Susan Armenta
Sunnyvale Coach
Susan Armenta is a race walker who has represented the United States at the 1999 World Track & Field Championships, the 2002, 2004, and 2008 World Cup, and the 1998, 2000 and 2002 Pan American Cup. She holds the American record in the 50km race walk and most recently placed 3rd at the 2008 Olympic Trials in the 20km race walk.
Susan earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and received her master's degree in Kinesiology from San Jose State University. She has coached runners and race walkers and has led clinics promoting walking for corporations including Adobe Systems, Inc., Kaiser Permanente, Cadence, and Curves, and for non-profit organizations such as the San Jose Fit training group, Team in Training, Somos Mayfair and the Mexican American Community Services Agency.
Having the passion to empower women, particularly women in underserved communities, Susan volunteered with the Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative (BAWSI), helping with the newly-founded 'Salud Por Vida' exercise program for women. One year later, she was hired full time as the program director for BAWSI's Salud Por Vida program. Susan develops and implements free outdoor exercise and nutrition programs geared towards Latinas and other underrepresented women in the community. Susan and BAWSI's Salud Por Vida trainers have inspired hundreds of women to exercise and make positive changes for a healthy lifestyle.
In her spare time, Susan also leads ZUMBA aerobic classes in Spanish to serve the Washington and Mayfair neighborhoods. As a result of her community involvement, Susan was recognized by the Mexican American Community Services Agency (MACSA) as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Latinos in Silicon Valley in 2008.
| Favorite exercise(s): |
Lunges and squats w/overhead press |
| Least favorite exercises: |
side planks |
| Favorite healthy food: |
Any kind of fruit . . . especially mangoes, bananas, and papayas. |
| Favorite cheat food: |
I’m known as everyone’s favorite chocoholic. |
Greatest Fitness
Accomplishment: |
Establishing the women’s 50km American record in race walking |
| Biggest fitness roadblocks: |
Nagging hamstring injury |
| Current Fitness Goals: |
To get back into competitive race walking shape and qualify for the 2009 World Championships in Berlin. |
| Words to live by: |
Use it or lose it. You’ve got to keep moving! |
