Coaching Services

Goal Setting

Wishfull thinking, wild ass guess or data-driven?

Training Plans

No plan, generic plan, custom plan or individualized plan?

Assessments & Workouts

Training volume, intensity and sequencing aligned with plan?

Race Strategies & Tactics

Event, you, competitors and conditions all accounted for?

To Get Started

  1. Review the coaching sessions and packages below and purchase the item# that meets your needs
  2. Complete the New Running Client Questionnaire OR New Physical Fitness Test Client Questionnaire
  3. Accept the meeting invitation that will be emailed to you within 24-hours

Private Running Coach Services

In-Person and/or Online

Available by Session or as a Package

In-Person Sessions

At a rubber running track, trail or park in the Houston, TX area. Individual or group session.

#1: New Client In-Person Consult - $60

A 30-minute consult to review your profile, goals and needs, discuss specific issues, get your key questions answered and assess coaching fit. Followed by a 30-minute mini-workout/running form assessment. Athletes complete a background and needs assessment form in advance. Session may be shared with a sibling or significant other for an additional $20 (due during the session via cash or Zelle).

Session Length: 60 minutes; Fee: $60

#2: Standard In-Person Running Form Assessment - $80

In-person video capture, expert analysis, and assessment of your running form (posture, arm swing, shoulder rotation, pelvis, head and body tilt, foot strike, and breathing).

Client meets with Coach for 30 minutes in-person, during which time they warm-up, complete a set of strides, and a brief run while being observed and recorded. Coach then spends 30 minutes remotely reviewing/analyzing the video and assessing your running form, and then provides a written report within 48-hours. Clients also receive a link to their running form videos for download.

Coach then spends a 20-minutes via Zoom discussing the assessment, good running form, and next steps.

Recommended for: 1) unfit runners or runners with an average running pace slower than 10 minutes/mile.

Session Length: 30 + 20 minutes; Coach’s Time: 80 minutes; Fee: $80

#3: Premium In-Person Running Form Assessment - $150

Expert analysis and assessment of client’s running form (posture, arm swing, shoulder rotation, pelvis, head and body tilt, foot strike, and breathing); running dynamics (pacing, heart rate, running cadence, vertical oscillation, ground contact time and stride length).
Client meets with Coach for 60 minutes in-person, during which time they warm-up, complete a set of strides, run a time-trial and workout while video and Garmin running dynamics data are captured.

Coach then spends 60 minutes remotely reviewing/analyzing the video and Garmin data and writing an in-depth report within 48-hours.

Report includes: 1) running form videos and images; 2) running form data and charts; 3) running form checklist; 4) analysis of your time trial; 5) glossary of key terms; 6) prioritized list of problem areas with recommended solutions; 7) list of primary workouts for distance runners with prescribed aerobic training paces (recovery, long, lactate threshold/tempo and VO2max runs).

Client then schedules a 30-minute Zoom call to discuss the report, good running form, and next steps.

Recommended for: 1) fit and competitive runners seeking new PR’s; 2) any runner that regularly experiences abnormal discomfort/pain during or after running.

You may invite an additional runner to  share the session. There is an additional charge of $120 per additional runner. All runners must complete the new client intake questionnaire in advance.

Session Length: 60 + 30 minutes; Coach’s Time: 150 minutes; Fee: $150

#4: Intensive In-Person Workout - $60

An intense 60-minute workout focused on one or more of the following critical workouts for middle- and long-distance runners:

  • Aerobic Threshold
  • Lactate Threshold
  • Race Pace
  • VO2Max
  • Special Endurance II
  • Special Endurance I
  • Speed Endurance
  • Absolute Speed
  • Acceleration

Athletes not only get a great supervised workout, but they learn the why and how and tips to adjust workouts and complete them on their own. For best value, athletes should arrive 15 minutes early to warm up and spend 15 minutes after the session to cool down without coach supervision.

You may invite up to 4 equally matched runners to  share the session and split the cost of the session. There is an additional charge of $10 per additional runner. All runners must complete the new client intake questionnaire in advance.

Session Length: 60 minutes; Fee: $60

#5: Establish Training Paces/Aerobic Endurance Testing - $60

Field testing of endurance athlete’s fitness level to measure current fitness level and determine ideal aerobic training paces for the next 3-4 weeks. Training paces for your recovery, long (aerobic threshold), lactate threshold, tempo and VO2max runs should be updated every 3-4 weeks on average, based on new testing or actual race results. Includes a warm-up, mini-consult and a 1-mile, 2-mile or 12-minute VO2max run test. Following a rest recovery, clients complete a supervised VO2max intensive work out. Coach provides you with your updated VO2max pace and training paces within 24 hours. For best value, athletes should arrive 15 minutes early to warm up, extend the workout and spend 15 minutes after the session to cool down without coach supervision.

You may invite up to 2 equally matched runners to  share the session and split the cost of the session. There is an additional charge of $30 per additional runner. All runners must complete the new client intake questionnaire in advance.

Session Length: 60 minutes; Fee: $60

#6: In-Person Problem Solving Session - $60

A 60-minute consult to help improve problem areas identified in a running form assessment, other sessions or already known by the client.

Problems with:

  • overtraining and burnout
  • running form
  • setting and achieving goals
  • running dynamics
  • breathing
  • race preparation
  • race start, middle or finish
  • race strategy and tactics
  • and more…

Perfect running form should never be the goal. I’ll help you to focus on the 1-3 problem areas that will provide you with the greatest benefit. Keep in mind, most problems cannot be fixed overnight, and you will have to do most of the work on your own at home with guidance from me.

Session Length: 60 minutes; Fee: $60

#7: In-Person Pacing Workshop for Distance Runners - $90

A hands-on workshop where distance runners learn how to execute and seasonally adjust the most critical workouts and training paces required for their event. The middle distance (800-1600m) events are the most complex and their training plans require the most training paces of any running event. Training plans for the Marathon event require the least.

  1. The Recovery Run
  2. The Long Run or Aerobic Threshold Run
  3. The Lactate Threshold or Anaerobic Threshold or Tempo Run
  4. Aerobic Capacity or VO2Max Runs
  5. Long Hill Runs
  6. Race Pace Runs
  7. Special Endurance II Runs
  8. Special Endurance I Runs
  9. Speed Endurance Runs
  10. Acceleration Development Runs
  11. Speed Development Runs

You may invite up to 4 equally matched runners to  share the session and split the cost of the session. There is an additional charge of $10 per additional runner. All runners must complete the new client intake questionnaire in advance.

Session Length: 90 minutes; Fee: $90

#8: Travel Fee to Client Location - Request Quote then Enter Quoted Amount

For Houston area clients that would prefer in-person sessions close to home, the Coach will travel to your preferred training location within 30 miles of Humble Middle School, 11207 Will Clayton Parkway, Humble, TX 77346. Client accepts responsibility for providing the training location and making sure it is accessible. The travel fee covers round-trip mileage, tolls and travel time. Expect to pay approx. $1 per round-trip minute-mile, plus tolls, if any. The rate is higher during rush hour. Rates are set using Google Maps mileage and travel time estimates. Coach will send you a custom travel fee quote, prior to booking so there are no surprises.

Coach’s Travel Time: TBD; Fee: Request quote then enter quoted amount at checkout, e.g., $120 = 12 x $10.00. 

Online Coaching Sessions

At a running track, trail, park, office and/or home anywhere in the world.

#11: Online New Client Consult - $40

A convenient 30-minute consult via phone, Face Time, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Zoom or Skype to review your profile, goals and needs, discuss specific issues, get your key questions answered and assess coaching fit.

Session Length: 30 minutes; Fee: $40

#13: Online Premium Running Form Assessment - $90

Expert analysis and assessment of your running form (posture, arm swing, shoulder rotation, pelvis, head and body tilt, foot strike, and breathing) and running dynamics (pacing, heart rate, running cadence, vertical oscillation, ground contact time and stride length).

Client should plan on spending 60 minutes at a 400m running track during which time they warm up (15), run nine 30-meter strides (10), rest (5) run a 1 to 2-mile time-trial (5-16), walk a lap, cool down (10), and stretch (10) while intermittent video and Garmin running dynamics data are captured.

Coach will review/analyze the video and data and provide client with an in-depth written report within 48-hours of receipt. Client then schedules a 30-minute Zoom call to discuss the report, good running form, and next steps.

Recommended for:

  1. fit and competitive runners seeking new PR’s
  2. any runner that regularly experiences abnormal discomfort/pain during or after running

Coach’s Time: 90 minutes; Fee: $90

#14: Physical Fitness Test Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! - $50

A 30-minute emergency online consult to improve your odds of passing the 1.5-, 2- or 3-mile run component of your Physical Fitness Test when you only have a few days left.

Recommended for those that are either:

  1. Unprepared due to procrastination, poor planning, injuries, poor training, illness …
  2. Prepared but lack confidence
  3. Prepared and confident but want a little insurance

We’ll discuss your preparation to date, current fitness and health and target time, and address any specific issues and questions. I’ll evaluate your case; we’ll discuss a few options and you’ll leave with your best personalized plan to execute during the run test.

Consult is by phone, email, Skype, FaceTime, What’s App, Zoom or Facebook Messenger.

Session Length: 30 minutes; Fee: $50

#15: Online Coaching Consult - $30

A unique service that give you 30 minutes of online access to an elite endurance running coach in order to:

  • Pick their mind
  • Get a second opinion
  • Get your questions answered
  • Get your race and training data and/or videos analyzed
  • Get your training plan, workouts and training paces assessed
  • Connect with me on Garmin Connect and get specific races or workouts analyzed
  • Discuss and fine-tune race strategy and tactics
  • Discuss new methodologies and approaches you are thinking of incorporating into your training plan
  • Bounce ideas and more…

Communication options include phone, email, Skype, FaceTime, What’s App, and/or Face Book Messenger. To get the most out of your session, prepare your list of questions, running data and videos and email them with links in advance.

Sessions can be stacked for an extensive consult or split and used as two 15-minute mini-consults.

Session Length: 30 minutes; Fee: $30

#16: Online Physical Fitness Test Training Package - $120

A personalized training plan for those looking to improve their running score on their 1.5-, 2- or 3-mile military, police, fire, game warden or FBI, etc., Physical Fitness Test. Clients complete an intake/needs assessment form in advance and also submit a three(3) 10-second video clips of them running (from the front, side and rear) at their goal PFT run pace/speed.

Package Includes:

  • A 15-minute review and assessment of running videos and client intake form.
  • A 30-minute online consult to review your profile, goals and needs, discuss specific issues and get your key questions answered.
  • A 1- to 4-week personalized training plan to get you from where you are today to the running score you need, with custom-tailored workouts for you to complete.
  • Two (2) 15-minute online consults to monitor progress and hold you accountable.
  • A final 15-minute pep talk 1-2 days before the PFT date.

For longer training plans, add $30 for every additional 1-4 weeks and $15 for every additional online consult. We even offer a Mayday consult for those not ready for their PFT in a few days.
Coaching is by phone, email, Skype, FaceTime, What’s App, Zoom and/or Facebook Messenger.

Coach’s Time: 120 minutes; Fee: $120

Hybrid Packages

At a running track, trail, park, office and/or home anywhere in the world.

#21: Coach on Retainer Package - $100

A unique ad hoc consulting service that allows you to:

  • Pick an elite running coach’s mind
  • Get a second opinion
  • Get your questions answered
  • Get your race and training data and/or videos analyzed
  • Get your training plan, workouts and training paces assessed
  • Connect with me on Garmin Connect and get specific races or workouts analyzed
  • Discuss and fine-tune race strategy and tactics
  • Discuss new methodologies and approaches you are thinking of incorporating into your training plan
  • Bounce ideas and more…

whenever you like. Plus use your minutes towards in-person or online running coach sessions.

Communication options include phone, email, text, SMS, Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, WhatsApp, or Facebook Messenger. Your 100 minutes of personal coaching can be used however you wish in increments as small as 5 minutes. Your retainer account will be debited in increments as used. Times are rounded up to the next minute. Unused time expires 6-months from the date of purchase.

Package Length: 100 minutes; Number of 5-minute Sessions: 20; Fee: $100

#22: Physical Fitness Test Training Package - $150

A personalized training plan for those looking to improve their running score on their 1.5-, 2- or 3-mile military, police, fire, game warden or FBI, etc., Physical Fitness Test. Clients complete an intake/needs assessment form in advance.

Package Includes:

  1. A 30-minute in-person consult to review your profile, goals and needs, discuss specific issues, get your key questions answered. Followed by a 30-minute mini-workout/running form assessment.
  2. A 4-week personalized training plan to get you from where you are today to the running score you need, with custom-tailored workouts for you to complete remotely.
  3. One 60-minute supervised session to complete the intensive workouts in your training plan.

Plans as short as 1 week and long as 12 weeks are also available.

Session Length: 120 minutes; Coach’s Time: >150 minutes; Fee: $150

#24: Online Garmin Run Data Assessment Package - $60

For runners that own a Garmin GPS watch and want to receive expert analysis, commentary and tips on select workouts and races. Simply add Coach Mark Robinson as a connection on your Garmin Connect app or website and then share select Garmin run data with him and for each activity request a cursory (5-minutes) or extensive (15 minutes) review. Your package includes a total of 60 minutes. Coach will provide commentary directly in the Garmin app for each activity shared, with links to spreadsheet attachments as necessary.

Coach’s Time: 60 minutes; Fee: $60

#25: High School Training Catalyst Package - $250

Personalized training plans to achieve high school track & field or cross-country pre-season and season goals. High school distance runners learn proper running form, proper training and how to get the most out of their high school coach’s pre-season and in-season training programs without overtraining.

Clients receive:

  • an Online Premium Running Form Assessment
  • a general high-level plan for the entire season
  • a weekly personalized training plan with detailed workouts and drills for the first 4 weeks of training
  • one Coach on Retainer Package

Additional detailed workouts to cover the entire season are available for $10 per week. Additional coach on retainer packages can be purchased as depleted. Local clients have the option of an in-person Premium Running Form Assessment.

For best results, athlete must 1) provide detailed communication of school planned and actual workouts daily; and 2) wear a Garmin GPS watch during all training and races (if allowed) and immediately share the data with Coach Robinson on Garmin Connect.

Fee: $250

#26: Personalized Training Plan Package - Request Quote then Enter Quoted Amount

Personalized training plans to achieve short (8-weeks or less), mid-term (1-year or less) and long-term (4-years or less) goals over the microcycle, phase, mesocycle, macrocycle, year or entire high school or college tenure.

Clients receive:

  • a general high-level plan for the entire goal period
  • a personalized training plan with detailed workouts for the first 4 weeks of training
  • one Coach on Retainer Package

Additional detailed workouts to cover the entire season are available in 4-week increments for $30-60. Typically, the more competitive you are, the more complex, sensitive and time consuming the plan and workouts and the higher the fee. Additional coach on retainer packages can be purchased as depleted.

Coach’s Time and Fee are client dependent: Ask for Quote

#27: Garmin Forerunner 735XT & Running Dynamics Pod Weekly Rental - $12.50

($225 deposit required)

Rent a cleaned and sanitized used Garmin Forerunner 735XT and Garmin Running Dynamics Pod to easily track, monitor and be held accountable for your non-supervised workouts. Also, a great way to test out a running watch before buying one.

GPS Running Watch with Multisport Features and Wrist-based Heart Rate that captures the following data and shares it with Coach Mark Robinson using the Garmin Connect App on your smart phone or desktop browser.

  1. Time, Distance, Pace, Heart Rate, and Cadence or Strides per Minute (without the pod)
  2. Stride Length, Ground Contact Time, Ground Contact Time Balance, Vertical Oscillation and Vertical Ratio (with pod)

Rental Rate: $12.50 per week ($225 deposit required)

Rent is taken out of your deposit in advance every week, until items are returned. Once returned, you will receive a refund of your deposit balance.  Client may elect to keep/purchase the items in leu of a balance refund. Fee for lost or broken watch, pod, and USB charging cable are up to $175, $50, and $20, respectively.

Garmin Forerunner 735XT Instruction Manual

Garmin Running Dynamics Pod Instruction Manual

Premium Running Form Assessment Equipment

Garmin Forerunner 735XT and Garmin Running Dynamics Pods are Available for Rental

New Running Client Questionnaire

New Physical Fitness Test Client Questionnaire

Still Have Questions?