How to Find a Running Coach: Practical Guide for 2025 and Beyond

At some point in your running journey, you hit a point where Google isn’t enough.

Maybe you’re tired of bouncing between free plans. Maybe you’re stuck in the same injury loop. Maybe you’re chasing your first marathon, your first ultra, or a big PR and you’re thinking:

“I probably need a running coach… but how do I actually find the right one?”

Type “how to find a running coach” into a search bar and you’ll get directories, apps, social media profiles, and a lot of conflicting advice. What most of that misses is this simple truth:

You’re not just choosing a training plan.
You’re choosing a relationship.

A running coach will touch your time, your energy, your health, and your confidence. So the goal isn’t to find any coach. It’s to find someone who fits you as a human first and an athlete second.

In this guide, we’ll walk through how to figure out what you actually need, where to look, how to evaluate coaches, what red flags to avoid, and how Microcosm Coaching’s team and tiers fit into that picture.

Step 1: Get Clear on Why You Want a Running Coach

Before you start looking outward, start by looking inward.

Ask yourself:

• What am I really hoping a coach will help me with?
• What are my next 6–12 months of life going to look like?
• What would “success” with a coach mean for me?

For some runners, the main goal is accountability. For others, it’s staying healthy while increasing mileage. Some want to finish a first 5K or marathon. Others are aiming for a Boston Qualifier, a sub-3, a first 50K, or a technical mountain race.

Your “why” might sound like:

• “I want to stop guessing and follow a real plan.”
• “I keep getting injured and need someone to help me do this the smart way.”
• “I want to take my training seriously without wrecking the rest of my life.”
• “I’m ready to see what I can actually do with guidance.”

Getting honest here will shape everything that comes next—what kind of coach you need, how much support you want, and what kind of coaching system will be the best fit.

Step 2: Decide Between Local, Online, or Hybrid Coaching

Not all coaching looks the same. One of the first choices you’ll make is format.

Local (In-Person) Coaching

This might mean a local coach who meets you at the track, leads a group workout, or watches your form in real time.

The upsides:

• You get eyes on your stride and body language.
• You plug into a local community.
• Your coach may know your race routes and terrain personally.

This option can be great if you thrive on in-person interaction and group energy.

The tradeoffs: fewer coach options overall, less flexibility if your schedule is unpredictable, and often higher per-session costs.

Online Coaching

Online coaching happens through training logs, apps, email, messaging, and video calls. It’s how we work at Microcosm.

The upsides:

• You can work with highly specialized coaches anywhere in the world.
• Communication is flexible and built around your schedule.
• Plans can be updated quickly when life changes.
• You often get more consistent feedback, not just at one weekly practice.

This is ideal for busy adults, trail and ultra runners, marathoners, skimo athletes, cyclists, and anyone who doesn’t have the “perfect” local coach.

Hybrid Approaches

Some runners like a mix. For example:

• An online coach for overall training structure.
• Occasional sessions with a local coach or PT for form checks.
• Group runs with a club for social support.

Microcosm operates as a fully remote, human-first coaching organization—but we encourage athletes to blend in-person resources where it makes sense, like local groups or technique clinics. Online doesn’t have to mean “alone.”

Step 3: Where to Actually Look for a Running Coach

Once you know what you want and which format fits your life, the search gets more concrete.

Here are some common starting points:

Local running shops and clubs.

Many running stores and clubs know reputable coaches in the area or host group training programs. Staff often know which coaches are great for beginners, marathoners, trails, or speed-focused runners.

Word of mouth.

Ask runners whose journeys you admire: “Have you ever worked with a coach? Who? What was it like?” Real stories from real people are often more helpful than any marketing page.

Coaching directories and certification bodies.

Many certification organizations maintain lists or directories of coaches who have completed their programs. These don’t guarantee coaching skill, but they’re a starting point.

Coaching collectives and teams.

Instead of hiring a single independent coach, you can work with a coaching organization like Microcosm, where multiple coaches share a philosophy and support structure. This gives you access to a team rather than just one person in a silo.

As you browse, don’t just look at credentials. Pay attention to tone, philosophy, and how they talk about athletes, injuries, and setbacks. That’s where you’ll see their true values.

Step 4: What to Look For in a Running Coach

Once you have names, it’s time to evaluate.

Credentials and Experience

Certifications show a foundation of education and professionalism. But even more important is how a coach applies that knowledge.

What have they done with runners like you?

It’s not enough that they’ve run fast themselves. A great coach doesn’t just hand you the plan that worked for them. They design a path that works for your body, goals, and constraints.

Coaching Philosophy and Values

This is where you find out if someone is a good long-term fit.

Ask yourself as you read or talk with them:

• Do they respect rest and recovery, or glorify grinding?
• Do they talk about mental health, life balance, burnout, and stress?
• Do they sound curious about your life, or mostly focused on your race times?

At Microcosm, our philosophy is simple: human first, athlete always. We care about your finish lines, but we care just as much about how training feels in your day-to-day life.

Communication Style and Frequency

How you communicate with your coach will shape your entire experience.

Consider:

• How often will they review your training log?
• How many times per week will they give feedback?
• Is communication mostly via email, app comments, messaging, or calls?
• Do you feel safe being honest with them about low motivation, missed runs, or emotional stress?

Some athletes love lots of contact. Others prefer a bit more independence. The important thing is that expectations are clear and feel supportive.

Customization and Flexibility

Beware of “personalized” plans that are clearly templates with your name swapped in.

Ask how they:

• Adjust training for illness, travel, family stress, or surprise work deadlines.
• Respond when workouts don’t go as planned.
• Modify training if something feels off physically or mentally.

Real life is messy. Real coaching flexes with that.

Athlete Fit and Roster Size

Does this coach typically work with:

• Newer runners?
• Marathoners?
• Trail and ultra athletes?
• Masters athletes?
• Skimo and mountain athletes?
• Runners balancing high-stress careers?

Also, how many athletes do they coach at once? More isn’t always bad, but an overstuffed roster can mean less attention per person. You want someone who has the capacity to truly see you.

Step 5: Key Questions to Ask Before You Commit

Once you’re talking to a potential coach, here are some powerful questions:

• “What types of athletes do you usually work with?”
• “How do you communicate and how often?”
• “How do you handle it when I miss workouts or life gets busy?”
• “What’s your approach to injury prevention and return from injury?”
• “How do you design training around stressful periods in my life?”

You’re not interviewing a service; you’re meeting a future teammate. You should leave that conversation feeling heard, not rushed or sold to.

Step 6: Red Flags When Looking for a Running Coach

Just as important as what to look for is what to avoid.

Some red flags:

• They offer the same plan to almost everyone.
• They rarely mention rest, mental health, or life stress.
• They make you feel guilty about missed runs instead of curious about why they happened.
• They push volume or intensity without asking about your history.
• They dismiss your concerns or injuries as “weakness.”

If something feels off in your gut, listen to that. Coaching requires trust.

How Much Does a Running Coach Cost? (Quick Overview)

Prices vary, but most one-on-one remote running coaches charge a monthly fee.

Lower-cost options often include:

• A plan with limited feedback
• Less frequent communication
• Few or no calls

Higher-cost, higher-touch programs usually include:

• Fully individualized training
• Frequent log reviews and feedback
• Accessible communication
• Calls or video check-ins
• Race strategy, nutrition guidance, and mental support

At Microcosm, our tiers range from community-focused support to full-service, high-touch 1:1 coaching. The important thing is not just the price, but what you get in return: the quality of the relationship, the level of support, and how much the plan truly fits your life.

How Microcosm Coaching Fits Into This Picture

At Microcosm, you’re not just matched with “a coach.” You’re supported by a coaching team and community built around humans with big goals and real lives.

A Multidisciplinary Team of Coaches

Our team includes:

• Road and marathon coaches
• Trail and ultra running coaches
• Skimo and mountain athletes
• Cycling and multi-sport coaches
• Coaches with backgrounds in sports nutrition, women’s health, sports psychology, and mental performance

That means if you’re training for a road marathon now, a mountain ultra later, and maybe a skimo race in the winter, you don’t have to cobble together a new team every time. You’re in a system that understands all those worlds.

Our coaches share a common philosophy:

• 80–90% low-intensity, aerobic training
• Growth over time, not quick fixes
• Daily check-ins and consistent feedback
• Respect for life, stress, sleep, and emotional bandwidth
• A deep belief that sport should add to your life, not drain it

How to Know You’ve Found the Right Running Coach

You’ll know you’ve found the right fit if:

• You feel safe being honest about how you’re actually doing.
• You can share missed workouts without dread.
• Your coach asks as much about your life as about your paces.
• Your plan feels challenging but realistic—not overwhelming.
• You feel more grounded, not more stressed, after starting coaching.
• You can imagine working with them for at least a year, not just a single race.

That last point matters. The best coach-athlete relationships are built over time. Your coach learns how your body responds, how your mind works, and what helps you thrive. You learn how to train smarter, listen to your body, and build resilience that goes way beyond race day.

Meet the Microcosm Coaching Team

When you work with Microcosm, you’re not just getting a generic “running coach.” You’re stepping into a team of experienced, multidisciplinary coaches who understand that athletes are humans first.

TJ David – Founder & Head Coach

TJ is a UESCA-certified Trail & Ultra Run Coach with a deep background in sports psychology and holistic health. A former professional big mountain skier and US SkyUltra Champion, he blends evidence-based training with stress management, sleep, mindset, and intrinsic motivation to help athletes grow over the long term.

Zoë Rom

Zoë is a UESCA-certified Trail & Ultra Coach with additional certifications in sports psychology and sports nutrition. She specializes in women’s health and strength and co-authored Becoming a Sustainable Runner. Her coaching is grounded in the belief that with smart training and self-belief, Earth is 97% runnable.

Kylee Van Horn

Kylee is a USATF-certified running coach and registered sports dietitian. She works with road, trail, and ultra runners, helping them build sustainable training and fueling habits. She brings a rare combo of performance nutrition expertise and practical, real-world coaching experience.

Drew Conner

Drew is a full-time UESCA-certified trail and ultra coach with a background in dietetics and over a decade of coaching experience. He works with everyone from total beginners to elite marathoners, with a “family first” philosophy that respects work, life, and training as a whole ecosystem.

Zack Russell

Zack is a UESCA-certified Trail & Ultra Coach, NASM-certified sports nutritionist, athletic trainer, and NSCA strength and conditioning specialist. He coaches runners, multisport, and adventure athletes who love big days outside, and is especially tuned into time-crunched athletes who still want to do big things.

Kristin Layne

Kristin is an Aspen-based UESCA-certified Trail & Ultra Coach and ski-mountaineering national champion. She specializes in skimo and mountain runners, as well as pregnant and postpartum athletes, helping them navigate demanding seasons of life while still pursuing meaningful goals.

Matthew Rodjom

Matthew is a USATF-certified running coach, Paralympic and Boston Marathon competitor, and father of three. He works with road runners of all abilities and has deep experience coaching athletes with disabilities, grounding his coaching in the belief that anyone can be an excellent runner.

Skylar Sorokoty

Skylar is an RRCA-certified coach with over a decade of marathon coaching experience and a background in collegiate track and cross country. He brings a holistic lens, considering work, family, and personal life, and loves helping athletes reach everything from their first race finish to lifetime PRs.

Kyle Jones

Kyle is a UESCA-certified Trail & Ultra Coach with a BS in Kinesiology. A masters athlete himself, he’s all-in on big trail days, balance, and growth mindset. He helps athletes push their physical and mental capacity while still honoring recovery, compassion, and real life.

James Nance

James is a UESCA-certified Trail & Ultra Coach, road runner, cyclist, data scientist, and Boston Marathon finisher. He specializes in coaching road runners and cyclists, blending analytical rigor with compassion and community to help athletes build durable endurance for 5Ks through 100-mile rides.

FAQs: Common Questions About Finding a Running Coach

Do I really need a running coach?
Not everyone needs one, but many runners benefit from having a coach once their goals or complexity outgrow generic plans. A coach helps with strategy, accountability, injury prevention, and navigating life stress.

Is a running coach worth it for beginners?
Yes, especially if you want to build smart habits from the start. A good coach will meet you where you are and help you progress safely and confidently.

Can online coaching be as effective as in-person coaching?
Absolutely. For distance runners, online coaching can be even more effective because you get ongoing contact and feedback, not just one session per week. With Microcosm, you also get a community behind you.

How often should I hear from my coach?
It depends on the program. Many one-on-one setups offer at least weekly feedback. At Microcosm, our 1:1 tiers include daily check-ins with multiple feedback touchpoints per week.

What if I start with a coach and it doesn’t feel like a good fit?
You’re allowed to change. Coaching is a relationship, and not every match will be perfect. It’s okay to step back, ask for adjustments, or look for a different coach who aligns more closely with your needs.

The Bottom Line

Finding a running coach isn’t about picking the person with the flashiest resume, biggest social following, or most extreme training philosophy. It’s about finding someone who:

• Understands your goals
• Respects your life
• Communicates clearly
• Cares about your long-term health and joy

At Microcosm Coaching, we believe the best athletes don’t go it alone. The right coach isn’t there to control your process, but to walk alongside you—adjusting, supporting, and challenging you in ways that help you grow as both a human and an athlete.

If you’re ready to explore what that kind of relationship could look like, we’re here when you’re ready.