Coach Loretta Tobolske-Horn
Supportive and Inspirational Coaching
Photo Credit Kevin Youngblood
Ultramarathon Runner, Second Overall female The Raven 24 hour 2024, Overall Female at Alexander County 24 hour 2021, 3rd place at Six Days in the Dome 24 hour 2021, Overall Female at Kalhaven Trail Ultra 2021, Michigan RRCA Female Champion 2021, 3rd place female Desert Solstice 24 hour track invitational 2020, Tunnel Hill 100 2019 1st Overall Female, 2nd Place Hennepin Hundred 2018, 14th for 100 mile women 2019 and 23rd in 2020 Ultra Running Magazine, 8020 Endurance Certification, UESCA Ultramarathon Coach Certified, UESCA Endurance Sports Nutrition Certified, Certified RRCA Coach, Trained in CrossFit, CrossFit Kids, CrossFit Endurance, Pose, Chi, and Good Form Running, Former Race Director, Marathon Pace Coach, and Ainsley’s Angels Runner with a background in special education (specialty coaching available for runners with special needs). From Brighton, Michigan.
Coaching Philosophy
Every race and run is a learning experience that we carry forward. I have a passion for running and a desire to spread my love for running among others around me. I am excited to share my running experience and passion with you!
One of my strengths as a running coach is my supportive and motivating nature and open communication with my athletes.
All runners are unique individuals which is why, as a coach, my philosophy is to use an eclectic training approach to meet runners’ diverse needs and meet them where they are in their training and with their goals.
I love supporting runners of all abilities, goals, and races! I celebrate all progress and goals with my athletes!
As a coach, you will find that I am a lifelong learner and enjoy learning in order to better understand and support each runner. In my mission to support you as a runner, I will use my strong, collaborative skills to design a plan specifically for you by including thoughts from you as well as utilizing the resources of my colleagues. Running involves not only physical preparation, but also mental preparation which is an important aspect of my coaching. I will use my experiences coaching runners (children through adults) and running races (from track distances through ultra marathons) in order to help guide you in your running journey.
If you see me out on the race course or on a run you will find me smiling in my happy place.
My running motto
“Just smile, relax and run!”
Coach Loretta supports athletes from 5k’s-Ultramarathons with runners of all abilities: new runners, experienced, and competitive from trail to road to track!
Coach Loretta & Coach Reese co-host-The Dirt Trail Running Podcast-Coffee with Coaches
Runner’s Testimonials
Photo Credit Jenny Thorsen
My progression of running brought me to a passion for ultramarathon distances in 2019. I signed up for my first 100 miler (Kettle 100) set for June of 2020...fast forward and that ended up being canceled. Looking back I’m thankful it did. I don’t think I would have finished the race with the training I had and at the time I felt overwhelmed with trying to figure out training/life/work. A bit more about me: I’m 27. I’ve been a runner for ~15 years. I have a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology - Human Performance and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. On paper, I should be able train effectively and efficiently for these events that I aspire to complete. The truth is I was on a major struggle bus when I sought out and found Coach Loretta. I can’t give her enough credit with how far she has gotten me. I gave her the reins of my training a few months before Kettle 100 of 2021 and am darn glad I did! My training is so much more consistent and challenging (in a great way) that I feel like I’m striving for goals vs “just finishing a race/surviving runs”. She’s brings me confidence in my running and body, I can’t thank her enough. My training feels meaningful for the first time in a long time. I was able to finish my first 100 miler in 20:45, which was good for 2nd female and 4th overall on a brutally hot day.I surpassed all of my goals on my first 100 miler and that wouldn’t have been possible without her guidance. She’s the bomb diggity!
Sammy Stimac, Ultramarathon Runner
Ornery Mule Coaching was suggested to me by a work colleague. I contacted Michele, and she referred me to Head Coach Loretta. Coach Loretta was so informative, knowledgeable, and gracious with her time. She gave me a few choices but I knew after our conversation she was the one. I wanted someone who has put in the miles, knows how to adjust schedules, and works with “older” athletes! She came through with flying colors. Coach Loretta is very “hands-on”, and very personable when explaining things. Even when I did not want to do the plan (not feeling it), I still got it done for she just has that charismatic way to get you to “do it” without pressure, and understands, providing alternatives. She also has compassion for when I became injured she went all out to make sure I healed properly, again adjusting my plan. When I DNF’d at two races that REALLY hurt (especially this last one) she was STILL proud of me. She wouldn’t ponder on the negative and made me look at the positive for what I DID DO (PR with regards to distance), not what I didn’t do. I could go on and on and on, but would probably get deposted <lol>, but I cannot say enough about her coaching. I will not let anybody else have this coaching spot for she KNOWS ME and cares, truly cares. As long as she will have me I will be her student/athlete! I am truly grateful and blessed!! Thanks Coach Loretta!!
Ila Allen, Ultra Marathon Runner
“Coach Loretta is an amazing coach! To start off my training program, I filled out a questionnaire and talked on the phone with her so she could figure out my philosophy and running knowledge. She was able to take all that and put together a running program that was fit for me. Every week I looked forward to seeing what my plan was going to be. It was nice having a coach that checked up on me and adjusted plans as needed. She didn’t just coach about running, she also helped with the philosophy of running, nutrition, mental games, and recovering strategies. What also makes her stand out is that my she had me come up with a goal for my big race: Mines of Spain 100: Big Dream, Modest Goal, and Play it Safe. So I said 28 hours…30 hours…and just finish. On race day she followed me on the race app and was encouraging me every step of the way. This may have been my 4th 100 but you can never learn enough. By race day I was running faster and stronger! With that being said, I crushed my Big Dream, by finishing my race in 27:45!! I couldn’t have ask for a better coach!!! Thank you, Loretta!”
Tara R. Flesch, Ultra Marathon Runner
Update-Since this was submitted Tara went on to win overall at 50k’s of Convenience in 2021, Overall at Lions Roar 24 hour (22:18:46), and Finishing Silver Rush 50 miler (12:48:57). Next up Leadville 100!
“Although I need many many more pages then this to tell you how truly blessed and grateful I am for Coach Loretta , here is a just some of her amazingness : In 2019 I set out to complete my first hundred miler . I thought I knew what I was doing but I apparently did not as I did not finish that hundred miler . Following a book or someone else’s plan was not the right way to accomplish my goal . This year I did not give up on my goal and thankfully I didn’t as I was able to find Coach Loretta Tobolske Horn. Coach Loretta did not just give me a plan with miles to do but rather she gave me support , encouragement , advice and so much more . She looked at all areas my life , my age , my health, injury issues , my goals, my schedule. She looked at Me . She checked in on me and truly listened to my concerns and knew when I needed rest even if I didn’t want to . Ornery Mule Racing put on many virtual events this year and because of Coach Loretta , who went above and beyond what any coach would do , I completed my first hundred miler ! Thank you Coach Loretta!”
Connie Nunham, Ultra Marathon Runner
“If I only had three words to describe Coach Loretta it would be smart, patient and efficient. Loretta started coaching me when I was still dealing with an unknown chronic hip pain and I hadn’t ran an ultramarathon in a couple years. With her knowledge and experience of the sport and her well thought out training schedule designed for my personal needs she was able to get me back running! Having a coach who has as much of experience, success and patience as Loretta does is something I recommend for everyone. “
Erin Dial-Duran-Ultra Runner
“I want to give a big shout out to Coach Loretta Tobolske-Horn! She is much more than a coach! When the pandemic happened I decided to try out a running coach to help reach my goals I was looking for. She gave me a running plan that worked awesome! She had to fine tune it some and she checked on me weekly to see how things were going. Along with Ornery Mule Racing putting of great virtual events I ran 200 miles each month two months in a row! I would have never been able to do this with out the great support of my coach!”
Cortney Wilson, Ultra Marathon Runner
“I could fill a page about the positive influence Loretta has had on my running career and life. It would honestly take a page, but it boils down to: Loretta will never coach you into something she can’t do herself or knows in her heart you can do.”
-Jarrin, Runner
“Loretta's positive coaching has led me on a journey from being a non-runner to a 29:44 5K time. Even with my times being slower than those aiming for a marathon, Loretta always celebrated my improvements as personal victories...as important to her as those running in the 21's or faster. I've been running for 8 years now thanks to Loretta's encouragement and inspiring dedication to running"
-Pam, Runner
Some Of The Races/Events I’ve Coached Athletes For:
Kettle Moraine 100
Hennepin 100
Tunnel Hill 100
Leadville 100
Javelina Jundred
Mines of Spain 100
Run Rabbit Run 50
Indy Piston 100
Canal Corridor 100
Run Woodstock 100
Potawatomi 200
North Country Trail 50
Silver Rush 50
24 Hour Lion’s Roar
Ode to Laz Backyard Ultra
Canal Corridor 100
Run Woodstock 100
Waughoshance 50k
Catamount 50k
Wy’East Howl 50k
50k’s of Convenience
Bayshore Marathon
Marquette Marathon
Boston Marathon
Light House 100
Vermont 100k
Veteran’s Memorial 150
Bigfoot 200
Ice Age Trail 1200 miles
Tough Mudder
Running Bio
Canal Corridor 100 mile finish 2022-8th female
Kalhaven Trail Ultra-Overall Female, Second Runner up 2021
Alexander 24 hour track event Overall Female 2021
Six Days in the Dome 24 hour track event 3rd Overall Female 2021
Desert Solstice 24 hour Track Event 3rd Overall Female 2021
Tunnel Hill 100 Mile 2019 1st Overall Female
Hennepin Hundred 2nd Overall Female 2018
Bad Apple 12 Hour Course Record Holder
Driftless 50k Course Record Holder
Kalhaven Trail Ultra RRCA State Female Master Champion 2016 & 2021
Boston Qualifier
Ranked Two years in a row for top 100 mile women in UltraRunning Magazine-14th in 2019 and 23rd in 2020.
Loretta Tobolske-Horn finishes her first 100 mile ultramarathon in 19:34:56 at The Hennepin Hundred.
Specialty Coaching Available
Coach Loretta has a background in special education. She has worked in the field of special education over 26 years with experience as a classroom teacher, early intervention home visitor, supervisor, building principal, Special Olympics and Unified coach and volunteer pusher for Ainsley’s Angels. For information about coaching to support your special needs and accommodations, set up a time to meet to determine specialty coaching pricing.