POULSBO — Poulsbo resident and marathon runner Cotah Rose has good reason to believe her birthday — May 15 — is also her lucky day.

On that particular day in 1999, she ran her first race, participating in Viking Fest’s 5-mile run. She finished at 42:24.

At the same race this year, she won the entire women’s division, finishing with a 33:44 time.

“To have that happen on my birthday,” Rose said, “That was really, really special.”

But other than the coincidence of running both races on the day she was born, not much about Rose’s running career is really all that “lucky.” A talented cyclist and swimmer turned-runner, Rose has become a fierce competitor in many different distances of racing and this year achieved a dream by qualifying for the New York City Marathon.

Her coach and husband, Charli Rose, said he believes it is her passion and discipline to improve that has made her successful in her five-year career.

“She’s responded so quickly and so well (in training),” he said. “In 20 years as a coach, I’ve not had anyone catch on as fast as she has.”

Running was a natural fit for Cotah Rose, given her previous experience in cycling and swimming — sports that require lots of stamina.

“They’re all endurance sports,” she said. “In a nutshell, you couple speed with distance.”

Whereas many runners prefer a level course for consistency, Rose prides herself on enjoying interval courses, which have many ups and downs along the way.

“I love how empowering it is to charge up a hill,” she said.

“She has the right mind-set,” Charli Rose added. “It’s her mental attitude towards a hill. It charges her.”

Rose ran her first marathon in in Victoria, British Columbia — on a very hilly course — in October 2002, finishing in 3:36.36. Unlike many first-timers to a 26.2 mile race, Rose was very well prepared. Charli had already prepped her for the level of endurance she’d need by having her run 27 miles one day — for practice.

“I had experience going past (the 26.2-mile mark),” Rose said. “When I (finished), it was wonderful.”

Another reason for which Rose credits her success is the use of positive thinking in her races and in training. In her first full marathon, however, her sheer drive to compete was enough to keep her feeling confident about the race.

“I was so excited, so elated to be there,” Rose said. “I had a smile on my face nearly all 26 miles.”

Rose, who has now run four full-length marathons, said she’s excited for her future in running, including her New York Marathon this fall.

“I like the freedom of running, feeling of the elements,” Rose said. “It’s also a challenge to aim for your goals, to see how you can improve.”

She’ll have added motivation in New York as well. Rose recently learned about a cause known as “Fred’s Team,” which helps to raise money for cancer research. She has committed to raising $4,000 prior to the event.

“I’ll feel people’s energy going with me when I run the race,” Rose said. “That will be very special, very powerful.”

Fred’s Team is named in honor of New York Marathon founder Fred Lebow, who was also treated for cancer at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Research Center. Through the team, the Aubrey Fund was formed, named for Aubrey Barr, a woman who was treated — and cured — for acute lymphoblastic leukemia at Memorial Sloan-Kettering as a child. The money Rose will raise will support the fund.

The New York City Marathon is the largest in the world, with 35,000 runners trekking through all five of the city’s boroughs. The race is also broadcast in 125 countries world-wide.

Her win at the Viking Fest Race has not been her only victory of late — just last weekend, Rose took first place in her age group of 44 runners in the North Olympic Discovery half-marathon with a 1:37.07 time. And her coach said her times will only get better, especially as she begins to test herself amongst the best runners in the bigger races.

“The test of her real ability will be in those longer, bigger races,” Charli Rose said. “And she’s showing herself she can do it.”