At Running Joyfully, our coaching team brings decades of run coaching experience and a deep commitment to helping our athletes thrive both on the run and beyond! In this blog, we’re excited to spotlight Coach Kacy Seynders, a multi-time Boston Marathon qualifier, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and all-around running enthusiast. Kacy brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and heart to her coaching, making her a beloved part of the Running Joyfully family.

Kacy’s Running Journey: From the Soccer Field to Marathons

Kacy’s introduction to running started on the soccer field, where she discovered she was better at outrunning her opponents than playing the game itself. “Soccer was my first love—I worked so hard at it,” she says. “But I eventually realized my true talent was in running.” After two years of JV soccer in high school, Kacy transitioned to running full-time, experimenting with track before falling in love with cross-country during her junior year. That same year, she ran her first half marathon, igniting a lifelong passion for distance running.

In college, Kacy competed in club triathlon, but running always remained her true love. “My training was a lot of running with some cycling and swimming thrown in,” she says with a laugh. Since those early days, Kacy has run 13 marathons, including six Boston Marathons, and has amassed over 16 years of running memories. “Some races have been truly magical,” she shares.

The Transition to Coaching

In addition to working as a running medicine specialist and physical therapist, Kacy always had long-term dreams of coaching runners. In 2023, Running Joyfully founder Kaitlin Goodman approached Kacy about coaching, drawn to Kacy’s expertise in injury prevention and strength training and her background in triathlon coaching. “Kaitlin asked me to join the coaching team and it felt like a dream come true,” Kacy says. “It was the perfect opportunity to fulfill my coaching dream, with amazing support and people around me.”

Philosophy: Consistency and Individualization

Kacy’s coaching philosophy centers on two key principles: consistency and individualization.

“I believe success in running comes from staying healthy and being consistent—day after day, week after week, month after month,” she says. While flashy workouts might grab attention, Kacy emphasizes that the real magic lies in the steady, everyday effort and stacking consistent training year over year.

Her background as a Doctor of Physical Therapy has deeply influenced her approach. “As a PT, I’m trained to see the whole person and create individualized plans. I bring that same mindset to coaching, listening to my athletes and tailoring training to their unique needs.” Another cornerstone of Kacy’s approach is integrating strength training with running to support both performance and long-term health.

Working with Kaitlin as her own coach has also shaped her philosophy - Kaitlin and Kacy have worked together as coach and athlete since 2020. “Kaitlin helped me develop a healthier relationship with running, and I’m passionate about passing that on to my athletes.”

The Joy Compass

Learning to approach running and life with joy has been a transformative journey for Kacy. “I’ve always been intense—pushing, forcing—but shifting my mindset to follow joy has changed how I approach everything, from coaching to my work as a PT,” she says. “Choosing joy is a decision I try to make every day, even if it’s just for a moment. It’s not only more fun but also improves performance!”

Advice for Athletes

For Kacy, both as an athlete and a coach, the best advice she’s received is about perspective.

As an athlete: “Avoid viewing races or workouts as all ‘good’ or all ‘bad.’ Learn from the experience, find the positives, and don’t judge the negatives too harshly.”
As a coach: “How you frame training and racing for your athlete often matters more than the training itself.”

Her bottom line for athletes? “Show up now to shine later.”

Life Beyond Running

When she’s not coaching or running, Kacy enjoys quality time with her dog, Oly, exploring coffee shops and breweries, and indulging her competitive streak in games of pool, darts, or ping pong with her boyfriend. She’s also a proud Taylor Swift fan (yes, she’s a Swiftie!) and loves writing long-form blogs.

Looking Ahead

Kacy’s big goal as a runner is to break the 3:00 barrier in the marathon and see how far under she can go. In 2025, she also hopes to sharpen her racing skills and set PRs in shorter distances. As a coach, she’s particularly excited to guide her athletes through the Boston Marathon. “I know the course and training so well—I can’t wait to see what they accomplish!”

Coach Kacy’s passion for running and strength training, her dedication to her athletes, and her commitment to finding joy in the process make her an integral part of the Running Joyfully team. We’re so lucky to have her coaching and inspiring our athletes every step of the way!