Online Run and Strength Coaching
To Run Your Personal Best
“If you don’t train by design, you are just exercising.“
Steve Carmichael
NASM Certified Personal Trainer
USA Track and Field Certified Coach
RRCA Certified Running Coach
PN1 – Certified Nutrition Coach
Hi, my name is Steve Carmichael.
I am a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Nutrition Coach, and Certified Running Coach who helps people, just like you, design and execute a personalized and comprehensive training program that includes running, strength training, mobility, injury prevention, nutrition, mindset, and more using evidence-based, practical, and pragmatic training.
Training with me is MORE than just getting a custom training schedule and workouts. Everything you need for total body fitness and wellness is included!
You will blast past your training plateaus and limitations regardless of your age, busy schedule, experience level, and current fitness ability.
For over 11 years now, I have helped hundreds of athletes worldwide bring out their best performance and reach personal health and fitness goals.
Why work with me?
Your true potential and success come from more than a training plan or ‘app’. Those are generic regardless of how they want you to feel they are matching your ‘experience level’.
If a running schedule is all you are seeking, I am not the best coach for you. Yes, I will write you a 100% customized training plan, but reaching your potential is much more than that if you want to improve. I mean really improve.
I didn’t just take a ‘weekend certification course’ or online seminar to become a running coach. Since 2011, I have attended dozens of advanced running and fitness clinics and attended seminars from some of the world’s best coaches and trainers. In my local coaching practice, I have coached some of the areas best athletes including state and regional qualifiers. I also coach brand new athletes.
I don’t just download and send you a bunch of YouTube exercise videos and call that “strength training”. Instead, I got certified with the National Academy of Sports Medicine, which offers one of the best certifications out there, so I can set up periodized strength training programs and then modify them over time.
I never stop learning. I am currently working on obtaining my Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, which is like the personal trainer certificate on steroids and is needed to coach college athletes. Less than 2% of all personal trainers have it and it requires months of study with only a 54% exam passing rate. It’s hard.
On the weekend, I am on the local track coaching middle school, high school, and adult athletes through my Central Ohio sports performance training company, Run For Performance.
With RunBuzz, you can now work with me online.
I am invested in your success
You are my priority. It sounds cliché, but I am not doing my job if I can’t get you the outcome you desire.
During our Zoom sessions, we will discuss your health and fitness goals and your struggles. We will celebrate your successes. And, together, we will work to remove any obstacles, barriers, and excuses that get in your way.
For example, if you are having a hard time getting your workouts in, running at a certain pace, dealing with nagging injuries, or eating healthier, we will dig deep into why that is, and I will help you come up with a strategy and solution to fix it.
During our sessions, we will dig into your training, goal setting, nutrition habits, injury prevention, sleep management, stress management, and whatever is needed to build the pillars of success.
I guarantee you will feel like an athlete, a runner, and a stronger person. And, if you do the work… results!
Again, this is more than just 1:1 run coaching. This is TOTAL FITNESS COACHING!
Are you ready to invest in your potential and get started?
If you are ready to start, simply let me know by filling out the application below. If you still have questions, fill out the application, and we can jump on a call or answer any questions you may have.
1:1 Coaching Packages
Entry level coaching package with individual training.
The most popular coaching plan I offer.
The most comprehensive coaching I offer.
Have Questions?
Contact me, today.
We can discuss your needs in a no-obligation, no-pressure discovery call to see if my coaching is the right fit for you.
I only take a few clients at a time so I can focus 100% on your success. If interested, please get in touch with me here.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1:1 Coaching
How do I see my workouts and track progress?
I use Final Surge software to post workouts and view your activity.
Final Surge can track workouts via Strava (if you like to use Strava) or Garmin Connect. It is super easy. They even have their own phone app in case you don’t have a running watch or want to see your workout details and instructions on the go.
Is this part of your PaceBuilders training program I heard about on the podcast?
No. The PaceBuilders training program closed in 2020. That was a group coaching/team-coached training program that was super successful. However, it was super time-consuming to operate. While it had a 1:1 component for some, this premium level of coaching is far more involved than what I offered inside PaceBuilders. With this program, you will work directly with me, and you will have way more access to me, including my phone/text number and Zoom meetings, which were not part of PaceBuilders.
Can you help me with my running form?
Yes. I can show you how to use your cell phone to take video and then use the video you record to show you your running form via slow-motion video analysis using special software to analyze your running form, but also muscle imbalances and strength. We then review your results, and I prescribe drills to help correct any areas that need improvement.
Can I train for a 5k, half marathon, or marathon?
Yes. I can customize your training to any race distance up to 50k.
Do I have to be a runner?
No. As long as you are active and focused on movement, I can help if you want to get back in shape again but are struggling to make it happen. I can help. All guidance in areas of cardio/strength training, habit creation, general nutrition, weight loss, or weight management will be customized to you and your personal situation. This is total fitness coaching, not just run coaching.
When it comes to nutrition, do you recommend any particular diet?
No. I do not believe in low-calorie, highly restrictive diets. Instead, we will focus on making better food choices and fueling properly for your activity level based on real food. If a medical condition is present, I will refer you to a dietitian. We can work on fueling, hydration, and weight management/weight loss without diets. You need to fuel properly to perform properly, and when you do, weight management can be achieved.
Can you help me with running form, stride, and cadence?
Yes, I use special software that can slow down and analyze your running form. I can walk you through the process of how to use your phone to capture your running and walking from several angles. In under 10 minutes, you will have what you need to send me.
Can you help me with speed drills and track workouts?
Yes, however, there is a time and place for it. The initial focus will always be on building a strong running base BEFORE speed training is initiated. If you have that base, I will introduce hills and speed as appropriate.
Do you use perceived effort-based training or heart rate training?
For most runners, I use effort-based or perceived effort training (hard, easy, comfortably hard, etc). In some cases, I will recommend heart rate training.
How often is my training modified or updated?
In most cases, I update it with you during our Zoom sessions. Between Zoom sessions, I may modify your training program based on situations that come up during training. This way, your plan evolves and adapts as you do to ensure you aren’t stuck in a static plan that is outdated a few weeks in. (This lack of adaptation is a major problem commonly found with free Internet or book plans.)
I want to work out with a family member or friend. Do you offer family plans or small group plans?
Yes, I can customize coaching plans to handle any number of people. This may include adjusting fees. Please contact me for more details.
Is there a contract I need to sign?
No contract. There is a standard liability waiver that needs to be signed stating that you are healthy enough to participate in an exercise program.
I have a race coming up in two weeks. Can you help?
I can, but keep in mind that significant progress can not occur in just a few weeks. Consistency over time, along with structured training and nutrition, is what it takes. However, we can work on race strategies for your race and make sure you taper appropriately.
Can I work with you for just one month?
You can purchase coaching in 4 week blocks. However, I highly suggest that you be willing to invest a minimum of 3 months. You can sign up for one month and decide later, but be aware that running performance, strength development, positive habit change, etc., takes consistency and time, and you need time to develop to see progress.
A paid invoice books your coaching. I offer 4 week, 8 week, 12 week, 16 week and 20 week blocks. If training for a half or full marathon, I highly recommend a 16 or 20 week block.
Can I just hire you to write a training plan?
No. I only coach within the packages described on this page. Most training plans are outdated after a few weeks, anyway. You will either fall behind, or the plan won’t challenge you the way it could if someone modifies it for you. All training plans I create as part of my packages are released in 2 week increments to keep your plan fresh and accurate.
How am I billed?
You will not have a recurring subscription. When you decide to start coaching with me, you will choose the number of weeks you want (blocks of 4 weeks) as part of a prepaid package. I will send you an online invoice. Once the invoice is paid through my secure payment provider’s portal (Square Inc), you will be scheduled for your first session.
Your coaching starts on the date of your first scheduled Zoom session.
Do you offer military and first responder coaching discounts?
Yes. I take 10% off for active and reserve military, police, fire/EMT personnel (and nurses). As a veteran-owned business myself and a big supporter of first responders, I want to help make coaching more affordable and encourage you to reach out. Thank you for your service.
I need help passing my military PT test (and/or Police/Fire fitness tests). Is this something you do?
Yes, I have significant experience training our armed forces and Police/Fire members for their fitness and PT tests. I have even trained recruits as they prepare for basic training and special forces entrance tests.
What happens if I get injured during training?
Hopefully by working with me, we avoid injuries, but running comes with risks and sometimes they do happen. In most cases, we can manage injury and keep you running, but in the event that you need significant time off, we simply pause your training. If we can’t resume your training in 4-6 weeks, I prorate/refund any unused week in your training block.
Do you offer coaching discounts for longer-term prepaid engagements?
Yes. Starting at 12 weeks, I offer prepaid discount depending on the length. The longer you prepay for, the bigger the discount. Contact me for more details.
Why do you require a coaching application?
I don’t always have openings. A coaching application allows me to collect some basic information and helps me reach out to you. It also helps me avoid spamming from web crawlers. Think of it more as an enhanced contact form.
What happens after I submit my coaching application?
I will get back to you within a few hours to make an introduction, answer any questions that you may have, and if ready, start the onboarding process.