Programs
photo: Nathan Skillen
SUMMIT STRENGTH
designed to enhance running performance, improve efficiency, and reduce injury risk through targeted strength training. This program focuses on building muscular strength, power, stability, and mobility—all essential for efficient and injury-resistant running. It includes exercises targeting the lower body, core, and stabilizing muscles while incorporating functional movements specific to running mechanic
photo: Nathan Skillen
Stride & STRENGTH
a personalized, structured approach to help runners of all levels achieve their goals—whether they’re aiming to complete their first 5K, improve their running experience, or build a strength plan specifically for their goals. With a blend of individualized training plans, expert guidance, and performance tracking, this program ensures sustainable progress while reducing injury risk.
“I cannot express enough how incredible Maddie was as my running coach for the East Coast Ultra in Newfoundland. From the very beginning, her personalized approach, expert advice, and unwavering support made all the difference in my training and race experience. Her knowledge of ultra-running, paired with her motivational spirit, helped me push past limits I didn't even know I had. Maddie was not just a coach, but a mentor, guiding me through every step of the journey with patience, encouragement, and a genuine commitment to my success. Thanks to her, I crossed the finish line feeling stronger and more accomplished than I ever imagined. If you're looking for a coach who is dedicated, knowledgeable, and inspiring, Maddie is the one!"
Brianna
I feel like being consistent with strength training has unlocked a new level of running for me. I am not only faster, but I feel stronger in the process and less niggles.
Maddie's program managed to accommodate my family life, full-time job and the fact that I did my workouts in different places every 2 weeks. I had a big goal at the end of the program, which she methodidically built up towards, with many smaller races/challenges to work around. I not only crushed my goal, but did so feeling strong and with a very quick recovery period.
The communication was timely, well informed and easy to follow.
I could not recommend Maddie's strength program highly enough to anyone looking to progress their running
-Tom J
I came to Maddie with a 100mile, 6000m problem and she was nothing but solutions. She tailored a program to my life checking all the boxes for running, cross training, strength and race fueling all while holding space for my mental health. Through all the race and training successes and the low lows of injury Maddie held me up. She directed me to high quality PT and worked with my PT to ensure my injury recovery would support my long terms goals.
As a result of working with Maddie this season, I surpassed my Selkirk Slacker 12 hour distance goals, nailed my goals on the Black Spur 54km and far surpassed any expectations I had for myself on the IMTUF 100mile, my first 100 mile race.
I cannot recommend working with Maddie enough. She gets it, she is real and comes at coaching with the experience of being an athlete herself. I put my full trust in the program and in Maddie and it paid off.
-Brian G
We lost our Mom this past year after a long, complicated life shaped by trauma, mental health struggles, and addiction. Loving her meant learning resilience early. It meant learning to take care of others. It meant leaning on each other.
For each of us, running became the way we coped — the outlet, the pressure release, the way back to ourselves at different moments in our lives. But taking care of ourselves wasn’t something that was modelled or taught. It’s something we’re choosing now. Promising to ourselves and to each other — in our Mom’s honour.
I just turned 40 this month! I asked my brothers to train with me and run 40km. They both said yes immediately. That’s what we’ve always done — show up for each other.
Family isn’t always simple or shiny. Sometimes it’s layered. Sometimes it’s heavy. But it’s ours.
I’m grateful to move my body. Grateful to have my brothers beside me. Grateful for spaces like summit stride and strength that help keep us strong enough — physically and mentally — to carry what life hands us.
Last year, after two kids and a 15-year hiatus from running, I attempted to return to the sport but kept getting injured. I reached out to Maddie for a program to help me return without injury. At the same time, our Mom’s health was declining and the mental load felt immense. Maddie, her programming, and her steady support were the perfect antidote. Truly, just having someone encourage me to move my body helped me process the stress instead of holding it. I was so grateful for that experience that I knew she was the right coach for my brothers and I this year.
Cheers to family — the biological kind and the chosen kind. For the lessons, the grit, and the purpose they give us in this big, bold, brutal yet beautiful life.
Here’s to learning new ways of caring for ourselves later in life. For choosing to do the hard work and to having a strong support system at our backs while we do. Thank you Maddie!
-THe houstons