Stronger Strides: Meet Jess Walhof, Coach and Trainer at 605 Running Company

​For many runners, the miles they log are only part of the story. Behind every finish line are countless hours spent building strength, refining technique, and staying healthy. Jess Walhof knows this better than anyone.

As a certified Running Coach and Personal Trainer, Jess brings a decade of diverse fitness experience to her role at 605 Running Company. Her mission? To help runners build resilience through strength, movement, and a deep sense of enjoyment in the process — not just in the races, but in the day-to-day grind.

From Movement Enthusiast to Strength Advocate
Jess’s journey into fitness began not with running, but with a lifelong love of athletics. After earning her degree in Exercise Science from Northwestern College, she dove into the fitness industry, coaching everyone from junior high athletes to clients navigating serious medical conditions.

“I’ve always been interested in movement,” Jess says. “Exercise Science allowed me to dig deeper into that passion and share it with others.”

While races are a fun milestone, it’s the training cycles Jess loves most — watching fitness build over time, witnessing the small, daily wins. For her, running isn’t just a sport — it’s a way to stay grounded and connected to personal growth.

Coaching Philosophy: Keep It Fun, Keep It Consistent
If there’s one principle Jess champions above all else, it’s this: fun leads to consistency. And consistency is where progress lives.

“If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, you won’t stick with it,” she explains. That’s why Jess tailors her coaching to help runners find joy in the process — not just in achieving goals, but in building a sustainable lifestyle around movement.

A critical part of her approach? Strength training. Despite its well-documented benefits, many runners still believe they can skip the weights. Jess is determined to change that mindset. “Strength training isn’t optional — it’s essential,” she says.

Her simple but powerful advice for runners at all levels: dedicate just thirty minutes, twice a week, to strength work. Whether you're easing into running or chasing a new PR, the results can be transformative.

And if you’re worried about bulking up? Jess is quick to bust that myth: “Ladies — picking up weights is NOT going to make you bulky!”

Building Stronger, Happier Runners
Jess’s passion lies in making strength accessible to everyone. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned racer, she believes that a personalized approach — one that considers your body, goals, and lifestyle — is the key to long-term success.

At the upcoming panel, Jess is excited to share her message that movement matters, and anyone can do it. Her ultimate goal? That every attendee walks away motivated to start (or level up) their strength training journey.

Rapid-Fire with Jess
Favorite post-run meal: Hot Days: Chocolate milk and a buttered cinnamon raisin bagel with summer sausage. Cold Days: Hot chocolate and a breakfast sandwich.
Go-to recovery tool: Foam roller or yoga mat for mobility.
Current favorite running shoes: Hoka Challenger.
Dream race: Anything on trails — 50 miles or longer — maybe even the Cocodona 250 one day!
One word to describe her coaching style: Personalized.

🎟️ Event Details:
🗓️ Friday, June 13 | 5:30 PM
📍 605 Running Company – Bridges at 57th

​Join Jess and our panel of experts for a dynamic conversation on training smarter, building strength, and taking a holistic approach to running. Use the button below to register - it is FREE!

Stay tuned — we have more incredible panelists to introduce soon!

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