Nate Szymanski – Toledo Running Coach
From: $60.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee
$20 1st month special! Science-based running coaching for busy adults balancing life, family, and training. Real plans, real support, real results.
Description
Toledo / Detroit / Ann Arbor running coach Nate Szymanski knows how to juggle a busy schedule with training for races, anywhere from 5k to the marathon, and is excited to work with both beginner and intermediate runners towards their own goals as well. Nate also offers in-person sessions in the Toledo / Detroit / Ann Arbor area – reach out below to get started!
*** $20 1st month for month-to-month Coaching – Coupon Code: 20firstnate ***
LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate
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: Milan, MI
IN-PERSON SESSIONS: Yes, within 30 miles of Zip Code 48160. Sessions are a case-by-case basis, reach out to Nate to get started.
SPECIALTIES
- Couch to 5K all the way up to Marathon PR’s
- Military PT Testing
- Strength Training
- Injury Prevention
- Balancing Training with Lifestyle
- Individualized Training Plans based on your goals
PHILOSOPHY
Whether you’re lacing up for your very first run or preparing to set a personal best in your next marathon, my mission as a coach is to guide you with structure, accountability, communication, and science-backed training. I believe every runner deserves a plan that’s not only personalized but also sustainable and adaptable to real life.
My coaching approach is rooted in evidence-based principles and the latest in endurance science. I focus on long-term development, injury prevention, and steady performance gains—not quick fixes. Each training block is tailored to your experience, lifestyle, and goals, whether that means building consistency, developing speed, or peaking for a goal race.
Communication is at the heart of the coaching relationship. I check in regularly, adapt your plan when life happens, and provide honest feedback to help you grow. You’re not just following a schedule—you’re learning how to train with purpose.
Ultimately, I coach to help runners gain confidence, push through limits, and enjoy the process as much as the results. Running has changed my life, and I aim to pay that forward by helping you become the strongest, smartest, and most resilient version of yourself.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
My coaching style is focused, personal, supportive, accountable, and built around helping others reach their full potential both physically and mentally. My 17 years in the Air Force has allowed to me to develop these skills that will help you achieve your goals. I’ve used these skills to help develop family, friends, military leaders, and other runners alike.
ABOUT ME
Hi, I’m Nate — a Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force with nearly 17 years of service, a certified distance running coach, and, most importantly, a husband and father of two young kids.
Leadership and mentorship have been central throughout my military career. I’ve guided teams through complex challenges, helped shape future leaders, and learned firsthand the value of structure, discipline, and adaptability. Those same principles now fuel my passion for coaching and helping others become stronger versions of themselves.
Outside of the military, I’m deeply passionate about running, strength training, personal growth, and nutrition. I also enjoy spending time outdoors — fishing, golfing, hiking, swimming, and exploring whenever I can. These activities help keep me grounded and remind me of the importance of staying active in ways that bring both joy and balance.
I know how busy life can get — balancing family, work, and training isn’t easy. That’s why I approach everything I do with flexibility, purpose, and a deep understanding of how to make progress sustainable in the real world. Whether it’s coaching runners or mentoring teammates, I believe in showing up, putting in the work, and leading by example.
BIG INFLUENCES
My coaching style is grounded in structure, science, and practicality. I follow evidence-based training principles focused on smart progression, pacing, and recovery — rooted in the UESCA framework and current endurance research. I value consistency and accountability, but I also understand that life gets busy. As someone balancing a career, family, and training myself, I build plans that are flexible and sustainable for the long haul. Strength training, cross-training, and overall lifestyle habits are key components I encourage to help athletes stay healthy and perform their best. More than anything, I see coaching as mentorship — guiding runners toward not just performance goals, but greater confidence, resilience, and long-term growth.
RACING HISTORY
My journey into running began in 2023 with what turned out to be a pretty transformative experience — running on a relay team for the Glass City Marathon. That race lit a fire in me. The energy, the teamwork, the finish line — I was hooked. From that moment on, I dove into the world of running headfirst. I started studying training principles, learning everything I could about endurance performance, and building out my own plans. I coached myself through my first half marathon — the Detroit Free Press Half in October 2023 — and have been training and racing ever since. What started as a single race has grown into a passion for performance, coaching, and helping others discover what they’re capable of.
PRs
- 5K: 20:18.7 (8/9/2025) Saline Summerfest 5K
- 10K: 45:33 (8/24/24) Unofficial
- Half Marathon: 1:35:49 (4/27/2025) Glass City / Owens Corning Half Marathon
- Marathon: 3:37:28 (9/21/2025) Garmin Marathon Toledo
CERTIFICATIONS
- UESCA Distance Running Coach
CONTACT NATE
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
Claire Weber –
I had the pleasure of working with Coach Nate this past fall/winter and I would 10/10 highly recommend him for anyone wanting to exceed their running goals! He helped me prepare for both Active Duty Army Officer Basic Training and a half marathon. My experience working with him exceeded all expectations- he is an incredibly knowledgeable coach with a deep understanding of running mechanics and endurance training. He consistently used evidence-based approaches when building my training plans.
What truly set him apart was how thorough and supportive he was—he always took the time to explain the ‘why’ behind the workouts and was readily available to answer questions. Thanks to his coaching, my abilities as an endurance athlete have grown tremendously, both physically and mentally. I felt both supported and challenged throughout this coaching experience. I am genuinely so grateful for his guidance and look forward to working with him again after my initial Army training and preparing for future races!
Mark Riggs –
Coach Nate has been incredible! I highly recommend him to anyone looking for help with their running goals. Recently, he helped me prepare for Marathon with a great plan that made me feel confident on race day. I really felt like he was there for me through out the entire process. He even went out of his way to send motivational texts during the event!
Coach Nate is very positive, he regularly ask for feedback and it’s obvious that he truly cares for his athletes. He’s fast with feedback on my workouts and is always available to answer questions or to adjust my training schedule when life gets busy.
I’m looking forward to continuing to work with him as I prepare for a 50k this spring.