Coaching (Covid Discount)

Personal Coaching Services

The purpose of coaching is to take you further in your training than you can take yourself. We excel at helping runners . . .

Train for first marathon, half marathon or ultra
Run faster. Achieve a personal record (PR) or Boston qualifying time.
Run further. Safely train for back to back marathons and mileage increases while minimizing injuries.
Get your fitness back. Systematically build your fitness to its pre-injury level.
Run more efficiently. Fine tune your nutrition, fueling, and form.
Implementation of race day strategy. Your coach will help you evaluate the course and formulate a solid plan for getting through the tough parts of your marathon.
Stay motivated -develop positive habits that last a lifetime.

When you sign up for coaching we send you a detailed coaching questionnaire (it covers everything from current health status, goals, past running stats/accomplishments, history of injury, time availability, current fueling, etc).

Based on your answers we place you with a MTA coach that would be a good fit and who has current openings. Your personal coach would then contact you via email with any follow-up questions that they have and also answer any initial questions that you have about the process.

Your coach will develop the first part of your training plan (usually around 2 weeks at a time). Most coaches want their clients to check in with a summary of their workouts at least once a week and your coach is available to answer any questions you have and make modifications to your training schedule as needed too. Communication is done via email.

We have clients from all over the world taking their running to the next level. Put the power of MTA Coaching into your training!

Pricing (Limited Time Covid Discount)
Get Expert Coaching and Save $100 Off Your First Three Months

Normally $199 per month. 3 month minimum. (We require a 3 month minimum commitment because it’s hard for the coach to get the best results for you in less than 3 months. Most clients stay longer).

First 3 Months of Coaching ~~$597~~
$497 with Limited Time $100 Off Discount

We’ve never offered a discount on coaching in the past, but given the current global situation, and knowing that runners are struggling with motivation, we are offering a special discount for clients that take our running assessment.

Coaching Sign Up Form

Please review the following Coaching Waiver before signing up.
By ordering MTA coaching services you agree to the following:

Waiver of Liability In consideration of being permitted to participate in MTA coaching program, I, for myself, my heirs, personal representatives and assigns, do hereby release, waive, covenant not to sue and discharge MTA Coach and Marathon Training Academy from liability from any and all claims including the negligence of MTA Coach and Marathon Training Academy resulting in personal injury, accidents, illnesses (including death), and property loss arising from, but not limited to, participation in MTA Personalized Coaching.

Assumption of Risks: Participation in running and conditioning programs carries with it certain inherent risks that cannot be eliminated regardless of the care taken to avoid injuries. I know that running is a potential hazardous activity and certify that I am in good health and physically fit enough to enter into a training program. I acknowledge that I am aware of the many risks involved in athletic training in general and running training specifically, which risks include by way of example and not limited to: 1) Minor injuries such as scrapes, bruises, sprains and strains, 2) more serious injuries such as joint, muscle and bone injuries, concussions and other head injuries, heath related injuries such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion, dehydration and over hydration conditions such as hyponatremia, and catastrophic injures and conditions such as heart attacks and other conditions or injuries which could be fatal. I have read the previous paragraphs and I know, understand, and appreciate these and other risks that are inherent in training for and participating in road, trail and track running and racing and any other conditioning and cross training activities associated with that training. I hereby assert that my participation is voluntary and that I knowingly assume all such risks.

Indemnification and Hold Harmless: I also agree to IDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS MTA Coach and Marathon Training Academy from any and all claims, actions, suits, procedures, costs, expenses, damages and liabilities, including attorney’s fees brought as a result of my involvement in MTA Training Program.

Severability: The undersigned further expressly agrees that the foregoing waiver and assumption of risks agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by the law of the State of Missouri and that if any portion thereof is held invalid, it is agreed that the balance shall, notwithstanding, continue in full legal force and effect.

Acknowledgment of Understanding: I have read this waiver of liability, assumption of risk, and indemnity agreement consisting of two pages, fully understand its terms, and I understand that I am giving up substantial rights, including my right to sue. I acknowledge that I am signing the agreement freely and voluntarily, and intend by my signature to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law.

I have read the Coaching Waiver and I agree

As a coaching client you also get the benefits of Basic Academy Membership which includes access to all premium training lessons, videos, bonus interviews, back podcast episodes and our awesome private Facebook group.

Meet the MTA Coaches . . .

Coach Angie Spencer

Co-Founder of Marathon Training Academy
Bachelor of Science from Montana State University. Registered Nurse for over 18 years
RRCA Level 2 and USATF Level 1 Certified Running Coach
Has run 63 Marathons and Ultras; 3:19 marathon PR
Lover of books and dark chocolate!

Coach Nicole Hart

Head Coach at Marathon Training Academy
Level 2 RRCA Certified Running Coach; Certified Personal Trainer; Certified Sports Conditioning Specialist
Registered Nurse
Boston Qualifier, 50k finisher, 9 marathons, and dozens of halfs.
Chapter leader of Moms Run This Town and volunteer coach for Girls on the Run.

Coach Jennifer O’Donnell-Giles

Registered Dietitian with dual Masters Degree in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology from Columbia University
Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics
Ten time marathon finisher, Boston finisher, two time Ironman finisher and a three time Team USA Triathlete.
RRCA certified with 20 years experience as a coach
Believes that “There is an Athlete in Everyone” and with sound training and fueling guidance each athletes true potential can be realized.

Coach Lynn Grieger

RRCA Certified Running Coach
Registered Dietitian and Certified Health and Wellness Coach
Has run a marathon in all 50 states after the age of 40
Over 25 years coaching experience
Works with all levels of runners from beginners to experienced. Her passion is to encourage runners to reach for their dreams one practical step at a time. It’s never too late to chart a healthy path!

Coach Chris Galaty

RRCA Certified Running Coach
2:50 Marathoner; 19 marathon finishes; Ironman Triathlete
Former high school cross-country and track & field coach; lives and trains in China
A teacher at heart, his passion is to help runners to meet their goals without injury and see runners mentally and physically motivated to continue to train and race for many, many years.

Coach Dominique Hamel

RRCA Level 2 and USATF Certified Running Coach
Over 60 marathon finishes, with 13 ultras including the prestigious Comrades and Two Oceans Marathons in South Africa.
Over 17 years of coaching; has lived and coached in Canada, U.S., Europe, and South Africa.
Loves to inspire clients to enjoy the sport as well as teaching them the necessary techniques, form and competition mechanism.

Coach Steve Waldon

RRCA Certified Running Coach
2:53 marathoner; 25 marathon finishes; nine 50 mile finishes; two 100Ks; finisher of the Atacama Desert Crossing -155 mile self-supported stage race
Paces the 3:30 group at the New York City Marathon every year
A self-professed running geek who loves to dive into the science of training

Coach Athena Farias

RRCA Certified Running Coach, Certified Personal Trainer, Exercise Physiologist
Masters in Exercise Science and Health Promotion
15 marathons (5 Boston qualifiers), 5 ultras, and numerous obstacle race 1st place finishes.
Endurance junkie and lover of all things trail running!

Coach Joel Pearson

Master of Science in Sport Management, RRCA Level 2, Holds the highest certification in USATF and IAAF with distinction
Director of Cross Country and Track & Field for Harrier Track Club
Collegiate Head Coach, Course Instructor for USATF
2:49:41 marathoner; 23 year running streak

Coach Kristen Williamson

RRCA Certified Running Coach
Registered and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist, RD, LDN, MBA
3:29:00 Marathoner, Boston Qualifier; 1:31:29 Half Marathoner, NYC Marathon Qualifier
Loves to help clients reach their fitness and nutrition goals while maintaining a life balance.

Coach Henry Howard

RRCA Certified Running Coach
Running Journalist, guest contributor to the MTA blog
3:23 Marathoner, Boston Qualifier
20 marathons and nine ultras (50k to 100 miles) to date

What Clients are Saying . . .

I’ve had Angie as a coach now for a little over a year and it has been the best money I’ve ever spent regarding my running. I’ve started to PRd in nearly every race I run since starting with her and cut over 30 min off my marathon time so far. -JJ Stark-Christian

MTA coach Chris Galaty is fabulous! I am a mid pack runner, however in these three weeks I’ve had a coach I have never been more accountable or motivated to run and adhere to the plan. -Emma Walsh

I truly appreciate all the assistance provided by Coach Dominique Hamel. I appreciate her patience with answering my questions, helping me overcome injuries and weaknesses, developing and adjusting (and readjusting) a personal training plan and ultimately getting me across the finishing line of my 1st marathon in Memphis. I really am proud that I ran a marathon at 52, something I never imagined I would do. I learned so much from Coach Dom and hope someday to say I’ve run 5, 10, 15+ marathons. Thanks for everything Coach. -Sincerely, Mark Perry.

I’ve learned so much from Coach Steven in the past 6 months, and I kept his advice in my mind, and I think that’s what helped me to have a decent start and not completely fall apart in the end. All I can say is “thanks”! — it’s been very challenging, but so much fun. -Mitch Goldstein

I’d also like to pass along my sincere thanks to MTA Coach Dominique. She has guided me through nearly five months of training leading up to the Chicago marathon and I could have never reached this goal so seamlessly without her help. She kept me on track with my training and was truly a coaching chameleon – she pushed me when I needed it, held me back when I needed it, and instilled an unwavering sense of confidence in me as I progressed through my training plan. By the time I toed the start line in Chicago I was certain that I would cross the finish line, and I think that level of confidence is a luxury that many first time marathoners don’t have. -Melissa Rutzen

Angie Spencer is my coach for well over a year at this point. I’ve consistently gotten faster and less injury prone over that time frame. I’ve been achieving PR’s at every distance, yet I’m running fewer training miles than I did prior to MTA coaching. -Jon Lepley MD.

Last Sunday I ran my first marathon. My coach, Chris Galaty, trained me so well. He prepared me for the tough times in the race. Luckily I ran the first half of the race to the plan we had discussed, and by mile 20 I was feeling awesome and started speeding up. I finished with a strong sprint through the finish line to the cheers of the crowd, and ended with a time of 4:43:48, about 32 minutes faster than I was planning on. It was the most amazing feeling! -Emily Eiland

I’ve gone through a transformation in the last 7 months , from having a terrible 1st marathon experience, to having a fabulous 80K ultra last weekend . The big transformation is how I relax more about my running and really enjoying so many of its different aspects. I’m so grateful for you guidance over the last 7 months , without question you have transformed me from the clueless marathon guy who hobbled over the finishing line in terrible pain into a aerobic runner who now can dream of a 100K runs and beyond (and who owns a yoga mat!). -Enda Cleary