Nicole PlanaMadrid Running Coach

Nicole Plana – Madrid Running Coach

5.00 out of 5
(4 customer reviews)

Road & trail coaching for busy professionals, women, and postpartum runners. 12 years at Google + 11 years in fitness.

$85.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee

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Running Coach Description

Whether you’re eyeing your first 5K on the road or a rugged mountain ultra, Coach Nicole specializes in bridging the gap between big ambitions and a busy life. Training shouldn’t be another stressor—it should be your outlet. Nicole provides more than just a calendar; she crafts a customized roadmap tailored to your specific life demands and performance goals. Reach out to Nicole today!

*** Nicole offers a special discount to female runners – reach out below for more info ***

Contact Nicole

Levels:Beginner, Intermediate
Types:Road, Trail
Distances:5k/10k/Half Marathon, Marathon, Ultra
Training Platform:Training Peaks
Training Plan:Individual, customized training plan
Communication:Unlimited email, unlimited phone, unlimited text
Response Time:Within 24 hours
Location:Madrid, Spain
In-Person Sessions:No, online coaching only.

Specialties

  • Road marathon training
  • Trail and mountain ultra running
  • Postpartum return to running
  • Mobility

Philosophy

THE “NO-BURN OUT” METHOD

  • Your training shouldn’t be another source of stress. I leverage my 12 years of experience in the high-pressure tech world to build plans that account for your sleep, work travel, and family demands. We don’t just fit running into your life; we use it to enhance your life. If you have a 60-hour work week or a toddler who didn’t sleep, your plan pivots with you—no guilt, just progress.

THE INJURY-PROOF RUNNER

  • Most runners stop because they get hurt. As a certified Yoga teacher of 10 years, I integrate mobility and functional strength directly into your running schedule. We focus on ‘Pre-hab’ so you spend more time on the trails and less time in the physical therapist’s office. We approach your limits with curiosity to see how far you can go, safely.

CONSISTENCY OVER INTENSITY

  • Big goals aren’t won in a single ‘hero’ workout; they are won in the quiet weeks of showing up. I provide the accountability and structure you need to stay consistent when motivation fades. Whether it’s a rainy Tuesday or a busy Monday, I help you find the ‘win’ for that day so you arrive at the start line healthy, confident, and ready.

Coaching Experience

I’ve coached athletes from 16 years old through early 70s in distances from 5K to 100K, both on road and trail. Notably, I’ve coached road athletes to several Boston Qualifiers, sub 3 hour marathons, as well as trail runners for both US and European mountain races up to 100K.

About Me

I spent 12 years at Google, navigating the fast-paced world of tech while raising two boys and training for Boston Qualifiers. I know exactly what it’s like to balance a high-pressure career with the deep desire to see what your body is capable of on road and trail.

In 2015, I began bridging the gap between high-performance output and physical longevity by becoming a Yoga teacher. Today, I coach full-time, helping athletes—from first-time marathoners to 100K mountain ultra-runners—find their own ‘fast.’

Why I am the right coach for you:

I speak your language: If you’re a busy professional or a parent, I won’t give you a ‘pro athlete’ schedule that’s impossible to maintain. I give you a realistic, data-backed plan that works.

I specialize in the ‘Pivot’: From my upbringing in a mixed Spanish-American household to my transition from tech to coaching, I’ve learned that adaptability is the greatest skill a runner can have. When life happens, we don’t quit; we pivot.

Postpartum Expertise: I ran the Boston Marathon as my first race after having my first son. I understand the patience and specific physiological needs of returning to impact sports after pregnancy.

Whether you want to shave 20 minutes off your road marathon or finish your first ultra in the mountains, I provide the structure, the mobility expertise, and the 1-on-1 support to get you there.”

Big Influences

  • Steve Magness: Your mental strength is just as important as your physical fitness. I think it’s important to consider the whole person to help each athlete to get the most out of themselves.
  • Megan Roche: I love supporting female endurance athletes and focus most of my continuing education in this area.
  • Haruki Murakami: Running is a personal journey for many people. I very much encourage my athletes to follow their own journey.

Race History

Road:

  • World Majors: Boston, New York, London, Chicago, Berlin, Tokyo (2026)
  • Marine Corps Marathon
  • Paris Marathon
  • Bay to Breakers
  • Nike Women’s Half Marathon
  • Broad Street Run
  • Numerous 5Ks, 10Ks, Half marathons

Trail:

  • Marin Ultra Challenge 25K
  • Transgrancanaria 126K
  • Transvulcania 47K
  • Tough Topanga
  • Bulldog 50K
  • Singletrack Stampede
  • Catalina Island 50K
  • Romancing the Island (Angel Island, CA)
  • El Moro Canyon 10K
  • And many more…

Certifications

  • UESCA Running Coach Certification
  • UESCA Ultra Running Coach Certification
  • 200 RYT Registered Yoga Teacher

Personal Records

  • 3x Boston Marathon Qualifier
  • Western States Qualifier

Contact Nicole

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.
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Give us a brief history of your running, and this can include what distances and/or races you’ve run, how long you’ve been running, any past or present injuries, if you’ve worked with a coach or a specific training program before, etc.
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4 reviews for Nicole Plana – Madrid Running Coach

  1. 5 out of 5

    Kate Reading

    Loved working with Nicole – she picked up quickly on where my fitness was and what kind of support I needed.

    I chose her explicitly because she really helped me fit my running goals into my life – I’m a mom of two young kids, and I can’t do everything to perfection always. She knew how to make adjustments when I needed them, how to find ways to stay on track, and when to encourage me to give myself grace.

    I was particularly impressed with how she helped me adapt to an injury. I truly would not have made it to race day if it weren’t for her. Nicole helped me work in strength training, and shift my schedule around to ramp up differently so as to ensure my injury healed *and* I could run on race day.

    I’m an experienced marathoner, and I can’t believe how much I learned from her about nutrition and hydration. I am truly so thrilled that I worked with Nicole to get myself on track for this race – and I look forward to working with her again!

  2. 5 out of 5

    Lucas de Oliveira Alves

    Nicole is incredibly dedicated and knowledgeable. She truly takes the time to understand you, your goals, routine, and even how you’re feeling, and becomes part of the journey alongside you.

    I completed a full marathon training cycle with her, and it was one of the best coaching experiences I’ve ever had. She goes far beyond being just a running coach: she genuinely cares about injury prevention, incorporates strength training into the program, and is always accessible through whatever communication channel works best for you.

    I will definitely be rejoining her soon for my next goal.

  3. 5 out of 5

    Megan

    I’ve been working with Nicole for a year and a half, and she’s completely transformed my running. She guided me through two marathons—including my first in Berlin where I recovered from Achilles tendinitis and hit a sub-4—and two half marathons, helping me build up sustainably with strength, speed, mobility and proper nutrition. Thanks to her guidance, I feel stronger and fitter than ever (and I grew up playing sports). I’m excited to take on ultra training with her next!

  4. 5 out of 5

    Néstor

    Great marathon coach with a very professional approach. Training plans are well structured and adapted to your level and schedule. She also pays close attention to nutrition, adjusting it to training load and race preparation, which really helped with recovery and overall performance. Always available to answer questions and make adjustments when needed. Highly recommended.

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