Brian Comer – Portland Running Coach
From: $80.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee
25% off your first month! Holistic training to develop the whole athlete and have you smiling across the finish line no matter the size of the goal you achieved.
Description
Brian Comer is an online running coach based out of Portland, OR. His goal is to help you grow as a runner and a person through consistent training. Whether you work with him in-person or join his online team, you will get a customized training plan that includes strength training, nutrition guidance, and of course running assignments that will help you meet your goals.
*** 25% off your first month – Coupon Code: 25%comer ***
LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
TYPES: Road, Trail, Track
DISTANCES: 5k/10k/Half Marathon, Marathon, Ultra
TRAINING PLATFORM: Final Surge
TRAINING PLAN: Individual, customized training plan
COMMUNICATION: Unlimited email, unlimited text, unlimited phone
RESPONSE TIME: Within 24 hours
LOCATION: Portland, OR
IN-PERSON SESSIONS: Yes, meet anywhere within Multnomah County and Clark County for road, track, and trail runs. Options include: Instruction offered on drills, strides, and stretching, or runs together such as easy runs and hill repeats, or Q &A offered on pacing, race prep and strategy, nutrition, training phases, mental training, strength training/cross training, and gear. Instruction and Q&A dependent on needs of the athlete. Please reach out to Coach Brian if interested.
SPECIALTIES
- Works with beginner to advanced runners looking to maximize their potential, whether that is to complete a new distance for the first time or are looking to run a BQ.
- Track, road, and trail experience at distances from 800 meters-marathon.
- Nutrition strategies for race day and beyond, with specific race day nutrition experience in marathons and overnight relays.
- Experience in injury prevention and rehabilitation.
- Offers guidance on warmup/cooldown routines along with strength training and cross training as applicable.
PHILOSOPHY
Whether a competitive runner or a casual runner, consistency is key to conquer your goals. My emphasis as coach is to get you to the starting line not only fit, but also healthy and injury-free. We will pay specific attention to injury prevention and management and utilizing cross training activities as applicable, so you come back stronger and swifter. While consistency is key, sometimes life happens and things don’t go as planned. I’m always willing to be flexible and help navigate the highs and lows of this journey. No matter your previous running experience or how big or small a goal, you’ll receive hands-on feedback and motivation with full investment in your growth as both a runner and person.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Athletes I’ve coached recently have gone on to accomplish goals such as setting personal bests at distances from 5k-half marathon and finishing a marathon for the first time. I have received positive feedback and fostered a love for the sport from all runners I’ve previously coached. I coached middle school cross country and track for 2 years at Seattle Country Day School in Seattle, Washington. In addition, I had 1-on-1 coaching experience over the summer after first starting at SCDS with one athlete, who went on to have their best cross country season while at SCDS following my mentoring. I also served as youth head coach and assistant coach for cross country in Vancouver, Washington and Northwest Portland, Oregon in Fall 2020. And additionally, I have been the track and field youth head coach for Vancouver, Washington in Winter/Spring 2021 and Northwest Portland in Fall 2021, in addition to as the track and field assistant coach for Southeast Portland in Spring 2021.
ABOUT ME
I grew up in Sammamish, Washington and attended Eastside Catholic High School. While I didn’t start running until 8th grade, I played everything from basketball, baseball, soccer, and tennis before that. When I broke my finger at basketball tryouts sophomore year, I started running year-round as a result to stay in shape and train for track, and that was when I started labelling myself a runner. I went on to compete collegiately at Seattle Pacific University and Multnomah University. Aside from running, I enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities like hiking and skiing and often volunteer at trail work parties to pursue my passion for the environment. You may still often find me at the tennis court on a nice day or in the gym playing a game of pickup basketball. There’s nothing more soothing to me than cooking myself a nice meal. I also am probably the biggest anime nerd you’ve ever met.
BIG INFLUENCES
My collegiate coach Corey Mehl has been a major personal influence. After battling a slew of injuries in my undergrad collegiate career, I went to a new school and new system in which I bought into the training and was able to return to a level that I thought I could only dream to return to. I incorporate parts of that program into my coaching while also borrowing more mainstream, popularized training ideas like the aerobic emphasis from Lydiard and the multi-pace and critical velocity training of both Coe and Tinman. My coaching offers the whole package and whether out on the road or in the gym, you’ll get the training stimulus you need in order to grow and develop.
RACING HISTORY
I ran on varsity all four years of high school in both cross country and track, scoring as the 1,2, or 3 runner each race of high school cross country. At Seattle Pacific, where I obtained my bachelor’s degree, I competed at the conference championships in cross country four times and regional championships two times. Also I competed at the indoor and outdoor track conference championships two times each. While I only had track eligibility at Multnomah, I brought the program to new heights as I was the school’s first ever qualifier for NAIA Nationals in any sport, qualifying for the marathon at Outdoor Nationals in both of my years on the team. I graduated with my master’s degree April 2019 and left with school records indoors at 5k and in anchoring the distance medley relay as well as outdoors in both the 10k and half marathon. When I anchored 7th place relay team at the 2021 Sunflower Relay, I ran a time that would have won the Sunflower Half Marathon by 5 minutes. Finally, I was part of the 4th place team at the 2021 Cascade Lakes Relay.
Other Notable Races:
- 6th place 2023 PNTF XC Championships
- 32nd place 2023 USATF PNW XC Regional Championships
- 129th place 2023 USATF Club XC National Championships
- 5th place 2023 USATF PNW Half Marathon Championship/ Redmond Harvest Half
- 9th place 2023 Bowerman 5K
- Rock and Roll Washington Half Marathon PR of1:12:42. 5th overall chip and gun time, 1st non-elite
- Part of the 4th place overall, 3rd place team in the Open Mixed Division for the 2022 Cascade Lakes Relay
- 4th place 2022 BATH Half Marathon
- 1st place 2022 Linfield Jenn Boyman 5k
- 1st place 2022 Pacific Luau 10K
- 25th place 2022 NCAA D2 Pre-Nationals Open Race
- 13th place 2022 PNTF XC Championships
- 11th place 2022 USATF PNW XC Regional Championships
- 223rd place 2022 USATF Club XC National Championships
CERTIFICATIONS
- USATF Level 1
- USOC SafeSport certified
- Essential Elements of Running Certification from RunDNA
- Altis Certified (Coaching the Endurance Events)
PRs
- 1500: 4:20.50 (Puget Sound Five Way 3/7/15)
- Mile: 4:44.91 (UW Indoor Open 2/14/16)
- 3000: 9:01.64 (Rose City Preview 3/21/15)
- 5K: 15:06 (Bowerman 5K 8/5/23)
- 10K: 31:39.00 (L&C Larry Byerly Invitational 4/13/24)
- Half Marathon: 1:09:49 (Redmond Harvest Half Marathon 9/4/23)
CONTACT BRIAN
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.
PUBLICATIONS
- Rowing for Runners
- Redmond Harvest Half Marathon Race Report – 9/4/23
- Bowerman 5k Race Report – 8/5/23
- Marathon Fueling: What to eat during your Marathon
- What is Base Building for Runners?
- Rock n’ Roll Washington Half Marathon – 9/4/22
- The Best Running Playlists
- Portland 5k and 8k Shamrock Race Reports – 3/13/22
- Should I Buy Specialty Running Socks?
- BATH (Bill Aronson Track Half) Marathon – 2/12/22
- Cascade Lakes Relay – 7/30/21
- Sunflower Marathon, Half Marathon, and Relay Race Report – 4/24/21
- Setting Goals During Covid
- Incorporating Strength Training into Running during the Coronavirus Pandemic
- A Guide to Overnight Relays
- Sports Psychology and Meditation: The Power of Visualization
SOCIAL
andriaamaya –
Seven months working with Brian, I’m working out almost daily and jogging further than I have before: so grateful to be working with Brian!
Andria Amaya Giorgi –
Brian is the first running coach I have worked with online. I appreciate Brian’s ongoing encouragement and ability to meet me where I am at in developing a running program.
Kyle –
I’ve been working with Brian for a couple months now and he has been fantastic. Very detailed in previewing training weeks, always willing to provide clarifying information, and incredibly quick to respond to comments/questions! I look forward to continuing to work with him through the buildup to a upcoming half marathon race! This is my first time using a running coach so I wasn’t to sure what to expect but Brian has certainly exceeded expectations!
Casey Wilson –
Around a month into working with Coach Brian and my first time being coached. I came in after a long block at very high mileage (average almost 90 per week over 20 weeks) on my worst marathon performance in years. This is my first time working with a coach. What has happened in that month is that he has dissected my previous training and very quickly determined my weaknesses and built them in to my current training. I am feeling and running faster than ever already at lower heart rates. My weight lifting is already at new heights too. I can’t wait to see how far we will get this season together. Highly recommend!
zamir –
Fantastic experience with Brian so far! Prior to working with Brian, my half-Marathon PR was 1:55 which I think I can crash easily (prepping for RnR Arizona). Personally, it’s not about PR, but the experience/learning I’m getting with Brian. He is v v knowledgeable, cares about my progress, detailed, and disciplined. You can’t go wrong!
Charles Coughlin –
Brian has been amazing! I had ran a half marathon a few years before, but got injured soon afterwards. For the next three years, I struggled with injuries when trying to build my mileage back up again. Someone recommended this company and that’s where I found Brian. He has totally revamped my training so that I have since completed two more half marathons and am now working on a marathon! He is great at working with my schedule and pushing me harder than I thought I could go, all without developing an injury. I had a few IT band and mild muscle strain concerns come up, but he adjusted my training and helped me work through them stronger than before and with increased confidence! I strongly recommend Brian to help anyone achieve their running goals!