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Andrea Casella Kooiman

@runcoachkrun

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Wife, Mother, Coach, Ultra Runner!
3xBadwater, 2xWestern States, 2xMtGaoligong, LAVS 500K, T200, UTMB, HURT, CJ100, LT100, AC100 & Grand Slam 2016

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Today was a good day at work. Rock ‘n Roll San Jose brought the inspiration and the energy and athletes I hope @runcoachkrun brought you the JOY. It was hot. It was hard and you showed up and you conquered this race!!! It was a blast and an honor and a damn party!! Proud of you all!

#runrocknroll #rnrsanjose #rundisney #instarunners #announcerlife by @runcoachkrun

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8 days ago

Mitch & Haley’s Wedding
September 25, 2026

This weekend, we witnessed the beautiful union of two incredible people and celebrated the joining of our families.

There was so much joy and love in the room. It was one of those nights I wish I could rewind and experience all over again. I took so many pictures and somehow still missed getting photos with so many people I love.

My heart is full. I love my family, and I can’t wait to watch Mitch and Haley build their life together and grow even deeper in love through all the years ahead.

Cheers to the newlyweds!

#MitchAndHaleyGetMarried #WeddingDay #ILoveMyFamily #MiFamilia by @runcoachkrun

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14 days ago

Barkley Fall Classic 50K 2026

I might be disappointed with the outcome, but I'm proud of my effort!

There is no other 50K like the BFC. The course changes every year and you don't get the map until the day before. Ask questions ahead of time and you're met with sarcasm and snark. There’s usually some truth buried in the responses, you just never know which parts.

I have lined up for this race for 10 consecutive years and on my 10th go, I wore bib #10. The lower the bib number, the more 50K finishes you’ve earned. On this day, I was the female with the lowest bib number. Others trust your judgment, pacing and direction. I trained my ass off for this one and everything was firing right, until it wasn't.

What makes BFC unique is the decision point. Make it to Laz before the cutoff and you choose: take the marathon finish or continue after the 50K. Arrive after cutoff and you're diverted to the marathon.

I knew I needed to reach Laz 1 hr 20 min ahead of HIS cutoff if I had a shot at finishing. All day I was moving at my targets. Stomach issues slowed me down, but didn’t dull my desire to push forward.

I made it to Laz ahead of HIS cutoff, but 30 minutes over MINE.

I have a rule: if there is time on the clock, I must go, so I went.

I knew the guaranteed marathon finish would slip away, but I bet on myself and unfortunately I fell short. I DNF’d two aid stations later after missing another cutoff.

But I’m proud that I didn’t quit or take the easy way out.

This weekend has become something incredibly special to me. I’ve met amazing people and continue to challenge myself in new ways every year.

Thank you to Heather, my long-distance ride or die, for always making this weekend unforgettable. We met on the course that first year and keep coming back because this weekend fills our cup in ways we can't explain.

Thank you BFC for another year!

2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 – 50K
2021, 2023, 2025 – Marathon
2024, 2026 – DNF

PS – I'm ready for another 50K, so these trails better watch out.

#BarkleyFallClassic50K #BFC #RatJawDidMeDirty #TheOnlyDecisionWasToKeepTrying by @runcoachkrun

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22 days ago

9/3/26
Mt. Whitney Solo Summit
21 Miles / 6,400 ft

Day 1 of AK’s Five Pack of Peaks!

My car was loaded with a fully stocked pack, a cooler full of snacks and a change of clothes. With the coffee maker prepped and my alarm set for 1:55am I was ready for a long and adventurous day.

The first sound of my alarm woke me immediately. No snooze needed, I couldn’t wait to hit the road.

4 1/2 hrs later, I arrived at the Portal. My whole body tingled with excitement. I’ve summited this mountain 11 times before, but never by myself.

I’m a highly social person, even when it comes to running. I’m rarely alone. Today would be a test of mental strength. No friends, no music, just me, my thoughts and a mountain full of surprises.

6:33am was GO time!

The first 3 miles to Lone Pine Lake were filled with deer encounters, the melodic sounds of rushing water and the constant entertainment of chipmunks preparing for colder days, hauling pinecones from one side of the trail to the other.

Trail Camp seemed fairly empty. Most hikers had already headed toward the summit much earlier. I passed several groups on my way to Trail Crest, and by the time I reached the 12K sign, I was delighted by an original song from another hiker.

At this point, I slowed down considerably. No headache or nausea, just light-headedness. I felt ditzy, and the trail suddenly seemed much more treacherous than usual.

I kept moving forward, taking my time and soaking in every view. You feel so incredibly small on this mountain.

Eventually, I made it to the summit and celebrated alongside total strangers, everyone sharing that collective joy that comes from reaching the top.

Then it was time to descend.

My body felt good and I wanted to run, but my brain wasn’t triggering my feet quite the way I wanted it to. So I shuffled, checked in on other hikers and felt incredibly grateful for the ability to be out there.
I finished in 9:39:40 and immediately made my way to the Portal Store for a cheeseburger and fries. I needed to refuel before the long drive home.

Operating on very little sleep, the adrenaline from the day somehow kept me wide awake.

Once home I had to unpack, reset and prepare for Day 2. by @runcoachkrun

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a month ago

Last week I scored a last-minute permit for a Thursday summit of Mt. Whitney. I already had plans to meet some friends for an early morning Mt. Baldy summit on Friday, so I let them know I was going to opt out. The Eastern Sierra was calling and I needed to answer!

Then my brain started spinning.

What if I did a Mt. Whitney/Mt. Baldy double? How would I feel? What would that look like?

Then my brain spun a little more.

What if I bagged 5 peaks in 5 days?

Which peaks would I choose? Could my body handle it? And, more importantly, could I actually pull it off?

With some support and encouragement from my friends and a few quick changes of plans, I ended up creating my very own 5 Pack of Peaks:

9/3 - Mt. Whitney
9/4 - Mt. Baldy
9/5 - Bedford Peak
9/6 - Mt. Wilson
9/7 - Sitton Peak

Five peaks in five days with 61 miles and 18,415 feet of vertical gain!

And I’m happy to report that my body feels GREAT. In fact, I could easily bag another peak tomorrow. I feel strong, accomplished, and ready for my next big adventure: the Barkley Fall Classic 50K in Tennessee.

Sometimes the best challenges are the ones you never planned for, until your brain starts spinning.

#AKGetsHigh #FivePackOfPeaks #GotVert #TrailRunner #NextUpBFC by @runcoachkrun

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a month ago

The Big Trail. Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

The weekend of August 22, I had the privilege of returning to the mic for the John Wayne Grit Series at Turpin Meadow Ranch, and this one was pretty hard to beat.

Gorgeous views of the Tetons, rugged trails, country music, horses, great friends and a whole lot of grit.

There’s something incredibly special about bringing people together in a place this beautiful for a purpose that means so much. Every step, every climb and every finish line shared one common mission: GIVE CANCER THE BOOT!

I’m always grateful to be part of the John Wayne Cancer Foundation family and to celebrate the athletes who show up, dig deep and put their grit to work for something bigger than themselves.

Wyoming, you were beautiful. The Big Trail, you were unforgettable.

Definitely add this one to your 2027 bucket list!

#JohnWayneGritSeries #TheBigTrail #RaceAnnouncer #TheyLetMeHaveTheMic by @runcoachkrun

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a month ago

29029 Steamboat

I showed up ready to use my voice. I left inspired by everyone else’s.

What an incredible privilege it was to share the mic with Colleen Rue, the Voice of the Mountain, at 29029 Steamboat.

I knew this event would be hard. I knew it would be inspiring. What I didn’t fully understand was the magic that happens on that mountain when people decide to just keep climbing.

One ascent at a time, one story at a time and one person believing in another when they needed it most.

I watched athletes dig deeper than they thought they could. I heard their stories. I witnessed friendships grow stronger with every climb. I watched complete strangers become a community, celebrating each other’s victories and refusing to let one another quit.

And somewhere along the way, this announcer became the inspired one.

I walked away from Steamboat with an entirely new understanding and respect for what 29029 has created. This is so much more than climbing a mountain over and over again. It’s about discovering what happens when you keep moving forward, even when the summit feels impossibly far away.

Thank you to the entire 29029 team for welcoming me into your world and trusting me with the microphone. And Colleen, thank you for sharing your mountain with me. It was an honor to stand beside and learn from you.

I arrived hoping I could add something to the experience, however I left knowing the experience added something to me.

Now the only question is...

Do I come back with a microphone in my hand or hydration on my back?

Either way, I hope I get to keep climbing.

#29029 #29029Steamboat #KeepClimbing #TheyLetMeHaveTheMic by @runcoachkrun

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2 months ago

8/8/26 WeROCK Mt. Baldy Summit

After eight weeks of summer trail running, the WeROCK Summer Trail Runners are offered one final adventure, the opportunity to summit Mt. Baldy alongside their teammates.

With a 5am meet time, more than 4,000 feet of elevation gain, a summit over 10,000 feet above sea level, and miles of technical trail, I never know who will want to join us. I never claim it will be easy, but everyone who does it will tell you it’s worth it.

The views from the top never disappoint, and at this point, we have some pretty solid summit traditions. Coach Tu spoils us with Spam musubi, while I hike a watermelon all the way to the top and slice it at the peak. Because apparently carrying a watermelon up Mt. Baldy is just something I do now.

We planned to dance the Cupid Shuffle at the summit, but nobody had it downloaded on their phone. Lucky for us, we were completely unplugged without cell service, so you’ll just have to imagine us dancing while watching this reel.

After seven miles in the mountains, burgers at the Notch tasted especially delicious. Half the group caught the chairlift down, while the other half hiked the final three miles and were rewarded with a nice cold dip in the waterfall. I can’t think of a better way to finish a 10 mile mountain adventure.

Thank you to our amazing WeROCK coaches for continually showing up for these kids, leading by example, and reminding them that they CAN climb any mountain.

And congratulations to our Summer Trail Runners for absolutely crushing the trails, dominating the dirt, tackling the climbs, and proving just how much they are capable of.

WeROCK Summer Trail Season is officially in the books.

Now it’s time to get ready for the 2026–27 Marathon Season!

#WeROCK #WeRunOCKids #SummerTrail #CoachK by @runcoachkrun

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2 months ago

IRONMAN 70.3 Boise may have brought me to Idaho for work, but it also gave me something I didn't know I needed.

My goddaughter, Gabrielle, attends Boise State, so I reached out to my best friend from 7th grade, Jenn, to see if she'd be around. Well, she wasn't, but she fixed that by booking a flight. And just like that, we had the ultimate girls getaway.

We gave ourselves one very important mission: take as many pictures with statues as possible. If we found a statue, we were taking a photo with it. We mixed in a few other adventures along the way, but mostly we just laughed.

For years, Jenn and I were inseparable. Then life happened. Careers, families, responsibilities and somehow the time between visits became much too long. It took a trip out of state to bring us back together.

The funny thing about lifelong friendships is that they don't keep score. They don't care how much time has passed. You simply pick up right where you left off.

For a few days, I felt like a high schooler again. We laughed at everything, acted completely ridiculous, and made memories I'll treasure forever.

Thank you, Jenn, for dropping everything to make this trip happen. Here's to friendships that stand the test of time and always feel like home.

#GirlsGetaway #BestFriends #Boise #MakingMemories #StatuePics by @runcoachkrun

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2 months ago

IRONMAN 70.3 Boise
Experience Oman Pro Series event

If I had to pick one word to describe the weekend, it would be FUN-NESS!

From the IRONKIDS races to the professional field, the weekend was filled with athleticism, excitement, and inspiration.

I wish everyone could see what happens behind the scenes. The amount of work that goes into producing one of these events is incredible, and the entire team pours their hearts into creating an extraordinary experience for every athlete, volunteer, and spectator.

I had the opportunity to share the microphone with Dave and Jill for the first time, learning from two of the best while soaking in every moment. The finish line energy never faded, it only grew stronger until our final athlete crossed the line.

I left Boise with new friendships, unforgettable memories, and even more appreciation for the incredible IRONMAN community.

#IRONMAN703 #RaceAnnouncer #TheyLetMeHaveTheMic #FunNess by @runcoachkrun

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3 months ago

We sat down with Andrea Kooiman (Coach K) to talk about her life as a self described “everyday mom” and a total badass ultra runner with an impressive resume of accomplishments. She’s run some of the most challenging events from Badwater 135 to the infamous Barkley Marathons. From coaching middle schoolers, building a run community, to learning from DNFs this is a fun conversation you won’t want to miss! Enjoy! by @runcoachkrun

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3 months ago

Ate. Left no Werther’s Originals. 👵 #grandmas #altitude taken in Mt. Baldy by @runcoachkrun

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3 months ago