Sam Foutz, CPT, Running Coach

04/30/2026

Great 10 mile training run tonight for the 50th Grandma’s Marathon in support of Ruff Start Rescue. I’m also hoping to raise at least $500 for them through anyone’s generous donations. Please consider donating to them, as all money goes to actually helping the rescue. Copy link below!

https://give.ruffstartrescue.org/participants/520850-sam-foutz?uid=1666268&fbclid=IwdGRjcARezxRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeGP4jP4CJa6gtrML76hfizAt-eNQaWxphgn36MNrw1eaUTOqmQnC3TOtqB5g_aem_OY5seLoPTbaMdPzpJ0E00g

04/23/2026

Hey all! I need your help! I’m raising money for the Ruff Start Rescue up in Duluth, MN. For your donations, and in support of the rescue, I’ll be running my 24th Marathon, the Grandma's Marathon in June.

I’m looking to raise at least $500. More would be great though! Thanks for all the support so far!

https://give.ruffstartrescue.org/participants/520850-sam-foutz?uid=1666268&fbclid=IwdGRleAQn5O5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeGP4jP4CJa6gtrML76hfizAt-eNQaWxphgn36MNrw1eaUTOqmQnC3TOtqB5g_aem_OY5seLoPTbaMdPzpJ0E00g

Ruff Start Rescue is a foster-based nonprofit companion animal rescue that radiates compassion and dedication. Our unwavering mission extends beyond borders, reaching communities throughout Minnesota and the southern states plagued by stray pet overpopulation. We fearlessly rescue the voiceless vict...

04/15/2026

As I gear up for my 24th marathon in June up at the Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, MN, in support of the Ruff Start Rescue, I have been getting in some training races.

I was able to get 3 good ones in last week with the Wendell 5k (10/140 overall, 2nd in age group), Hot Chocolate Run 15k (Time: 1:10:54) and the Coastal Race Productions BAM! Series Sunset Beach (4th in age group, 24/692 overall). These were meant to be on pace between 7-8 min miles which was my goal. A great racing week indeed!

I’m also looking for help from you all to raise at least $500 for Ruff Start Rescue. For your donation I’ll be running Grandma’s Marathon in support of the rescue. Any amount given is appreciated! Thank you to all who have donated so far! Click or Copy the link below.

https://give.ruffstartrescue.org/participants/520850-sam-foutz?uid=1666268&fbclid=IwdGRleAQn5O5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeGP4jP4CJa6gtrML76hfizAt-eNQaWxphgn36MNrw1eaUTOqmQnC3TOtqB5g_aem_OY5seLoPTbaMdPzpJ0E00g

03/27/2026

As a runner of all races, no matter how much training you put in, there can be one small thing that can go wrong that throws all that away…

Happy Medal Monday! For me…this is a late post as I had not had much time in life to post this, nor did I really want to post this one about my race as I was not happy about it.

What started out as a great running race series for me at the Coastal Race Productions BAM! Oak Island Ultra Marathon race weekend quickly went downhill fast.

Saturday started off the race series with the 10k (1st in my age group), then the 5k and lastly the 1 mile (which was all for fun). My time for all of these were around a 7 min pace. I had planned on going a lot slower on these, but I just felt great, so why not!

Then Sunday came around…it was my 23rd marathon, the Oak Island Marathon. Now I decided to go all out this weekend and run the scenic route, which is really adding .2 more miles to the 26.2 marathon length. Since it was going a little farther, they decided to call it the worlds smallest Ultra. So why not run it! Right?

I woke up that day feeling pretty good, but I could tell something was off, just wasn’t quite sure, maybe it was just being overtired.

The race started and I was off running and feeling good and on pace for where I wanted to be. Then as soon as I got to mile 12-13 that’s when I noticed getting dehydrated quickly, and had to actually walk. I tried to walk/jog but I had nothing left in me it felt like. At that point, I thought this would be my first DNF ever in a race.

After all these years it had to be at a place that holds a lot of meaning to me. This was the place where my wife and I got married, and would be where my son sees me for his first time crossing a marathon finish line.

If you ever have to walk in a race setting like this, it’s tough, as the miles seem incredibly long and like you will never finish. Luckily, after walking to about mile 19-20 I was able to get rehydrated and start to walk/jog the rest of the way to the finish. Talk about having a runners high just come crashing down on you when you see your son in your wife’s arms…I thankfully finished under 5 hours.

End result, I got food poisoning.

02/25/2026

The 15th Annual NCRC Snoopy’s Social Run is now in the books! This by far is one of my favorite runs I like to do every year. This was my 4th time taking on the Double Dog Challenge with our own twist to it.

The original hotdog run is only 5 miles running from one of Snoopy’s locations to the other one. Then there is the unofficial Double Dog which is starting at the finish running 5 miles to the starting location, and then 5 miles back to the finish location. In total it’s a little over 10 miles, but not by much. Plus, we like to throw eating hot dogs and fries into the mix. I was only able to do 3, along with 3 orders of fries due to stomach issues from previous week.

The more important thing about this run is to help raise money for the here in Raleigh.

I’m already looking forward to next year!

12/22/2025

Everyone help me give a BIG, Happy 50th Anniversary!, to my parents. They have been together since their high school days.

I hope you both were able to enjoy your day, and hope you know it’s an honor to be your son!

Photo Credit: At a 1991 Photo Booth in New Town Mall - New Philadelphia, OH

12/17/2025

There’s no greater joy to me than seeing and hearing what people are passionate about doing in life. I try and support them if and whenever I can. It’s what drew me in to helping younger artists and bands, and what keeps me going with own running career.

It’s one of the things that attracted me to my wife. Her talent as an author, not to mention, a self published one at that, and her drive to keep writing and coming up with new stories that no one author has before. I have been able to see first hands the struggle and joy that the writing process has on her as a creative.

I have been with her on her writing journey for almost 10 years now. Yes, I have also read all of her books, except the last 2, and her new one. I will get to reading those soon! I can honestly say she deserves everything if not more credit in the publishing world as an author. Her books should be in stores and on your bookshelf, as well as with a publishing company.

It’s now my honor to let you all know, that she just released, today by the way, her 10TH! and brand new book, “The Women of Seaglass Bay.” It’s available as an EBOOK on Amazon.

Last thing I want to say is…and this one I do not know how she pulled it off, but she also wrote, published and promoted this book during and after pregnancy, working a full time job, pulling off early mornings and late nights, countless house projects, as well as dealing with me (LOL) and being one of hell of a mom! She couldn’t amaze me more!

From myself, Waylon, Rhett & Neeko, we are so proud of you and your willingness to keep doing what you love to do! Happy 10TH Book Release! We love you!

Now everyone! Head over to and get this book, “The Women of Seaglass Bay,” by Courtney Giardina, as it makes a great Christmas present!

12/16/2025

Happy once again, and for the final time of 2025! It was a great one to end the year on as well, as previous years before when I started running with the at the Annual Rocky Mount Mill Chill 4 Miler. This was my 3rd time (took a break last year) helping compete against other breweries to help raise money for a great cause, Multiple Sclerosis.

Our team was a great one this year, even though not as big as previous, we still came home with PR’s and the men taking 7th place. I may be slowing down a bit, but I’ll take my time of 27:19 at a 6:50 average pace for those 4 miles!

Like I said, this race is one I do believe I will run each year, as it’s just that fun! If interested in joining in with our Bearded Bee Run Crew, hit me up, and we will keep you posted!

Until next year!

12/10/2025

Rolling out Part 2 from when and I traveled to Minneapolis, MN and Fargo, ND, so I could run the 20th .marathon in June 2024 with my older brother C**t.

The first picture is just too great not to put first, but continuing after (pictures 2-10) is more of our Minneapolis visit. From a cool historic neighborhood, to the stadium, experiencing some of the NBA Playoffs from the outside, and more coffee shops.

Then it was on to Fargo for the 20th .marathon marathon plus more tourist stops, and of course .donuts

12/09/2025

“A team isn’t a bunch of kids out to win. A team is something you belong to, something you feel, something you have to earn.” -Coach Bombay

Here’s a little (Part 1) from when and I traveled to Minneapolis, MN and Fargo, ND, so I could run the 20th .marathon in June 2024 with my older brother C**t.

We got a lot of tourist items crossed off our list for the short time we were in both cities. From visiting filming locations for the Mighty Ducks, the Purple Rain house and Mary Tyler Moore house and statue, stopping at the 1st location (since it’s our favorite coffee), to the and playing Mini Golf on top of the to name a few.

More to come in post 2 of our trip to Minneapolis and Fargo.

I’m looking forward to going back to Minnesota soon! More details to come in the next two posts.