USA FIT Albuquerque Coaches & Organizers
USA FIT Albuquerque coaches and organizers are ready to help you have a great training season!
Get to know your coaches and organizers here!
Noel Nix
Half Marathon Coach/Organizer
I started running in 2013 when it was the only PE class available in my last semester of college. I thought it was so hard and nearly failed the class. Soon after graduating, I decided to sign up for a 5k, then a half marathon, joined a running club and from there, my love for running ignited. Since then, I’ve run two full marathons, dozens of half marathons, and numerous 5ks and 10ks.
I joined USAFit when I moved to New Mexico from Texas in 2019. Through USAFit, I’ve not only hit new PRs but also gained lasting friendships. I have met some of my best friends through the group! My approach to running goes beyond just hitting time and distance goals; it’s about having fun. In this group, if you’re not having fun, you’re missing the point. I want to help you reach your running goals while enjoying every step.
I believe that you get out of this group what you put into it. Let’s lace up those shoes, set ambitious goals, and have some fun this season!
Lee Smith
Half Marathon
I was raised in Albuquerque, NM and graduated from the University of New Mexico with a degree in Applied Mathematics.
While I have lived in Albuquerque most of my life, there was a 12-year stint where I was trying to find myself and lived all over the Western U.S. I have been in the mortgage industry for the last 15 years and love what I do!
I played sports growing up including high school football, wrestling and track. Because our high school football team was so bad and always in trouble, our coach made us run more than the cross-country team. That may be why I never pursued it. I found out much later in life that I actually enjoy running.
My wife (Barbara) and I joined USA Fit in 2020 and started training for a 10k. I found out quickly that I love longer distances – half and full-marathons. Because of the support and training from USA Fit, I was able to complete my first two marathons recently and plan on completing two more in 2024! I have been married to my amazing wife Barbara for 10-years and between us, we have three (3) awesome children.
Tony Recker
10K
I started my running career as a high school cross country (barefoot) and track runner (2 miles max distance at that time). I continued running through college and my work years to maintain my fitness as wild land firefighter until my retirement. Until about 1995, I was only able to get to an occasional 5K, 10K, or a half-marathon.
In 1999, I set a goal to complete a marathon before I turned 50 and before 2000. I completed the Tucson Marathon in December, 1999. I met my wife, Diana Bibeau, at that race and we finished together in 3:45. Over the next 20 years I completed 112 marathons in 50 states plus DC, and over 80 half marathons and dozens of other races that varied from 5Ks to 25K plus a few trail races. The last marathon I completed was Grandma’s (Duluth MN) in 2018. I completed several more half-marathons (including the Duke City Half in 2018) until I finally decided the pain in my hip was not going away and hip resurfacing happened in the right hip in 2019 and left hip (covid delayed – surgery closed) in late 2020.
In 2011, I retired from the federal government and eventually worked part time at running specialty stores in the Nashville area for 10 years. Diana turned in her retirement papers in early 2020 and we started making plans to move back to her home town of Albuquerque. Covid-19 delayed those plans but we eventually moved here in 2022. I was trying to develop into a speed walker but that wasn’t working out well. I did complete several of the local Run Fit 5K and 10K events. I did the 10K Duke City Walk in 2022 and the Duke City 10K Run in 2023. Diana joined USAFITABQ for the 2023 summer session and I joined the 2024 spring session.
Jaxine Dye
Sponsorships/Run Organizer
It was October 2009 when a co-worker told me she was training for a Rock n Roll Half Marathon in January 2010. My weight was toward its highest and I was motivated to lose some weight and improve my overall fitness. I told my co-worker I would train and run the half marathon with her. After all, who runs and doesn’t lose some weight or improve their wellness?!
And wouldn’t you know it, my co-worker dropped out of training due to a back problem! I stayed with it though. Two weeks before race day, I ran the furthest I had ever run, a whopping 9 miles. I couldn’t stop smiling (and grimacing each time I had to use the stairs). My brother signed up to support me, later admitting he was concerned about how I would do as I had no racing experience and very little training. It would be a first at that distance for both of us.
Race day came and pretty much the first half of the marathon was great. As we got further along, we began to feel the pain of what we had taken on. We would look at all the runners around us and say, these people are all amazing! Some were running strong, some were struggling, we admired them all. That first race was as exhilarating and grueling as it was memorable. I conquered something very difficult and I felt so elated for having done so. My sister-in-law was there to run the marathon as well. That is when I met her USAFIT ABQ running coach. Her performance in the marathon amazed me. I knew the coaching she received, the training program she followed and the comradery developed with her running friends elevated her as a runner. It was then I decided I would join USAFIT ABQ. Now the same is true for me.
That first half marathon was a 2:43 finish. My road half marathon PR is 2:04 (ABQ Half) and my downhill half marathon PR is 1:56 (Revel Big Bear). In 2012, I ran my first full marathon in 5:53 (Duke City), 2 years later my second marathon finish time was 4:50 (Long Beach), a smashing improvement, then a year & 2 mos. after Long Beach, it was back to Tempe for the full marathon. It was my marathon PR day and I finished in 4:36 (Rock n Roll AZ).
My goal with USAFIT ABQ is to share running knowledge acquired from experience, coaches and time with other runners which I hope will aid you in achieving your running goals this season. See you at the finish line!
Elizabeth Cochran
Walk to Run / Sponsorships
In this vast sport of running, my story stands out as a testament to spirit, willpower, and the power of community.
My journey with USAFit Albuquerque began in 2018, marking the beginning of physical and spiritual transformations that would redefine my limits and aspirations. A failed attempt at a marathon in 2001 continued to trouble me over the years. While completing a half-marathon race did provide satisfying, the allure of a full-marathon event continued to gnaw at me. I realized I truly had the desire to conquer the daunting 26.2 miles.
By chance, a friend mentioned she had a work colleague who acted as a pace coach in a running group. I went home thinking to myself: I cannot run with others. I don’t know how to run. I am too slow. I cannot talk while running. I am a jogger, not a runner. Is there a jogging group I can join? That night, I
went to sleep with all these thoughts running (pun intended!) through my mind. I was torn between lack of confidence to join a group and doubt in my ability to achieve my goal on my own.
The thought of the possibility of me actually running a full-marathon race was top of mind for two long days. After being unable to shake my curiosity, I delved into USAFit Albuquerque’s online resources.
The more I read, the more realizing the goal became reality. After scanning all of the coach’s bios, there was Bob’s! His genuine and upbeat bio particularly caught my eye, and without hesitation, I fired off an email to express my interest.
In October 2018, eighteen years after my first attempt, I crossed the finish line at the Duke City Marathon. Two steps after receiving my finisher medal, with shallow breath, I uttered those infamous words, Never again.
Little did I know these words would ring untrue as my journey with USAFit Albuquerque continued to evolve. The impact of the organization, not just in terms of fitness but also in fostering genuine friendships, kept me coming back for more.
Since that pivotal moment, my running journey has taken me to new heights. I conquered Rock and Roll Marathons in iconic locations like Las Vegas (2019) and New Orleans (2020), each race marking a personal triumph over mental and physical challenges. The peak of my journey came in 2022 when I proudly completed the renowned Chicago Marathon. This was a testament to the outreach of USAFit Albuquerque coaches who supported and encouraged me out of a very bad slump, which almost kept me from the Chicago Marathon.
As our amazing leaders, Bob and Vicky, have completed their amazing leadership of the USAFit Albuquerque group, I found myself at a crossroads. Do I leave the group – rather the family – and be content with all I gained? Or do I do what I can to keep it alive. In response to the need, with Jaxine Dye, I agreed to support the group’s sponsorship relationships for 2024. While I humorously claim to have hung up my marathon shoes, the adage Never say never resonates.
My story is proof the finish line may just be the starting point for the next challenge in life: running or otherwise. Running with USAFit Albuquerque has brought me from a wannabe-marathoner to someone who has overcame obstacles, embraced community, and redefined limits. I want to inspire and help others find the courage to lace up their shoes and embark on their own transformative journeys.
Diana Bibeau
Full Marathon
I am excited to be part of the new 2024 leadership team for USA Fit Albuquerque. I grew up in Corrales, but left New Mexico shortly after graduating from NMSU.
After 35 years in TX, AZ, and Nashville, I’m now back home. I started running in 1991 to pursue a healthy lifestyle. Little did I know the life changing journey running would take me on.
Over the years, I have run hundreds of races from the 5K to marathons (126 marathons and at least one in each of the 50 states) and developed such a passion for the sport of running. I have met so many people and developed lifelong friendships through this running journey and want to share this passion with others of all abilities. The beauty of running and walking is that we meet people from all walks of life and develop a network of friendships. Look for me at the tent each Saturday during training seasons in 2024!
Cindy Heredia
Registration and Accounting
In 2009 at the young age of 49, I created my own challenge, to run a Full Marathon on my 50th birthday. It was only through this group that I found the encouragement and commitment from Coaches who truly wanted to see each person reach the Start line with excitement and injury free.
I have been part of this group ever since. I am usually bringing in the end of the crowd with our slow and easy pace. This group teaches us that we are all different, but we can do it together. Each year brings on new adventures and new journeys.
I have completed 23 Half Marathons and 4 Full Marathons. I’m excited to meet you and help you on your own journey. Let’s find that START line together and get across the FINISH LINE with the wonderful sense of accomplishment.
Juaquin Sanchez
Graphic Design
I am the Graphic Designer for USAFit Albuquerque and have designed graphics and t-shirts for the group for the past several years.
My wife Dianne became a member in 2011 and she inspired me to run my first half Marathon and marathon. I joined the group in 2013 and since then I have run twelve half marathons, fifteen marathons and one 50k.
USAFit, its coaches and members have helped me achieve running goals beyond my wildest dreams and I hope help others do the same.
Barbara Smith
Equipment Storage
Hey, I’m Barbara. A mother, wife and wine lover. I was born and raised in Santa Fe and moved to Albuquerque to raise my daughter.
I met my husband, Lee, in 2009 and together we have 3 children and now 3 fur babies.
I never liked running but decided to join USA Fit in 2020 with Lee when we became empty nesters. Over the past 3 years, I have grown to enjoy running but truly love the social aspect. I quickly discovered distance running wasn’t so bad. I followed the training schedule and ran a 5k, 10k, a half marathon, and then thought why not a marathon. I’ve completed two marathons and am looking forward to many more.
Eliza Linde
Banquet/Event Planner
I had been a wanna-be runner for a long time. Over the years, I purchased all the appropriate clothes and accessories, all the shoes, all the various hydration systems, made kick-*ss playlists, and had energetic dogs as great running partners. And, I was the biggest fan and admirer of my friends who are runners. I ran regularly for a few weeks, or months, but would inevitably stop because my motivation fell off, or I got busy with other priorities (riding and racing mountain bikes), or – like many over-enthusiastic, under-informed newbie runners, I would over-do it, and get injured and sore.
That was my pattern for several years, until I heard about USAFit, and joined the Albuquerque group in the spring of 2022. Turns out, group accountability, supportive and motivating coaches, a welcoming and friendly community, a smart training plan, and paying a little money, all go a long way towards establishing a committed and healthy love of running!
I initially engaged in running with ABQFit as cross-training to improve cardiovascular endurance for my mountain bike riding and racing. But I have since come to love and appreciate running – especially on local trails – as equally important to my health, fitness and quality of life. I have completed four half-marathons, two 12-mile trail runs, one 15-mile trail run, and one 10-mile trail run so far, even getting onto the podium in my age group, and hitting PRs every time! I am registered for more races in 2024, and look forward to putting in the miles with my ABQFit friends!
Amy Purcell
Social Media/Website
In 2000, after running only a few 5ks and 10ks, I decided to run a marathon. I had no idea if I could make the leap from 6.2 miles to 26.2, but I did it. Since then I’ve run seven more marathons, most of them in my hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, and over 20 half marathons. I still love a fun 5k or 10k too. In Cincinnati’s Queen Bee Half Marathon, I’m a “streaker.” (Don’t panic, I keep my running shorts on. In running parlance that means I’ve run the race every year since its inception.)
When my husband and I moved to Albuquerque in 2021, one of the first things I searched for was a running group and community. After exploring a couple of other groups in Albuquerque, I found a home with USA Fit Albuquerque. Since then, I’ve met some fabulous running pals and friends, and am grateful for the support and encouragement of this incredible group.
I love running for a variety of reasons. First, who doesn’t love an excuse to buy more shoes? Second, I love the mental and physical challenge. Third, the commeraderie among fellow runners and walkers is unbeatable, There’s also the joy at the start and finish lines of every race, and, of course, that shiny medal and sometimes a good craft beer or tasty burrito.
Finally, for me, running heals. As a long hauler — I’m not talking running mileage, I’m talking long Covid — I am more grateful than ever to be back on the road after being sidelined for nearly a year. When I was at my sickest, the thought of being able to run again kept me motivated to overcome my symptoms. Additionally, my doctor and vestibular physical therapist both agreed that being a runner possibly contributed to me significantly shortening my long haul.
Every run is a good run, in my opinion. And every run with USA Fit Albuquerque is even better!
