Andrew Dionne – Syracuse Running Coach
50% off your 1st month! Starting with an analysis of your previous training and racing, Andrew uses a research and science-based approach to design individualized training arcs to help you achieve your goals. Whether you’re new to running, pursuing a BQ or are interested in trying new distances, Andrew specializes in incorporating open dialogue and explaining the “why” behind the training. It’s never too early to lay the foundation for those spring races!
From: $120.00 / month
Running Coach Description
Syracuse running coach Andrew Dionne utilizes a methodical, science-driven approach to help runners tackle personal bests across a variety of distances. Andrew has coached many runners to their first marathon and BQ while also specializing in using shorter-distance races as part of the build. Andrew highly prioritizes communication and flexibility, as it can be a real challenge balancing family, careers and training!
*** 50% off First Month for month-to-month Coaching – Coupon Code: 50%dionne ***
Specialties
I am extremely passionate about using research-backed methods and a variety in order to help runners be successful in distances ranging from the 5k to the marathon. I find that all too often runners have been exposed to the same types of training over and over only to find themselves “stuck” and not making the progress because they simply needed a new stimulus or fresh exposure to an old one. In working together, I like to analyze anything from old training logs, to questionnaires, to Strava pages and even just feedback from phone conversations in order to discover what sorts of training have been emphasized (or not) in your past and where our energy is best spent!
I highly value communication. I’m in touch with my runners daily using Final Surge and am constantly reviewing your training to ensure that you’re progressing towards your long-term goals. In planning a training period, every runner is “from scratch” with me, I don’t have training plans that I simply adapt from runner to runner. I start where you’re at, look at where you want to be and share a potential pathway to bridge that gap with you. You’re the athlete and it’s important to me that you understand the “why” behind the training.
Runners often choose to work with me because:
- They want to understand the “why” behind their training
- I consider our work together a “we” approach, I prioritize communication and adapt our plan based on feedback
- Every runner gets highly individualized training, even two runners with the same goals and timeframes will have very different plans
- They want a plan that is methodical and progressive, helping to ensure progress and avoid injury
Philosophy
I believe that every runner has valuable experiences that can inform and improve our coaching relationship. Before I ever write a single run or workout, I prioritize open communication, analyzing past training logs and race results, asking questions and just listening to your story. During our pursuit of your goals, this theme isn’t lost either. Every runner I work with is unique and because of that every runner’s training is tailored to their lifestyle, obligations, strengths and weaknesses. If I had to summarize my training up, after two decades in the sport I would boil it down to five tenets:
- Find the kinks – Everybody has a training history (including no training history at all!). Oftentimes due to personal preferences, time constraints, the environment or even their coach’s preferences there are “kinks in the pipe” that has prevented our training from reaching its maximum potential. I consider it a major part of my job to analyze what boxes you have and haven’t checked over the years and communicate with you on how we can “unkink” those pipes.
- Progress everything – One of the core fundamentals to performing is adapting, and if the stimulus used to force adaptation is always the same, that adaptation stops! I like to meet every athlete where they’re at, build their foundation up and progress the pieces all the way through the training block. You’ll certainly have a weekly rhythm with me, but each week will be far from identical!
- Gotta Race – I believe big time in racing! Too often (especially in the marathon) we focus on big chunks of training but forget the joy that comes with running fast. Have a 10k you want to include right in the middle of your training? We will make it work!
- Stack the Bricks – I believe strongly in the fundamentals of mechanics (your running form) and strength. With me you’ll often begin with skills found on both ends of the spectrum as we work methodically towards your target distance in the middle.
- Consistency – The most effective way to get better at running is to run, and no I don’t mean just pounding out piles of miles. Keeping yourself physically and mentally healthy is vital to being consistent, and with consistency comes fast running. I’m a strong communicator and will always listen to my athlete’s to help them find the tools and solutions they need to be consistent.
Coaching Experience
After becoming an elementary school teacher, I quickly became involved with coaching youth cross country camps. Having trained and raced competitively for over a decade, coaching fell at a unique intersection between my two big passions, training and teaching. As time passed, I began coaching high school athletes and eventually private athletes. Over the last several years I have worked with runners of all ability levels ranging from those trying running for the first time, to All-American athletes and especially post-collegiate and masters runners looking to take down old PRs and compete at a high level.
About Me
Within the world of running, I am extremely passionate about human physiology (check out the article linked below on tempo workout variations), specifically with how it impacts training methodology as well as strength training for runners.
Outside of running, I have a lot of hobbies and interests! I have been an elementary school teacher for ten years and am embarking on a new journey as a middle school science teacher this year. I love to garden and bake (thank you pandemic) but honestly the biggest influence on my life is my two year old! I truly appreciate those who find time to train around being a professional and a parent, it’s no joke!
Big Influences
One of the greatest influences on my coaching philosophies occurred my first season as a coach. Fresh out of college and ready to start pumping out the same workouts I had completed in the past, I was told to sit back, build relationships, listen to the athletes and hold the stop watch! I was rankled at first, but it was an incredibly humbling experience and forced me to acknowledge exactly how much I had to learn. At the same time it drove me to pursue learning from a variety of both modern and established sources.
I count Jack Daniels as one of my earliest influences, especially regarding his famous measurement of the lactate threshold system. While I routinely use methodology that parallels and follows the ideas of coach Bill Bowerman, coach Renato Canova and researcher Steve Magness, I don’t count myself as fitting into any one particular mold. Rather, I consider the science of coaching distance runners to be an ever evolving field, and each year that goes by always leaves me with new knowledge that I couldn’t fathom having not known the previous year!
Race History
As a barely all-state athlete and a collegiate walk-on, my proudest memories have come post-collegiately. In the years since graduation, I have been able to represent the US at the Corporate Challenge World Championships, time trialed PRs in the mile-5k during the early stages of the pandemic, finished higher in US championships than I ever dreamed possible and competed in team races where the scores were razor thin. Despite the power of these experiences though, two particular racing memories stand out to me.
In 2018 I lined up for the Boston Marathon facing arguably the nastiest weather in the history of the race. It was raining and 36 degrees with significant headwinds the entire way. Although I started in the Sub-Elite group, I told myself beforehand that the weather wouldn’t bother me, I was from New England and trained in Syracuse! I steadily worked my way through the race and recorded a 36th-place finish, beating many of the professionals in the field.
Last summer I was contacted by a local female masters runner who was gunning for the American Record in the mile at a small all-comers meet. With only about three days’ notice she asked if I would rabbit her for a 4:58 mile. While I eagerly said yes, as the week and eventually that day went by I couldn’t believe how nervous I was, it was far worse than my nerves before almost any race I had ever run! I did so many 200s at her race pace beforehand that it’s a wonder I didn’t fry myself, but we split just about perfectly dead even splits the entire race, and Sascha got her record! It was an incredible moment to pull off into lane three and watch her finish, and I will always be honored that she asked me to help.
Certifications
- NFHS AIC and CIC National-Level Certified
Awards & Accolades
- Competed professionally for Skechers, 2015 – 2017
- Represented UCAN as a brand ambassador 2016 – Current
- Competed for the University of New Hampshire, 2007-2012
- Placed 36th overall at the 2018 Boston Marathon, 2nd at the Hudson Mohawk Marathon (2015), 1st at the Syracuse Half Marathon (2014, 2015, 2016), 1st American at the JP Morgan and Chase World Championships (2019), 1st overall at the Lake Effect Half Marathon, 2018, 2019
Personal Records
- Mile – 4:23 (6/5/20) Black Creek Mile
- 3k – 8:28 (6/13/20) Black Creek 3k
- 5k – 14:54 (6/17/20) While I’m hesitant to offer a Time Trial as a PR, the spring of 2020 was an unusual experience for so many of us that I find it important to share. The last few years have been a struggle, but if you’re getting back to it, you’re not alone!
- 10k – 31:17 (5/16/20) Lilac 10k
- 15k – 48:42 (7/10/22) Boilermaker US 15k Championship (First run post meniscus surgery!)
- 13.1 – 1:08:18 (1/20/19) Houston Half Marathon
- 26.2 – 2:29:19 (10/15/15) Mohawk Hudson Marathon
Publications
Contact Andrew
60 reviews for Andrew Dionne – Syracuse Running Coach
Ben Li –
I started out with a different coach, but the communication wasn’t what I needed, so I switched to Andrew in June while training for CIM. I’m really glad I did. His communication is excellent. Along the way, we ran the SF Marathon as well. He takes the time to explain things: what pace and effort a workout should feel like, how to actually run it, and why it’s in the plan. That’s helped me understand my training, not just follow it.
When I was dealing with a hamstring issue, he helped me manage it and work my way back without losing momentum. He’s easy to reach by text or phone whenever I have questions, which makes a big difference. It feels like a real partnership. Highly recommend him.
John Vaghi –
Andrew is exactly what I was looking for in a running coach. He brings an honest, personal attentiveness to his plans and communication that I’ve struggled to find elsewhere. Most programs and coaches feel rigid or templated, but Andrew clearly cares about his runners and has been deeply invested in my growth and success, at times even more than I was!
His passion for and knowledge of the sport are obvious, and it’s rare to find someone so expert and accomplished who is also so warm and selfless in their approach to coaching.
Audrey F. –
Andrew is a great coach. His workouts are well thought out and very specific to my personal history and goals. I’ve been running for 13 years before working with Andrew, and every workout is so specific that I’ve never seen it before, which makes it very easy to trust the process. He has a great amount of knowledge and experience in the 5k, especially cross country, which is what I’ve been looking for. In addition, he is very attentive to his athletes, and often asks how each run went to make future adjustments, which you wouldn’t get with a generic training plan. The most rewarding part is that I have stayed injury free under Andrew’s plan. Andrew’s attention to my past training and comments on what works well for my body have helped me avoid any stress fractures (knock on wood), which usually prevent me from even getting to the start line. I highly recommend Andrew as a coach.
Jacquelyn Wilbert –
I highly recommend working with Andrew as a running coach! I hadn’t run in many years, but I wanted to get back into running and eventually participate in a 5K. I was a little nervous, especially because my knees have always been a big concern.
Andrew really took the time to listen to my concerns and started me out slowly, which helped me build confidence and avoid doing too much too soon. He has been encouraging, knowledgeable, and always available when I have questions.
I’ve really enjoyed working with him and appreciate the personalized approach and support every step of the way. If you’re thinking about getting back into running or starting a running program, I would definitely recommend Andrew!
Walter Yetman –
I started running back in 2016 and started getting more serious about it over the past year and like many other runners have a goal of running a BQ time. I was aiming to do that this past spring at the LA marathon and things did not go as planned. Between very untrained, daylight savings weekend, and a heat advisory I blew up around mile 18 and basically walked a very hilly last 8 miles. After the race was over I decided I needed to start working with a coach to help me get a better running plan dialed in (I’d just been using online programs in the past) Initially I started working with another coach and while he was a nice guy I just felt a lack of communication.
This leads me to working with Andrew.
After reaching out via Team Run Run Andrew immediately set up a call with me to go over my running history, my goals as a runner etc. He went through years of my runs on Strava and sent me a very detailed email saying what he thinks we can do to help me hit all my PRs. Of course right after we started working together I got super sick while trying to balance a huge project at work followed by a family emergency. Andrew called me right away to talk through everything and figure out a plan where I could get some runs in while also being there for my family. Things finally settled down and we were getting back on track and then bam foot injury. Again Andrew called me to make sure I was doing ok physical (and mentally) and we came up with a game plan to do some cross training to keep my endurance going while my foot healed.
We did a test 10k race earlier this month to test my pace ahead of a planned October full marathon and I did not hit the time I was aiming for. Again Andrew reached out to chat through everything and we decided to defer my race to a marathon in February to help me build up properly to meet my goal while staying injury free.
I truly can’t say enough great things about Andrew and how he approaches working with his clients. He always responses quickly if I have a question about how a specific workout and understands if I have to pivot a workout due to life commitments. Truly looking forward to continue my work with him and get some PRs!
Shannon Dillard –
I had been without a coach for a few years when I started working with Andrew. I was honest with him upfront about a previous coach I had worked with that left me feeling really nervous to work with someone else. Andrew immediately made me feel at ease and I could tell he was sincere. I decided to take a leap of faith and I’m thrilled that I did. While it’s only been a few months, I couldn’t be happier.
I signed up to work with Andrew and within a few weeks, my clumsy self ended up with a hamstring injury ((not from running lol it was all my own doing)). I had never had an injury where I couldn’t run and I was devastated especially because I was training for the Dublin Marathon. Andrew was so kind and patient and never once let me doubt myself or the fact that I would get back on track to run Dublin. I felt bad for doing something dumb to get injured right after we started working together but he never once bought into my pity party crap lol.
He’s tailored every workout specifically to me ((my former coach never did)) and checks in with me constantly to see how the leg is holding up and how I’m doing in general. In the past week I’ve finally started feeling like myself again and my confidence that I can run Dublin is finally matching his. He believed in me when I didn’t and I couldn’t be more grateful. I’m excited to see how Dublin goes in a few weeks and to continue working with Andrew!
Chris Y –
I (41M) started running last spring following the Pfitz 18/55 plan for a marathon. I kept self-coaching with the Daniels book and worked down from 49′ to 43′ in the 10k over about 1 year.
I went into coaching to keep progressing quickly, aiming for sub-40′ and also a faster Hyrox time. Right now we’re 2 months in and it’s been VERY worth it. Three big differences compared to self-coaching: First, the workouts have more variety, including lots of mixed-pace quality sessions like alternating betweek 5k/10k pace or 10k/marathon paces. Second, Coach Andrew set more ambitious paces than I had for myself: 20s faster base run pace, 10-15s faster threshold, etc. Sometimes I’m intimidated by the workouts he lays out, but he’s struck the perfect balance between difficult & doable.
Third, we have a phone call catch-up before races, discussing nutrition, warm-up and pacing. The pacing part was especially helpful this summer during a hilly 15k race with a 500 ft uphill then downhill segment.
Fully recommend Coach Andrew. A lot of reviews seem to be marathon-focused but he’s also been a great coach for my 10k and Hyrox goals.
Jennifer O’Halloran –
I have been working with Andrew for almost a year now and very pleased with his knowledge, communication, and overall coaching approach he uses. I like the style of workouts he gives and how he can rearrange things at times if things are off. Communication is a big thing for me, and always before a big race he always makes sure to reach out and discuss strategy and anything I need before its go time which is very important to me. I recently was recovering from what could’ve turned into an injury and Andrew was able to adapt to my schedule of cross training options until I was able to return to running. Working with him, I have noticed getting back to some faster times in races that I couldn’t have done without his help. Andrew is professional, prompt, understanding, and overall a great coach! I highly suggest him as a running coach and I look forward to continue with working with him!
Lindsey F. –
I’ve been working with Andrew for over a year and a half now, and have been so grateful for his guidance! He has helped me navigate preparation for 4 marathons thus far, and in each training block, he has been open to build upon and vary the approach from cycle to cycle. Andrew is super knowledgeable and really takes the time to figure out how I personally respond to different training stimuli and then weaves those elements together to leave me feeling prepared for each of my goal races. He is also constantly challenging me with new workouts and clearly communicates the purpose of the workout, so that I know the goal of each session.
Andrew is a great coach, and I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a kind, knowledgable, communicative, and curious coach to guide you toward your next goal.
wyoming jeffries –
I’ve been working with Andrew for about 5 months, first working through a 3k training block before transitioning into my current marathon block.
If communication is important to you, it’s hard to beat Andrew. He provides comments on 99% of my runs. I tend to be my own biggest critic, and he remains a positive counterbalance providing legitimate encouragement without blowing smoke. He is also always very responsive when I have a question or concern, usually responding within the hour but always same day.
His training is tailored to my abilities (based on training history and race results) and goals, and he adapts the plan regularly based on how quickly (or slowly) I’m progressing based on my feedback and training metrics.
I highly recommend working with Andrew to reach your next running goal.
Sina Westenberger –
I decided to work with Andrew because I’m preparing for a marathon, and I’m very happy with my decision. He is incredibly empathetic, supportive and motivating, and always takes the time to listen and adapt the training to my individual needs.
The training is varied, challenging and most importantly, a lot of fun. Even during my ten-week injury break, Andrew was always there with alternative exercises and ideas to keep me active and motivated.
He is also very communicative and always responds quickly whenever I have questions or need advice. I feel very well supported throughout my marathon journey and can absolutely recommend him as a coach!
I’m really looking forward to continuing the journey with him and seeing where the training takes me.
Logan Heft –
After 2 years of trying to get over the BQ hump, after one season with Andrew I was able to run a 14 minute PR at 2:47! You can feel Andrews love of running with his attention to detail. He’s also very knowledgeable about other programs such as Hal Higdon, Pfitizneger, etc and is able to accomodate your block based off what you’ve enjoyed in the past. Can’t recommend Andrew enough!
Sammy B –
I have been working with Andrew for quite a few months now, and I can confidently say he has helped me become a much better runner than I was before, implementing great workouts and pushing me to what I am capable of. The mix of his experienced running techniques and positive/forward thinking mindset has kept me committed to my goals and I would recommend him to anyone who is wanting to get faster the smart way!
Rebecca Swartz –
I’ve been working with Andrew for about two months now and he has been excellent! He is knowledgeable and thoughtful with the workouts he puts together and always takes the time to explain things in a way that I can understand, which has been especially helpful for me as a beginner runner with almost no previous experience. Andrew has gone above and beyond to help me work through a lingering injury in a smart way and I am happy to have him in my corner as I try to grow in the sport! 10/10, I would recommend Andrew to anyone who is looking to work with a coach that is highly experienced, kind, communicative and above all really cares about his athletes and helping them succeed.
Jacob C. –
I’ve had the pleasure of being coached by Andrew for coming up on a year and it’s been one of the best decision I’ve made in my running. Having a real person to hear out your ideas and talk through them with you is priceless, and Andrew is always open to any goals you might have as a runner and how to achieve them. He’s helped me strike the perfect balance of controlled volume/intensity buildups while also challenging/advancing me with workouts that are intentional and personalized. He’s made himself very available to talk with and is always checking in on how you’re doing. I’ve achieved some awesome race results with him as my coach, and can’t wait to progress with him more in the future!
Luca Beals –
Andrew is an incredible coach who listens and adjusts to your need. But also pushes you to grow and improve as I have already within months. He makes things super easy to understand if you have any questions, he is there to break it down. Definitely one not to skip
Govind R –
I started training with Andrew for a Nov marathon. I can already see improvements in my running (pace, threshold) from his workouts. He has been very responsive to my questions and continues to be flexible given my travels, etc. I am glad I signed up to have him as my coach for the marathon training.
Ankur Gupta –
Working with Andrew has been fun! He is a great coach who starts with understanding your running past, shares his methodology/experience and works regularly to align them to help you achieve your goals. We started working 6 months ago with walk and job workouts, after 2 years of me running into injuries and not finishing my marathon races. I cant believe I am running my fastest ever during my training blocks and learning so much about how to manage various things. He is always available on text, ready to jump on call if needed and shares great insights wrt workouts and races.
Hannah Nielsen –
Andrew is an awesome coach! He is very encouraging and gives good feedback. He answers questions promptly and tells you the purpose behind what he’s prescribing. He is knowledgeable about the research behind certain workouts or techniques. He’s flexible when life happens and helps you adapt in a smart way. I have been self-coached for years, and I feel more confident than I have before leading up to a race under Andrew’s coaching!
Chip Montgomery –
Andrew has been fantastic to work with over the past few months. He really understands the realities of training with young kids and a demanding schedule, and he’s great at helping me fit quality runs into real life. He gives honest, thoughtful advice (sometimes exactly what I need to hear) and consistently helps me step back and focus on the bigger picture, reminding me how each phase fits into the long-term goal.
He’s also been incredibly helpful with fueling guidance and sharing what has worked for him personally when challenges come up, whether it’s weather, focus, or just life getting in the way. Overall, I’d highly recommend Andrew to anyone looking to achieve their running goals while working with a knowledgeable, supportive coach who genuinely equips you with the tools to succeed.
Byron Johnson –
I’ve been working with Andrew for about two months now. I’ve run several marathons, but in the past I often felt like I was guessing with my training and coming up short on my goals.
Andrew has been great—not only providing a structured training plan, but also helping me truly understand the purpose behind each run. In just these last couple of months, I’ve already seen clear improvement in my running and feel confident pursuing my marathon goals.
Beyond the training itself, working with Andrew has revived my joy in running. His communication, clear explanations, and thoughtful follow-up on every run have made the experience both encouraging and enjoyable.
I couldn’t recommend Andrew highly enough!
Garrett Harshman –
Working with Andrew has truly been a pleasure. I signed up to run my first marathon and got quickly signed up and onboarded with Andrew.
Andrew is thoughtful and excellent at giving you not just the how, but the why, behind his programming. Not only have I received an A+ training plan (that fits my preferences and needs) but I have learned a ton through the process.
I could not recommend Andrew more highly and I will definitely continue training under his guidance after I run my marathon.
Richard Springthorpe –
I have only been training with Andrew for two months but I am finding it hugely benefitial. I have not used a coach before and I started with Andrew just 3 months prior to trying to BQ in a marathon i have in January 2026. I enjoy the very different and focused runs he is having me doing, as they seem to improve fitness and also allow recovery and adaption to occur, which is what I was failing to do on my own depite many years of running. I enjoy not having to think and plan all my runs also, so I can go out there and focus on what type of run he has set for me. I have already decieded to keep going after my Marathon and set some new goals we can work on together irrespective of whether I BQ.
gouz41 –
Andrew is such a knowledgeable coach who helped me reach a goal time in my most recent marathon. He incorporates a variety of workout types to keep things interesting and varied. Andrew always listens to the information that I am giving him and is very thoughtful in his responses and adjustments to training. I have worked with Andrew for two marathons now and have cut 58 minutes off my time when compared to my last marathon before working with him. During both marathons, I felt like I was “peaking” at the exact right time and felt my strongest heading into the marathon. It’s sometimes hard for me to believe such an accomplished runner such as him can relate to an “average Joe” like me, but that’s exactly what he does. I truly appreciate what he has done for me in achieving a goal I had set for myself. He was with me each step of the way.
Raleigh Orias –
Anyone serious about improving their running should consider training with Andrew. I came to running later in life, and with his guidance I’ve already set a new personal record in the half marathon. Now I’m preparing for the marathon in December, aiming for another PR and ultimately a Boston Qualifier. What sets Andrew apart is how personalized and thoughtful his coaching is. He takes the time to understand my background, goals, and the importance of recovery and balance, then builds a plan that fits me while still pushing me forward. His science-based approach, consistent communication, and genuine investment in my progress have helped me achieve results I never thought possible.
Michael Moore –
I’ve worked with Andrew for almost a year now, and having him as a coach has been incredibly rewarding. He’s extremely responsive, communicates clearly, and has a great sense of what I need—and just as importantly, what I don’t.
I love setting big goals and pushing myself, and I needed that extra something to help me reach the next level. After 45 years of running, I had settled into my comfort zone—doing what came easiest. Andrew knows how to push me just enough to keep things challenging while helping me stay strong and competitive.
His workouts are smart and purposeful—never hard just for the sake of being hard. If you’re looking for a coach who listens, adapts, and truly understands the science of running, I can’t recommend Andrew enough.
Kim Hunger –
I have been working with Andrew for about 10 months. I’ve been very impressed with the variety of workouts he offers and how he tailors those to your goals. Even during downtime with injury recovery (from prior coaching), Andrew kept in constant contact with me and would always ask what my PT or physician expected next. Now that I’m in my recovery phase and back to training he has done an amazing job helping me ease back into running with again a variety of opportunities to keep me injury free and get me back to some PRs. His communication, knowledge about running and training, while also balancing life has been extraordinary. I’d highly recommend him as a running coach whether you’re looking for a PR, a beginner, or running at the elite level.
Everett Bryant –
I have been working with Andrew for a little over two months now and have nothing but positive things to say about the experience.
Initially, I was skeptical about working with an online coach. I assumed it would be impersonal and hard to navigate. I am happy to report that this has not been the case at all. Andrew employs the Final Surge platform in a way that is incredibly personal and effective, almost like having a face-to-face conversation with a coach after every workout.
He uses data from my training metrics, perceived effort, and other details to leave insightful, personalized comments that help me navigate future sessions. From the beginning, I told Andrew that I wanted to understand the “why” behind each training session. I wanted to know the purpose of my daily runs and how they contribute to my progress. He has delivered on that and much more, offering detailed explanations, thoughtful feedback, and well-structured periodization that make the intent of workouts crystal clear.
After just two months, it is obvious that Andrew is passionate about running and genuinely cares about the athletes he coaches. His approach is both knowledgeable and encouraging.
I highly recommend Andrew’s coaching services to anyone looking to improve as a runner while also gaining a deeper appreciation of the sport.
Dan Johnston –
I have been working with Andrew for almost 2 years now. As a coach he is very knowledgeable about structuring training plans, has extremely good communication (any texts or comments are quickly responded to), and is very thoughtful and intentional about designing/prescribing training. Every run has a clear purpose and the intent/additional context is always provided within the run description. Andrew is a genuine, caring coach. I would highly recommend Andrew as a coach for runners of any level looking to improve and have enjoyable/fun training.
Jake Cary –
I am thrilled to have Andrew as my running coach! His expertise, constant feedback and strategic planning have helped me exceed my expectations and goals in just a short amount of time. After working with Andrew for just a couple months, what I would have previously considered my race pace has now become my typical easy run pace. I highly recommend Andrew to anyone who is looking for a running coach, and wants to significantly improve fitness and unlock their true potential. I am happy to continue building with Andrew!
Amanda –
I’ve been working with Andrew for almost a year now. Previously, I’d worked with a coach who took all the fun out of running and I was on the verge of burnout. Andrew listened to my goals, but also encouraged me to rediscover the joy of running. He’s incredibly knowledgeable about running and understands the importance of tailoring training to the individual and adapting the plan as things progress. He always seems genuinely interested in how things are working for me and is open to feedback and changing things up as needed. My job requires a lot of travel and can be unpredictable, but he’s very understanding and works with/around my schedule. He responds quickly and always available for a call before a race – which has been incredibly helpful for the nerves. I definitely recommend Andrew as running coach!
Danielle Therese Minoia –
I was lucky to find Andrew about 1.5 years ago. Andrew truly cares about the health and longevity of me as a runner, formulating training plans are that are challenging, yet safe, and also taking my strengths and weaknesses into consideration. Andrew was a collegiate runner, and is quite the impressive runner himself(look up his races! Lets just say his half marathon pace is my sprint), with the added bonus of coaching school track and cross country. His personal experience as a runner, combined with his coaching experience is reflected in the amazing coaching he provides. His communication skills are amazing, and he really makes the coaching feel personalized. I am 42 years old, and I ran a few PRs and a few great races with Andrew’s guidance. From helping me plan my strength training, to fueling, to resting, and putting up with my creative writing running experiences in the final surge app, and meeting me in person or on the phone before races, Andrew has supported me so well and I am so appreciative and thankful to call him my running coach. He feels like family. I am glad he is younger than I am, so that he can coach me until I die 😂 My body feels great and I have been injured free under Andrew’s guidance.
Ben Coates –
Training with Andrew has lifted my running to a whole new level, making me a faster and stronger runner. He trains you based on your strengths and weaknesses, tailoring a plan that’s evidence-based and builds naturally over time. He does a great job of explaining the intent behind each workout, and he’s a true expert at all distances, from the 5K to the marathon.
He is a wealth of knowledge. The daily feedback we share on the Final Surge app keeps me progressing with confidence, and his two-week outlook gives me a clear, manageable path for both the mental and physical sides of training. He also does a great job helping me prep and strategize for races, which has translated to less stress and greater focus on race day.
Brad Payne –
Andrew is an amazing coach! I started working with him after plateauing in some races. His personalized plans got me in great shape and got me some pr’s! His plans are well thought out and he does a great job explaining the logic behind them. Highly recommend!
Jenna Riley –
I’ve been working with Andrew for a little over a year and I have nothing but good things to say. He is able to adjust workouts as needed given my current fitness and injury status. He is always willing to discuss strategies and answer any questions I have. He is also willing to push my paces to get me to where I need to be. I have been working on qualifying for Boston for awhile and I have never felt more confident in my abilities to do so. Thanks to Andrew!
Ariel Schwartz –
Andrew is a great coach! The workouts he gives are thoughtfully aligned with my goals, fitness, and life, and have variety. He is incredibly responsive, a clear communicator, and kind. He is also very thoughtful about how to manage injuries (or dings that could become injuries if not approached with consideration). I never thought I would continue with a coaching service this long, but Andrew’s individualized approach and support is worth every penny!
Jack Feldman –
Andrew is an amazing coach. He puts a lot of thought into each individual program and tailors your program to your specific needs week to week. He is very analytically driven and makes his decisions based on science. He is extremely responsive in messaging and I really feel like I have mad a significant amount of progress in the couple months or so I have been working with him.
Ashley Kelley –
Our family has the privilege of working with Andrew off and on over the past five years to help train and develop two of our high school runners. Andrew brings a rare combination of technical expertise, strategic planning, and personalized mentorship that elevated both of our high-level high school runners to new heights. From the outset, he took the time to understand each athlete’s strengths, weaknesses, goals, and mindset. Workouts were intentional and structured, with a clear purpose and also emphasized injury prevention, recovery, and mental resilience, ensuring long-term development rather than short-term gains. Each of our children developed a deeper love for the sport and greater confidence in their abilities. One runner qualified as a “walk on” at the United States Naval Academy, and the other is at the early stage of her high school running career and has already shaved critical seconds off her time trial runs—all while maintaining a healthy and sustainable training balance. Andrew is a rare talent in youth athletics—a coach who truly sees and supports the whole athlete. We’re incredibly grateful for the professionalism, encouragement, and results. Any family or program fortunate enough to work with Andrew is in excellent hands! Finally, Andrew is also an outstanding human being and a remarkable role model. He leads by example, showing integrity, humility, and compassion in every interaction. Whether it’s offering a word of encouragement after a tough workout or teaching the value of perseverance and character through sport, he consistently demonstrates the kind of values we hope all young athletes will carry with them for life. It’s rare to find someone who inspires excellence not only on the track but also in everyday life!
Jessica Bouchard –
I am so glad that I was referred to Andrew!
Using training plan print-offs for race after race had turned running into a monotonous grind – I had been looking for a change. Andrew’s thoughtful and varied plans have made running interesting again. His coaching has kept me accountable and challenged me enough to stretch far beyond my former limits, while remaining healthy and injury free. And as a bonus, he is friendly and flexible and positive!
I have no doubt that I would be many steps behind if I was training for an another marathon on my own. I am grateful to have had the benefit of Andrew’s push and expertise. I would highly recommend his program!
Jamie Ascioti –
I’ve been working with Andrew for 2 months and his coaching has helped me improve my 5k time by over 5 minutes! Andrew creates a training schedule that works with my already busy schedule and he creates workouts that are individualized to me taking into account runs with friends! Andrew is always responsive to any messages I send. He has helped me with exercises and stretches that has helped to relieve knee pain I was having. I have enjoyed working with him these past two months and I look forward to working with him to achieve my running goals!
Wendy Riccelli –
Working with Andrew has been a game-changer for my running. When I started, I was struggling to stay consistent and motivated. After just a few months of personalized coaching, structured workouts, and targeted feedback, I’ve brought my pace down by over a minute and a half and I am doing this consistently and comfortably on longer runs.
Andrew built a program around my goals, fitness level, and schedule, and was always available with encouragement, advice, and honest accountability. He has also helped me improve recovery, and avoid injury—something I struggled with in the past.
If you’re serious about becoming a stronger, faster, and more confident runner, I can’t recommend Andrew enough.
Jeanne Fenster –
I have been working with Andrew for two months now. I had been slogging through a mileage plan from the internet but was frustrated with how terribly slow I was. Andrew set up more challenging and far more intentional workouts. As a result in just two months I dropped minutes off my 5k time, and successfully completed a half marathon taking 7 minutes off the time run in training.
Just as important as the technical coaching, though, has been the encouragement and confidence-building. I am an older runner who lost 60 lbs over the last 14 months. He’s really helped me see myself as an athlete for the first time in many years, and I am very grateful.
Aaron Morris –
Andrew has been great so far! Everything he prescribes is well thought out and intentional. He does a good job trying to keep me at the right effort level on workouts even though that’s pretty hard to do remotely, and his racing advice has been really helpful. At age 41, I came within one second of my high school mile PR last week with his help, and I’m looking forward to seeing more good results coming up!
AC –
Andrew is just great. from the time I contacted him he listened carefully to my previous experience, checked the results from my last races and looked through the training I had been doing to tailor a plan to improve my foundations and that was specific for my goals. Since I started working with him I have seen a significant improvement, helping me getting closer to my goals with every training. He also checks with me often to see how I am doing and follows up closely my training. I am super happy and excited to keep working with him and really appreciate how he is actively looking to help me get better.
Michael Rose –
Andrew has masterfully navigated my training regime towards achieving my goal of a sub-30 minute 5 mile race. High quality workouts, feedback, and balancing tough workouts with recovery and low impact work to keep you in the game have been the hallmark of the training.
Sarah Raz –
I set an ambitious goal for myself for a January half-marathon and I’m really happy I chose Andrew as a coach. Andrew set me up well to train through the Montana winter and even created treadmill workouts that I enjoyed – something I never thought I’d say. Although I’ve used training plans before it felt amazing to have workouts and runs specifically geared to my goal. Andrew is always happy to share the science and reasoning behind each workout, too. I’m heading into my race feeling excited and well prepared!
Adam Durant –
Excellent advice so far in my training experience! He has helped me to continue running and working through some preexisting knee pain. Highly recommend!
Jake Griffith –
Can’t really say anything that hasn’t been said about Andrew. He’s a great running coach who really knows his stuff. You can guarantee this guy has done his research and put some serious thought into your workouts. Highly recommend.
Maya Spence –
I’ve been working with Andrew for almost six months, and he’s proven to be an exceptional running coach. His communication skills are top-notch; he’s responsive, articulate, and has a unique talent for translating complex training concepts into easy-to-follow workouts. What sets Andrew apart is his commitment to explaining the “why” behind each run, making the training effective and intellectually engaging.
Andrew’s coaching has yielded tangible results. With his guidance, I achieved a PR in my half marathon, cutting more than 10 minutes off my previous time. Beyond just hitting my initial goal, Andrew has also helped me identify new targets for ongoing improvement. His adaptability and genuine interest in his athletes’ progress make him not just a coach but a mentor who goes the extra mile to ensure success. If you’re serious about elevating your running, I highly recommend Andrew as a coach who delivers results and understands the holistic journey of improvement.
Gabriella Longden –
Andrew is amazing! I never worked with a running coach before, I have coached myself! I am working on a pretty heavy goal for myself for my fall marathon season and Andrew has pushed me in a ways I could not push myself! He is always available when I need help with any questions I have as all the running workout terms are new to me! He is super responsive. My workouts are specific to my goals and I believe will help me get to where I want to be with Andrews help! I would recommend working with him! He is awesome!
Mac –
Andrew is a great coach. His level of communication is what sets him apart in my eyes. He knows the right questions to ask. He has guided me through recovering from a major injury. I feel more confident in my capabilities now more than ever. I’m more motivated. I look forward to new messages from him and training programs. I feel like he really cares about my progress, and that I’m not just getting a cookie cutter training program.
Christopher Scalzi –
Andrew has been a fantastic coach since I started working with him in May. He is very responsive and demonstrates clear intention for progress with the workouts and training plan he assigns. Over the past year I have struggled with reoccurring injuries, Andrews coaching has help me create a more sustainable running routine and I am optimistic with the continued coaching I will be injury free and back to making progress towards my long term running goals!
Jessica B –
Andrew is an incredibly thoughtful coach, ace communicator & lovely human. I look forward to seeing an upcoming block of training & really appreciate the variety of workouts, which always have a clear purpose. It’s easier (mentally at least) to get through a tough workout if I know why I’m doing it. For context, I started working with Andrew after running back-to-back marathons because I want to learn how to race shorter distances. It’s been really fun transitioning to speedier stuff this spring/summer.
Matt –
Andrew is outstanding as a coach! He certainly gets the prize for the quick response. He always answers emails or texts very quickly. I am chasing a qualifying time for Boston. I have been self coached for many years now and been very close. Andrew’s feedback so far has been great, adapting the program I have used in the past and providing more insight to train more effectively.
Keelin –
Andrew is great! He communicates well and the weekly prescriptions of runs have been super helpful. I was struggling to bounce back from having COVID but working with Andrew I’m getting back to where I was and also feeling more confident.
Jon French –
I’ve been working with Andrew for coming up on two years. Andrew has been an excellent coach, helping me run times in the last two years, that I haven’t run in 10 years! This includes two sub-50 min Boilermaker 15k performances, several sub 16 min 5k races, and a few 21 min 4 mile races on hilly courses. He has been willing to re-tool the training that helped me unlock speed I didn’t think I could get back. He also supported my 5 week marathon build up that resulted in a 2:36 marathon (1:20/1:16 negative split), for a BQ at Harrisburg marathon. I previously worked with a different online coaching service and you could tell that the workouts were not personalized, I would communicate with my coach and nothing would change. That is not Andrew! Looking for a coach that will truly offer personalized training? A coach that will routinely re-evaluate your workouts, your splits, weekly mileage, and progress? Andrew is the coach for you! Check him out, you won’t regret it.
Richard Wing –
Andrew has helped my training start to come back into form. I’ve had trouble staying committed and sticking to a schedule. He’s taken my history and varied my training to hit points of weaknesses and slowly getting me back to the fitness I am aiming for. He’s taken into account personal road blocks and made the training flexible enough to work for anyone and keep it one week, one day at a time.
John Gleason –
Andrew has been an absolutely amazing coach to have. In just 2 months of work, it would be difficult to express in a short review all that he has helped me with. I am running farther, stronger, and faster than ever. I have been relatively injury free and, any little twinges I may have, he immediately takes time to consider and help me with. He has tailor-made the workout weeks to not only me as an athlete (e.g. taking into account my specific tendencies and strengths, my short term and long term goals, and adjusting workouts to fit an odd 1/6 of a mile track that I do my workouts on), but also as an individual, (taking into account being a new parent, tough and busy weeks at work, etc.). He truly cares about the results of my workouts and races and always checks how things are going with my running. I genuinely love seeing the workouts pop up every week to see what is planned. He has gone above and beyond what I ever hoped a coach would be for me.
Eli Queen –
Andrew is by far the most thoughtful coach I’ve ever worked with. There is no doubt that training is 100% tailored to the individual athlete. He takes the time analize what has worked for you in the past, and where there are gains to be made. Each week is planned with great care for both where you are now, and your future goals. Andrew is extremely responsive, offering great feedback on workouts and advice on training/racing in general.
Lynn McNamara –
Andrew is an amazing coach! In just the 2 months we’ve been working together, I’m running stronger, staying injury-free (an issue in recent years), and running race times I wouldn’t have imagined possible. When I see my upcoming block of runs pop up on the calendar, it’s like a mini-Christmas. The runs and workouts Andrew creates for me are fun, tailor-made, and always seem just right effort-wise. Andrew is super nice, flexible when things come up in life that affect training, and incredibly supportive. I could go on and on!