Brian Locher – Seattle Running Coach
From: $115.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee
50% off your 1st month! 50% off your first month! Brian is an award-winning coach who will help you unlock your full running potential with personalized training that delivers real results!
Description
Seattle running coach Brian Locher works with runners of all abilities, 5k up to the marathon, with a focus on crafting personalized workouts, and preventing injury through strength and conditioning, and improved running gait.
*** 50% off First Month for month-to-month Coaching – Coupon Code: 50%locher***
LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
TYPES: Road
DISTANCES: 5k/10k/Half Marathon, Marathon
TRAINING PLATFORM: Final Surge
TRAINING PLAN: Individual, customized training plan
COMMUNICATION: Unlimited email, unlimited text
RESPONSE TIME: Within 24 hours
LOCATION: Seattle, WA
IN-PERSON SESSIONS: Yes! Inquire with Brian.
SPECIALTIES
I specialize in creating personalized training programs for runners of all ages and abilities, whether you’re aiming to improve or race for the first time, from 5K to marathon.
With 18 years of experience in coaching, and teaching exercise science, I’ve developed a comprehensive approach to coaching that focuses on the whole runner. This means I will help you improve not just through running, but also by strengthening your body, preventing injuries, improving your running form, and boosting your mental game—all to help you become a more efficient, confident, and successful runner.
My 1:1 Coaching Includes:
- FREE 30-minute Zoom consultation.
- Individualized weekly coaching including training adjustments.
- Access to unlimited texts, calls or email communication.
- Video analysis of runner biomechanics and methods for improvement.
- Demonstration and script of injury prevention drills.
- Personalized strength and conditioning circuit.
- Application of mental performance techniques and race preparation.
PHILOSOPHY
I’ve learned that the greatest performance gains come from a strong athlete-coach partnership. When you trust the training, progress is inevitable. To ensure we achieve your goals, I take the time to understand your running history, past injuries, achievements, training background, future aspirations, and how your work/life balance plays a role.
With clear communication and your commitment to consistent training, we can achieve even your most ambitious goals.
As a coach, I don’t prescribe to “high mileage” or “increasing intensity” as the cure-all fix to running achievement. I will make a customized training plan based on your life, interests and abilities. And, just like life there will be adjustments along the way, and a progression to your training.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
I’ve had the privilege of coaching a wide range of athletes, from Olympic hopefuls and Boston Marathon qualifiers to beginners taking on their first 5K. Most of my coaching experience has been at the college level including roles as a graduate assistant coach at Chico State University and California Polytechnic State University, and 15 years at Cuesta Community College. I’ve also worked with youth runners and have experience in online coaching. Each opportunity has been rewarding and brought its own unique learning experiences.
ABOUT ME
Parks, exercise and date night! My wife and I enjoy taking our toddler son to experience new parks, playgrounds sensory experiences around the Seattle area. Being a father is an awesome experience. There is no greater love.
In my downtime I enjoy exercising, mostly running and strength work, and am currently in training for a half marathon and the USATF Club XC Championships. My wife and I enjoy trying new restaurants, the tranquility of a foot spa or even an evening on the Lake.
BIG INFLUENCES
In essence, my athletes have been my greatest teachers. When coaching runners became my passion, I immersed myself in the study of training theory, learning from experts like Jack Daniels, Steve Magness, Mihaly Igloi, Peter Coe, The Norwegian Method, and Arthur Lydiard. While understanding the physiology of training is crucial, applying that knowledge in the real world is an entirely different challenge. Many of my athletes are everyday people, balancing 40-hour work weeks and family life with disrupted training schedules. It was through this context that I honed my strength in the art of applied knowledge. I observed my peers, sought guidance from mentors like Gary Towne, Mark Conover, and Joe Rubio, and—most importantly—listened to and learned from my athletes. Their experiences and feedback have been invaluable in shaping my coaching approach. Additionally, my work as an instructor in Kinesiology, Health Science, and Strength and Conditioning at Cuesta Community College has profoundly influenced my coaching philosophy, further deepening my understanding of human performance.
RACING HISTORY
My modest racing history began in 6th grade when my friends and I would run around our middle school track for extra credit in class. I ran through high school and qualified to the CA, State Championships in XC and Track at my local community college. I continued racing at the University of Chico where our team qualified to their first NCAA Championships in nearly 20 years.
After a break from competitive running for a couple years I began training again as a graduate student while at Cal Poly in 2005. I ran all of my PR’s from 1500-13.1 miles between the ages of 29-31. In addition to my racing I have been the event director for the City to the Sea Half Marathon & 5K and Castle to the Coast for over 15 years.
My PR’s:
- 800 – 1:55
- 1500 – 3:58
- 3K – 8:40
- 5K – 14:54
- Half Marathon – 1:11
CERTIFICATIONS
- Master’s Degree in Kinesiology, Emphasis in Coaching and Sports Studies
- CPR/First Aid Certified.
- Certified in Mental Health First Aid.
- USATF Level 2 Endurance Coach.
- USTFCCCA Track and Field Academy, Sports Psychology, and Injury Management.
- USTFCCCA Track and Field Academy, Program Management, and Weight Training.
- Online Teaching and Coaching Certified, 2018.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
- 3C2A, California Women’s Track & Field/Cross Country State Coach of the Year – 2011 and 2022.
- Western State Conference Coach of the Year: 2008, 2010, 2011, 2 x 2016, 2021, 2022.
- Coached 12 State Champions, 36 All-Americans, and 57 Conference Champions in XC and T&F.
- Coached 21 Cuesta College School Records and 5 NJCAA National Leaders.
- Coached the Olympic Distance Triathlon, Collegiate Club National Champion, 2010.
- Coach for the Guatemalan Olympic Committee at the Central American and Caribbean Games.
- Multi-time Boston Marathon qualifier coach.
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.
SOCIAL
Kimberly –
Brian has been great to work with! I came to him after feeling some burnout with high mileage from marathon training and wanting to focus on shorter distances and getting faster.
He provided challenging and easy to follow workout plans and made adjustments where needed. I saw improvements in my fitness and in my mindset – his workouts helped me focus less on miles and more on time on feet/time of effort.
He checks in regularly and is encouraging and knowledgeable! I look forward to working with him more in the future!
Dulce Esquivel –
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Brian Locher as my running coach, and I can confidently say he is exceptional at what he does. From the very beginning, his approach stood out for being both personalized and incredibly effective. He took the time to assess my goals, my current fitness level, and any potential limitations, then tailored a training plan that was challenging yet achievable.
One of the things that sets Brian apart is his deep understanding of running mechanics and his ability to explain them in a way that’s easy to understand. He’s not just about pushing you to run faster or farther; he focuses on building a solid foundation—strength, form, and endurance—so that your progress is sustainable and injury-free.
His communication is always top-notch. He’s quick to offer feedback after each session, whether it’s a quick check-in message or detailed notes on how to improve a particular aspect of my form or pacing. What I appreciate most is his positivity and encouragement. No matter how tough a workout gets, he has a way of keeping me motivated and focused on the bigger picture.
Thanks to Brian’s coaching, I’ve seen consistent improvements in my race times and have developed a much stronger understanding of my body and its needs. If you’re looking for a coach who is not only knowledgeable but also genuinely invested in your success, I highly recommend Brian Locher. He’s a game changer.
Christine –
My experience working with Brian has been really great. I had never worked with a running coach before and honestly I was a little skeptical, especially being someone who runs for enjoyment and wasn’t really sure what my goals were. Brian has been extremely patient with me and supportive through the whole process. He really listened to me when I was struggling and was able to tweak plans based on how my body was feeling. His running plan and guidance helped me feel really proud of myself as I felt my body get stronger without injury.
Jonathan –
Brian has been great to work with. He tailors plans to my needs and fitness level. In addition, he checks in on a regular basis to ensure we are on the same page as to training and future race plans. I have really enjoyed working with Brian and look forward to how he can continue to help in the future.
Kevin –
I started training with Brian to get myself back to running fast, something I hadn’t focused on in years.
Brian gave me straightforward plans that were easy to follow and challenging. He was very encouraging as I initially struggled to start running fast again.
With Brian’s help, I was able become more comfortable with the exercises and I began to see my speed increase.
Throughout training, Brian has checked in regularly and given me feedback. He’s also made sure to check in on my physical health. He was able to adjust my schedule and provide exercises to help manage a foot injury.
I’ve really appreciated his support and am looking forward to continuing training with him.