I’m Nichole Porath—an elite marathon runner, former world record holder, dedicated coach, blogger, finance professional, and mother of four. My journey has taken me from a small-town runner to an Olympic Trials qualifier, a professional athlete sponsored by Brooks Running, and a record-setting endurance athlete.

Along the way, I’ve faced challenges—including overcoming postpartum depression and alcoholism—but through resilience, community, and an unbreakable love for running, I’ve built a life dedicated to pushing limits and helping and inspiring others to do the same.

Now, I help runners of all levels chase their biggest goals—whether you’re training for your first 5K, looking to qualify for Boston, or aiming for your next PR. Let’s achieve greatness together!

My Running Journey

Running has been at the core of my life for 30 years. I discovered my passion for the sport in seventh grade.

I ran well in high school, college, and post-collegiately, but it wasn’t until I assembled my “Team Nichole”, including Jerry Schaubach, a retired high school coach, that I was able to qualify for the Olympic Trials—a dream I never thought possible. I had never finished All-American at the collegiate D3 level and was now competing with the top 150 runners in the entire US!

That breakthrough led to a professional career sponsored by Brooks Running, where I competed at an elite level and continued setting records.

Read more about my journey

Achievements & Records

• First runner to be inducted into the MHS Athletic Hall of fame after a high school career were I finished I was the first runner to ever win the SWC Conference 5 consecutive years in high school and set records in the 4x800m, 800m, 1600m, and 3200m. 

• Set 5 Gustavus Track & Field records: indoor 3k and 5k, outdoor 3k, 5k and 10k. 4x NCAA qualifier (3 cross country, 1 track & field).

• Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifier – Finished 69th at the 2012 Trials

• Former World Record Holder:
  • Fastest half marathon with a double jogging stroller while entertaining two young kids at the Get it Dunn 1/2 Marathon (1:31:31)
  • Indoor marathon world record at the Zoom Yah Yah Indoor Marathon (2:57).

Marathon Wins & PRs – A career filled with victories, personal bests, and an unrelenting drive to improve.

Read more about my PRs and records

Coaching & Community Impact

As the head girls’ cross country coach at Northfield High School and distance track coach at the middle school, I’ve had the privilege of leading young athletes to remarkable success:

• Big 9 Conference Varsity Champions – Four-Peat! Our team made history with their fourth Varsity team title in 2024, and the last three of those victories have been a V and JV SWEEP of the meet. In 2024 the team could have scored #6 and #7 runners in both races and still won each race. Incredible! 
• 4th Place in MN State Championships – A testament to their hard work and dedication, achieved two years in a row!
• Coaching honors: Named Big 9 Coach of the Year four consecutive years and Section 1AA Coach of the Year
• Incredible Community Support – We packed a fan bus to cheer on the team at the state meet!

Beyond coaching, I volunteer at local races and organize events that bring more young runners into the sport. Recently, I helped launch Northfield’s first-ever free kids’ run through Run 4 the Ranch, and am working to add kids races to all other Northfield community races. I also launched a youth cross-country camp in Northfield to inspire the next generation of runners. We had 51 young runners beaming as they completed hill repeats during the inaugural camp. It was beyond wonderful to bring a dream to fruition.

I also lead TNC Endurance,  where I work with runners nationwide to develop personalized training plans that help them reach their full potential.

Join our running community!

Overcoming Challenges & Finding Strength

Life hasn’t always been smooth. After my first child, I battled postpartum depression and alcoholism, a struggle I didn’t recognize at first.

With my husband Nate’s unwavering support, I finally sought treatment and began my journey to sobriety and self-discovery.

Now, I’m over 2,000 days sober. This experience has given me deep empathy for others battling mental health challenges, and I strive to be a source of strength, support, and encouragement.

Read more about my story

Balancing Family, Training & Career

In addition to running and coaching, I have a career in finance, currently serving as the CFO at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church. I love business and finance and consider myself very lucky to be able to coach, run, raise our family, and utilize my business and finance background. 

It takes creativity, and a lot of juggling, but I’ve found a lot of joy in integrating my kids into an active lifestyle—whether it’s running, gymnastics, strength training, cross-country skiing, or soccer—showing them that movement is a joy, not a chore.

Nutrition & Performance

Fueling properly has been a game-changer for my endurance and recovery. Thanks to my friend and pro-runner, the late Gabe Grunewald, I discovered UCAN, a revolutionary nutrition approach that helped me sustain consistent energy and focus during marathons. I also worked with several nutritionists throughout my career, and learning how to fuel with whole foods and properly time nutrients made a big difference in my ability to handle high mileage (consistently 90-100 miles per week) and recover quickly.

Join TNC Endurance – Let’s Run Toward Your Goals!

Want to take your running to the next level? I offer personalized coaching plans tailored to your goals—whether it’s running your first 5K, qualifying for Boston, or breaking through plateaus. 

Stay inspired! Follow me on Facebook and Instagram for training tips, race updates, and motivation.

Let’s reach greatness together! Contact me today to see how we can partner to reach your potential!