Mark Yarvis – Portland Running Coach
50% off your 1st month! UESCA-certified road and trail running coach (5K – Marathon). Straightforward and consistent running that lasts a lifetime.
$75.00 / month
Running Coach Description
I’m Coach Mark. I’m a Portland-based UESCA-certified running coach, and an avid runner and triathlete.
Reaching your running goals should be enjoyable and rewarding. Getting and staying fit shouldn’t be puzzling or frustrating. Let’s take the guesswork out of training.
Whether you are struggling to get started, get past a plateau, run sustainably, or hit your goals, I’m here to help! Let’s work together to create a purpose-driven, week-by-week customized and personalized plan that fits into your life.
My monthly coaching plan includes:
- Assistance in goal setting
- Personalized custom training plans
- On demand communication
- Periodic phone or video check-ins
- Strategies for fueling, mental strength, and strength and flexibility
- Form analysis (via video), as needed
You pick the services you want!
*** 50% off your First Month for month-to-month Run Only Coaching – Coupon Code: 50%myarvis ***
Specialties
I’m excited to help anyone reach their running goals, but I’m especially focused on
- Road and trail running
- 5K to Marathon distances
- Master’s athletes (35 and up)
- Returning to run after a pause, injury, or illness
- Planning for a lifetime of running
- Data and science driven coaching
Philosophy
If you move with a purpose, you are an athlete.
** Success comes from a few key principles
“Consistency” – Progress comes, not from a single all-important workout, but from incremental improvement over time. Progressive overload, while avoiding injury, is the key.
“Embrace the process” – Your training plan is specifically designed for you, your goals, your lifestyle, and your current fitness level. The process itself should be enjoyable and rewarding. Focus on your goals and your own reason to run.
“Succeed or Learn” – You have to push your boundaries to grow. You never succeed at anything you haven’t tried. And yet, if you never fail, you’re probably not setting hard enough goals. Failure is our best opportunity to learn and try again.
** Your workout program will be driven by these principles
“Strength, then endurance, then speed” – Strength is a fundamental building block upon which endurance is built. And speed is built on top. Your program will incorporate all three, but will focus on one at a time.
“Recovery is training” – You don’t make gains while training. Gains come when your body recovers and adapts, while resting.
“Purpose driven” – Whether running, cross training, weight training, or resting, each activity has a purpose. Your program will specify both WHAT to do, but also WHY you are doing it.
“Data driven approach” – The most effective training will be based on scientifically tested methods and your measured response to training.
Coaching Experience
I have spent many years informally coaching my friends, colleagues, and children. After my retirement as a software engineer, I decided to take coaching more seriously.
I received my UESCA coaching certification in 2025 and started coaching professionally. Since then, I’ve been helping runners reach their running goals. The runners that I support have truly amazed me.
About Me
I grew up swimming and cycling. Running came into my life in my 40’s, when my career left me overweight and out of shape.
I started from scratch, with no real running experience. I just found a pair of shoes and put one foot in front of the other. I made all the typical mistakes, and I learned my lessons the hard way.
Along the way, I re-acquainted myself with swimming and cycling. The obvious next step was Triathlon. Over time, I’ve competed in roughly 100 individual running races, running relays, Triathlons, and Duathlons.
Over time, friends and co-workers noticed what I was doing, and a few joined me. I used my experience to help them avoid the mistakes I had made.
My children gave me the biggest opportunity to lead by example. As they grew, they too became strong swimmers, bikers, runners, and eventually Triathletes. This was a humbling process, as they quickly became faster that I was. But I found it so rewarding to see them find the joy of movement and become lifelong athletes. Over time, they found their own sports dreams. Most importantly, they learned that jumping into something new doesn’t have to be scary, and with practice comes reward.
Upon retirement from my main career, I decided to help others become lifelong athletes as well.
Big Influences
Des Linden and Kara Goucher (Nobody Asked Us): For being real, and demonstrating that even professional athletes have fears and setbacks to overcome.
Deena Kastor: For demonstrating that mental reframing can change the game
Dr. Nicole Detling: For opening my eyes to mental training
Race History
I may not be fast, but I have a lot of racing experience: roughly 100 running races (5K to marathon) and triathlons (sprint and olympic distance).
My most fun moments have been helping my kids train for and complete their first triathlons. I’ve also enjoyed my time as team captain of 6 relay race teams, particularly the Hood to Coast 196 mile relay.
Certifications
UESCA Certified Run Coach
Personal Records
- 5K: 25:43 (7/4/2017) 5 on the 4th
- 10K: 51:26 (9/23/2017) Best Dam Run
- Half Marathon: 1:59:16 (10/8/2017) Portland Half Marathon
- Sprint Triathlon: 1:22:53 (9/9/2017) Best in the West Triathlon
- Olympic Triathlon: 3:01:29 (8/17/2019) Columbia River Triathlon
Publications
- Getting the Most out of Your Running Coach
- Running Easy
- Returning to Run
- Getting Motivated to Run
- Ready to Tri?
Contact Mark
3 reviews for Mark Yarvis – Portland Running Coach
Dana N. –
Mark is a great coach. He understands the mechanics and science behind running. He can easily convey the techniques and form necessary to become a great runner. He is very encouraging and understanding as he is a runner too. Since working with Mark, I have improved my form, pace, and heart rate and am a better runner for it. I find Mark is the ideal coach for me.
Ashwin Patti –
Mark has been an incredible coach for me. I’ve run a bunch of half marathons and duathlons over the years, but I never really took Zone 2 running seriously until I started working with him. He got me to actually buy into it, not just the training theory, but genuinely enjoying those easy Z2 runs and combining that with speed intervals has made a real difference in how fast I run now.
Beyond the running itself, Mark’s helped me with a lot of the details that actually matter: figuring out the right shoes for me, dialing in my nutrition, and knowing how to plan out a race calendar so I’m not just guessing.
One thing I’ll always be grateful for, even before he officially became my coach, Mark was the one who pushed and motivated me to run my first marathon. That’s not something I would’ve done on my own.
If you’re looking for a coach who actually cares about your progress and knows how to get you there, Mark’s the guy.
Cynthia Fox –
Mark has helped me understand how to improve my running efficiency, reduced my risk of injury and increased the fun of running by helping me understand how to pace my running both milage and speed, how to optimally improve my aerobic conditioning and what I need to do to be a stronger runner. I have really enjoyed having Mark as my coach!