COACH MARK
An Experienced Triple Certified Running Coach
Helping Youth and Adult Runners Achieve Success In:
Track & Field
800 to 10,000 Meters
Cross Country
1 Mile to 12K
Road Races
5K to Marathon
Physical Fitness Tests
1 to 3 Mile Time Trials
About Me
I am a passionate, experienced and extensively certified running coach with over 18 years of experience working with recreational and competitive runners from elementary school to the Masters divisions competing in track and field, cross country or road racing, and others simply trying to pass a physical fitness test. I enjoy helping runners have fun while achieving their running goals as efficiently and effectively as possible.
From a young age, I loved sports and played or attempted to play almost every sport that came my way. I was above average at almost every sport, but sucked at skiing and skating. As a young man I ended up being good enough to compete in soccer, volleyball and track & field at the collegiate level.
You could say, I was athletically gifted. And then I ended up with a son that had soccer skills and could run like Forest Gump at the age of 2. So I became a soccer coach when he turned 4 and a running coach when he turned 9. I’ve been coaching distance runners ever since and was the head endurance running club coach with the Central Florida Gliders Track & Field and Cross Country Club from 2007-2016, and a private running coach with CoachUp, Inc and CoachMarkRobinson.com since 2015.
I’ve coached numerous athletes that meddled at:
- USATF and AAU National Championships
- High School State Championship
- Middle School State Championships
- Elementary School District Championships
One of my proudest accomplishments was helping an inexperienced but talented middle school girl go from being one of the top distance runners in her school to one of the top distance runners in the Nation in just 14 months (using age-appropriate training and workloads). Ashley, a 12-year-old 6th grader, went from running very respectable times of 5:57 for 1600m and 2:43 for 800m in May 2014, to running college scholarship elidgible times of 4:38 for 1500m (~4:58 for 1600m) and 2:14 for 800m as a 13-year-old 7th Grader and medal in three individual events at the 2015 USATF Junior Olympic Games.
Background Checks
I am a member of the USATF Coaches Registry having successfully passed an extensive USATF background screen and completed the U.S. Center for SafeSport Training course. I am also a coach with CoachUp, Inc., having passed an additional background check and sex offender screening.
Coaching Certifications
International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Academy Diploma - Endurance Events
The IAAF Academy Diploma (Level V) is the highest recognized achievement awarded by the International Association of Athletics Federations (now named World Athletics) and recognizes a coach throughout the world as having the knowledge to coach at the highest international levels of the track & field profession.
The curriculum includes over 30 hours of intense academic work. Coaches are required to complete multiple individual assignments and implement a project in the six months following the course.
USA Track & Field (USATF) Level 3 – Endurance Events
The USATF Level 3 certification is the highest recognized achievement awarded by the USA Track & Field and recognizes a coach as having the knowledge to coach at the highest international levels of the track & field profession.
The curriculum includes over 30 hours of intense academic work. Coaches are required to complete multiple individual assignments and implement a project in the six months following the course.
U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) - Endurance Event Specialist
The Specialist Certification Courses (SCC) are, high level, detailed 36 hour courses covering technical coaching of a selected event area. The course is taught over five days. Curriculum is event specific, covering all key aspects of technical coaching. The course is illustrated with take-home, animated video created specifically for this course, to enhance clarity and understanding. The course contains a practical component, featuring training design exercises and video analysis.
USATF Level 2 – Endurance Events
USATF LEVEL 2 INFORMATION
Certified by the National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE), the course provides an advanced, in depth education in one event group and the knowledge to write a comprehensive training plan. The intense four-day course is preceded by online sports science instruction and exams covering biomechanics, physiology, skill acquisition and training theory.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of the USATF Level 2 School, participants will be able to:
- Coach athletes at the high school and collegiate levels in event-specific areas applying advanced sport science concepts and training principles.
- Analyze and evaluate event-specific performances and recommend ways to improve progress towards athletes’ goals.
- Design periodized training programs based on the evaluation of individual performances and needs in light of event specific demands.
- Utilize effective instructional methods and feedback to improve the athlete’s performance.
- Develop a coaching philosophy that reflects ethical standards and codes of conduct to promote Safesport practices and athlete well-being.
- Plan and implement mental and physical strategies that promote healthy lifestyles, safety, and injury prevention in practice and competition.
- Solve organizational, legal, and financial issues encountered in the administration of track and field.
USATF Level 1 – Track & Field
The Level 1 course is the cornerstone of the USATF Coaching Education Program. Led by USATF certified instructors, the two-and-a-half-day course (21.5 hours) covers all events and related sports science in a straightforward manner by emphasizing fundamentals, rules, safety and risk management, and teaching progressions. Certified by the National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE), the course prepares an individual to coach at the junior age, high school, and club division level.
https://www.usatf.org/programs/coaches/level-1-and-recertification-information
USTFCCCA Track & Field Technical
The Track and Field Technical Certification Course (TFTC) is a 15 hour course in training design and technical instruction for all the common track and field events. The course is taught over two days. Curriculum is broad based, covering all key aspects of technical coaching. Each section is illustrated with pertinent, animated video created specifically for this course, to enhance clarity and understanding.
Topics included in the course are: Foundations of Training Design for Track and Field; Training Components for Track and Field; Training Design for Track and Field; The Sprint Events; The Hurdle Events; The Relay Events; An Overview of the Jumping Events; The Long Jump; The Triple Jump; The High Jump; The Pole Vault; An Overview of the Throwing Events; The Shot Put; The Discus Throw; The Javelin Throw; An Overview of the Endurance Events; Training Design for the Endurance Events.
http://www.ustfccca.org/track-and-field-academy/track-field-technical-certification-course
Coaching Experience
Private Running Coach - 2015 to Present
I’ve been a private running coach working through CoachUp, Inc and CoachMarkRobinson.com.
Primary Clients:
- Adult Road Racers (5K, 10K, half and full marathon)
- Adult Physical Filtness Test Takers
- Collegiate Middle and Long Distance Runners
- Middle and High School Middle and Long Distance Runners
- Elementary School (9 and older) Runners
Running Club Head Endurance Coach - 2007 to 2016
I was the Head Endurance Running Coach with the Central Florida Gliders Track & Field and Cross Country Club from 2007 – 2016.
Primary Clients:
- Elementary, Middle and High School Middle and Long Distance Track Runners
- Elementary, Middle and High School Cross Country Runners
Youth Soccer Coach – 2001 to 2006
Celebration Eagles Soccer Club – 2002 to 2006
Celebration Youth Soccer Club – 2001 to 2002
Education
Cornell University - MBA, General Management
Cornell University – S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management
The City College of New York - B.E., Chemical Engineering
Running Coach Testimonials
“It’s very obvious that coach Mark is very passionate with what he does. He showed a genuine interest in helping my daughter and make her very comfortable during our initial online evaluation. We are looking forward to meet coach Mark in person for her running form assessment.”
“As this was my first time experiencing coaching online from out of state in VA, I will admit I was a tad skeptical; however, I left that session with a list of improvements and advice I could apply in my races. My first session with Coach Mark was so helpful. He clarified and dove into some nitty-gritty tips and strategies for running the 800m. Whatever question I asked, he went above and beyond in his responses, explaining patiently and with detail.”
“We are very pleased with Coach Mark’s initial Premium Running Form Assessment of our daughter, who is a high school cross-country runner. He gave great tips during the assessment meetup, and we look forward to working with him to help her improve specific issues in her posture/form and set her pacing more strategically.”