KATY FIT Coaches
Katy FIT coaches are ready and here for you to begin your training!
These coaches will help prepare you for any race for any program or season!
Meet the Coaches
Ruben Topete
Organizer
After many years of unhealthy sedentary life, I threw away excuses, listened to my wife’s recommendation and started to walk. This was the start of a new journey that later I came to realize would never end. My first goal was to run a half marathon to completion. I started walking 6 miles almost every day and then gradually introduced one mile runs until completely running all 6. This set me up to successfully reach my goal. After a few halfs, I set a new goal, and that was to run a full marathon. This is when I joined USA FIT Katy, as I knew it would be hard on my own.
I was introduced to speed and hill work and learned many things regarding the sport of running. After completing my 6th marathon, I became a Coach for the Full marathon group. This created a new goal for me and that was to help others train to successfully and safely go through their journey as well as meeting their goal of completing a full marathon. After my seventh marathon 2019, Mark and I were asked to be Co-organizers of the USA FIT Katy.
Even though my journey has been the same for many years, my goals have changed and now it is to help our coaches guide their members through their journey and to meet their goals. I have met and set bonds with some awesome runners at USA FIT Katy during these many years and I look forward in meeting many more.
Know your Journey … Change Your Life!
Jonathan Glover
Head Coach – Marathon Group
I went through my high school and early adulthood – like thinking fitness was for suckers and I was pretty happy being a lazy smoker. It wasn’t until my son began sports that I discovered that I could barely run across the field, and I decided that my fitness level was something I needed to address.
After a few months of getting into the whole running thing, I ran my first 5k and I discovered I really enjoyed the whole race day experience. A few 5K’s and 10K’s later, I set my sights on completing a marathon. I began my training on my own and one day stumbled across KatyFit in the park. That day I went home and signed up online.
Since then, I have completed five full marathons and numerous half marathons. The support of being a part of KatyFit has allowed me and many others to stay focused on the training and helped make running a part of our lives.
Iman Shahim
AIM – Advanced Training Coach | Achieving Improving and Maximizing
My running journey began in early 2018, inspired by the determination of a friend who was recovering from a severe ankle injury. As an accomplished marathon runner, his setback moved me to make a pledge: if he persevered through the surgeries and rehabilitation, I will dedicate myself to training and complete my first half marathon alongside him. True to our words, both of us fulfilled our commitments and triumphantly ran the Cypress half marathon together in 2018.
In pursuit of readiness for this self-imposed challenge, I reached out to the USAFIT Katy Running Club. I was warmly received by Chris, who remains a fellow runner to this day. This warm welcome was the first indication of a promising partnership for the half marathon endeavor. I showed up, met new members, and embarked on my journey with initial struggles, but I never gave up. Over time, the continuous encouragement from fellow club members about my commitment and progress was heartening. The unwavering inspiration and support from dedicated runners like Ruben, Idalia, Art, Mark, Daniel and Jonathan have been instrumental in my development as a runner. Their significant influence has shaped my running journey and the runner I have become today. I thank them forever.
After completing the Cypress and Houston half marathons in 2018, I was inspired to elevate my running goals and began training for a full marathon. The question lingered: would this be a one-time feat or the start of a worldwide quest. As it turned out, my passion for running only grew, leading me to not only conquer the Houston marathon but also to take on the Beijing and Sydney marathons, in addition to the 6 major marathons across the globe. With the marathons in Boston, New York, Chicago, London, and Tokyo under my belt, I am now gearing up for the Berlin marathon on September 29, 2024, poised to complete a remarkable and inspiring global running odyssey.
My mantra of “Commitment, Discipline, and Consistency” has been the cornerstone of my success, enabling me to consistently improve my marathon times, with a respectful finish of 03:47:16 in Tokyo back in March 2024. The Berlin marathon presents a new target: to cross the finish line in under 03:45:00. My invitation to support me meeting this new target is a testament to your dedication, and in return, I offer to stand by you to help you achieve your sub-4-hour goal at the Houston Marathon in January 2025. Together, let’s demonstrate the power of unwavering commitment in realizing our ambitious running aspirations.
Looking forward to seeing you on the Terry Hershey trail soon!
Stephen Kimmel
Coach – Walkers
At the age of 54, after years of telling people what I did for exercise was type (as in using a typewriter) my blood pressure and my weight finally caught up with me. My choice was either life-long medication or become seriously more active. My son and daughter-in-law encouraged me to try running and so I set off to run five miles. It was a complete disaster. So, I switched to walking, thinking that I would start running after I got into better shape. I promised I would stick with it for at least 16 weeks and that each week I would either go faster or farther. My weight started falling and I got to where I could walk significant distances. Then one Saturday I saw some folks training for a marathon and like everyone else I thought, “If they can do it, I can do it.” And I could, and I did.
My first marathon was Houston in 2004. I have since done a full marathon in all fifty states with a total of 73 marathons and 26 half marathons. No one needs to do that many marathons. There is a special word for people like me: idiots. But if you want to do a marathon or a half marathon, you can do it. And if you want to do it, I would be happy to help you.
