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Heather Smith, Colquitt, GA Track & Field Coach

Heather Smith

Track & Field

SILVER

Former collegiate cross-country/track & field athlete, All-American Track & Field, 8x National qualifier, collegiate/HS track and field/cross country coaching experience, NASM View all coaching experience

This coach is unavailable to take clients at this time.

Training Locations
  • Park University (MO)

  • 23 years

  • Qualified Private Coach
    Passed Coach Course

  • Adults, Kids, Teenagers

  • Marathon, Cross Country, Middle Distance, Sprints, Long Distance, Hurdles, Jumps, Throws

  • Pacing, Sprinting, Baton Handoffs, Running the Curve, Shot Put, Passing, Form, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump

Credentials

  • Park University (MO)

  • 23 years

  • Qualified Private Coach
    Passed Coach Course

Services

  • Adults, Kids, Teenagers

  • Marathon, Cross Country, Middle Distance, Sprints, Long Distance, Hurdles, Jumps, Throws

  • Pacing, Sprinting, Baton Handoffs, Running the Curve, Shot Put, Passing, Form, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump

More About Coach Heather

27 years of running/cross-country/track & field coaching experience and a former collegiate cross-country and track & field athlete, and NASM certified.

An All-American in Track & Field, 8 time National qualifier in both XC and Track & Field (indoor and outdoor), 4 time Regional Cross-country qualifier, 3 time All Region Cross-country 1st Team, 1 time All Region Cross-country 2nd Team and New Comer of the Year. I competed not only in the fall cross country season, but raced in the 4x400 relay, 4x800 relay, 4x1600 relay, DMR, 800, 1500, 2000 meter steeple chase, and half marathon in the Winter and Spring. I’ve raced post collegiate across the Midwest on a men and women racing team sponsored by Metro Walk & Run prior to moving to California 9 years ago.

I spent 5 years as an assistant Head Track and Field coach at Park University (NAIA) in Kansas City, Missouri where I coached distance runners, relays, and specialized in the long jump, triple jump and high jump. I was the Head Coach at Pacifica Christian High School in Santa Monica, California for the cross-country and track & field programs – both programs were built from the ground up upon my arrival. At my time at Pacifica Christian High School, we won several League Championships; qualified every season to CIF-SS Prelims and Finals in Cross-country and Track & Field competitions. Prior to working at Pacifica Christian High, I was the Head XC/Track & Field Coach at Beverly Hills High School from 2005-2007, leading the Normans to multi-Ocean League Championships on both the girls and boys teams, multi-Ocean League Individual Champions, multi-CIF-SS Prelim Qualifiers, multi-CIF-SS Finalists, and State Qualifiers. I currently own my own running and fitness business in the San Fernando Valley called Valley Coast Running & Fitness.

My goal is to use the knowledge I have acquired throughout my athletic career to help others achieve their goals and experience some of the fun and joy I have had while coaching and competing. I do specialize on running and jumping technique and building strength in order to prevent injuries. We'll start off with a consultation to get an idea of where you’re at physically, emotionally, and health in general. Once the evaluation is complete, a game plan is in place, we’ll start the training, and modifications will take place as we go.
My passion for coaching runs deep. There are no words to explain why I run, why I train, why I love being on a track, or why coaching young and seasoned adults gets me fired up. I continue to train as a runner to this day and work as a personal trainer for others running distances such as 5k, 10k, 12k, half marathons, marathons, track & field jumpers(long, jump, high jump, triple jump), sprinters, middle distance, and distance runners.

An All-American in Track & Field, 8 time National qualifier in both XC and Track & Field (indoor and outdoor), 4 time Regional Cross-country qualifier, 3 time All Region Cross-country 1st Team, 1 time All Region Cross-country 2nd Team and New Comer of the Year. I competed not only in the fall cross country season, but raced in the 4x400 relay, 4x800 relay, 4x1600 relay, DMR, 800, 1500, 2000 meter steeple chase, and half marathon in the Winter and Spring. I’ve raced post collegiate across the Midwest on a men and women racing team sponsored by Metro Walk & Run prior to moving to California 9 years ago. I've had the pleasure in racing on many team relays taking the top spot ranging from 75 mile-100 mile runs.

I spent 5 years as an assistant Head Track and Field coach at Park University (NAIA) in Kansas City, Missouri where I coached distance runners, relays, and specialized in the long jump, triple jump and high jump. I was the Head Coach at Pacifica Christian High School in Santa Monica, California for the cross-country and track & field programs – both programs were built from the ground up upon my arrival. At my time at Pacifica Christian High School, we won several League Championships; qualified every season to CIF-SS Prelims and Finals in Cross-country and Track & Field competitions. Prior to working at Pacifica Christian High, I was the Head XC/Track & Field Coach at Beverly Hills High School from 2005-2007, leading the Normans to multi-Ocean League Championships on both the girls and boys teams, multi-Ocean League Individual Champions, multi-CIF-SS Prelim Qualifiers, multi-CIF-SS Finalists, and State Qualifiers. I currently own my own running and fitness business in the San Fernando Valley called Valley Coast Running & Fitness.

1. Consultation- gather information in order to identify realistic goals, scheduling
2. Training schedule-develop a training for each individual client that pertains to their event, fitness regime, and/or lifestyle.
3. Injury evaluation-constant monitoring of prior injuries and prevention of reoccurring injuries with strength development.

1. Warm-up-light jog, stretch, core work depending on individual 10 minutes
2. Agilities-active stretching, form development 10 minutes
3. Workout-individualized for client 30-40 minutes
4. Warm down-light jog, stretch, core work depending on individual 5-10 minutes

heathercruzsmith@yahoo.com

Action Photos

Client Reviews

Coach Heather was very accommodating and very knowledgeable in her field. She knew exactly what she was talking about and how to achieve our goal. I’m so grateful to have had her as a coach and I’m excited to continue working with her.

Coach Heather had a great first session with my 10 year old twin boys. She is very knowledgeable and very patient. My boys can be a handful, but she did a great job with them and I saw glimpses of improvement with their running technique after only their first lesson. We'll definitely keep working with Coach Heather!!! 👍

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What a great experience! Was an honor to meet and Coach Heather understood my training needs. Coach Heather is an expert in her field and I am fully confident she is going to help me achieve my running goals!

Thank you so much coach Heather! You are amazing. You are patient and take time to train me. I appreciate all of your help and guidance.

Great coach !!! She’s full of knowledge and really cares about the people she works with.

I have only had 2 sessions with Heather thus far, but have already seen substantial improvement in my running technique resulting in pain free running. My previous technique, self taught, was resulting in relatively slow half marathon times and substantial knee pain.

With just a couple of lessons Heather has modified my technique resulting in little to no pain during and after runs and I can definitely see potential for substantially reduced times.

Needless to say, more sessions are in the future.

Thanks Heather!

Coach Heather was great and knowledgable. She trained my son and conditioned him during the summer break. She was always on time. I will definitely have her coach him next summer. All I ask is that she make some time available when we use her expertise next summer.

Coach Heather was considerate of my limitations and recent injury. She encouraged me to go for my goals and achieve my potential. She gave me tips to improve m and correct my running form. Thanks Coach Heather!

Heather is an amazing coach. She helped me raised my confidence, and endurance. Without her I would not have been able to run 3 miles without stopping. =)

Heather is so great with my son. She is helping him get stronger and teaching him to run and works so well with him. Super job!

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