Lindsey Funch – Manchester Running Coach
From: $150.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee
Offering individualized training based on current fitness, lifestyle, and goals. I’m here to motivate and get you where you want to be!
Description
Improve your running with Manchester running coach Lindsey Funch. Based near Manchester, NH, Lindsey is a certified running coach here to help you hit your personal running goals such as a new PR, a BQ, or an OTQ. She works with beginners to advanced runners, wherever you are in your running journey, she’ll meet you there.
LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
TYPES: Road, Track, Trail
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: Merrimack, NH
IN-PERSON SESSIONS: No, online coaching only
SPECIALTIES
I enjoy working with runners of all abilities and walks of life. Whether a runner’s goal is to run an OTQ, a Boston Qualifier, or to finish their first 5k, I am excited to challenge and motivate any and every athlete to reach those goals. My specialties are on the road, from 5k to marathon, but I have experience on the track and trails as well. I also place a big emphasis on health and injury prevention. I want to help my runners stay injury free, so that they can enjoy running for life.
While I am Durham-based, I’ve lived throughout the USA and am excited to work with you wherever you are located.
PHILOSOPHY
No runner is the same, so no training or race buildup should look the same for each runner. I believe that a coach is someone who will bring effective and proven methods to an athlete’s training, but more importantly, will be a sounding board and support system. As coaches, we do our best to keep our athletes on track to reach their goals, give them a push when they need it, and pull them back when necessary. My main focus for all of my athletes is on consistency. The only way to improve and reach big running goals is to keep showing up.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
From 2015-2016, I began coaching at the middle school level in cross country and track. I coached the Eugene Running Company’s marathon/half marathon team from 2017-2019 as well as their Couch to 5k/beginner group. These teams are both comprised of runners with a variety of abilities, goals, and life/work commitments, so I feel comfortable training any athlete, from the novice runner to the advanced runner with lofty goals. I have coached many first time marathoners to finishes, and have coached several runners to Boston qualifying times.
ABOUT ME
A native Vermonter, I have lived in New York State, Oregon, Durham, NC, and now reside in Merrimack, NH. I recently spent years managing a running specialty shop in Durham, the Bull City Running Co., so I got to spend my days helping people find proper footwear, and talk about racing, nutrition, and training.
When I’m not running or coaching, I really enjoy jigsaw puzzles, and love hiking and camping with my husband Chris and our dog, Cheddar. My other passion is baking (and then eating what I’ve baked).
BIG INFLUENCES
- Megan and David Roche
- Arthur Lydiard
- Jack Daniels
- Renato Canova
I also consider myself a student of the sport, so I love to learn about new and old training philosophies.
RACING HISTORY
- 13 time Boston Qualifier
- Division III collegiate Track and Field at St. Lawrence University (NY): specialized in the 400m and 800m
CERTIFICATIONS
- USATF Level 1 Coach
- RRCA Level 1 Running Coach
- ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist
- UESCA Running Coach Certification (in progress)
- Former ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist
- Masters Degree – Exercise Science
PRs
- Marathon: 2:58:06 – Richmond Marathon (11/13/21)
- Half Marathon: 1:24:24 (Wilmington, 2021)
- 10k: 41:07 – Scandia Run (8/11/18)
- 5k: 19:55 – OTC 5k (6/14/18)
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
- 1st Place Female: Daufuskie Island Marathon 2021
- 1st Place Female: Florence Half Marathon (2018 & 2019)
- 2nd Place Female: Onward Shay Boise Marathon (2018)
- 1st Place Female: Pacific Crest Endurance Festival 28k Trail Race (2017)
CONTACT LINDSEY
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
Jennifer –
This is my first time working with a running coach. I talked to a few qualified coaches and Lindsey was hands down my first choice. She is knowledgeable, professional, supportive, flexible and encouraging. She has already taught me so much about various workouts and I am seeing improvements! I have a few running goals left and I have no doubt I will meet (possibly exceed) these goals with Lindsey’s coaching!
She is responsive and willing to answer all of my crazy questions! She created varied workouts so that I could challenge myself and learn how to be a better runner!
Lindsey is a rock star!
Kaitlyn –
This is the first time I am using a running coach and I am so glad I did. Lindsey is awesome! I have had some different scheduling issues pop up and Lindsey has been so accommodating and helped arrange my schedule to fit my needs. Being relatively new to running, I really appreciate the details and explanation Lindsey provides for my workouts. She provides great feedback and is awesome with answering any questions I have. I love having Lindsey as my coach and cannot recommend her enough!
Peggy Jennings –
This is the first time I have gotten help from a running coach and I can’t say enough good things about Lindsey. She is very motivating, inspiring, and always willing to jump on a call to talk about how things are going. My training schedule is consistent, full of details, and easy to follow. I really like the platform they use- Final Surge has been great, especially in keeping the communication line open with Lindsey. I would highly recommend her and I’m looking forward to being ready for my first 50 miler! Thanks for all your support and help, Lindsey!!
Michelle –
Lindsey is the best coach I could ever ask for! She meets me right where I’m at, is super understanding that training requires flexibility, and is a rock for me. Absolutely adore her and I’m seeing results in only 2 months!!!
Cara OBrien –
I have enjoyed working with Lindsey over the last few months. This is the first time I’ve worked with a coach, and it’s really nice to have someone specifying training to my goals and abilities and making adjustments based on my performance. It’s also been helpful to have her accommodate my variable work schedule into my training. Lindsey is super responsive to any questions, or last minute needs to adjust my workouts. She also offers an in-person run for those of us who are local, which I think is great.
Landon Grindheim –
This is my first time working with a coach and Lindsey has been fantastic. She’s responsive, tailors workouts to my needs and is really encouraging. I absolutely recommend working with Lindsey!
Don Fox –
I echo all of the great reviews here. Lindsey is helping me to train for (hopefully) a Boston qualifying time in a few months. I’ve enjoyed working with her!
brett weisband –
I’ve been working with Lindsey for a few months now and she’s been incredible. I was looking for a coach who could help me on my recovery from a recurring soft tissues injury, and Lindsey has guided me through the ups and downs of recovery so wonderfully. When I want to panic because I feel a twinge, she keeps it cool and helps me to get through it. Her workouts and guidance both keep me from overdoing it and push me. I’m having a blast with my training and working with Lindsey. Looking forward to getting into racing and seeing what we can accomplish together!
Michael Hieatt –
I started looking into getting a running coach to get back to running after a short break from the sport. I spoke to several coaches, including Lindsey and ended up signing up with her. After just a couple of months in, I’m very happy with my choice. She has been very good about adjusting my workouts around my hectic schedule. She is always available for questions (and I usually have plenty). When I get down on my self after a bad run or workout, she helps me find at least 1 positive from it to keep me motivated and learning. I had certain race time goals going in to this, but my main goal was to get where I enjoyed going out for runs and so far she has accomplished that!! My previous run program was self-guided and consisted of going out and doing the same kind of run all of the time. Lindsey does a great job of mixing up the types of runs in order to continually foster improvement and confidence. I would highly recommend Team Run Run and especially Lindsey!
Anne_H –
I’ve been working with Lindsey for about two months now and I’m so glad to have her be a part of my marathon training story! She’s flexible, communicative, understanding and is patient with all of my many questions. I’m excited to get into the full training cycle because I know I’m in good hands. This is my first marathon, so the nerves are already kicking in. It’s such a relief to have Lindsey there to ask questions, be a sounding board and workout planner. Highly recommend!
Kate Newman –
Working with Lindsey has been fabulous! She’s super knowledgeable and knows when and how to reign me back in and push me. She’s been very flexible and adaptable allowing my training to grow with me. I highly recommend working with Lindsey!
Kate Wilhelmi –
I can’t say enough positive things about working with Lindsey as my running coach. A chance encounter and a specific marathon PR goal led me to her and I’m so thankful for life’s timing and the way small moments can really have a big impact! From our initial conversation, I feel like Lindsey just ‘gets’ my goals and understands the things that motivate me in a workout and, somehow, knows how to push me even though she’s not physically present during my runs. Accountability, structure, feedback, encouragement, and consistency are key for me in life and running and Lindsey is all of these and more! Cannot recommend her enough if you’re thinking about taking a leap and hiring a running coach. I’m so glad I did.
Riva Johnson –
My goals were not your typical ones as I want to run a marathon in all 50 states. My plan was to run one about every month sometimes more often than that. When I started with Lindsey, she was very excited and up for the challenge . I told her the most important thing was for me to stay healthy on my journey. I have now run four marathons in 9 weeks and feel great. Lindsey gives me the rest I need but gets me back to training as quickly as possible. She is great about answering questions, adjusting the schedule when I throw an extra race in or take one out and providing the support and encouragement I need. I am so pleased that I went with a six month package rather than continue with the month to month I started with. Looking forward to continuing my journey with Lindsey’s support and guidance.
Alexie Riofrio –
Lindsey is awesome! Despite only working together for a few months, I am already significantly faster than I’ve ever been despite running distances I haven’t run in years. She’s highly knowledgeable, flexible, communicative, and encouraging. I highly recommend anyone work with Lindsey (and have already sung her praises to multiple friends)!
Emma Herrera –
I’m halfway through my training and have loved working with Lindsey! She is super flexible and open to answering all my questions. Super excited to keep working with her
Richard Larison –
This may be one of the most indulgent things I’ve done for myself. I have a hard time spending money on fitness, non the less I’m glad I did it. Lindsey is a kind, supportive, communicative, and helpful coach. Make Lindsey your coach.
It’s a huge load off to let someone else deal with my training. Life’s busy and as a somewhat new-ish runner I don’t have the expertise to easily develop my own training programs. I’ve tried following algorithmic, video, self-made, etc… programs but generally end up hurting myself. There’s real value in having an actual human with expertise design a responsive program for me. The past 4 months I’ve ran with confidence and have seen some real gains in performance. Running has been more fun, less scary, and more satisfying.
Christine Dewelde –
I hired Lindsey to help me train for a half marathon. She was very detailed with my training, first helping me build a good base, then included hills, speedwork and strength training. I am an amateur runner so much of the workouts and terminology were new to me. Lindsey was very patient with me in her explanations and kept the workouts varied and fun. She was also very flexible with my training when I had a slight injury and was very conscious of how I was feeling. Lindsey was available to answer questions in the software we used to track my progress or via text which was great because I feel like I had access to her whenever I need to. I would definitely hire her again for my next race.
Michael Pittman –
After running no more than 6-7 miles a week for the past 10 years, I signed up for a half-marathon that was 4 months away and quickly realized I needed help! As a 50 year old, I was worried about getting injured while preparing for the race. I also realized I had a million questions: How should I train? How’s my running form? What gear should I buy? What should I eat before, during, and after the race? Enter Lindsey Funch—the perfect coach! Her enthusiasm and love for running is infectious. She’s equal parts experienced mentor and inspiring cheerleader—whether you’re training for a race or just trying to get into shape, with Lindsey you’ll feel like you’re part of a team and will have an amazing resource to go to for anything running related. Highly recommended.
Amy Robbins –
Working with Coach Lindsey has been wonderful and I’ve been able to see vast improvement in a short time!
I’ve been running for over 10 years and have used cookie cutter training plans for my races and did ok on them but I decided to get a coach this time and give it a try. If I had known working with a coach would help me this much this fast, I would have used a coach years ago!
Lindsey offers great workouts and encouraging responses but also great constructive advice to help improve. She listens to what I’m aiming for and plans accordingly. She designs the workouts to be challenging but not overwhelming where you feel discouraged but enough that you know you’re gaining strength and speed.
Kathryn Pribble –
I feel very lucky to be working with Lindsey. She is a wonderful coach! I was feeling stuck in my training and had difficulty finding the motivation to keep working toward new PR’s. Hiring Lindsey as my coach has made all the difference! She is energetic, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and very generous with her time and feedback. She has helped me work through and find solutions to problems related to my running (tracking down and identifying the factors that led to feeling better or worse during specific runs; injury prevention), some of which have been bothering me for years. With her help, I’m feeling more optimistic and excited about my training than I have in a long time. I would highly recommend Lindsey to anyone who is looking for a running coach!
Steve Heaps –
Lindsey is a fantastic coach; I highly recommend her. She has been my coach for five months and has worked me through two race cycles. I set PRs in six different distances raced under Lindsey’s coaching, ranging from the 800 and mile on the track to a half marathon. I have enjoyed the training plans and in particular, the speed/hard days where she provides challenging and interesting workouts, many that are new to me. She also is good at reigning me in, to take easy weeks and rest days, which is something I am not good at doing myself. That has helped a lot with training and achieving results.
Upfront, Lindsey asked questions to get to know me and my goals. Throughout our time together, she continues to ask questions, listen to my responses and incorporates what is needed into my workout schedule. She has been a great personality fit, nice person with a sense of humor and very confident, providing good feedback.
She introduced me to some core exercises that addressed hip/glute fatigue I have experienced for a few years on longer runs. She provided feedback on my running metrics (e.g., cadence, GCT, vertical oscillation) to help me run more efficiently. Recently she has been helping me with the mental aspect, working with me to get stronger here.
Lindsey has good availability, always when I need it and we have had calls to discuss specific items and overall strategy for training. I like that Lindsey has a plan in mind for the entire year, cycles within the year, weeks within the cycles and the workouts during the week.
I definitely know I am in capable hands based on the workouts she has provided over our time together and the results she has coached me to achieve. I am excited for the next race phase as we focus on a big marathon PR.
Stacey Snyder –
Overall, Lindsey is a great coach. She’s responsive and timely. In the beginning I found myself a bit injured from starting up running after having not run for so long. Lindsey worked with me to adjust my training schedule and help me keep active and not lose ground as I healed. She also is knowledgeable about local resources. I’m not a beginning runner, but I’m a late-40’s back-of-the pack slower runner who has come back to it after many years of haphazard running.
It was nice to find someone who could help me get back to running regularly without feeling like I was simply doing a generic couch to 5K program. It’s nice to have something tailored to me and where I am in my own running journey. When I signed up with Lindsey, I also requested a cheerleader attitude versus a drill Sargent attitude, and she’s been great about that. I like that I have someone cheering me on and encouraging me versus beating me with a stick for motivation.
John Darnielle –
First time using a running coach — even under quarantine Lindsay finds a way to make it work! Quick to respond, attentive to individual needs (I love long runs and she knows it), goal-oriented and adaptable. She is great!
Michelle Massaquoi –
I’ve been working with Coach Lindsey Funch for ~2 years and am very happy with my first personal running coach experience. Without her expertise, I wouldn’t have been prepared for, nor enjoyed, completing my first trail run marathon. Additionally, Lindsey is a wonderful listener to my running concerns and changes my workouts depending on my goals (ie increasing the speed of my natural pace, getting more patient running on the trails & cross training for overall fitness). I’ve learned a lot about runnning (and my running abilities) by working with Lindsey and highly recommend her.
Jenny Kruger –
I have been training with Lindsey for 2 months, so we are just getting started. When I joined Team Run Run I was balancing a tricky recovery period in between three back-to-back half marathons. Lindsey immediately jumped in with a plan to balance recovery with priming for each performance. Having her expertise and encouragement gave me the confidence in my training program and allowed me to PR in my final race. Throughout the process Lindsey has been positive and accessible. She has tailored the training to the feedback I have provided her. So far I have been pleased with the variety of workouts and the balance of recovery. I recommend to Lindsey to anyone who wants to try coaching for the first time.
Jack Mignosa –
Addendum to review 10/31/2020:
Would like to add an addendum to my first comment. Quite excited to share that this morning I ran my first race under Lindsey. A Virtual marathon. Lindsey coached me to an all time marathon personal best in the first 3 months as my coach. I can’t fully express how excited I am! I ran my fastest marathon EVER! 3 weeks from turning 50!
I haven’t seen a PR in years. I could not have done that without her coaching.
Original review 10/19/2020:
Lindsey is an amazing coach. She is energetic and enthusiastic and very encouraging. Since enlisting her help I am starting to get very excited to compete again. Best thing that has happened with my running in years. I’m running better and with more confidence than I have in 10 years.
I absolutely love her scheduling. Her workouts are varied and challenging. She analyzes all of my workouts and has great feedback. She has also always been very accessible.
Lindsey is very knowledgeable about the many facets of running. She’s helped me with shoes , nutrition, and goal planning just to name a few.
I hope to have her coaching me for years to come.
I’m not a typical runner either. I wasn’t sure I’d find a coach that was a great fit. I run what most would consider high mileage and I have lofty but vague goals. I think Lindsey is a perfect fit. With her coaching I believe I will nail down and then reach my goals.
Couldn’t be happier ????
Stephanie Collett –
Finding a running coach was the best decision I could have made to help improve my running! Lindsey has been very supportive since day 1 and worked really hard to find out what my overall running goals were so she could tailor a program for me!! Highly recommended!!
Lucy Fagundes –
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Cheryl Flagg –
This is my first time working with a coach and I am very pleased to have found Lindsey. I am already feeling stronger and confident. She is responsive to all questions and concerns. Having a coach is the best.