Cesar Lira – San Francisco Running Coach
$100.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee
Helping all runners achieve their goals from 5ks to marathons! I offer proper individual training plans, so you can run to new heights!
Description
Experienced San Francisco running coach Cesar Lira works with beginners to advanced, whether you’re new to the sport taking on your first running goal, or have hit a plateau and are looking for a breakthrough race, all the way up to a marathon, Cesar is here to help. Reach out below to get started!
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 phone, unlimited text
RESPONSE TIME: Within 24 hours
LOCATION: San Francisco, CA
IN-PERSON SESSIONS: Yes, contact Cesar first to discuss location and personal needs so he can work with you to provide the right fit.
SPECIALTIES
My specialty is primarily road running from the 5k to the marathon. Whether you’re a new runner looking to race your first race, or an experienced runner looking to reach new heights, I would like to work with you.
- Advanced Runners – I currently work with athletes that belong to USATF racing clubs who compete from a mile up to the marathon. I specialize in developing individual training programs based on their abilities with a very fluid approach. I ensure that I am adjusting their load properly based on their current fitness and with the feedback they provide me. My goal is to help them achieve their goals, whether it is a short term or long-term goal.
- Novice Runners – I currently coach cross country athletes and distance track runners that are new to the sport. I work with them to develop their abilities dependent on their strength and weakness through consistency, explaining the purpose of the workouts and the importance of accountability. I believe the same principles can be applied at any experience level.
As a runner that started off as the high school athlete, later gave up on running and was a novice runner again as an adult, I understand how difficult it can be train on your own without guidance. What may work for others, may not work for you and vice versa. Let me help you achieve your goals!
PHILOSOPHY
Every individual has the potential to be great and being great isn’t measured by a specific time but more of what we want to accomplish.
- Consistency – I strongly believe that being consistent is key to improvement to achieve a desired outcome. But also, that it is important to have a fluid
approach to consistency. We all have 24 hours in a day, but those 24 hours a day are not the same for everyone. - Accountability – There will be days where we don’t want to do the work but holding ourselves accountable will help us remain committed and
consistent. - Patience – Building fitness takes time. Be patient and enjoy the journey!
- Always have fun – Running should never feel like a job (unless you’re a pro). You should enjoy lacing up your shoes, taking in the views and experiencing the amazing things this sport has to offer.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
- Assistant High School Cross Country Coach
- Distance High School Track Coach
- Private Coach for athletes
ABOUT ME
I started my running career back in high school as a kid when I joined the cross country team to get in shape for soccer season. Little did I know how much I would fall in love with the sport. An injury my freshman year of college caused me to step away from the sport which then led to mental burnout. I got back into casually running again in my late 20s.
After running several 5Ks, my wife challenged me to sign up for a half marathon in 2016. After one half marathon, I was hooked and trained for my first marathon in 2016 with hopes of qualifying for Boston. Despite fighting cramps during the race, I was able to BQ. This is what really got my running career going again. I was hooked.
Now I run competitively and continue to chase PR’s as a Master’s Runner for a local USATF running club in San Francisco. I also coach cross country and track and field at the high school level.
I enjoy giving back to kids because I recall being their age and what impact my coach had on me.
When I am not coaching and running, I love to spend time with my wife and my two shih tzus dogs Woofles and Kahlua.
BIG INFLUENCES
My biggest influence has always been my high school coach Allan Berrin. He was the reason why I fell in love with running. He taught me the importance of being consistent with my training and a being a humbled individual. No matter how well or bad I ran, he was always there to encourage me to do better as an athlete and as a person. To this date, I still incorporate a lot of the lessons he taught me as a youth with my athletes.
Another big influence has been working with current coach CJ Albertson. Learning from him has opened my eyes to new methods of training and has rejuvenated the competitive runner in me! He continues to inspire me to be a better runner, pushes me outside my comfort zone and the importance of trusting the process.
More importantly, my father has been my biggest influence. He taught me that no matter what you do in life, always work hard to achieve your goals!
RACING HISTORY
I started my racing career as an adult in my early 30s when I ran in my first half marathon. I raced the San Francisco Kaiser Half Marathon running a 1:33. I never realized how tuff it would be to try to break the 90 min barrier. After going to a few run groups, I was inspired to run my first marathon and attempt to BQ. I ran CIM in 2016 and finished with a 3:01:18. I would eventually break the 3-hour mark at Boston in 2018 within less than a minute.
In the middle of 2018, I joined the Excelsior Running Club because I wanted to get back into competitive racing. I got to train with likeminded individuals but also enjoyed the team environment. I would eventually start to have more success as a runner, breaking 17 minutes in 5k and 2:50 in the marathon.
After the pandemic, I became a master’s runner and I wanted to be more competitive racing against individuals my age. With the help of my coach, I was able to finally run a PR in the 5k that took me over 20 years to achieve running a 16:08. Additionally, I improved my half marathon time to 1:12:55 and full marathon to 2:38:28. I guess you can never be too old to achieve a new PR!
PRs
- Mile: 4:28 – 1998
- 5k: 16:02 – 2024 – Patagonia 5k
- 10k: 33:18 – 2022 – SF Kaiser 10k
- 10 mile – 54:12 – 2023 – Sactown 10
- Half marathon: 1:12:55 – 2024 Napa Valley Marathon
- Marathon: 2:38:28 – 2023 – Boston Marathon
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
- Masters Half Marathon Champion at the Napa Valley Marathon – 2022 and 2024
- USATF Pacific Association Short Series Champion (40-49) – 2022
- 2nd Place Team Member at the USATF Masters 10 Mile Championship at the Sactown 10 – 2023
- National Champion Team Member at the USATF Masters 1 Mile Championship – 2024
CONTACT CESAR
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
Vallary Muhalia –
I started working with Coach Cesar in May for my Berlin Marathon training block, and it’s been a fantastic experience. Cesar has been providing workouts that are sufficiently challenging yet achievable, helping me steadily build strength and confidence. I even hit a 2.5-minute PR in my 10K during this block!
I really appreciate the specificity and detail in Cesar’s training plans — every workout has a clear purpose. He checks in on my execution, provides real-time feedback, and in many ways is not just a coach, but also a constant cheerleader for my progress.
Even with a lot of travel during this block, Cesar was flexible and accommodating, helping me structure my training around my schedule without missing a beat. I’m optimistic and excited heading into the Berlin Marathon, and I’m looking forward to future training blocks with Cesar.
Ava Decker –
I have loved working with Cesar. He spends time adjusting my training plan depending on my schedule and any crazy things I throw on it. He is so encouraging with more faith in me than I have in myself sometimes and doesn’t stress about bad days/bad runs. He provides workouts that are both challenging and achievable and makes me so glad I have someone to do the thinking work for me so I can go out and just run. Cesar is so knowledgeable and my trust in him and his training plans has paid off in both my race times and confidence. He knows what he is doing! I’m so thankful for his support and guidance as I chase down marathon goals that I never thought I would ever get close to. Forever grateful for his encouragement, support, and love of running.
Jess Nuñez –
Cesar has helped me reach new heights in my fitness for the 5k to the marathon distance. His workouts are challenging but flexible & offer diversity while building consistency. He knows when to push and when to hold back. I would recommend to anyone who wants to work hard, reach their goals, & enjoy the ride.