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Certified Strength and Conditioning Running Coaches

What type of runner are you?

Kristyn R Smith

Kristyn R Smith

New York, New York, United States

Strength & Conditioning Competitive Boston Marathon

5.0 (30) 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. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. +1

Kristyn pairs eight years coaching, 26 marathons (8 Boston) and VDOT/RRCA/ACE credentials to create training plans and private coaching. Book a free intro.

Starting at $45.00

Ben Lauder Dykes

Ben Lauder Dykes

New York, New York, United Kingdom

Strength & Conditioning Competitive Nutrition

5.0 (1) 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. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. +1

Ben helps runners improve beyond pace with form, mobility, strength and cross-training. VDOT O2 & RRCA certified; offers private coaching, plans and consultations.

Starting at $25.00

Becky Croft

Becky Croft

Tulsa, OK, United States

Strength & Conditioning Boston Marathon Cross Training

5.0 (1) 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.

Becky offers tailored, injury-aware VDOT02 plans for beginners to veterans, coaching 800m–ultra with RRCA, Chi Running and strength focus; remote, group or private.

Starting at $25.00

Juan Carlos Arcos Lira

Juan Carlos Arcos Lira

Acolman, CDMX, Mexico

Strength & Conditioning 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. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. +1

Juan Carlos guides beginners to 5K–marathon athletes with science-based, structured plans. VDOT O2 & RRCA L2 certified; offers private coaching, plans and consultations.

Starting at $30.00

Melanie Boyd

Melanie Boyd

Panama, Panama, Panama

Strength & Conditioning 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. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. +1

Melanie, Boston-qualified 12x marathoner and VDOT O2/RRCA/NASM-certified coach, guides beginners to competitive runners with in-person/remote coaching, camps, consultations and training plans.

Starting at $125.00

Nelle Fox

Nelle Fox

Bridgewater, Virginia, United States

Strength & Conditioning Competitive High School

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. 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. +2

Nelle—30+ marathon/ultra finisher with podiums—offers a health-first, holistic coaching style focusing on strength, mobility and nutrition. Consultations, training plans, private coaching.

Starting at $15.00

Alissa Kolarik

Alissa Kolarik

Wadsworth, Ohio, United States

Strength & Conditioning 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. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. +1

Alissa helps beginners to BQ hopefuls with remote/group coaching, personalized plans and consultations. VDOT O2 & RRCA coach with a 2:56:24 marathon PR.

Starting at $50.00

Cary Morgan

Cary Morgan

Vestavia, Alabama, United States

Physical Therapy Competitive High School

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. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. +1

Cary Morgan offers remote private coaching grounded in exercise science and PT expertise. VDOT O2, RRCA, UESCA-certified for all distances and levels.

Starting at $125.00

Tom Palamar and Jenny Crawshaw

Tom Palamar and Jenny Crawshaw

New Port Richey, Florida, United States

Strength & Conditioning Nutrition Competitive

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. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. +1

Tom & Jenny deliver science-based, personalized plans via the VDOT app for beginners to Boston qualifiers. Training plans and private coaching available.

Starting at $50.00

Andrew Samuels

Andrew Samuels

New York, NY, United States

Strength & Conditioning Competitive High School

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. Certified V.O2 Certified — built on Jack Daniels' VDOT training methodology for personalized, data-driven coaching. +1

Andrew tailors in-person and remote plans for busy runners (5K–marathon), pairing VDOT O2 & RRCA coaching with NASM strength work to prevent injury and boost speed.

Starting at $150.00

Laura Filla

Laura Filla

St. Louis, Missouri, United States

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

Laura, RRCA Level 1 & 2 coach and 2:58 marathoner, offers in-person/remote coaching for 5K–marathoners, helping busy athletes break plateaus and balance life.

Starting at $80.00

Joseph Gendy

Joseph Gendy

Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

Physical Therapy 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

Melissa Labrie

Melissa Labrie

Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, United States

Strength & Conditioning 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.

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

Tammy Whyte

Tammy Whyte

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Strength & Conditioning Masters Beginner

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

Strength & Conditioning 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

Strength & Conditioning Exercise Science 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

Tammy Whyte

Tammy Whyte

Chicago, IL, United States

Strength & Conditioning 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-the-pack and beginner runners with personalized training plans, groups, and consultations. RRCA coach; 16 marathons, 60+ halfs.

Starting at $60.00

Running Coaches With a Physical Therapy Background

Training That Accounts for Injury History

Coaches who list Physical Therapist among their specialties bring rehab and movement expertise into standard training, not instead of it. That background shapes how they build mileage progression, address recurring niggles, and balance load - useful whether you're returning from an injury or trying to avoid your next one. Training still runs on the VDOT methodology - individualized paces developed from the research of Dr. Jack Daniels, a two-time Olympic medalist and exercise scientist - so the coaching stays structured and data-driven, with the physical-therapy lens layered on top.

What This Specialty Doesn't Replace

A coach with a physical therapy background isn't a substitute for in-person medical care - for an acute injury or diagnosis, see a licensed provider directly. What this specialty adds is a coach who designs your running training with that context already in mind, from someone with professional grounding in movement and rehab.

Find a Coach Who Understands Your History

Read reviews from athletes who've actually trained with each coach, compare backgrounds and credentials, then message a specialist directly to talk through your injury history before you commit.

FAQ

No - it's running coaching from someone with a physical therapy background, not a substitute for licensed medical treatment. For an acute injury or diagnosis, see a licensed provider directly; the coach's specialty shapes how they structure your training around that context.

Many coaches with this specialty focus on exactly that: gradual mileage progression, load management, and adjusting VDOT paces as you rebuild - message a coach with your specific situation before you buy.

Dr. Jack Daniels: a two-time Olympic medalist and exercise scientist named "The World's Best Running Coach" by Runner's World. Coaches with a physical therapy background apply his individualized pacing research on top of their injury-aware approach.

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 Certified Strength and Conditioning and Injury Prevention 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.