy to talk your ear off!

My one piece of advice for a marathon first-timer: don't look ahead to 26.2 in the beginning. Look ahead to your next training run. Complete that, add it to your log, feel good. Another notch on your belt and then it's on to the next training run. You're going to have down days, or days off, and that's okay. Live in the moment. Have fun with the training, fundraising and team building. Don't worry, the race will be waiting for you when the time comes. And if you put in the time, we promise -- you'll be ready for it.

Alexandra Cohen
I am not directly affiliated with the Alzheimers’s association, but have become dedicated to spread awareness and the fight against Alzheimer’s. When I was asked to be part of the 2010 it was a great honor. I am excited, amazed and thankful to be with a team that has such passion for the reason why they are running.

My role as a coach is to design a run specific/technical training program, as well as avoid, treat, and beat injuries. My background is in Exercise Science (slowly advancing to exercise physiology). I am licensed in manual therapies with multiple sports specific certifications. I have both personal training and group fitness certifications through ACSM, NSAC, ACE and Advanced first aid.

In my teens I trained and competed as an elite athlete (not running). Some of my worst and best, mental, and physical moments occurred during my training and racing seasons. When I decided to stop, I also decided to try every other extreme sport and resulted in a life altering injury that led me to be a runner. My recovery started with walking up 2 steps and ending with a ½ marathon. Today, running is something I love and am passionate about.

Meghann McKale

When I first moved to New York, in 2002, my grandmother was already in the late stages of Alzheimer’s Disease. I wanted to do something in her honor and I was lucky enough to find the Junior Committee, an amazing group of young people dedicated to raising funds and awareness in the fight against Alzheimer’s. As time passed I became more involved in the group, and in 2006 I was elected President. Each year we applied to be an official Marathon charity and each year we were denied – until 2009, when we were finally accepted, and I decided to dive in and run the Marathon myself! I had no running experience at all, but I wanted to do something big to bring attention to the fight against Alzheimer's. That first Marathon was one of the greatest experiences of my life, so I kept running, and joined Team Run to Remember again in 2010. I've finished two New York City Marathons and seven half marathons. This year, I am beyond honored to be part of the R2R coaching team. I'll be certified by RRCA as a running coach in July. Read more about my adventures at http://meghannonthemove.wordpress.com.

My one piece of advice for a marathon first-timer: “Believe in the training, believe in yourself.”