Mike Sheehy – Chicago Running Coach
It’s more than just running! Learn from an RCCA certified coach with a Guinness World Record and completed all 6 World Marathon Majors.
From: $110.00 / month
Running Coach Description
Chicago Running Coach Mike Sheehy has run it all – with over 100 marathon finishers, including the Abbott World Marathon Majors, and over 20 ultramarathon finishes, including Western States, UTMB and Leadville, and most impressively, a return to running after a cardiac failure in 2017, Mike has seen it all! He’s ready to meet you where you are at and take you forward to whatever you can dream up next! Reach out to Mike below.
Specialties
- Marathon Runners
- First time or Veteran runners
- World Marathon Majors (Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, NYC) runners
- Charity Runners
- Cardiac Athletes (runners returning or starting from heart related illnesses)
- Ultra Runners
- Any ultra distance, any race
Philosophy
- “Don’t Die Wondering”. Saw this mantra on the back of a runner in my very first marathon. It has been with me my whole life. If you want to do something, go for it. Don’t wait! Let’s work together to build a smart, healthy program that will allow you to achieve your goals.
- Your Program. This is your program, designed for you, and created with you. I have lots of knowledge and experience, but we need to collaborate to build the best plan for you. We will build and adapt this program together.
- Understand the “Why”. We will ensure the “why” you are running is incorporated into your plan. Knowing this allows us to tap into your motivations and drivers while building and then progressing through your program.
- Run/Work/Life. Your program must fit into your lifestyle. I have always had a job while running. I have insights to help us navigate many of these obstacles. Your plan must accommodate your lifestyle.
- Regular Communication. We will talk weekly. We can text or email as much as you want, but we must talk weekly. I believe weekly discussions allow for us to really connect on how you are doing. This is key for a positive and supportive program.
Coaching Experience
- Charity runners. Started coaching with Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) Charity runners in San Diego. Enjoyed helping first time marathons achieve a huge milestone. Was given the opportunity to coach a few runners to Boston Qualifiers. Also learned that the “why” we are running is equally as important as “how” we are running.
- First Time Marathoners. Several first-time marathoners, just wanting to finish a bucket list item.
- Semi-Experienced (2-5 marathons). This is the bulk of my runners. Those who are now chasing individual goals, such as their Six Star, Boston Qualifier, marathon in each state, etc.
- Ultramarathoners. Helped a few marathoners make the leap to ultras. Assisted with training plans, course analysis, and logistics.
- Willing to provide references.
About Me
My Mom said, “You started running as soon as you hit the ground.” Based on her assessment, I have been running a long time. Ran XC and track in high school. Walk on for Army in both XC and Track. Earned my D1 “letter” in Track.
First marathon was Marine Corps in 1993.
During my military days (US Army), ran numerous smaller races, but always found time to run marathons. Experienced the thrills of BQ, NYC Time Standard, Army 10 Mile Team wins…along with the lessons of over training, bad fueling, unstructured training plans, youthful ignorance, and real effects of life on running.
Post-military (corporate life), saw the immense value of the “Running Community”. Loved my days with LLS San Diego, raising money, helping runners achieve firsts, and doing good in the world through running. Embraced the world of ultras with lonely long runs, unique fueling approaches, moon lit runs, and vomiting on 98% of my crew members shoes. And learned to balance work, relationships, and running….and yes, learned from several mistakes along the way.
My heart had an epic electrical failure in 2017, requiring an implanted cardiac pacemaker to keep me around. I have stressed the heck out of “Merlin” and have become one of the favorite “case studies” for University of Chicago Cardiology Department and Abbott.
Big Influences
In person coaching / relationship:
- Ron Bazil, USMA XC and Track Coach (from 1979-1995), saw “something” in me and started to mold it.
- Chris Rizzo, US 1/75 Army Ranger / Olympic Steeplechase Qualifier, got me out of the pub (Kevin Barry’s in Savannah) so I could find my “fast”
- Scott Jurek, helped blaze the trail for me (and others) as an ultra runner and was always willing to take time to help me with advice and tips.
- Joan Benoit Samuelson, favorite runner to pace, amazing life coach, and all around blueberry pancake expert.
Indirect Influences (these are one’s I have the most experience coaching and using):
- Hal Higdon, best foundational plans/templates
- Jack Daniels, best comprehensive approach
- Bart Yasso, love them 800s
- Hanson-Brooks, love for Brooks
Race History
Under marathon distance (all 2+ participation)
- Army 10 Miler (1/75 Ranger Team and individual)
- Beach to Beacon
- Bolder Boulder
- Shamrock Shuffle
- Bix7
- NYRR Midnight Run
- Many…many more.
100+ marathons
- Sub 3 prior to implanted cardiac pacemaker (2017), now 3:20 runner w/ pacemaker
- Numerous Boston, Chicago, New York, London, Berlin, Tokyo finishes
- Many marathons across the US: San Diego, Seattle, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Walt Disney, Boulder, Breckenridge (which really isn’t 26.2), etc.
20+ ultramarathons
- Western States (twice)
- UTMB
- CCC
- Kettle Moraine (multiple distances)
- North Face Racing Series events (50K)
- Burning River
- Javelina
- Leadville
- Others within US
Certifications
- RRCA Level 1
Awards & Accolades
- 2015 Heroes of the Fortune 500 (Fortune Magazine)
- 2012 Guinness World Record for Most Miles in 7 Days (407 miles) // Raised $100,000+ during the week for San Diego Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
- Six Star Finisher / Completed All Majors (Tokyo, in Calendar Year 2012 (Six Star didn’t exist back then) and 2017
- US 100 Mile Championship 19th and 35th Place
Personal Records
Some years are fast, some are slow, but I have always enjoyed the journey and the process regardless to the what the clock says. But since they asked…here are some of my favorite PRs, but far from the exhaustive list.
Marathon:
- 2012 Chicago Marathon (2:58)
- 2013 Boston Marathon (2:55)
- 2018 Boston Marathon (3:13); first marathon with an implemented cardiac pacemaker
Ultra - 2013 Kettle Moraine 100 Miler 4th Place (18:39)
- 2011 Nanny Goat 12 hours: 80 miles 1st Place
- 2006 USATF 100 Mile Trail Championships 19th Place (20:08)
Contact Mike
31 reviews for Mike Sheehy – Chicago Running Coach
Dev Saini –
I had virtually no running background before working with Mike. The longest I had ever run continuously was about a mile, and I honestly didn’t know how to train for distance running.
In just a short period of time, Mike helped me improve my running technique, endurance, and pacing. I was able to cut over three minutes off my two-mile run, going from 19:09 to 16:01, and I can now comfortably run several miles.
Mike is knowledgeable, encouraging, and knows how to push you while keeping your training realistic and sustainable. If you’re looking to improve your running, whether you’re a complete beginner like I was or training for a specific goal, I highly recommend working with him.
Kim Corson –
Mike is awesome. He’s great at adapting a plan for your needs, and he’s present for you but not overbearing. I’m still in the midst of my training with him, and I’m very happy so far.
Matthew Murphy –
Working with Mike the last 6 months leading up to the Cape Town marathon was an awesome experience. I had run 1 marathon previously, but lacked a lot of the knowledge on training and marathon prep in general. Through my time working with mike he was always clear in how he approached training, why we were doing certain things at certain paces/times, and how the overall training plan was designed to build me up to achieve my race goals.
The weekly checkins were great to be able to review how previous runs went, how I’m feeling, and what we’re looking forward to next. In addition, it was great being able to talk shop on all things running related, where Mikes years of experience and ‘been there, done that’ perspective left me with no questions unanswered.
His constant encouragements throughout the training and dedication to make me the best athlete I can be resulted in me beating my previous Marathon time by 1 whole hour! He’s personable, knowledgeable, and overall a super awesome guy, and I can’t recommend him enough to other runnings looking for a coach to help them achieve their goals.
Anthony Doan –
I can’t thank Mike enough for showing me the blueprint for a proper marathon training block. I signed up with 20 weeks to go with the Ottawa Marathon with ~10-15 miles a week running with no goal in mind. He laid out the weekly runs with paces and workouts, with weekly meetings to review my metrics and adjust accordingly. Mike was always available when I had any questions.
He also provided great insight into the benefits of each workout and pace, while adjusting for different events in life/vacations. One of my biggest concerns was hitting the wall and starting to cramp in the later miles of the marathon, and Mike talked about the importance of fueling and taking electrolytes throughout the race – then we would go in and integrate that into our training/long runs. As a result, I avoided the dreaded wall during my marathon, finished the race strong with no cramping, and had a 24 minute PR!
Thank you so much, Mike. You have helped me achieve a massive PR and taught me so many things about this sport that I will continue to carry into future races and training blocks. Will definitely continue with Mike for future races and highly recommend him to anyone who wants to go achieve their running goals!
John McNett –
Mike has positively transformed not only my physical running game, but also the mental part of my running. With his guidance, I have been able to achieve what I would never have thought possible. My “pre-Mike” PR in the Chicago Marathon was 5:38:29. With one year of Mike’s coaching I improved 3:57:02!
Every element of training is inbounds for conversations with Mike. Everyone’s fueling plan is different, so don’t expect a fueling plan. What you can expect is a great conversation about what you have tried and suggestions where you need ideas. Mike has “been there and done that” in nearly every aspect of running. Along the way, he has likely been in your place and can offer the insights that he has gained from his vast experience.
You’ll leave each call with Mike thinking that you are the only athlete he is coaching. He is a genuinely good human being that communicates honestly, which is what we need sometimes when we start to go down rabbit holes in our own research.
I wholeheartedly endorse and recommend Mike to be your next coach!
Joyce K –
If you’re looking for a run coach who will actually show up for you—not just hand you a training plan and disappear—Mike is your person. The weekly check-ins kept me accountable without feeling like a chore, and when life inevitably got in the way, Mike never made me feel guilty about adjusting on the fly. He’s the kind of coach who listens first, then gives you the honest feedback you need—even when it’s not what you want to hear. That balance of real talk and genuine encouragement is rare. He got me to the start line of the Tokyo Marathon well prepared, and I crossed the finish line with a PR. What I didn’t expect? Encouraging texts from him throughout the race despite the time zone difference. That’s not coaching—that’s caring. Highly, highly recommend Mike!
Brian Lindholm –
Mike has done a great job! My sport is biking and the man knows his stuff and has done it all! I am a young minded 71 year old, preparing for a 50 mile bike ride in June and a Century Ride in September. Each week we talk about the prior weeks activity and the plan ahead, he is always very encouraging. Really important to me and completely new for me are the concepts of hydration and fueling while riding. I was doing this on my own and did a 30 mile+ ride no fuel little if any hydration, I felt terrible when I finished that ride. With Mike’s guidance I’ve been learning and experimenting with different ways to stay hydrated and fueled and this is making all the difference for me!
Mike is also very inspiring personally, if you read his bio and let what he’s done soak in you realize there isn’t much he doesn’t know about running and biking!
Mike is always there if you need him whether by text or by phone which is great!
I am on the road to achieving my goals with Mike, which are better fitness and my Century Ride coming in September!
Brian L.
Andrew C –
Mike is an outstanding coach! He’s smart, responsive, and genuinely invested in helping you improve sustainably. He tailored my training to my individual physiology, kept me accountable with consistent check ins, and gives clear, actionable feedback.
He’s genuinely personable and clearly cares about his athletes as people. He listens, brings great energy, and helps keep the plan realistic when life gets busy (fatigue, stress, travel). He also strengthened my race-day execution and mental approach to running. Highly recommend Mike if you want a coach who blends data-driven training with great communication and real care!!
Michelle Xie –
I had an amazing time training with Mike for my first marathon. My #1 goal was to enjoy training and to not get injured, secondary goal was to get under 5 hours (which I missed by just a minute because of porta potty lines, so I count it as a win!). If you’re thinking about running your first marathon I highly recommend working with Mike. The training we did gave me so much more confidence that I could reach my goals. And when Mike says it is a personal plan it really is.
The one other thing I will say is that RARELY in my training did I ever feel fatigued. As someone who has primarily trained myself for several triathalons of varying distances including a half ironman was eye-opening. Having a coach who is thoughtful about when to push and when to pull back made all the difference it made training for this so much more enjoyable and was the first time in years I was able to train at such high volume with no injuries.
I’m not sure if I will become a marathoner but I will always come back to Mike if I ever try for a second or third!
Michelle Xie –
I had an amazing time training with Mike for my first marathon. My #1 goal was to enjoy training and to not get injured, secondary goal was to get under 5 hours (which I missed by just a minute because of porta potty lines, so I count it as a win!). If you’re thinking about running your first marathon I highly recommend working with Mike. The training we did gave me so much more confidence that I could reach my goals. And when Mike says it is a personal plan it really is.
The one other thing I will say is that RARELY in my training did I ever feel fatigued. As someone who has primarily trained myself for several triathalons of varying distances including a half ironman was eye-opening. Having a coach who is thoughtful about when to push and when to pull back made all the difference it made training for this so much more enjoyable and was the first time in years I was able to train at such high volume with no injuries.
Patrick Lyp –
I can’t speak more highly as to Mike and how he has helped me on my goal to running my first marathon. I am a recreational runner with no training experience beyond downloading countless training plans with little success. Mike provides real guidance, motivation and feedback in a relaxed way, which is exactly what I needed. Beyond actual running, we’ve discussed nutrition, shoe selection, muscle tightness, stretching, fatigue and any other question I might have. My biggest regret in my running journey is not seeking professional help sooner — and specifically not finding Mike. I highly recommend Mike.
Jack –
Mike is an incredible coach- he really cares about you and your goals and is genuinely excited about the process and your progress! Could not recommend Mike enough. Thanks Coach!
LJ –
I couldn’t have finished my first marathon without Coach Mike. From day one, he provided an expertly crafted plan and the crucial education needed to execute it. Mike taught me the nuances of proper fueling, the necessity of truly easy days, and smart pacing strategies. What sets him apart is his holistic approach—he constantly reminded me to be kind to myself, which ultimately made me a better, healthier, and happier runner. If you’re looking for a coach who delivers results and teaches life-long running skills, Mike is your person!
Jay Darden –
Mike is an incredible coach! I had a milestone birthday that led me to setting a goal for myself to run a marathon by the end of the year. I started working with Mike in January for a November marathon. I had a few half-marathons under my belt but knew I would need the guidance of someone seasoned to build to the full distance safely and smartly. Before I even signed up to work with Mike, he and I had a phone call to see if the fit was right and I could tell right away he had the right energy and perspective to get me to my goal. He is all about being realistic while helping you push to be your best. I have a family, and from the beginning, Mike factored in how my training would affect them. We talked about when I would need to buckle down and be serious, versus when we plan lighter weeks to make sure I could fully enjoy family time, holidays, vacations, and special occasions. Mike is easy to get ahold of, and most importantly, is super encouraging and motivating while remaining realistic. I had already made the decision to put a few tune-up races on the calendar on my way to my ultimate goal, and his insight was invaluable to both selecting the right races and to feeling mentally prepared for them. I’m someone who, a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing, so during our weekly phone calls I’d always have a ton of questions. Mike is so knowledgeable and would patiently answer every last one – and with a great sense of humor. I can’t say enough great things about working with Mike and credit him with building a plan that got me ready to complete my first marathon sub-4. Looking forward to working with him to crush my next one!
Krishna Joshi –
Mike is an amazing coach. I achieved a PR in the NYC Marathon thanks to his incredible training and guidance. I really enjoy our weekend check-ins to review the week’s workouts — he’s always friendly, supportive, and genuinely invested in his athletes. Mike is also exceptionally responsive to texts and emails, which makes communication seamless. I’m definitely planning to train with him again next season!
Seth Abrams –
Loved working with coach Mike!!! From day one, Mike was all over my goals. He structured a training block to get me there (3:30) accounting for my then-current fitness and where I wanted to be while, at the same time, accommodating a busy life that didn’t always allow me to make running priority #1. Mike was also always available for a call to answer any questions I had or for a pep talk if needed. In the end, I was able to achieve a 10 minute PR at NYC! It is safe to say that without Mike’s guidance, expertise, and training knowledge, I would never have been able to achieve that result. Thanks, Mike! I Will definitely be reaching out when it’s time to go for a new PR!
Ryan Lee –
Mike’s ability to help me conquer the mental side of running, in addition to next level personalized programming, led me to successfully complete my first marathon. He’s a 12 out of 10 running coach for all experience levels!
Mike’s patience and flexibility are unmatched. Combined with extensive knowledge of running and kind demeanor, he’s a joy to work with. I am grateful for his commitment to coaching and for encouraging me every step of the way!
Kristie Atwood –
Mike is an exceptional coach and even better human. His goal is to get the best out of everyone and he does exactly that. I am a regular runner in my 50s, and Mike helped me see what was possible, push myself, and give me the confidence to go after my goals. I highly recommend Mike as a coach to anyone with any skill level at any age. Mike has done it all and he meets you where you are, regardless if this is your 1st or 25th marathon. His running expertise and knowledge is unmatched. He is always available and truly wants to connect as that best helps him create a program specifically for you and your goals. Run, don’t walk :-), to hire Mike as your running coach.
Dara Ono –
Positive! Motivating! Highly experienced! And a wonderful human! Mike is a fantastic coach for ultras, marathons, and really anything else. Highly recommend!
Ryan Dudek –
Coach Mike is an incredible running coach and a truly inspirational person. He always knew exactly what to say to keep me motivated, especially during the tough stretches when I was doubting myself. His training plans were effective, his encouragement genuine, and his passion for running was contagious. He had all sorts of great tips for newer runners from gear to nutrition. Thanks to his guidance and support I was able to hit a PR at the Chicago marathon and numerous half marathons. I can’t recommend Coach Mike enough to anyone looking to reach their full potential.
Brad K –
Mike is THE best! I am new to running and had hit a wall in my own training and he was able to help me overcome it and hit my own goals for running my first 5K. He is kind, supportive, and a great encourager. He was with me every step of the way. I couldn’t have gotten to that goal and milestone without his help. I highly recommend him to anyone new or experienced that wants a friend along the journey.
[email protected] –
Mike is an incredible coach. I started working with him about 12 months ago. It had been 21 years since my last marathon, and I was slowly trying to return to running. I was insecure not only about my pace, but my ability to run anymore more than a 6K without pain. Throughout the whole process, Mike was patient, encouraging, and built me a plan that allowed me to not only gain strength and speed, but confidence as well. Mike was also cognizant of the demands (and travel) of my job, and modified training to accommodate for crappy hotel treadmills and 15-hour days in spent in conference rooms–which is to say, he coached me in the context of the realities of my life. I am a better, significantly faster, more secure, and more confident runner because of Mike. Highly recommend.
Justin Ward –
Mike is simply an exceptional running coach. In just nine months, he guided me from a 3:08 marathon to a 2:49 marathon. His personalized training plans, consistent weekly check-ins, and unwavering support, especially during race weeks, gave me the confidence to achieve my goals. Mike’s ability to tailor his approach to my specific needs was great. Our weekly chats were always motivating and insightful. I can’t recommend him highly enough – he’s an awesome coach. No doubt Mike will make you a better runner and help you achieve whatever running goal you have.
Benjamin Yang-Dunham –
Mike is an absolutely wonderful coach and an even better human being. I looked forward to each of our weekend conversations and it really felt like he cared about me as not only a runner but also person-to-person.
I was not much of a runner before hiring him – maxing out at about 5k distances and overall feeling like things were not clicking for me. Over the course of 9 months, Mike helped find the athlete and competitor inside of me and I was able to train all the way up to running a half marathon. It felt like each and every month we spent together, I was doing something I thought was impossible. He truly changed my life.
I also have type 1 diabetes and he was great with helping me navigate and understand the specific needs I had as a runner with a disability.
Clint Taylor –
Mike is a fantastic coach that I have the utmost trust in and respect for. My first experience with him was for the 2024 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon. I am an experienced runner with 19 full marathons completed, but I knew I needed to change something if I wanted to capture that elusive marathon PR that I’ve failed to conquer since 2019. So I decided to go with Mike, and I am glad I did! I beat my marathon PR by 3:07 and what’s better, I KNEW that I would that day because the training Mike provided consistently delivered results leading up to Race Day. And for the first time in years, I avoided mid-season physical therapy (while getting faster and stronger).
Mike always talked thru why the training was what it was, answered my questions, and always seemed to press just the right amount without asking me to do too much. The result was my fastest marathon as a Masters runner vs. my 20s/30s. I’ll be working with Mike in training for the 2025 Chicago Marathon. Looking forward to another PR.
Almir –
Incredible results so far! I’ve been working with Mike for the past few months and was able to run a PR in the half marathon. Currently training for the full marathon distance and the program has been fun and challenging. I’ve seen a major improvement in my running and recovery and I think it has a lot to do with the plan Mike built for me. He is always available to chat and shares the excitement of running and training for the marathon which keeps me motivated. Highly recommend Mike as a coach.
Edgar Becerril –
Mike has been amazing! I started running on my own in 2019, but after my first and second marathons, I knew I needed help to get structure, speed, and, most importantly, to avoid injuries. I have been working with Mike for eight months, and I cannot speak highly enough of him.
When I was in search of a coach, I started online and came across Mike’s profile. He is amazing, and his experience is unrivaled. He has run all the races you might be thinking of running. My goals and health are top of mind in every conversation. Mike has been instrumental in helping me achieve my six stars, and I am definitely leveraging his guidance and recommendations to complete my last three.
If you need to get from the couch to running a marathon, if you are experienced and looking to get faster, or if you are crazy enough like me to want to complete the six majors or an ultra in the near future, please reach out to him!
Andrea Bonaccorsi –
Mike is a great coach. He is goal oriented, meets you where you are at, helps you determine where you want to go…. And then gets you there!! I have worked with him over the past 6 months and recently completed a training block that resulted in an 11 minute marathon PR. This was only possible because of Mike’s honesty, encouragement, and knowledge of what it takes to build and execute a race plan.
His weekly check ins show care and consideration for a holistic approach to running! He has a great sense of humor and keeps it fun!
If you are looking to chase your running goals and work with an experienced, knowledgeable, and supportive coach— Mike is your guy!
Will Kwon –
It’s been a blast working with Mike over the last ~16 weeks. Similar to others, we had weekly calls where we could discuss the training plan that he put together, how the body was feeling, expectations for the coming weeks, how the weather was looking, adjustments to runs, etc… He’d even check in on the dog that my wife and I adopted over the summer. With Mike’s guidance and pep talks, I was able to achieve all my running goals this past summer and fall, and I feel confident that I’ll be able to build on all of this in the coming months and years.
On top of all of this, Mike’s just a great dude and I looked forward to our weekly chats. I’ll definitely continue to work with him in the coming years and highly recommend him as a coach.
Rick H –
I cannot say enough about Mike and his coaching ability to get out the most in you. I had a similar experience as noted above from Brian with the flexible conversations every week, constant quick responses to texts about everything I could think of being my first marathon (fueling, clothing, pacing, strategy, injury prevention, race day planning, etc.). I reached out to Mike when I had about 10 weeks left before race day and he was very helpful with understanding my goals, my situation, and personalizing a plan around my availability to run each week.
Needless to say, I accomplished my goals and felt as good as I could given my constraints in preparation. I decided to run my 1st marathon with 2 little boys under 2 yrs old and full-time working parents so it was a challenge finding time. In the end, you won’t find a better coach and motivator when you need it most! He is a man that has done just about everything so he practices what he preaches, which gave me the utmost confidence.
Thank you Mike! I will definitely reach back out when I decide to run another race. Highly recommend!
Brian S –
Mike is a GREAT coach. He talks to you on the phone every week to discuss how the previous week went and the goals for the next week. Leading up to the race he will walk through the course, give you tips on pacing / fueling / clothing, and he will pump you up with confidence. His plans are fully customized to you. He has so much running experience and knowledge that you feel super confident he is giving you the best plan for you.
I joined Mike’s team with only 11 weeks to go before the Chicago Marathon. It was my first marathon and I was having trouble keeping the injuries away using the online templates. In an attempt to save my marathon i reached out to Mike and we hit the ground running.
My stretch goal for this Marathon was 3:30. With Mike’s help I crossed the finish line in 3:24!! An amazing result that I do not think I could have achieved on my own.
No matter your goal, Mike will help make you a better and smarter runner. Highly recommend!!