LOCATION: Online Only (Based out of Boulder, CO)

LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

TYPES: Track, Road, Trail

DISTANCES: Middle Distance, Marathon, Ultra

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.

SPECIALTIES

I enjoy working with newbies through experienced runners. I work best with someone that is already motivated to succeed in the sport and is open to working together to get there. I love the challenge of 5ks all the way up to 100 mile mountain trail runs.

PHILOSOPHY

Consistency, improving the machine, learning to push yourself to new levels, planning, and doing the work are all key ingredients to success. Everyone has their own needs and therefore requires their own unique plan – my task as coach is to find the best recipe for success for each runner I work with.

COACHING EXPERIENCE

I’ve been coaching runners online for 5 years and I am one of the founders of Team RunRun. I’ve worked with totally new runners as well as experienced veterans, both fast on the track and on the trails for ultras. I’ve coached all levels in between, helping runners reach new PRs, tackle new distances, and qualify for Boston, as well as simply getting more out of this deep and awesome sport.

ABOUT ME

I’m a husband and a dad. I follow a plant based diet. I practice my Spanish language skills daily.

I’ve been a runner for 25+ years and have raced competitively since high school, including D1 college running at the Naval Academy and University of Cincinnati. Since college I’ve PR’d in every distance from 3k onwards, so I’m continually pushing myself to be better, all the way up to 100 miles. I love that there’s still so much to learn in this sport, about myself, about others, and that there’s always room to improve and learn more.

My most special races have been two very different ones – my 2017 Rocky Raccoon 100 and my 2010 5k PR on the track where I cracked 15 minutes. I ran 14:04 in 2017 at Rocky Raccoon – I’ve raced this one 5 times, and I feel like I finally cracked the code not only on this race but on managing 100 milers as well. I stayed strong and in control my entire run, I placed well, and I got damn near my potential on race day. When I cracked 15 minutes in the 5k, I worked hard on the track in my late 20s and at the end of my final track season back in 2010, I executed the race really well and was able to finally break the 15 minute barrier.

For me, being a runner takes into account all the discipline, the testing of will power, the ability to push myself, and doing things when I don’t want to or lack motivation – all parts of being a successful distance runner, which carry over into other parts of my life. Basically, I feel like I’m better at everything else I do because I’m a runner.

BIG INFLUENCES

Daniels has been a huge influence since my early days as a runner. More recently, David Roche and Jason Koop have been impacting my training ideas.

RACING HISTORY

100 milers: Run Rabbit Run, Western States, Leadville, UTMB, Cascade Crest, Rocky Raccoon, Javelina, Umstead, Bighorn
50 milers: White River, Land Between the Lakes, Ice Age, North Face NY and North Face SF
Marathons: Boston, Chicago, New York, California International, Los Angeles, Seattle, Prague, Madrid, Tokyo, and a whole bunch of other smaller ones!

PRs

1500m: 4:00.4 (2002); Louisville, KY, Outdoor
3000m: 8:35.37 (2/14/10) UW, Indoors
5000m: 14:58.19 (5/7/2010) Mt. Hood Twilight, Outdoor
10,000m: 31:20.82 (4/2/10) Willamette Invite, Outdoor
Half marathon: 1:10.10 (1/24/10) Vancouver Lake, Road
Marathon: 2:32.05 (10/15/17) Snohomish River Run Marathon, WA, Road
50 miler: 6:26.22 (3/9/13) Land Between the Lakes, KY, Trail
100 miler: 14:04:08 (2/4/17) Rocky Raccoon, TX, Trail

Contact Matt

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Premium Coaching

PUBLICATIONS

Berlin Marathon – 9/16/18

CCC 100k – 8/31/18

Peak Skyline 50k – 8/5/18

Bighorn 100 – 6/15/18

Umstead 100 – 4/7/18

Javelina 100 – 10/28/17

Snohomish River Run Marathon – 10/15/17

Cascade Crest 100 – 8/26/17

Needles 50k – 7/22/17

Allianz 15k – 6/4/17

Tokyo Marathon – 2/26/17

Rocky Raccoon 100M – 2/4/2017

North Face 50 San Francisco – 12/3/2016

Grand Ridge 50k – 11/19/2016

New York Marathon – 11/6/2016

Stone Steps 50k – 10/23/2016

UTMB – 8/26/2016

Coahuila 100k – 6/18/2016

3er Gran Maraton Mexiquense – 6/5/2016

North Face 50 New York – 4/30/2016

Boston Marathon – 4/18/2016

Mercer Island Half – 3/20/2016

Lake Sammamish Half – 3/5/16

Sort By

jorgeper

Overall Experience working with the coach

Accuracy of coaching package implementation

Value provided given the price

Communication quality and consistency

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Knowledge about running and training

Training program effectiveness

I started working with Matt two months ago. He’s super friendly, encouraging, proactive, and responsive to any questions I have. The workouts are fun, and I definitely feel I am getting a lot of bang for my buck, compared to the workouts I used to do on my own. After having gone through many plateaus, since Matt has been coaching me my running fitness has shot through the roof. I feel stronger, faster, and run with better form than ever. Matt’s philosophy of staying healthy and being a happy runner first is transforming my running in a big, positive way. I’d 100% recommend Matt to anyone looking for a coach.
2 weeks ago
philippedarabian

Overall Experience working with the coach

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Knowledge about running and training

Training program effectiveness

I started working with Matt about 2 months ago, and my experience has been fantastic. Matt has exceeded my expectations at every level.

I live in Coronado, CA so I needed someone with a 100% online approach, and my expectation was that we would communicate by email once or twice a week. I communicate with Matt almost daily! It’s amazing how closely he follows my training and how often he provides feedback. Matt checks data from my Garmin/Strava, and review my comments in our shared spreadsheet after every run. I receive feedback, comments, and supportive messages almost daily. Matt is very flexible and adjusts my training program based on my work and family schedule, or last minute events. Matt is also very knowledgeable about anything running related. I have asked him about warm up and cool down routines, shoes, strength training, and nutrition, and Matt has provided me with great resources.

I used to run once or twice a week for 3-5 miles, and my first ever race was NYC Marathon in 2017. I love sports and I do plenty of them, but I didn’t particularly enjoy running. Matt has changed this by crafting a training program that has allowed me to gradually improve my running efficiency while maintaining my interest in running. His positive attitude, daily run comments, and weekly summaries have been phenomenal motivation. I’ve been running 36 miles a week for the last few weeks, and I’m loving it. Every run is different, and all of them incorporate some sort of challenge. I appreciate how he structures my program to make me an overall stronger runner but also meet the objectives of my next race.

I highly recommend Matt. He has transformed my interest in running and has made me a much stronger runner! I cannot wait to run NYC again this year.
2 weeks ago
BrianEmerson

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I met Matt and his wife Julie while hiking the Appalachian Trail 8 years ago. I was already impressed that they were thru-hiking the trail (Matt for the second time) with plans of completing the triple crown of hiking (the AT, PCT, and CDT) which they did. Later, I learned that they were running ultras, again, I was impressed!

Fast forward a few years and I’ve started running and have moved quickly into the longer distances, just learning by doing. This summer, I ran my first 100 miler and planned to run the Vermont 100 two months later. This plan seemed aggressive but do-able and I realized I needed help dialing in the training to hit my goal of sub-24 hours so I called Matt. He guided me through recovery from the previous 100 and moved into the training phase for Vermont. He helped me work through scheduling issues, avoid injury, and always gave timely feedback and encouragement. Vermont went extremely well, I took over 4 hours off of my 100 mile PR with a 22:36 finish. Matt’s training gave me the strength to get there and his advice gave me the skills to execute the plan.

I can’t imagine a better experience and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Matt to anyone hoping to take their running to the next level.
3 months ago
lmansfield17

Overall Experience working with the coach

Accuracy of coaching package implementation

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Knowledge about running and training

Training program effectiveness

I started with Matt two months ago and chose him based on the success of my friends, Stephanie and Dan, who have both seen dramatic improvements over the last two years under Matt’s coaching. I signed up for the TransAlpine race in September and know that I need to train in order to complete the seven-day mountain stage race without it being a sufferfest.

Matt and Julie travel the globe with their little son, attending races in support of their clients and their own racing schedules. I was able to meet them at the Chuckanut 50k, where 10 or so Team RunRun coaches and athletes were racing. They are both elite runners and super knowledgeable about race logistics, course tips and tricks and, for those trying to win, front-of-the-pack race strategy. Matt’s ultrasignup profile speaks for itself…. check it out:
https://ultrasignup.com/results_participant.aspx?fname=Matthew&lname=Urbanski

In terms of the training, the 100% online approach has worked surprisingly well. Matt plans the next two to three weeks in a Google spreadsheet and reviews my runs in Strava, giving me daily feedback. He’s really on it every day, which is impressive and keeps me going and motivated. I’ve been able to ramp up my mileage from basically nothing over the winter to 30+ miles a week without any injuries or soreness. I’ve also shaved at least a minute off my pace, which is a pleasant surprise. Matt’s plan is specifically designed for my race schedule and he’s been accommodating of my other goals, too, which include summiting Mt. Rainier with my daughter in July.

In terms of training philosophy, I’ve gone through the Hanson’s marathon training as well as Krissy Moehl’s “Running Your First Ultra” and Matt’s plan incorporates elements from both. I’m usually doing a longer run on the weekend that’s similar to my next race while tempo and speed workouts are mixed in with easy runs during the week. The variety has been good and I definitely feel that all my running systems are improving without any single system getting burned out.

So, overall, Matt’s great! I’m feeling confident that I’m on my way to enjoying my run through the Alps this fall and feeling faster and fitter in 2018.
6 months ago
abiharbani

Overall Experience working with the coach

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Knowledge about running and training

Training program effectiveness

I have been working with Matt Urbanski for 2 months, coming in having just recovered from fairly long lasting injuries. I had specific goal in mind when signing up for TRR, to run a sub 4 hour marathon with my current PR of 4:37, as well as to avoid any injuries. For a guy who started running in the 40s, and used to hate running in his younger years, this is a pretty big ask.

Matt knew exactly what I needed to work on to improve my endurance as well as my speed, while avoiding any injuries. His plans for me looked quite daunting at times, but they’re just right for my ability and allows my body to recover properly in the bigger picture. I fully trust his judgement and plans, so that I can fully concentrate on what needs to be worked on a day at at time.

Matt provides consistent and timely feedbacks and supportive comments. He answers any running related questions I have, and does research if he doesn’t have immediate answers.

In just two months of training with Matt, I got a whopping 7 minute PR on my 15k compared to last years, and got PRs on 5k and 10k along the way. Looking forward to see what my marathon PR(s) would be later this year!
7 months ago

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Matt Urbanski

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