Director for Training Programs—Rae Bimmerle

Rae started running in 7th grade, the 800m, for exactly one track season. That was enough to turn her off running for 15 years or so. Fast forward to 2017, when a good friend pointed out that running was the ultimate busy lawyer fitness hack—no planning necessary, no fixed time commitment, just throw on some shoes and head out the door whenever you have time. That first mile in Chicago, February 2017, was . . . rough. But Rae was hooked. She finished her first 5K in July 2017, 10K in August 2017, half marathon in April 2018, and marathon in February 2019.

Rae may have gotten a later start to road racing than some, but she’s determined to see what she can do with consistent training. So far, she’s managed to get a smidge faster each year, racing a goal 10K before each birthday, just to see if the “aging in reverse” trend continues. Rae will not be breaking any land-speed records, but the fun (and satisfaction) is in the striving, learning, and improving!

What keeps Rae showing up week after week is the inclusive and overwhelmingly supportive community that is DC Road Runners. In the end, whatever your pace, we’re all out running the same roads and conquering our own big goals. Having a community of runners like the DC Road Runners there to lift you up and cheer you on along the way makes those goals all the more attainable.

Rae is an RRCA Level 1 and USATF Level 1 Certified Coach. She loves, genuinely loves marathon and half-marathon training, studying training theory, long Saturday morning adventure runs . . . and 400 meter repeats. She also loves pacing and coaching newer runners, older runners, slower runners and runners returning from injury to set and attain their half and full marathon goals while staying safe and healthy. Not sure “fun” and “10+ mile run” fit in the same sentence? Come find the “party pace” at DC Road Runners Saturday Long Run!