Testimonials

Here's what members of the Capital Area Runners have to say about the program:

My New Year's resolution for 2009 was to find a running community and actually train for a marathon. After trying out many local running groups, I found CAR to be the most welcoming and supportive. Coach George's years of experience and knowledge have helped me grow as a runner. Plus, his generally all-around great personality make running in the rain/snow/freezing winds at 6:30 in the morning a fun activity rather than a chore. After six months of George's tutelage, I shaved 16 minutes off my marathon PR to run a 2:59 at the Richmond Marathon. With George's guidance and the group's support, I hope to be running more PR's in the future!

--Kate Hudson

Note: Kate's Marathon PR came exactly one year after giving birth to son Nathan. Kate also won the very challenging Decker's Creek Half Marathon in 2009.

After running my first marathon I knew I wanted to get better and thought that joining a group and getting a coach would help.  Fortunately, I met George and began running with his group  I would recommend George as a coach for runners at all levels from beginner to elite.  George knows when it is neccessary to push runners harder and when it is necessary to hold them back.  His experience and knowledge are great for those who want to learn the science and physiology behind the different aspects of running and the social make up of the group is great for those who want to run with a fun group and achieve new goals.  Each week he takes the time to answer your questions and cheer you on at races.  No matter where you are looking to go with your running, George can help you get there.   The improvements I have made in the year since joining speak more about George's coaching ability than I can put in words.

-Dan Lesniak

Note: Dan Lesniak capped off an amazing year of improvement in the marathon which saw him run 5:16:16 in the 2008 Marine Corps Marathon, 4:24:34 in the 2009 National Marathon, 3:35:26 in the 2009 Marine Corps Marathon and then 3:10:53 in Nov, 2009, in Richmond to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Dan has shown us all what you can do when you commit to doing something well.

I think the key to success & happiness in anything you do is to surround yourself with great people. I have tried to run in the mornings for years, but never had the motivation until I met Coach George and the Capital Area Runners for a track workout. Now not only do I wake up most mornings without an alarm, but I look forward to each and every run with the team.

-Jessica McGuire

Note: Since starting to train with George Buckheit, Jessica has run two 1/2 Marathons (Philadelphia Distance Run in 1:33:52) and Qualified for the Boston Marathon with her first attempt at the Marathon

Training with CAR has given me a new excitement for running. I had always thought of running as a purely solitary sport, but over the past few months, I have gained a whole new perspective.

The CAR group is extremely friendly and always supportive of one another, and I look forward to the opportunity to test my limits with the other members of the group each week.

George’s running knowledge is amazing, and he can provide a blueprint for achieving any running goal. His passion for running and love for coaching are clear in the way he shares in the excitement of his runners when they are successful and disappointment when they come up short.

George’s enthusiasm and humor, coupled with the group’s friendliness and energy, make the CAR workouts a great way to start the day!

-Katie Muething

Before joining George’s training group, I was counting down the decades until I was going to be old enough to qualify for Boston Marathon. I had simply written off the possibility of running a marathon under 3h10min59sec. George’s training program changed all that. In less than a year, I became a better athlete, a better runner, and learned to really value George’s running philosophy of starting slow and finishing fast. I am still not sure that I am able to implement it 100%, but I know that I shaved 30 minutes off my previous marathon and qualified for Boston.  If you want to become a better runner, join George Buckheit’s training group!

-George Cernat

I joined Capital Area Runners on a friend's recommendation, and I'm glad I did. Coach Buckheit is great...he has an infectious enthusiasm for the sport, he takes a personal interest in each runner and helps tailor their workouts to best meet their goals, he devotes a lot of time and thought to planning and attending the workouts, and to top it off, he has a great sense of humor!

The runners in the group are also wonderful.  The experience levels range from beginner to elite, and I've found everyone to be quite friendly and supportive of one another.

After training with CAR this year, I trimmed my previous Marine Corps Marathon time by more than 20 min. and qualified for the Boston Marathon.  I attribute that mostly to Coach Buckheit's coaching and the structure/discipline that comes with training with a group.  I highly recommend the group to anyone, whether you're training for a marathon or other race, or just trying to keep in shape. 

-Tony Black

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One of the highlights of my week is the Tuesday track workout with George.  It is the one night a week where I have the opportunity to physically challenge myself with strangers, who over the course of a few months have become friends.  On good nights, we push each other; on bad nights, we pick each other up.  We return every Tuesday because all of us believe our best race is in front of us. 

It is a very short distance between a pat on the back and a kick in the butt.  George understands this.  He will encourage you, he will test you, and he will make you faster.  

-Brett Nelson

George uses his wealth of experience as a runner to plan very well thought out and sensible work-outs.  I have trimmed additional minutes off my marathon time thanks to the program. The program isn't just about speed - George has created an environment with a very friendly and supportive atmosphere.

 -Sarah Haut

 
I learned about the program last September by striking up a conversation with a fellow runner after completing a 5K.  I joined the program a month later with a modest goal of shaving a few seconds off of my 5K time in order to break 20 minutes.  Six months later, I not only easily achieved my goal in the 5K, but I also had completed my first 1/2 marathon and my first marathon. 

One of the nice things about the program is the fact that there are runners of all different abilities, so it is easy to find others to run at your pace.  Coach Buckheit's passion and enthusiasm for the sport are infectious, and it makes the track workouts and weekend runs a lot of fun.  It is also a great way to meet some great people.  So whether your goal is simply to get in better shape or to qualify for the Boston Marathon, come out and give the program a try.

-John Herc

Note: Since starting to train with George Buckheit, John Herc has gone from running only 5k's, to running a 3:09 marathon at 2008 Marine Corp which allowed him to toe the line at the 2009 Boston Marathon.