Matt McClintock - McKirdy Trained

Running Coach in Flagstaff, Arizona, United States

"The mind is the athlete." - Andy Palmer

5.0 6 reviews
VDOT Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching.
USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science.

About Matt McClintock

I grew up running the dirt logging roads around my home in central Maine, with time that middle school pastime developed into a high school passion, a college scholarship, a professional contract, and most recently a coaching profession. Like many of us, I didn’t necessarily start out wanting to be a ‘professional runner’, but at 5′ 7″ and barely 130 pounds in high school, my dreams of professional basketball began to fade. Running eventually took me out of that small town in central Maine to Purdue University where I graduated as a multiple time All-American with a degree in Movement and Sports Science. Coaching has allowed me to combine my love of running and science with my very early interest in teaching. Initially, out of high school I was enrolled in a Secondary Education major at Purdue, before transferring into the College of Health and Human Sciences. My coaching philosophy is simple. I believe that the best performance comes when an athlete becomes a ‘student of the sport’. I work with my athletes not only on developing a strong aerobic system, but a strong understanding of the ‘why’ behind the work we are doing. I believe that my primary job as a coach is to help athletes understand when to work and when to rest and to be confident enough in themselves to understand when each is needed. Resume 3x NCAA Division I All-American in cross country and track and field 2x Big Ten Conference champion in cross country and track and field 9x USATF National Championship top 10 finishes As coach, 14 USATF Championship top 10 finishes As coach, 6 USATF Olympic Trials Qualifiers As coach, 3 Olympic/World Championship Qualifiers As coach, 7th place finisher at 2024 Paris Olympic Marathon As coach, Bronze Medal at 2025 World Athletics Championship Marathon

Video Introduction

Coaching Products

Description

For runners interested in a more personalized training approach I offer 1-on-1 private coaching through McKirdy Trained. If you are interested in 1-on-1 coaching please sign up for a FREE inquiry phone call to learn more. Plans starting at $129/month. More information on McKirdy Trained and pricing can be found at the link below... mckirdytrained.com/get-trained/ *NOTE: In order to make sure I am providing my clients with the best experience, I am currently at my personal client capacity. If you are still interested in receiving coaching, I would still be more than happy to take your call to answer any questions you may have. I would refer you to my wife Samantha McCintock who also works for McKirdy Trained. Her bio can be found on the McKirdy Trained website at... mckirdytrained.com/coaches/.

Free - 30 minute call

Get Free Consultation

Description

Discuss your training and racing one on one to receive advice regarding race tactics, training planning, event specific workouts, fueling and nutrition, strength, and more!

$100.00 - 60 minute call

Purchase

Description

Get a customized training plan for your next race! Created with experience, following a consultation phone call, I will design a training plan specifically for you. Get up to 12 weeks of custom training for one low price! FEATURES FREE Consultation phone call (discuss with me directly your goals, fitness, goal race, and running history.) Custom designed training plan through VDOT (please allow 10-14 days for the creation of your plan)

$120.00 - 12 week plan

Purchase

Description

Get a customized training plan for your next race! Created with experience, following a consultation phone call, I will design a training plan specifically for you. Get up to 16 weeks of custom training for one low price! FEATURES FREE Consultation phone call (discuss with me directly your goals, fitness, goal race, and running history.) Custom designed training plan to your email inbox (please allow 10-14 days for the creation of your plan)

$135.00 - 16 week plan

Purchase

Description

Get a customized training plan for your next race! Created with experience, following a consultation phone call, I will design a training plan specifically for you. Get up to 20 weeks of custom training for one low price! FEATURES FREE Consultation phone call (discuss with me directly your goals, fitness, goal race, and running history.) Custom designed training plan to your email inbox (please allow 10-14 days for the creation of your plan)

$150.00 - 20 week plan

Purchase

Description

Get a customized training plan for your next race! Created with experience, following a consultation phone call, I will design a training plan specifically for you. Get up to 24 weeks of custom training for one low price! FEATURES FREE Consultation phone call (discuss with me directly your goals, fitness, goal race, and running history.) Custom designed training plan to your email inbox (please allow 10-14 days for the creation of your plan).

$165.00 - 24 week plan

Purchase

How it works

01.

Choose how you want to work together

Book a consultation, choose a training plan, or start private coaching.

02.

Connect with your coach

Share your goals, experience and upcoming races.

03.

Start training

Get your plan, stay connected and track your progress in VDOT.

Training with Matt McClintock

Athlete requirement

Motivation to achieve your goals!

Distances coached

General Fitness, 800m, Mile/1500m, 2mi/3km, 5km, 10km , 15km, Half Marathon, Marathon, Ultra Marathon

Languages

English

Coaching options

Online/Remote coaching

Consultations

Specialties

Competitive Runners, High School Runners, Nutrition Advice, Cross Training Advice, Beginner Runners, Recreational Runners , Masters Runners

Reviews

5.0
6 reviews
5 - Exellent
4 - Great
3 - Good
IW

Isaac Wilson

May 28, 2026

It doesn’t take much time spent in conversation with Matt to tell that he obviously enjoys his role as a coach very much. He is knowledgeable and personable, which is unfortunately a difficult combina... It doesn’t take much time spent in conversation with Matt to tell that he obviously enjoys his role as a coach very much. He is knowledgeable and personable, which is unfortunately a difficult combination to find. I know I will step up to the starting line this fall well prepared to shoot for the stars thanks to his help

SD

Stephen Dunlap

Feb 25, 2022

Absolutely awesome coach! He worked with me exactly where I was at and taught me a lot about how to use the Daniel’s formula. He helped me break my “A” goal and now I’m on my second training cycle wit... Absolutely awesome coach! He worked with me exactly where I was at and taught me a lot about how to use the Daniel’s formula. He helped me break my “A” goal and now I’m on my second training cycle with him and feeling lots of progress.

MP

Matthew Parsons

Nov 21, 2021

Absolutely phenomenal coach. Matt is HIGHLY responsive and sensitive to my needs and wants as well as goals and ambitions. In just a few weeks I have dramatically improved my overall pace with the s... Absolutely phenomenal coach. Matt is HIGHLY responsive and sensitive to my needs and wants as well as goals and ambitions. In just a few weeks I have dramatically improved my overall pace with the same amount of effort, something I have never been able to do with other coaches. Matt is very intuitive to my training plan; he takes into consideration my performance (or lack thereof!) from the week before along with my feedback before he makes a new plan for the next week. What's more, Matt took the time before I committed to work with me for two weeks so I knew what his coaching style was like. By being a professional runner himself, Matt knows what it takes to be an athlete; he is relatable, empathetic, and very professional. If you have ever wanted a coach to help you achieve your goals, look no further; Matt will help you get there if you are willing to put in the work. I am confident that with Matt's leadership I will finally achieve my ultimate goal of qualifying for and then running the Boston Marathon!

LR

Lindsey Reed

Jul 26, 2021

Matt is thorough and detailed. He is personable and communicates well. It is still early in the training process to determine how effective his training is.

Avatar of Laurent Nicoulaud

Laurent Nicoulaud

Dec 26, 2019

I have been training with Matt for one month. It is the best coaching I ever had. Matt is always listening to you and he does not just give you a standardized plan. In just a few weeks I have discover... I have been training with Matt for one month. It is the best coaching I ever had. Matt is always listening to you and he does not just give you a standardized plan. In just a few weeks I have discovered several workouts I did not know before. Like many of us, I feared a private coaching would be selling you an off-the-shelf plan just with your individual paces. This is absolutely not the case. The volume, the cycles, the sessions, everything is hand-made for you. Matt is always available for a chat. Last but not least, he has such communication skills that he understands my frenglish ! I want to keep on training with him on the long term.

Avatar of Linda Pham

Linda Pham

Dec 12, 2019

I reached out to Matt after having a bad tune up race before my marathon and was having doubts about how I was going to perform during that race. I only had a month left, and it isn't enough time to m... I reached out to Matt after having a bad tune up race before my marathon and was having doubts about how I was going to perform during that race. I only had a month left, and it isn't enough time to make a huge effect on my fitness but he impressed on me that he could still help me with my training. His workouts made me feel confident I was in good shape for the marathon and I ended up getting a 13 minute PR! There were specific things I was looking for in a coach: 1) Someone who doesn't try to stop me from my cross-training (I love to dabble in other sports) 2) Someone who doesn't have a minimum amount of mileage (some coaches expect you to run high mileage for the marathon) 3) Someone I get along with 4) Someone who prioritizes recovery 5) Someone who doesn't present a cookie cutter plan, and will provide training based on my strength and weaknesses Matt hit all the points I was looking for in a coach, I made sure to read his blog posts and interviews to understand his coaching philosophy. When I reached out to him with my questions he answered everything in detail and quickly. He always answers the million questions I have, and encouraging me to reach out if I have any questions or issues. If you're looking for a good coach that is easy to work with, and will be invested in your training, reach out to him! He is serious about his coaching job, and you won't be disappointed. The only thing I would say he could improve on is proactive communication. Receiving an email to let me know if there will be delay in response because he's racing or for whatever reason would be helpful but other than that he's great to work with!

AI Summary Based on information provided in Matt McClintock's profile.

Matt McClintock combines elite racing—from Maine trails to Purdue All‑American—with evidence‑based coaching (USATF Level 1, VDOT O2). He has guided athletes to Olympic/World selection, including 7th at the 2024 Paris Olympic Marathon and a 2025 World Championship marathon bronze. He teaches the 'why' behind training and works with beginners to elite competitors. Explore his training plans and consultations to learn more.

Frequently asked questions

This coach supports runners focused on General Fitness, 800m, Mile/1500m, 2mi/3km, 5km, 10km, 15km, Half Marathon, Marathon, and Ultra Marathon with coaching specialities that include Competitive Runners, High School Runners, Nutrition Advice, and Cross Training Advice.

Yes. Matt McClintock - McKirdy Trained is currently accepting new coaching clients, and you can reach out directly from this profile page.

Yes. Matt McClintock - McKirdy Trained coaches Competitive Runners, High School Runners, Cross Training Advice, Beginner Runners, Recreational Runners, and Masters Runners specifically for General Fitness, 800m, Mile/1500m, 2mi/3km, 5km, 10km, 15km, Half Marathon, Marathon, and Ultra Marathon, tailoring the plan to experience level and race distance together.

This coach currently offers Consultations and Training Plans. Product availability can change as the coach updates their marketplace offerings.

Motivation to achieve your goals!

Coaching is available through Online/Remote coaching and Consultations. Review product details to choose the format that best matches your goals.