Hi, I’m Jess

Welcome to We Run On Art! I’m so happy that you’re here, and am excited to share my passions for running and art (and making art about running!) with you. Thanks so much for visiting!

So much of what I do (and how I do it) seems to circle back to and grow through my
love for and belief in the Power of the Run.

Running changed my life over 20 years ago when I decided to train for my first marathon. As a young woman fresh out of college, I struggled with depression influenced by a lack of self belief and sense of purpose. I hoped that dedicating myself to the process of putting one foot in front of the other and following a simple plan to achieve the seemingly impossible would empower me to feel healthy, happy and strong. Even with such high hopes, I don’t think I ever could have imagined at the time that it would teach me all that it has about myself and about life, or that it would lead me down the amazing path that it has.

Since then, I have completed over 25 marathons (ranging in time from 5:58 to 3:09) and countless other races from the mile to the 50 miler. Running is a practice for me, and has become a way of life. I am still so curious about what is possible out on the roads and trails, and am excited to discover how this way of moving will help me evolve year after year, day after day, run after run.

After a decade of being a distance runner (and getting married and having our first 2 kids), I decided in 2010 that I wanted to learn more about the science and principles behind running and racing your best. I got my coaching certification in 2010, first applying what I’d learned to my own running (breaking 2 hours in the half marathon for the first time), but quickly deciding that I wanted to share my knowledge and passion with others. I started Pace of Me Coaching and have been coaching athletes of all abilities ever since – helping them to achieve their short term goals while supporting their long term visions has become one of my greatest joys.

As a young girl I would spend hours drawing and practicing different handwriting styles, letting myself get lost and nourished by the process of creating things. Throughout my adult life, while juggling corporate jobs and motherhood, I kept being drawn (pun intended) to graphic design and artistic pursuits, along the way starting a few creative businesses with friends based around my artwork. Just as my running has been a meditative and restorative practice for me, so too have I relied on drawing and painting to help me maintain my balance. In 2019 I combined these passions and began creating custom artwork to help runners commemorate important steps in their lives!

Currently, I spend my days coaching runners, drawing runners and seeking better ways to live a balanced, fulfilled and joyful life – one step at a time. My mission with my work as both coach and creative is to help others discover and celebrate their own strength and joy through the pursuit of their potential on the run.

If you want to know more, please explore my site and contact me any time if you have any questions!

I love to guide, motivate, support and celebrate all runners through my coaching and my art!