Matt Urbanski – Boulder Running Coach

5.00 out of 5
(51 customer reviews)

From: $229.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee

Coaching self-motivated runners to optimize training time, push limits, transition to ultras, podium, BQ, and other big challenges!

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Description

Boulder running coach Matt Urbanski has trained and raced for all the big races on the roads and trails, including over 35 marathons and almost all the Marathon Majors (London TBD based on his terrible lottery odds!), Western States 100, UTMB, CCC, Hardrock 100 and TDS (new for 2022), Tarawera 100 (1st in 2020) and everything in between. If you’re self-motivated and ready to work hard with a coach, Matt’s your guy.

Contact Matt

LEVELS: Intermediate, Advanced
TYPES: Road, Track, Trail
DISTANCES: 5k/10k/Half Marathon, Marathon, Ultra
TRAINING PLATFORM: Google Docs
TRAINING PLAN: Individual, customized training plan
COMMUNICATION: Unlimited email, unlimited text, unlimited phone
RESPONSE TIME: Within 24 hours
LOCATION: Boulder, CO

SPECIALTIES

I work best with intermediate to experienced runners. I enjoy working with someone who is already motivated to succeed in the sport and is open to working together to get there. I love the challenge of 5ks all the way up to 100 mile mountain trail runs, and everything in between!

PHILOSOPHY

Consistency, improving the machine, learning to push yourself to new levels, planning, and doing the work are all key ingredients to success. Everyone has their own needs and therefore requires their own unique plan – my task as coach is to find the best recipe for success for each runner I work with.

COACHING EXPERIENCE

I’ve been coaching runners online for 8+ years and I am one of the founders of Team RunRun. I’ve worked with totally new runners as well as experienced veterans, both fast on the track and on the trails for ultras. I’ve coached all levels in between, helping runners reach new PRs, tackle new distances, and qualify for Boston, as well as simply getting more out of this deep and awesome sport.

ABOUT ME

I’m a husband and a dad. I follow a plant based diet. I love to run and I continue to race competitively.

I’ve been a runner for 30+ years and have raced competitively since high school, including D1 college running at the Naval Academy and University of Cincinnati. Since college I’ve PR’d in every distance from 3k onwards, so I’m continually pushing myself to be better, all the way up to 100 miles. I love that there’s still so much to learn in this sport, about myself, about others, and that there’s always room to improve and learn more.

My most special races have been two very different ones – my 2017 Rocky Raccoon 100 and my 2010 5k PR on the track where I cracked 15 minutes. I ran 14:04 in 2017 at Rocky Raccoon – I’ve raced this one 5 times, and I feel like I finally cracked the code not only on this race but on managing 100 milers as well. I stayed strong and in control my entire run, I placed well, and I got damn near my potential on race day. When I cracked 15 minutes in the 5k, I worked hard on the track in my late 20s and at the end of my final track season back in 2010, I executed the race really well and was able to finally break the 15 minute barrier.

For me, being a runner takes into account all the discipline, the testing of will power, the ability to push myself, and doing things when I don’t want to or lack motivation – all parts of being a successful distance runner, which carry over into other parts of my life. Basically, I feel like I’m better at everything else I do because I’m a runner.

BIG INFLUENCES

Daniels has been a huge influence since my early days as a runner. More recently, David Roche and Jason Koop have been impacting my training ideas.

RACING HISTORY

  • 100 milers: Run Rabbit Run, Western States, Leadville, UTMB, Hardrock, Cascade Crest, Rocky Raccoon, Javelina, Umstead, Bighorn, Australian Alpine Challenge, Tarawera (NZ)
  • 50 milers: White River, Land Between the Lakes, Ice Age, North Face NY and North Face SF
  • Marathons: Boston, Chicago, New York, California International, Los Angeles, Seattle, Prague, Madrid, Tokyo, and a whole bunch of other smaller ones!

PRs

  • 1500m: 4:00.4 (2002); Louisville, KY, Outdoor
  • 3000m: 8:35.37 (2/14/10) UW, Indoors
  • 5000m: 14:58.19 (5/7/2010) Mt. Hood Twilight, Outdoor
  • 10,000m: 31:20.82 (4/2/10) Willamette Invite, Outdoor
  • Half marathon: 1:10.10 (1/24/10) Vancouver Lake, Road
  • Marathon: 2:32.05 (10/15/17) Snohomish River Run Marathon, WA, Road
  • 50 miler: 5:39 (9/25/21) Cascade Super Ultra, WA, Trail
  • 100 miler: 14:04:08 (2/4/17) Rocky Raccoon, TX, Trail
  • 24 hours: 132.7 miles (12/11/21) Desert Solstice 24 hour, Phoenix AZ, Track

CONTACT MATT

Finding a coach who is a great fit for you is really important. We encourage you to email your coach prior to signing up so you can connect, communicate, and ensure a good athlete/coach fit.

Give us a brief history of your running, and this can include what distances and/or races you’ve run, how long you’ve been running, any past or present injuries, if you’ve worked with a coach or a specific training program before, etc.
Any short term or long term goals?
Describe your ideal coach/athlete relationship.
Any questions/comments for Team RunRun or the Coach in general?

SOCIAL

51 reviews for Matt Urbanski – Boulder Running Coach

  1. 5 out of 5

    Alex Johnson

    Working with Matt has been an incredible experience. His coaching helped bring my running to the next level and I saw progress come more quickly than I am used to. Matt helped me prep for a marathon in shorter than ideal time, his planning and guidance allowed me to make the most of that short prep, and my marathon ended up being a success. I continue to work with Matt after the marathon because I know that his expertise and planning allows me to make the most of my training without worrying about the specifics. I love that I can trust him to guide me towards my goals, and it’s great to have a dialogue around my training.

  2. 5 out of 5

    Nadi

    I started running only a few months ago, having never run before. I am the sort of person who doesn’t even like walking! So I am blown away at what I have achieved with Coach Matt in the last three months. Yesterday I ran for a full hour and it felt enjoyable! Matt has been instrumental in my running journey. In our first meeting via Zoom, I felt instantly comfortable and he has an optimistic , open and warm vibe. As a coach, he intuitively knows when to encourage but also knows when to push you a bit harder. He is super-responsive and available. I am sure he has many other clients, but I have never felt like a number. His advice and guidance is very personalised and tailored. He updates the training plan regularly eg if there are significant life stressors going on that make training challenging. The overall culture of Team Runrun is also very inspiring – with regular newsletters outlining the amazing things team members are doing in races, videos, blog posts, a Facebook group etc . There is a real sense of community. Loved the experience so far and highly recommend Matt as a coach.

  3. 5 out of 5

    Ellen Bayer

    I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work with Matt! I love everything about his approach to coaching. I feel that the workouts challenge me (in a good way) and are helping me to grow stronger. Matt is terrific at communicating the plan and the bigger picture, helping me to see what we’re building toward. His encouragement and support are very helpful, too. I appreciate how available he is to chat, and I’ve always left our conversations feeling energized and like I have a clear sense of his plan for my training. He communicates this well through the spreadsheet, too. Of everything, I must say that I most appreciate his approach to the schedule. In particular, I really like the flexibility he builds into each workout. For example, a run can be anywhere between 8-10 miles. There’s no set pace to maintain; instead, it’s more subjective (such as, 50k effort if you’re feeling the flow, or 1 hour effort after warmup.) The strides are based on time, not distance or pace. There’s no set elevation gain for every run. This is the least stressed I’ve ever felt working with a coach! It’s just been a pleasure, and I can tell I’m getting a lot out of it, both physically and mentally. I also appreciate that I can still do other activities, such as climbing and strength training, and Matt supports that. In short, he’s an all-around terrific coach!

  4. 5 out of 5

    Curtiss Haskins

    Matt is an amazing coach! He’s very knowledgeable and designs custom training programs to meet your specific goals while also being very accommodating to any family/work commitments. He’s super responsive with feedback and quick to answer any questions. It was the best decision for my running!

  5. 5 out of 5

    Jmrdelorean

    Matt has been an excellent coach. He is very receptive with your feed back and can help design plans to fight a wide variety of lifestyles.

  6. 5 out of 5

    Kristen Hodsdon

    I’ve been working with Matt since September, and it’s been amazing thus far. I’m running faster, feeling stronger and am far more accountable than I used to be about sticking to a schedule. I ran the Army 10-Miler about two weeks after starting with him and was faster even then. We’ve been getting me prepared for a 9-miler in another week or so, and it’s been fun to see what I can do under his guidance. I’m looking forward to seeing what 2023 brings—including another (faster) marathon. Thank you, Matt!

  7. 5 out of 5

    Graham Thornton

    The absolute best. I’ve only been working with Matt for a few months, after hearing fantastic reviews (and watching incredible race performances) from a friend. The smartest decision I’ve made in the last decade of running. Now, every training run has a purpose. This doesn’t mean we’re hammering every day, but there’s a deliberate goal behind every day of training. Bonus: Matt is super approachable and available as often as you need him. Excited to see how the next year evolves.

  8. 5 out of 5

    J Todd

    After 5 years of training without a coach and having hit some solid milestones like sub-3 hour marathon, I began to dabble with ultra running and ran the Never Summer 100k which turned out to be a very humbling experience. I’d had many people recommend getting a coach but initially I didn’t like the idea because I love learning about physiology, training theory and working through problems and I was concerned that by having a plan prescribed by someone else I’d lose the underlying reasoning.

    I’ve been working with Matt for a little over 3 months now and I can happily say that my concerns were unwarranted and it’s been an absolute pleasure to work with him. His feedback in the training log is timely and insightful. He’s quick to make adjustments as needed or to chime in on questions about a workout / race. And, to top it all off, he brings a positive energy that’s motivating and inspiring. I look forward each day to his responses in the training log and find I’m learning a ton through these organic interactions.

  9. 5 out of 5

    Jason Bremer

    There are a bunch of great things to say about Matt’s coaching! As someone who never really thought I needed coaching, Matt has uncovered some very helpful insights in a surprisingly short amount of time.

    The structure has been helpful in setting me up for successful workouts and managing my inclination to do too much at times. Matt is quick to comment on my runs and offers insightful feedback. Additionally, he has an open door to all my questions regarding anything training and running-related. I totally trust his expertise and feel lucky to him weighing in on how I’m using my valuable training time.

    I’m confident that I’m in a much better place, making improvements, and enjoying my running a lot more than I was prior to signing on. Five stars.

  10. 5 out of 5

    Chad Wolf

    Matt is an ideal coach for anyone looking to improve no matter where you’re at in your running. Two months in to working with Matt and I am running stronger, building speed and growing confidence I could not do on my own. His positivity and encouragement have been so uplifting. I’ve even had a minor injury that he was able to adapt a training regimen around that was focused on the big picture and long term goal. Looking forward to big things with the help of coach Matt!

  11. 5 out of 5

    Tom Scott

    I have been running all my life, and after working with Matt for four months he has me running faster than ever before! He’s also helped me navigate the return from a broken bone without further injury, and come back faster and stronger.

    Matt’s running knowledge and experience is second to none and he is super encouraging and supportive. He’s also very responsive even though we are on opposite sides of the planet.

    I cant recommend Matt highly enough if you are looking for an experienced coach to take your running to the next level!

  12. 5 out of 5

    Sean Celli

    I’ve never had a coach, and while have been decently happy with performance, my age started catching up with me. I was referred to Matt, and what a great decision! I started with Matt 7 months ago, and I can say that although I’m in my 50’s, I’ve never run this well.
    Matt’s tailored and inspirational approach is exactly what I needed. Also, when I choose a “game day change” of distance he always flexes the schedule to what I can handle, yet finds a way to get more out of me than I thought I had. Amazing to me.
    People call me positive, but Matt’s next level, and honest. I’m completely stoked for the continued journey with Matt. It’s not just speed, but the love of running and enjoyment of this gift I want to maintain and protect. He gets it and helps me.
    Onward!

  13. 5 out of 5

    Shane Winzar

    I’ve known Matt for several years and when it came time to look for a coach Matt was the first person I turned to.
    I’d gotten into a bit of a solid routine but it wasn’t really going anywhere, and with finally getting into UTMB felt it was time to mix it up a bit.
    Matt has thrown in some new and varied sessions, and helped me focus back on the basics, and is flexible when I need to change something. I can see the logic behind where he is guiding my training.
    I get feedback of some type every time I log a session , and even though I live on the other side of the planet, Matt responds to queries quickly and is always available.
    With Urbanski on board I know my running is going the right way!

  14. 5 out of 5

    Bill M.

    I have worked with Matt for well over a year now and it has been exactly what I needed! He has been super flexible given my ever-changing schedule and his feedback is always encouraging and timely. The customized training plans he creates are challenging and tailored to my fitness level and availability, and he is always available for advice via email or text. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with him and look forward to many more miles under his tutelage!

  15. 5 out of 5

    Bucky Love

    I have been working with Matt for just over 2 months. We communicate nearly every day and I have had an extremely positive experience under his Tutelage. I have been running for 3 decades and have a range of my own experience from 5k’s to 100 milers. Matt has introduced training techniques back into my life that I have never done or if I have it was long ago that I’ve forgotten. These are helping me become a stronger and more efficient runner. I see PR’s in my future. Matt is very positive and supportive in working schedules around life and he is all for adapting schedules as needed.

  16. 5 out of 5

    Ricardo Hoffman

    Six years ago I began training with Coach Matt. I was struggling to grow as a runner while staying injury free. Matt helped me become a more refined, efficient and psychologically sound runner across all distances, from half marathon to 200 miles.

    Matt is very present as a coach. I am always impressed with his response time to emails and the running log. His active presence has helped me push my boundaries without hitting burnout or injury. Matt has been such a major part of me achieving my running goals. I look forward to setting bigger goals and training with him for many more years to come. If you are looking for your potential, I can’t recommend him enough. Truly inspiring human, family and team. 6 out of 5 stars.

    ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+⭐️

  17. 5 out of 5

    Michael Linscott

    Matt is friendly and motivating.
    He knows your weaknesses and addresses them while also making you feel confident in your ability.
    He pushes you when you need it and he has a lot of tools in his training chest to get the best out of you.
    He knows how to help you get faster as well as run longer and he combines the two if you want. He can train you to run a hundred miles but also increase your mile time if that is something you are interested in.
    But he is also a lover of running and knows it is all about enjoying the process and being a runner so you never feel stressed or overwhelmed.
    New runners as well as veterans to all disciplines will learn something from Matt and enjoy it at the same time.

  18. 5 out of 5

    Nathan McBride

    Matt is proof that you can definitely teach an old dog new tricks. This particular old dog needed an overhaul of his “training” plan in order to get ready for a summer full of ultra racing and a mid-Fall 100. Matt has been spot on with my training plan and his feedback and attentiveness to results and incorporating the progress back into training. I especially like that he provides flexibility knowing that sometimes I like to go longer on my runs and sometimes I need an extra day off if I am pretty beat up. He also makes speedwork enjoyable again! After 10 years of ultrarunning I feel like I am starting fresh again and the results in my times are speaking for themselves. Running is fun again!

  19. 5 out of 5

    Kyle Vogt

    Matt is fantastic. Most informed, friendly, and encouraging running coach I’ve come across. Workouts are challenging but he makes the overall experience as enjoyable as it could be.

  20. 5 out of 5

    Rod Cunningham

    After dabbling in running for nearly two decades and running a few marathons, I turned the ripe ole age of 50 and decided to take things to the next level. My goals are to venture into the world of ultras and find success – qualify for Boston – and make running more of a lifestyle and less of a rollercoaster. But I knew I needed help. I wanted someone who’s done what I want to do. Someone with a proven track record. Fortunately I found Matt.

    Matt is the most knowledgeable and experienced runner I know. His lifelong love of running is evident in how he coaches. His enthusiasm is infectious. His success and experience adds credibility to his guidance. He’s been there – done that – found success and wants to help me do the same. All wrapped in positivity.

    He customizes my training based on feedback – how I’m performing – how my body feels. But perhaps Matt’s greatest coaching attribute, he’s helped me change my focus from being all about the race to enjoying the journey on the way to the race. He’s taught me the importance of finding joy in the training. I look forward to each run be it fartlek intervals, hills, sprints or just a nice easy long run.

    Hiring Matt as my coach has proven to be a very good decision.

  21. 5 out of 5

    Keith Nadeau

    Since starting my training with Matt I have noticed many positive changes in my running.

    He is having me do things I have never done before and is challenging me in new and exciting ways. At the same time he does a great job managing injuries and avoiding overtraining. I feel like I have been able to train much more consistently and harder than ever before while staying healthy and have seen great progress in my running in only a few months.

    His feedback is quick and consistent which creates a feeling of connection I didn’t think was possible through online coaching. He gives great feedback on every workout and gives suggestions. He also is always available and happy to address anything I can think to ask him.

    His accomplishments as an ultra runner I think make him extremely knowledgeable about all the aspects of learning to race long distances. I was looking for someone with the expertise to give me guidance from their own personal journey of success and failure and he knows what he is talking about.

    I am so excited for my future running with Matts help because I feel like his help can take me to where I want to be. Anyone looking to get to the next level and doesn’t have a coach can benefit greatly from working with Matt. His positive attitude and kindness create a great coach athlete relationship and he keeps my psyched!

    Overall it has been a 10 out of 10 experience!

  22. 5 out of 5

    samantha giordano

    I started working with Matt in December. A few friends of mine were already being coached by him and loved him. I never really loved the concept of having a “coach” as an “amateur runner”. I thought it sounded really pretentious when non elite people would say, ” oh my coach has me doing XYZ.” I’m nowhere near elite level. The extent of having a coach has been for group triathlon training – either through Team In Training for my first few triathlons (a training experience that I LOVED, by the way) or through my local triathlon club that I joined with the desire to find a good coach and the camaraderie of a team. The former is why I wanted a coach to begin with. The latter is what ruined the concept of having a coach. Totally impersonal, everything in training peaks, NO feedback, and never any interaction. Just a plan to execute.

    So I thought, “why should I have the need for a coach…?”

    Then I became one of “those people” who say, “I don’t know – I need to check with my coach…” Because Coach Matt has put me on a routine that I don’t waiver from. He’s given me direction that I take like gospel. And perhaps most importantly, for the results-driven of us (read: ALL of us. come on, we are runners), he’s proven his approach’s efficacy. As someone who works from home, wants to try every fitness craze AND train for triathlons AND improve my running, Coach Matt’s process is what I needed. I only know what’s happening 3 weeks out (some of you OCD planners may hate this, but believe me it is so freeing to only have a 3 week commitment and to know that things can change because guess what ? Life changes!

    I LOVE using a google doc instead of training peaks. I appreciate how open I can be with him about what’s going on in my life that might be affecting my workouts (PMS, stressful week, traveling, etc). Anytime I consult the other runners being coached by him, they always give me the same advice: just talk to / tell Coach!

    Coach Matt is no snowflake. But he understands that most of us have lives beyond running (families, travel, work, etc). He gives his opinion where it makes sense and where he can assert authority, and he’ll be candid and honest if there’s something that’s not in his wheelhouse. Even when he’s halfway around the world, I can count on feedback, an updated plan, or a suggestion when I wake up the next morning.

    Aside from being there on the track next to me, you really can’t get any better than that.

  23. 5 out of 5

    Derek Siebert

    I had never considered using a coach before as I thought one would be super expensive and for professional/elite runners. I was a casual runner who had never run more than 500 miles in a year. But I did a trail run with one of his friends/clients who made it seem reasonable.

    I had just finished a marathon cycle on my own in May and completed it in 3:52. It was a major accomplishment, but I was left wanting more. After a phone interview with Matt, I was excited to get started. Matt left an accomplished career in finance to pursue his passion. He’s married with small children, just like myself. He understands what balancing running and life looks like. I had known nothing of the ultra scene until months into our training; I didn’t really have an idea of how accomplished he is as a runner. As such, everything he presents is believable because he’s seen it work at a very high level over and over. It’s not just something he read in a book or took a class on.

    Five months and close to 1000 miles later, I finished the Seattle Marathon at 3:23 and I feel I’m just getting started (at 41 years old). I’m not burnt out, I have no nagging injuries and have registered for my first ultra. It’s an exciting time.

    Matt’s training plans are not cookie-cutter. I travel almost 50% of the time and he will cater to what geography I will be in. He listens to my constraints and will adjust on the fly, always encouragingly. He has a unique ability to balance progress without ever feeling like you’re on the verge of injury.

    Matt’s responses to workout’s are timely, genuine and engaging. I’ve never felt like he’s just going through the emotions because it’s his job. He will sometimes find some detail about my runs that I even missed. You look forward to the responses via email like a kid at Christmas, waiting to open a stocking. I’m self motivated, but have the reinforcement of getting a well thought out response makes you really want to put up a good showing on each run. And certainly helps you get out of bed on the nasty mornings; I can’t just write that I was too lazy to make it happen. You believe in the system and long term results, so you don’t want to miss any part of the journey.

    I have big goals in the coming years, but most importantly I’m enjoying the process. Workouts are varied, progressive, challenging but not discouraging. And the results so far are great.

    I never imagined having a running coach. If you have running goals, give it a shot! I can’t imagine being in better hands than with working with Matt and his support team at TRR.

  24. 5 out of 5

    Charles “Mark” Droge

    I have been using Matt as a coach for about 2 1/2 months now. I’m 59 yrs old and I came to him after completing my second marathon (which was a disaster of a race). It had been a very flat marathon, and having been a wreck on that one, was very concerned about running the Seattle Marathon with hills a couple of months away. Matt said he could get me set up for the race and he did! He started my training off with the hilly course in mind, giving me hill strides once a week, several easy days, tempo runs and the long runs. Then of course I had an injury which I feared might have ended my running for awhile, but through physical therapy and Matt’s encouragement, I wasn’t down for long. Last weekend I finished my Seattle marathon in a pain free, happy place. I didn’t PR, but had fun, ran hard and even, and finished with a smile on my face, having completed my first “hilly” marathon.

    Matt was always there for me. When I had questions for him after a run, or even on my rest days. He has been supportive and encouraging, even when I was anguishing over what I had done wrong on a run. Having used running plans in the past (mainly RW plans), it is incredibly helpful to have the input, training plans of a coach, with the depth of knowledge and experience as Matt. Looking forward to many more races and bigger challenges with my coach. Thanks Matt!

  25. 5 out of 5

    Nick Slack

    I have been working with Coach Matt for a little over two months now, and the experience has been great. I’ve been running semi consistently for two years now, and after pulling the trigger on signing up for a 100 miler I kind of felt in over my head on the training aspect, as I kind of did my own “train ups” for past races (50 mile/50k respectively) After speaking with Matt on the phone and laying my goals out, the feedback he had to give me was nothing short of excellent. The first race we had to prepare for was a 50k road race which was at the end of October, and Matt had me consistently doing various workouts I had never even heard of or done before. Majority of my training has to be on a treadmill (I’d say upwards of 75-80%) due to scheduling and having the kids at home. Matt is able to adjust with my needs and develop a plan to better suit me. I knocked over an hour off of both my previous sole 50k and marathon times after following Matt’s plan. I also felt excellent post race, compared to the previous races where I felt pretty dead to the world.

    Matt is always positive and is a great motivator. I feel I am able to ask him pretty much anything running related, and he is a sole textbook of knowledge. I without a doubt would recommend him and the other TRR coaches to anybody who is on the fence about online coaching. I feel I will be well prepared for my upcoming 100, and not only physically but in all of the extra aspects that come with the race itself.

  26. 5 out of 5

    Martin Potoczniak

    Matt is awesome! I highly recommend him as a running coach. I’ve been under his watch and guidance for a few months now and he’s helped me shape an effective running program and he has gotten me through a few 50k’s so far. He’s incredibly knowledgeable when it comes to speed work, training volume, dealing with injuries, and also the mental aspect of training and racing.

  27. 5 out of 5

    Chad Lasater

    I have really enjoyed working with Matt over the past few months. I love his approach to training and racing. He provides a structured and specific training plan but is always flexible to adapt to your busy work and family life. I have some big goals in the coming months / years and am confident that Matt will help me to achieve them. Before joining Matt’s team, I had the pleasure of sharing some miles with him in a few races. I have seen firsthand how he manages himself in races and how his training plan actually works. He is a beast of a runner and really knows how to manage himself on the course. Matt truly walks the talk.

  28. 5 out of 5

    Drew Sullivan

    Matt’s awesome! He’s helped me dive right back into running after a 6-year break. He’s helped me feel like I’m getting better and stronger, he’s encouraging, and he’s helped me get over injuries quickly that would have sidelined me for waaaay longer. Plus, he’s super inspirational: just check out his Strava account… whoa! 100% satisfied and totally recommended!

  29. 5 out of 5

    MARK HAMMOND

    I have had a great experience with Matt over the last few months. He is experienced, responsive, and flexible. If you are considering an online coach, Matt should be on your short list.

  30. 5 out of 5

    Entrepreneurldz

    I have worked with a lot of coaches through out the past 15 years and Matt is definitely the best one I have ever had. I am confident that Matt will help me achieve my goals of qualifying for the Olympics. He is overall well rounded with expertise in training, recovery, nutrition, science, racing strategy, and all other areas related to being a top runner. Also, the most important factor above all, Matt takes the time to listen. If needed, Matt will communicate with you on a daily basis providing excellent advise and feedback. In addition, Matt’s training philosophy and program is unbeatable. He does a perfect blend of recovery, tempo, long runs, interval workouts, and maintenance runs. Also, he does not increase mileage at rates that can cause personal injury. I recommend Matt as a coach for any level and I will surely be using Matt at all levels of my career from training, to qualifying for the Olympics, to placing at the Olympics, and beyond!

  31. 5 out of 5

    Sarah Forman

    I started working with Matt Urbanski 2 months ago to get ready for my first 50 mile race in June and my first 100 mile race in October. I chose him based on his impressive running career and a great conversation over the phone that made me trust that he would be a good coach.

    Matt usually gives about 2 weeks of training at a time and provides feedback on workouts daily. The workouts have been challenging and are always changing which has made training so much more fun. I appreciate that he has pushes me to do workouts that I didn’t know I was even capable of doing. He’s great at holding you accountable and responds to comments extremely quickly!

    Since working with him, Ive been able to increase my weekly mileage and my endurance and speed have both improved! I would recommend Matt to anyone looking for a great coach to help you improve, no matter what your goals or pace!

  32. 5 out of 5

    Gemma C

    I rarely give out 5 star ratings, but Matt gets them all round.

    As a marathon runner, previously I used an automated training guide when it came to putting together my plan. I needed to be told what to do, but had never worked with a coach one-on-one. Yet as I got to marathon #9, I knew I wanted to do better and needed more support. A good friend recommended Team RunRun, and Matt’s experience stood out to me. He had run many of the races I had – as well as those I am aiming to do, including the Berlin Marathon which is next on my calendar. His philosophy and approach also seemed on point for me.

    How right that was. Matt is a truly great coach; he is so knowledgable and engaged in my running and plans, gives me super helpful feedback daily and has helped me changed the way I run, for the better. Typically I have counted down marathon training plans, but now I just look forward to what is to come over the next week, and can plan ahead with his guidance.

    He is also a badass runner himself – I feel lucky to be learning from someone at his level in the sport . He and his wife Julie are building up a great community around Team RunRun and are always looking at ways to connect us all that feel super organic, and right for me.

    I have been running for 18 years – working with Team RunRun has been one of the most transformative experiences I have had in that time. I am looking forward to seeing how my race times change in the months/years to come!

  33. 5 out of 5

    manthony

    I’ve been with Matt about two months after two different other online coaching experiences that did not workout. I’m very pleased. First, the dialogue is continuous – via the detailed Google Sheet, I’m provided a rolling two week training plan and feedback on every thing I log. We also use it to have discussions, for me to share schedule quirks in the future, etc. I’m sure I could use other means to communicate with Matt, but I have not needed to. He does a great job of anticipating needs and questions and he’s very flexible. We unexpectedly had to shake up my entire plan and the very next time I looked at the doc, it reflected all the changes plus some things I had not thought of. Matt’s also very encouraging and upbeat. Happy customer here.

  34. 5 out of 5

    akisslo

    Matt is the perfect blend of cheerleader (you got this positive energy) and hard coach (ok, now push yourself I believe in you) which all leads to you finding how to take your training to the next level.

    He’s consistent, thorough and I’ve really enjoyed his flexibility in shifting plans for both work/life changes AND my own desire to ‘let’s race soon’ where he provides ideas and guidance what to do.

    Working with him I feel more confident, resilient and mentally prepared to take on a 50 miler as a my next bucket list running goal. I can’t say enough about how great Matt is and would recommend him to any runner at any level of fitness.

  35. 5 out of 5

    zspringer

    I am a normal person looking to take my life to the next level, personally professionally and spiritually. I’ve been around the world a few times and can confirm Matt Urbanski is one of the best of the best. A great person, kind soul and extremely knowledgeable about running and life. Like most things in life you get in what you put out, giving Matt your all and being in communication with him, your life will change for the better. Running with Matt will change your life for the better, I’m sure his time is limited so I hope you chose him TODAY!

  36. 5 out of 5

    kareni

    Prior to Matt, I use to run 3 miles maybe every week. I have 3 kids so I do workouts that are convenient for me (at home). I also do love sticking to short runs because it involves no planning but I wasnt consistent.

    My husband started to run more and raved about his coach. My husband typically gets injured when running but this was the first time he was running (over 4 months) along with longer miles and not getting injured so he was ecstatic. He began running trail races and really encouraged me to try it out.

    I decided to give it a try. I like someone taking the thinking out of a schedule as my day is so busy it’s one thing less to think about. Matt Filis out my run schedule a couple weeks in advance and incorporates fast intervals here and there. You record your run and make comments. Once posted, Matt responds promptly with encouraging words, or advice if you have questions. The amazing thing that I have enjoyed is his amazing knowledge of running. He knows when to push you to do more at the right time and knows when to hold back. I’ve had a bad knee for a bit, and if I was running on my own i would have stepped back or at some point push to hard and quit. Matt knows when to push thru and when to stop. I’m doing dynamic stretches to help loosen some tight muscles but my knee hasn’t hit the point where i cant run 12 miles.

    I haven’t signed up for a race but will run a half in August. I swore off marathons about 15 years ago, but it’s possible it could be in the horizon. I’m just not ready for the time commitment yet and Matt understands this and works with you on your goals rather than pushing you to sign up for the next race. If racing is in your goals he will work with you. Overall, it’s about you and Matt is the coach that can get you to your goals.

  37. 5 out of 5

    petersonadale

    I have been skeptical about hiring a coach during my running career and decided to give it a try with Matt. I should preface this by saying that I’ve known Matt and Julie for a few years and have run and raced against Matt, so I had first hand knowledge of his approach as well as his ability and personality.

    To date, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Matt. I chose him for multiple reasons as my first coach, but primarily because I have multiple goals from running faster shorter races up to running 100 mile races this year and I knew he has had experience and success running and coaching at these distances. Matt has been super supportive, communicative and the training plan has been both challenging and rewarding. I really like that he looks at the details of each of my runs as opposed to just the mileage, distance, time and elevation. He adjusts my training plan based on, injuries, fatigue, work etc. I don’t dislike creating my own training plan or figuring out the puzzle that is accomplishing goals I set for myself, but I have to admit it’s really nice to have someone else do it for me and it allows me to just focus on what I enjoy doing more which is running.

    In the short time I’ve been working with Matt, I’ve had some great results and feel I am running stronger and healthier than at any other point. I’d highly recommend Matt for coaching at any level; but he really excels at taking someone with a solid base to the next level. I know we all have room to improve, but I feel like working with Matt gives me the confidence to improve the “right” way, avoiding injury. Pushing enough to make the gains, but also reigning me in when I push too hard.

  38. 5 out of 5

    nathan4m

    Updated review – 2/24/2022:

    Matt and I have been working together for over 2 or 3 years. Prior to working with Matt I had finished a handful of marathons and was a pretty good weekend warrior. I worked with a different coach or two but found myself battling overuse injuries. I had a fascia release surgery early in our time working together. He helped me stay injury free and recover from surgery. The surgeon said I likely wouldn’t be able to handle distance running post surgery. Matt and I accepted that challenge and in less than a year Matt took me from marathon finisher to 100 mile finisher. Matt has coached me on building the confidence and all the skills needed to be successful on these adventures. He is incredibly flexible in his coaching adapting it to the uncertainty of life. He has a massive wealth of knowledge in the sport. Matt is by far the best coach I’ve worked with and I would recommend him to my closest family or friends.

    Original review – 3/23/2019:

    Matt’s goal working with me was keeping me accountable and healthy at least at the beginning. After taking a little time off from training I was on the injury spiral. Matt has worked almost daily with me to adjust to whatever life throws at me. The communication and feedback loop are amazing!! We are about half way through a training cycle and I’m feeling great thanks to Matt. He is extremely knowledgeable, motivational, and well organized.

  39. 5 out of 5

    shapay

    Working with Matt is not my first experience with coaching. I raced as a road cyclist for over a decade and even had a running coach last year. All of which is to say that I have had exposure to many coaches and many coaching philosophies. I can say unequivocally that Matt is as good as it gets. Sure, he’s got the science of coaching down – the VO2 intervals, the tempo efforts, the long runs, and of course, the easy days, all in good measure.

    But where he stands apart is in the art of coaching. All athletes have different strengths and weaknesses put in service of unique individual goals. Matt really listens to where you are and where you want to go as an athlete and helps plot a course, adjusting as needed. I’ve never been someone who could run 5 days a week without breaking down. My max weekly mileage has been 40 – 50 miles once in a training cycle. I have now been running 40 – 45 miles per week for over a month – and I feel great! I didn’t know that I could run that much that consistently without falling apart, but under Matt’s guidance I have accomplished things I did not think were possible for me. This didn’t come from a cookie cutter approach to a program. It came from almost daily feedback on how I was feeling and weighing whether to push ahead or dial it back for a bit. When you log your daily run, you can be sure that Matt will look at it – even if you were hoping he might not :).

    I cannot be enthusiastic enough about his expertise and support. I love running and finally feel like I can be a runner for the long haul, much credit due to Matt and TeamRunRun.

  40. 5 out of 5

    yelloboy

    I’ve been working with Matt for roughly two months now and am entirely certain I made the right decision to be coached by him. In a nutshell – in my first all-out race after two months of working with Matt I set a half marathon PR by just over 2 minutes (previous PR was six months ago and I’ve been running for years so this wasn’t a hugely “soft” PR), and according to my watch, also clocked my fastest 10K and 5K during this race.

    Slightly longer version – I’ve been running for a number of years, though without any sort of coaching and with not a lot of formal structure (mostly just focused on consistency and volume versus specific intervals, etc). Enjoyed racing, setting PRs, etc. Figured that some structured workouts with a coach could help me get even better and that’s been borne out. Longer term goals with Matt are focused on the marathon distance, but clearly he’s helped a ton in a pretty short period of time already.

    He’s super responsive, and his enthusiasm for running and racing is evident and infectious. All in all, I’m very happy to be working with Matt and I’d recommend him to anyone I know who is looking to get more out of running.

  41. 5 out of 5

    mkaparicio

    I’ve been working with Matt for 2 months and he’s clearly the good angel on my shoulder–running credible volumes and adjusting to deal with injuries I came in with while trusting in the process/training. His coaching philosophy is sound and I’m already feeling fitter than before with more efficient training. He’s been super responsive and happy to explain why we’re doing what we’re doing. Looking forward to seeing what the season brings!

  42. 5 out of 5

    rraux

    Working with Matt the past 2+months has been a pleasure. He’s very responsive, explanatory, and accommodating.

    As soon as I started to settle into the planned training program I got the flu. This through everything into disarray. Matt adapted the plan, guided me intelligently through getting back running at just the right time, and ramped me up again. It’s the “little” things like this that can really prove a coach’s worth and their mentality. Matt excelled.

    I’m excited for what the future can bring with Matt’s help.

  43. 5 out of 5

    Casey Winkler

    I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to work with Matt over the last few months. Prior to Matt, I had never worked with a running coach. He’s taught me how to stay disciplined to gain long-term results. I have no doubt I will reach my goal of a sub-3 hour marathon with Matt’s continued support. Excited for what the future holds!

  44. 5 out of 5

    mdgroene

    I was looking for a coach to go on the journey with towards my first 100 miler. Matt’s inspirational race finishes and coaching philosophy really spoke to my own big dreams and the way in which I wanted to achieve them. From the beginning he has been so much more than a coach but also a mentor and peer. He creates training plans that are about having fun and enjoying the process rather than running around a track and ticking off mileage for a week. I used to run 30+ miles when in the mountains and in turn getting injury prone but Matt emphasizes taking care of your body and ramping up methodologically while still having fun and taking on big challenges. In the 2.5 months since we’ve been on the journey together, my body has never felt better this far into a training program and my running has never been more effortless!

    Outside of coaching, his race and gear knowledge, the vast network of other runners he can connect you with, and some incredibly inspirational life/run advice mixed in keep energizing me week after week. I can’t recommend Matt enough if you have big dreams and are looking for a coach/mentor/peer to help get you there!

  45. 5 out of 5

    Evan Griffith

    Super helpful working with Matt as I get more intentional about my running – his experience and frequent feedback have made me much more confident in my training which has let me focus on putting in the effort, not worrying about getting the ‘right’ workouts in.

    Matt’s been particularly helpful with assisting in rehabbing potential injuries and working time around my other outdoor hobbies which helps keep me motivated going forward! His depth of experience is also super critical for picking races and scheduling for when life gets a little busy outside of being outside ????

  46. 5 out of 5

    jorjeper

    I started working with Matt two months ago. He’s super friendly, encouraging, proactive, and responsive to any questions I have. The workouts are fun, and I definitely feel I am getting a lot of bang for my buck, compared to the workouts I used to do on my own. After having gone through many plateaus, since Matt has been coaching me my running fitness has shot through the roof. I feel stronger, faster, and run with better form than ever. Matt’s philosophy of staying healthy and being a happy runner first is transforming my running in a big, positive way. I’d 100% recommend Matt to anyone looking for a coach.

  47. 5 out of 5

    phillippedarabian

    I started working with Matt about 2 months ago, and my experience has been fantastic. Matt has exceeded my expectations at every level.

    I live in Coronado, CA so I needed someone with a 100% online approach, and my expectation was that we would communicate by email once or twice a week. I communicate with Matt almost daily! It’s amazing how closely he follows my training and how often he provides feedback. Matt checks data from my Garmin/Strava, and review my comments in our shared spreadsheet after every run. I receive feedback, comments, and supportive messages almost daily. Matt is very flexible and adjusts my training program based on my work and family schedule, or last minute events. Matt is also very knowledgeable about anything running related. I have asked him about warm up and cool down routines, shoes, strength training, and nutrition, and Matt has provided me with great resources.

    I used to run once or twice a week for 3-5 miles, and my first ever race was NYC Marathon in 2017. I love sports and I do plenty of them, but I didn’t particularly enjoy running. Matt has changed this by crafting a training program that has allowed me to gradually improve my running efficiency while maintaining my interest in running. His positive attitude, daily run comments, and weekly summaries have been phenomenal motivation. I’ve been running 36 miles a week for the last few weeks, and I’m loving it. Every run is different, and all of them incorporate some sort of challenge. I appreciate how he structures my program to make me an overall stronger runner but also meet the objectives of my next race.

    I highly recommend Matt. He has transformed my interest in running and has made me a much stronger runner! I cannot wait to run NYC again this year.

  48. 5 out of 5

    BrianEmerson

    I met Matt and his wife Julie while hiking the Appalachian Trail 8 years ago. I was already impressed that they were thru-hiking the trail (Matt for the second time) with plans of completing the triple crown of hiking (the AT, PCT, and CDT) which they did. Later, I learned that they were running ultras, again, I was impressed!

    Fast forward a few years and I’ve started running and have moved quickly into the longer distances, just learning by doing. This summer, I ran my first 100 miler and planned to run the Vermont 100 two months later. This plan seemed aggressive but do-able and I realized I needed help dialing in the training to hit my goal of sub-24 hours so I called Matt. He guided me through recovery from the previous 100 and moved into the training phase for Vermont. He helped me work through scheduling issues, avoid injury, and always gave timely feedback and encouragement. Vermont went extremely well, I took over 4 hours off of my 100 mile PR with a 22:36 finish. Matt’s training gave me the strength to get there and his advice gave me the skills to execute the plan.

    I can’t imagine a better experience and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Matt to anyone hoping to take their running to the next level.

  49. 5 out of 5

    Chad Weirick

    I hesitated so long to hire a running coach. Can someone who is an average runner benefit from coaching? Does e-coaching work.. and am I worth it?
    Wow..it was the best decision I could have made! Matt has been fantastic to deal with..FAST response time , smart, encouraging, TOUGH ( which I asked for lol) and able to adjust plans on the fly when life gets in the way.
    In two months of training I set a 10k PR, my ‘comfortable ‘ easy pace had dropped from 10ish to 9 ish minutes per mile. I feel SO much stronger and confident than I used to.
    If you’ve ever questioned if coaching is the right decision, DO IT! ( I’m sure the other coaches are great too, but Matt is a strong choice).

  50. 5 out of 5

    lmansfield17

    I started with Matt two months ago and chose him based on the success of my friends, Stephanie and Dan, who have both seen dramatic improvements over the last two years under Matt’s coaching. I signed up for the TransAlpine race in September and know that I need to train in order to complete the seven-day mountain stage race without it being a sufferfest.

    Matt and Julie travel the globe with their little son, attending races in support of their clients and their own racing schedules. I was able to meet them at the Chuckanut 50k, where 10 or so Team RunRun coaches and athletes were racing. They are both elite runners and super knowledgeable about race logistics, course tips and tricks and, for those trying to win, front-of-the-pack race strategy. Matt’s ultrasignup profile speaks for itself…. check it out:
    https://ultrasignup.com/results_participant.aspx?fname=Matthew&lname=Urbanski

    In terms of the training, the 100% online approach has worked surprisingly well. Matt plans the next two to three weeks in a Google spreadsheet and reviews my runs in Strava, giving me daily feedback. He’s really on it every day, which is impressive and keeps me going and motivated. I’ve been able to ramp up my mileage from basically nothing over the winter to 30+ miles a week without any injuries or soreness. I’ve also shaved at least a minute off my pace, which is a pleasant surprise. Matt’s plan is specifically designed for my race schedule and he’s been accommodating of my other goals, too, which include summiting Mt. Rainier with my daughter in July.

    In terms of training philosophy, I’ve gone through the Hanson’s marathon training as well as Krissy Moehl’s “Running Your First Ultra” and Matt’s plan incorporates elements from both. I’m usually doing a longer run on the weekend that’s similar to my next race while tempo and speed workouts are mixed in with easy runs during the week. The variety has been good and I definitely feel that all my running systems are improving without any single system getting burned out.

    So, overall, Matt’s great! I’m feeling confident that I’m on my way to enjoying my run through the Alps this fall and feeling faster and fitter in 2018.

  51. 5 out of 5

    abiharbani

    I have been working with Matt Urbanski for 2 months, coming in having just recovered from fairly long lasting injuries. I had specific goal in mind when signing up for TRR, to run a sub 4 hour marathon with my current PR of 4:37, as well as to avoid any injuries. For a guy who started running in the 40s, and used to hate running in his younger years, this is a pretty big ask.

    Matt knew exactly what I needed to work on to improve my endurance as well as my speed, while avoiding any injuries. His plans for me looked quite daunting at times, but they’re just right for my ability and allows my body to recover properly in the bigger picture. I fully trust his judgement and plans, so that I can fully concentrate on what needs to be worked on a day at at time.

    Matt provides consistent and timely feedbacks and supportive comments. He answers any running related questions I have, and does research if he doesn’t have immediate answers.

    In just two months of training with Matt, I got a whopping 7 minute PR on my 15k compared to last years, and got PRs on 5k and 10k along the way. Looking forward to see what my marathon PR(s) would be later this year!

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