Become a Coach

Exercise Scientist Running Coaches – Page 3

What type of runner are you?

Fleet Feet  Nashville

Fleet Feet Nashville

Nashville, TN, United States

Beginner Recreational Masters

RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 2 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. +1

Fleet Feet Nashville builds a like-minded community with in-person/remote training, groups, and consultations. RRCA Level 1 & 2 coaches offer training plans and private coaching for 5K–marathon goals.

Starting at $60.00

Lindsey Altermatt

Lindsey Altermatt

St. Francis, Minnesota, United States

Beginner Cross Training Mental Skills

RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation.

Lindsey builds practical, individualized plans from 26+ years and Twin Cities race experience. Offers consultations, custom plans, The Navigator, and 1:1 coaching.

Starting at $129.00

Maddie Barrett

Maddie Barrett

Minneapolis , Minnesota, United States

Beginner Competitive Boston Marathon

RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation.

Maddie, RRCA-certified coach with 10 marathons (PR 3:07) and four Bostons, offers remote coaching, consultations and plans for 5K–marathon runners seeking confidence and joy.

Starting at $40.00

Katie Brady

Katie Brady

St. Louis, Missouri, United States

Beginner Recreational Triathlon

USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science.

Katie offers remote USATF Level 1 private coaching that fits training into busy lives—beginners to competitive runners and triathletes targeting 5K to marathon.

Starting at $80.00

Heather Caplan RDN

Heather Caplan RDN

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Beginner Nutrition Recreational

RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation.

Heather Caplan RDN, RRCA L1 helps busy runners avoid bonking and build strength. RED-S and eating-disorder recovery specialist. Remote/group coaching.

Starting at $179.00

Riley Coulter

Riley Coulter

Platteville, Wi, United States

Beginner Competitive Cross Training

USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science.

Riley founded Driftless Distance Project to deliver science-based 5K-marathon coaching. USATF L1, guided Boston qualifiers. View his plans and services.

Starting at $15.00

Joseph Gendy

Joseph Gendy

Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

Beginner Competitive Boston Marathon

RRCA Level 2 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 2 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation.

Joseph builds VDOT plans for beginners through masters and Boston hopefuls. RRCA L2 coach who led three athletes to marathon PRs; offers remote training and private coaching.

Starting at $80.00

John Hoffman

John Hoffman

Wesley Chapel, Florida, United States

Exercise Science Beginner Competitive

USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science.

John, D1 runner and USATF L1 coach, coaching since 2006 to help runners reach PRs and Boston qualifying. Offers private, in-person, remote and group coaching.

Starting at $80.00

Toni Kengor

Toni Kengor

Pittsburgh, PA, United States

Beginner Competitive Boston Marathon

RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation.

Toni offers remote RRCA Level 1 coaching for beginners to competitive and masters runners (1600m–Ultra). 3:35 marathon PB; offers cross-training and VirtualRace.

Starting at $5.00

Melissa Labrie

Melissa Labrie

Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, United States

Beginner Recreational Mental Skills

RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation.

Melissa, former Ironman with 15+ years' endurance experience and RRCA + GGS credentials, offers structured, sustainable coaching and plans for beginners to competitive runners. 20% off (RUNJULY)

Starting at $45.00

Elizabeth Miller

Elizabeth Miller

San Antonio, Texas, United States

Beginner Competitive Boston Marathon

RRCA Level 2 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 2 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation.

Elizabeth is an RRCA Level II coach and 2023 Boston finisher who blends faith with tailored remote, group and private training for beginners to BQ hopefuls.

Starting at $75.00

Angela Reckart

Angela Reckart

Cape May Court House, New Jersey, United States

Beginner Competitive Boston Marathon

USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science.

Angela Reckart, ex-NCAA D1 coach and USATF L1, 2:45 Boston marathoner, coaches 800m–marathon runners (competitive to masters). Offers training plans, consultations & private coaching.

Starting at $25.00

Derek Riedel

Derek Riedel

San Antonio, TX, United States

Beginner Competitive High School

USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. USATF Level 2 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. +1

Derek, USATF L1/L2 coach with 20+ years at UIW, tailors strength-based plans for 800m–marathon; offers remote, in-person, plans & private coaching.

Starting at $80.00

David Schwinger - ETA

David Schwinger - ETA

Rochester, New York, United States

Beginner Competitive High School

USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science.

David uses an autonomy-supportive, behavior-science approach to help runners (800m–ultra) unlock physical and mental potential. Offers consultations & private coaching.

Starting at $50.00

Arash Taheri

Arash Taheri

Ridgeland, Mississippi, United States

Beginner Competitive High School

USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. USATF Level 2 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. +1

Arash Taheri, USATF L1 & L2 and USTFCCCA endurance coach for 800m–marathon athletes; offers plans, private coaching & consultations.

Starting at $80.00

Eric Thomas

Eric Thomas

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Beginner Competitive Recreational

RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation.

Eric, RRCA Level 1 coach since 2015, has completed 15 marathons (Boston qualifier) and trained hundreds from 5K to 100K. Offers in-person and remote coaching and plans.

Starting at $55.00

Rob VanCleve

Rob VanCleve

Columbus, OH, United States

Beginner Competitive High School

USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science. USATF Level 1 USATF Certified — a nationally recognized program covering coaching ethics, athlete development, and sport science.

Rob VanCleve pairs collegiate coaching and USATF L1 expertise with five Master Track national titles to craft personalized plans for runners and triathletes.

Starting at $35.00

Tammy Whyte

Tammy Whyte

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Beginner Masters Recreational

RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation.

Tammy helps middle-of-pack and beginner runners reach half and full marathon goals with RRCA, NASM and CFSC-backed training plans and remote/group consultations.

Starting at $60.00

Karen Dunn

Karen Dunn

Collegeville, Pennsylvania, United States

Beginner Competitive High School

4.2 (5) RRCA Level 2 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 2 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. +1

Karen Dunn helps runners train smarter, stronger and faster. VDOT O2- & RRCA-certified, builds strength, lowers injury risk and offers private coaching.

Starting at $180.00

Martinus Evans

Martinus Evans

Atlanta, New York, United States

Exercise Science Beginner Masters

3.7 (3) RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation. RRCA Level 1 RRCA Certified — trains coaches in safe running instruction, injury prevention, and race preparation.

Martinus helps beginners and larger-bodied runners take first steps to marathons with inclusive training plans, remote coaching, groups, camps, consultations.

Starting at $40.00

Running Coaches Who Specialize in Beginner Runners

Start Running the Right Way, With the Right Support

Starting a running habit is more likely to stick when the plan respects where you're actually starting from. Coaches who specialize in beginner runners on V.O2 build programs that prioritize injury prevention, gradual mileage progression, and sustainable habits over aggressive early gains. You still get the same individualized VDOT training paces used by experienced racers - developed from the research of Dr. Jack Daniels, a two-time Olympic medalist and exercise scientist named "The World's Best Running Coach" by Runner's World - just calibrated for a beginner's fitness base and adjusted as you build consistency.

Whether Your Goal Is a First 5K or a Lifelong Habit

Beginner-focused coaches understand that early goals range from finishing a first race to simply building a sustainable routine, and they tailor communication, pacing, and expectations accordingly.

Find a Coach to Start With

Read reviews from other new runners who've actually trained with each coach, then message a beginner specialist directly to start the right way from day one.

FAQ

No - beginner-specialist coaches start from wherever you are, including from zero. Plans are built around gradual progression and injury prevention, not someone else's mileage.

That's set with your coach based on your starting fitness and schedule - the point of coaching is a plan you can actually sustain. Most coaches adjust frequency and intensity as your consistency builds.

No. Many athletes on V.O2 hire coaches for structure, accountability, and safe progression rather than race results - and coaches who list beginner runners as a specialty are set up for exactly that.

Dr. Jack Daniels: a two-time Olympic medalist and exercise scientist named "The World's Best Running Coach" by Runner's World. The same research behind elite marathoners' paces is simply recalibrated for a beginner's starting fitness.

First, look for coaches with experience in your target distance, relevant specialities, and positive reviews. Or, search for coaches by location, product type, and price. Once you’ve narrowed your search, read the coaching bios to ensure the coach is the right fit for you. You can also message coaches directly to ask about their approach and whether they're a good fit for your goals.

Yes! These coaches specialize in Exercise Scientist and Beginner Runners and are experienced in helping runners with these specific needs. Check individual profiles for more details about their coaching philosophy and approach.

Online coaches on V.O2 provide personalized training plans, feedback via messaging, phone calls and/or in-app commenting, and progress tracking without requiring in-person meetings. Most adjust your plan based on your weekly feedback and performance.

Most coaches on the V.O2 Marketplace encourage you to message them with questions before purchasing. This helps you evaluate fit and ensures they're the right choice for your goals and timeline. Otherwise, please email us at info@vdoto2.com and we’ll help you match with the right coach.