Coach's Bio
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​My name is Shannon McGinn and I help ordinary people do extraordinary things!
(By "ordinary", I mean non-pro athletes, people with jobs, families, and regular hectic lives, people like me and probably people just like you.)

Thank you for wanting to learn more about me and how I can help you achieve your goals!  

I have dedicated decades of my life to higher learning so that I can do my best for you. I earned a Master of Science in Kinesiology with dual concentrations in Sports Performance and Sports Psychology. I earned a Masters of Arts psychotherapy, a post-master's Education Specialist Degree in systems therapy, and a Law Degree. 

I am a USATF, RRCA, and NFHS Certified Running Coach, an ISSA Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist, and an ISSA Certified Transformation Specialist. I most recently became a Certified Wellness and Health Coach. I am presently studying diligently to pass the Nationally Board Certification Exam for Health and Wellness Coaches administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners.     
  
I am a life long runner. I became more competitive after running helped me recover from cancer.  Since completing treatment in 2007, I started over as "run/walker" and became a competitive runner, specializing in the marathon, 50 km, 6-hour duration, and 50-mile distances. I am most proud of running 43.16 miles in 6 hours (setting an American 40-44 Age Group Record), placing 4th female at the 2016 USTAF 50 Mile Road Championship, and 7th female at both the 50 km and 50 Mile National Championships in 2013. My best performances include a 2:55 marathon (6:43 pace), a 4:03 50 km (7:50 pace), 43.16 miles in 6 hours (8:20 pace), a 7:31 50 mile (9:02 pace), and 110.67 miles (13:00 pace) run in 24 hours.  

In addition to providing private endurance coaching (online throughout the country and overseas, as well as in-person locally), I volunteered to coach the Monmouth County New Jersey's Team in Training Chapter as well as the Ulman Fund’s Cancer to 5k “At Home” Participants.  You can find many years of my race reports posted on my original blog, Creating Momentum! or on my new blog on this website 

When not coaching, training, racing, or studying, I enjoy learning about animal behavior and I volunteer for NorthStar Pet Rescue in New Jersey whenever  I can find the time to help. 
​Qualifications and Experience:
  • Regionally competitive and accomplished road and ultra runner  
  • USATF, RRCA, NFHS Certified Running Coach.
  • In-Person Coach/Assistant Coach for Team-In-Training (2010-2014)
  • In-Person Coach for Veterans with PTSD through Running as Therapy Program. (2011-2012)
  • Online Coach for Cancer to 5k  
  • Racing since age 9 through school-based Track and Cross-Country programs.
  • Cancer Survivor who found renewed health and wellness through running and racing.
  • Placed in the top 7 in 50Km (31.06 mile) and 50 Mile National Championship races.
  • Multiple performances listed in the best performances of the year list each year, published in UltraRunning Magazine's Year in Review.
Personal Bests: 
  • 5k: 18:54 (at age 40)
  • Half: 1:27:21 (at age 40)
  • Marathon: 2:55:44 (at age 40)
  • 50k: 4:03 (Also placing 7th place 2012 & 2013, 8th place 2011 @ USA-TF National 50k Championship)
  • 6 hour: 43.16 miles (8:20 pace) (at age 40) (American Age Group Record)
  • 50 mile: 7:31 (9:02 pace, at age 40) (4th Place, 2016 USATF 50M Road National Championship, 7th place 2013 50M Road National Championship)
  • 100M 19:38 (Split in 24 hour).
  • 24 hour: 110.67 miles​