Meet Nora.

EMAIL

Nora Wilson
Running

I began running in 1982, after my late husband talked me into participating in the Corporate Challenge in Central Park, NYC, a 3.5-mile race sponsored by what is now, JP Morgan Chase. I was recruited at the last minute since they were one person short. An exception was made to allow a family member to join the team, though I worked for a different employer. I was also not a runner. They were desperate! It was summertime and the race took place after work, on a sunny, hot and humid afternoon. As one might expect, I absolutely hated the entire experience and promised I would never run again. All the free ice cream at the finish line could not convince me that running was the sport for me. I did concede over time, however, that it had health benefits. So reluctantly, I became a “fair weather runner.” After we moved to Houston in the summer of 1987, I used every excuse to avoid running, but my husband was persistent. So I jogged with him, only 3x/week and not a step beyond three miles. It wasn’t until a couple of friends challenged me ten years later, that I considered training for a marathon. So with the help of Houston Fit, I followed a program for almost six months, and I completed the Houston Marathon in January 1998. I learned to love running.  

In 44 years, I have raced everything from 5K to an ultramarathon distances, duathlons and triathlons from sprints to Ironman. The training and racing experiences taught me more than books and Runners World articles ever could.

 It was early during my transformation from couch potato to runner, that I wanted to know more about changes in the body that result from structured training, the science behind it, and coaching – not just for self-enrichment, but also, to be of service to others at some point. So it began, first with USA Fit (coached at Memorial Park for several years), then RRCA coaching certifications and several others as noted below.

More recently, accepting the fact that the aging process results in loss of muscle mass, cardiovascular efficiency, etc. (we slow down!) has led me to pursue a series of courses and share what I learn with others. I firmly believe that we can slow that process down. So whether you run or walk, keep moving!

Qualifications and other facts:

  • Lydiard Levels 1, 2 and 3*

  • McMillan Coaching certification

  • Jack Daniels V-DOT distance coach

  • RRCA Level I coach

  • USA Fit Coaching certification

  • Stanford Exercise Physiology course*, with focus on physiological changes of the aging athlete and necessary training adjustments. (The Stanford Center for Health Education, part of Stanford Medicine)

    * In process.

Achievements:

27x Boston Qualifier (completed 12 Boston marathons)

90 marathons as of Jan. 28, 2026 + several half marathons and countless shorter distance races

Chevron Houston Marathon Local Elite – qualified in 2012 at the HMSA 25K

1 Ultramarathon

Coaching and Fees:

- Access to coach via text + email + cell
- Goal planning 
- Training Peaks account

Rate: $80/month