Cypress FIT Coaches
Cypress FIT coaches are ready and here for you to begin your training!
For any program or season, these coaches will help prepare you for any race!
Meet the Coaches
Wendy Riley
Organizer – RRCA Certified Run Coach
I have always been a fairly active person with a background in dance, aerobics, and weight training. Until I started with USAFit Cypress, running was not my exercise of choice. Luckily, a friend asked me if I wanted to join USA Fit Cypress. She shared with me about the comradery, educational seminars, race medals, and socials, so I decided to give it a try.
At first, I was afraid that I would hold everyone back because at the time I couldn’t even run 1 mile without stopping. I didn’t know what to expect, but went ahead and attended my first group run. There I found out that they had several groups I could choose from that would fit my ability and pace. I continued through the season following the USA Fit training program and implementing the information I learned from the seminars on running. At the end of this first season, I finished my first ½ half marathon!
After this, I was hooked and running became my exercise of choice. Since then, I have participated in 15 half marathons, 2 triathlon races, and 2 ten miler races and am looking forward to doing more.
Joining USA Fit Cypress has been one of my best decisions – I’ve learned a lot, made new friends, and achieved more than I thought possible. It’s amazing what a confidence boost achieving your goals can be.
Now as a coach and co-organizer, I enjoy encouraging and helping others achieve their goals. USA Fit Cypress is truly a positive and supportive group. Come join us! It can change your life.
Robyn Stout
Pace Coach
Running became my exercise of choice later in my life. It is convenient as it can be done most anywhere without need for a gym membership. I was not confident in the beginning, but have grown in knowledge and so much more with USA Fit. I am a physical therapist with some didactic knowledge of exercise physiology, anatomy, biomechanics and the like.
I can now say I have “walked the walk” as a runner who has experienced the fatigue, the cramping, the mental game of a long race, the discomfort of speed work as well as the camaraderie of a group, the support of running and walking friends as well as the fun we have together. I hope to support, encourage and be part of the running journey of fellow USA Fit members as an organizer and assistant coach.
Dinah McMichaels
Pace Coach – Purple Half Marathon Group
Growing up I never considered myself an athlete. It wasn’t until college that I started to focus on my physical and mental health by exploring sports. I became a certified GroupX instructor and especially enjoyed teaching dance classes. For years I enjoyed endurance sports through running, riding bikes and triathlons. Over time I ran into some health issues and my doctor recommended that I back off races in lieu of activities that put less stress on your system.
When the Covid-19 pandemic happened, I knew I needed to find a way to get back outside and get moving. Finding USA Fit Cypress was my saving grace through such a stressful season of life. This group helped me fall in love with running again! CyFit has some of the most kind and genuine people you will meet. There’s a group where anyone can find a home. If you are nervous about getting started, just give it a try. You’ll be amazed at what your body can accomplish through consistent training over time and I promise you will find some laughter you can find along the way!
Mimi Nguyen
Pace Coach
I used to hate running! I would marvel at my coworker when she told me that she runs 3 miles around Memorial Park 3 days during the week and 6-9 miles on Saturdays. I never imagined that I could run 3 miles let alone a marathon. Little by little I started to run with some of my coworkers. The most I ran was a few 10K races.
After the birth of my second child in 2012, I could barely complete a two mile loop. So it was fate that I saw a post from my friend who was running with CyFit. I decided to sign up and train for a half marathon two years ago. I have since ran 5 halves and 3 fulls. This group of amazing runners has changed my life and attitude when it comes to running. They understand the joy and struggle of running. They have supported me and taught me to believe in myself and be fierce!
I believe that the hardest part of running is having the courage to start so I am super excited to continue with CyFit for my third season. I look forward to meeting and making new friends, sharing my love of running with you, and supporting you on your running journey!
Ramona Lauterbach
Pace Coach
My childhood was dedicated to gymnastics. In high school, however, I found the love for running. I used to be a fast runner, unbeatable fast😊. Due to other priorities, however, I stopped running after college many years ago.
One of my goals, when I moved to this community, was to start running again. I do not like running alone; it had to be in a group. I found CyFit three years ago through the communities Facebook page. One of the organizers, Donya, touched base with me after she read my post requesting information about a running group and provided details. I decided to join without knowing what to expect. I remember how tense and insecure I was felt my first day. Well, the heartwarming welcome of the CyFit coaches and members made me return and continue my running journey, with what I call today my CyFit family. Thanks to the great coaching, I was able in the shortest time to sign up and run several half marathons. My Saturday’s motivation is the early wake up to join the group for a run, great communication and laughter!
Janet Laurell
Pace Coach
I ran 5Ks for a long time until a friend convinced me that doing a half marathon would be a great idea. I signed up for the 2005 Aramco Houston Half, downloaded a training schedule, and did all my distances on the three mile loop in Memorial Park all by myself. I survived it so I signed up for the full marathon for 2006.
I knew my training could have been better so when someone told me about Houston Fit, I joined immediately. The group runs were much better preparation for the long distances. I looked forward to my running group and didn’t want to let them down by missing my weekday workouts or missing a long run. I had a great time at the marathon and continued to sign up every year.
When I got married, moved to the suburbs, and had kids I switched over to running half marathons and to Cypress Fit. I’ve loved having my running group out here to keep me accountable for my training and my pacing. Im looking forward to running with both new and experienced runners and encouraging each other to keep on running.
Shannon Sucato
Pace Coach
I have always been relatively active and enjoyed playing all kinds of sports as a kid, especially volleyball. Running was never my passion, but more of something I had to do as part of my sports training. As I got older, I started running more and participated in several 5ks and 10ks in my 20s and early 30s. In 2010, my sister (who had just given birth to twins the year before!) trained for a half marathon through USA FIT Houston. I was so inspired by her journey that I decided I wanted to do it too!
I joined USA FIT Cypress in 2011 and have been back every year since. I keep coming back because I love how running makes me feel. To be clear, I don’t always love how the actual RUN feels, but that feeling of getting it done just can’t be beat! I get a sense of accomplishment from following the training plan, increasing my mileage and completing the Saturday morning long runs. It’s something I do just for myself when so much of my other time is dedicated to family and work.
But, the thing I love most about running and about USA FIT Cypress specifically is the people. I have met so many amazing friends through this group. I look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday mornings and catching up with my running buddies on life events. Everyone is encouraging and accepting and fun. And boy do you get some great stories out of people when you’re running 12 miles together!
I encourage everyone to come out and try USA FIT Cypress. You CAN do it! There is a pace group for everyone, the environment is very welcoming, and you will feel fantastic when you reach that 13.1 or 26.2 goal. Join us!
Summer Rivenbark
Assistant Coach – Red Half Group
My love for running started when I was in Jr. High and High School. The longest distance I ran at that time was the 400 meter dash. I decided my junior year to trade my running shoes for dance shoes and quit doing track for drill team but the love of running was still in me. After I graduated, I started running again for weight control and got hooked!
I started doing 5K’s, 10K’s and then half marathons. That led to a desire to complete a full marathon, one of my “bucket list” challenges.
I trained with Kenyan Way running group and ran my first two full marathons. I then decided to stick with half marathons for running and move to my next bucket list challenge…..a triathlon!
I joined a gym with a pool and started training on my own. During that time, one of my co-workers found USAFit Cypress and we both joined in 2013. She talked me into running a couple more marathons. I was thrilled to find another running group that was closer to where I live, it sure beat driving into Houston!
I have run 4 full marathons, 11 half marathons, 6 sprint triathlons and 2 mud obstacle races.
I have really enjoyed running with the people in USAFit Cypress. Everyone is so positive and encouraging and the neighborhood is great. Come and join us in this crazy addiction we call running!
Betty Gu
Pace Coach
I started running about eight years ago when a friend of mine talked me into finally joining a gym. I hadn’t exercised for as long as I could remember, so all the group exercises seemed challenging to me, not to mention those intimidating weight machines. For the first few weeks, I felt a bit overwhelmed.
One day, I found a 30-day couch-to-5k program in a magazine. It looked like a perfect plan for me. It starts with running one minute, walking two minutes and repeats 10 times. By the end of the 30 days, you should be able to run 5k without stopping. So I gave it a try. It turned out it wasn’t as easy as I thought. But I did not give up. It took me almost two months before I finally finished that program. I still remember how proud I was when I told my friends that I had run 5k for the first time in my life. And I haven’t stopped running since.
I trained with Houston FIT in both 2008 and 2009 and really loved being part of a running group. The detailed and diversified weekly schedule not only improved my running but also made it more fun and challenging. And there’s so much more: the support and encouragement from the coaches, the seminars after the run, the water stations along the routes, the conversations with my running friends. Without all these, I don’t think I could have finished my first marathon in January this year. I had such a good time during the race, I look forward to running more marathons in the future.
So come out and join us for a run. Who knows? You may fall in love with running too.
Stella Pangilinan
Pace Coach
Finally, I found the best running group in Houston! I have been with two running clubs since 2012 but Cypress Fit is incomparable. Here in CyFit we treat each other not just as running mates but as family/friend.
When we moved to Bridgeland in late 2018, the first thing I looked for was the running club which I heard is one of the best in Cypress.
Come Nature Fest of Spring of 2019, with no hesitation, I approached the stand that says, “USA Fit Cypress” but I can’t remember why I did not sign up right there.
Friday Night Bite followed that weekend where I met Coaches/Organizers Donya Brewer and Wendy Riley who were handing out flyers. I asked for Coach Donya’s email and as soon as I got home, I emailed her expressing my interest in joining the group. I was so excited to start my training in July of 2019 after two years of not running. I have run six 5K’s, three 10K’s and 7 Half Marathon’s before joining Cypress Fit and I look forward to more runs and trainings.
CyFit gives me great motivation to develop my running skills, endurance and strength. Feeling blessed and grateful, I share the same enthusiasm and encouragement to others inside and outside our running group.
If you want to change your life and develop as a good runner, Cypress Fit will help you achieve that goal!
Don Crozier
Quality Training Coach and Pace Coach
I was an off-and-on runner since 6th grade. I liked running the track in PE class and even tried Track in 8th grade. I’m built and run like a sprinter, but have always had more of a distance runner’s mindset except when someone would challenge me to actually join Cross-Country or run more than 2.5 miles. I also swam competitively during summers in my preteen years. I dabbled with running and swimming again in college when I gained weight and a few other times in adulthood, like my first 5K in 2008, then got serious in 2017 when my wife entered a weight loss challenge and I decided to join her. I started running on a treadmill because running was the only thing that ever seemed to get the weight off of me, and worked my way up to doing 10Ks on a treadmill 2-4 times a week.
My wife then set herself a goal to do a half marathon and joined USA FIT Cypress I continued running to support her and after she had accomplished the goal in 2020, I decided to try it for myself. I loved the people and camaraderie, especially the way the miles passed much faster with companions and when the chance came to give back as a coach, I signed up for that as well. Now it keeps me motivated to show up, help others on their journey, and watch them progress and achieve their goals. I’ve also enjoyed some accomplishments of my own that I literally thought I would never achieve; that the people who ran half marathons, full marathons, and ultras were just a different breed but now those same people are helping me do it, too! USA FIT Cypress is more than just a training program, it’s a support group, social club, and almost a family as well. Anyone who wants to “reach for the stars” in running should start by joining.
Donya Brewer
Pace Coach
Finally the summer of 2016, I found the courage to “suit up”. At first, I walked. I was in horrible shape and it showed. I even found myself having to sit under a tree a few miles in to regain the energy and finish a long walk. Eventually, I ran again. Some days, I would set out to run, so angry at the turn my life had taken and as a result at how far my fitness had fallen – I shed more tears of frustration under a tree that stood there and only watched my struggle. A wise friend told me, I was “praying with my feet”. I think she was right! The more I ran, the better I felt! When I found the courage to join Cypress Fit that year and run alongside others again, I felt even better. I listened to others talk and slowly I felt like talking too. I cannot express what this group has meant to me and what my fellow orange half members have given to me. Even those I did not get to know that first season, helped me with their presence, a smile, some encouragement, and energy. Today, I still face the struggles that life offers, but inside I am stronger. I am ready to face the pavement and “pray with my feet”. I am grateful that running took me back and helped me to find myself again.
Joules O'Connor
Pace Coach
