Hi! My name is Melissa Ritz and I’m a level-one RRCA, Road Runners Club of America, Coach and group run leader for the Valley Running Club of Drums, Pa. I started running 14 years ago when I was asked to run a local 5k with a friend. After running that race, I was hooked and wanted more. I fell in love with running, what it did for me, and the camaraderie it brought.
Over the last 14 years, I’ve raced everything from a mile to the marathon. In the beginning stages of my running I trained myself following basic plans I found online. But in 2018, I started working with a coach and in doing so, I learned to run smarter and more effectively. In October of that year, I was the overall winner of The Rails to Trails Half Marathon in Hazleton, Pa. and in December, I qualified for the Boston Marathon at the Rehoboth Seaside Marathon in Delaware.
I use the 80/20 principle in my own running and with the athletes I coach. I value the importance of easy running paired with harder running. I offer a free 15 minute consultation to discuss new athlete's needs and goals.