Michelle Martinez

Growing up in San Clemente, California, Michelle was either riding her bike, swimming at the city pool or beach or racing friends to see who was fastest. Who would have known that this love for running, swimming and cycling would lay the ground work for a career as the owner of Inside Track, Ventura's premier running and triathlon store. As a young women, Michelle spent most of her summers teaching, coaching or lifeguarding at the local pools and began coaching running when her daughter first stepped onto the track. As a long time resident of Ventura and active volunteer in our community, Michelle has coached, taught or mentored many of our local athletes when they were just starting out as young runners or swimmers.

Michelle herself has dabbled in running and racing. Long after graduating from UCSB with a degree in psychology, Michelle went back to run for one last eligibe season of cross county at Ventura College and enjoys a few triathlons now and then.

Evan Fackler

Evan ran cross country and track at Earlham College in Indiana, where he did tolerably well. Originally from Ohio, he moved across country after graduating with a degree in English Lit and Creative Writing. Having rebelled against running part-way into the early stages of a post-graduation marathon training program, Evan's back on the roads and paths. Besides running, he's an avid bread baker, makes very passable scones, occasionally reads a book or two, is a crazed netflix subscriber and somehow a hobbyist card magician. He works on the ITRC newsletter "On The Run," as well.

Here are his favorites:

Current shoe: Brooks Ravenna and New Balance 880
Favorite Recovery Drink: Nesquik has everything you need
Favorite Food: Fresh bread, and homemade pizza
Favorite Workout: One that's shared
Favorite Race: Earlham College Cross Country course!
Bike you ride: He rides a Specialized that is essentially a mix between a bike and a minivan
Can't live without: Good books, flour, water, salt.
Hometown: Plymouth, Ohio. Look it up. Right Now.

Becca Cano

I was born and raised in Oxnard, Ca in 1985. I Attended Rio Mesa High School from 1999-2003 and ran four years of cross country and three years of track. After High school I attended Ventura College in 2003 where I ran for two years on the cross country team. I left to San Francisco State University in 2006 and transfered back to Cal State Channel Islands University in 2008 where I am currently studying Biology with a minor in Chicano Studies. I graduate in May, 2011.  I enjoy running recreationally along the beach or on the local trails in Ventura County. When I am not running outdoors, you can find me lifting weights at the gym, hiking, tanning at the beach, enjoying the outdoors, or hanging out with friends.  

Favorite Shoe: Brooks Ghost 3
Favorite Electrolite Replenisher: Vitalyte- Fruit Punch  
Favorite Food: Anything Asian. Thai Food-Chinese- Sushi 
Favorite Workout: Running down the rincon on a a nice sunny morning 
Can't live without: my Iphone, coffee, penut butter, and salt   
Hometown: Oxnard, Ca  

Lauren Martinez (Events Coordinator/Novice Swim Coach)

Lauren was always proud to say she only missed one track season from the time she was 5 until 19. She ran for the Tigres Track Club, and swam for the YMCA Dolphins as a child. Lauren ran cross country and track for VHS from 2002 – 2006, the only four years to date that Ventura High School Girls Cross Country has placed top 3 at the California State Meet. After high school, she ran for a year at Pepperdine University, before trying her hand at a few amateur triathlons. Currently, Lauren is the assistant coach for VHS Girls Cross Country, and teaches and coaches swimming at the Y in Ventura.

Favorite Shoe: Brooks Cascadia
Favorite Recovery Drink: Gatorade
Favorite Gel: I would prefer a cookie dough balance bar or a bonk breaker
Favorite Food: Pasta
Favorite Workout: I love hills. Hills are my friend.
Favorite Race: Woodward Park, Fresno.
Bike you ride: I'm still a hazard on a bike so I don't have one.
Can't live without: My family, friends, and Harry Potter.!
Hometown: Ventura, California. Born and Bred.

Tom Taylor (ITRC Coach)

Now Entering my 21st year of running, and I am completely in love with the sport.  I was an All-State runner in High School and continued on to run for Ball St. and Indiana University where I studied exercise science.  Coaching became my passion in my 20's where I coached teams at small high schools to NCAA Division I, including several All-Americans.  Now, in my early 30's, I have rediscovered my love for competing, and starting to dabble in trail racing.  I still love coaching and all the athletes along the way.  Also, I am a self professed shoe geek!

Favorite Quote: "Ignore, then, whether you are tall and thin or short and stocky— whether they laughed at you at home (where they are often unkind) or at school (where they are mostly blind, anyway). Indeed—to hell with the lot of them if you 'feel' you can do it."  -Percy Cerutty, famed coach of Olympic Athletes
Favorite Shoe: Currently the Brooks Ravenna, Nike Zoom Jasari all time
Favorite Recovery Drink: Fluid Berry Treasure (when I'm not feeding my addiction to Coca-Cola)
Favorite Gel: None are my favorite, I will tolerate GU Jet Blackberry the most 
Favorite Food: Lasagna
Favorite Workout: 400s on the track. I love turning quarters.
Favorite Race: ZOY! (if you haven't experienced it, you just won't understand)
Bike you ride: Scott CR1
Can't live without: Great friends, the Chicago Cubs, and Indiana Hoosier basketball
Hometown: Portage, IN