Rob Raux – Ann Arbor Running Coach
$99.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee
Excelling in personalized, science-backed training for road & trail runners, nurturing growth, while exploring your limits.
Description
Ann Arbor running coach Rob Raux has years of experience on both the roads and the trails, from fast half marathons to gnarly trail ultras, and he’s excited to work with runners on a personalized level with adaptable training that fits within a busy lifestyle. Rob also offers in-person sessions. Reach out below to get started!
LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
TYPES: Road, Trail
DISTANCES: 5k/10k/Half Marathon, Marathon, Ultra
TRAINING PLATFORM: Final Surge
TRAINING PLAN: Individual, customized training plan
COMMUNICATION: Unlimited email, unlimited phone, unlimited text
RESPONSE TIME: Within 24 hours
LOCATION: Ann Arbor, MI
IN-PERSON SESSIONS: Yes, meet within 25 miles of zip code 48103 (Ann Arbor). Sessions include an in-person conversation regarding: running/hiking/walking to assess goals and progress, trail running tips and technique, form feedback, race strategy & preparation. Reach out to Rob for more info.
SPECIALTIES
My expertise spans a wide range of distances – from half-marathons to challenging 100 mile mountain ultras. Whether you’re passionate about racing in the woods or keen to step into the world of ultra running, my role is to be your guide and supporter. With my enthusiastic, patient, and goal-focused approach, I aim to align with and amplify your running aspirations.
Recognizing that running is just one aspect of your busy life, I design flexible training plans that honor the balance between your passion for running and other vital commitments, such as family and work. This balanced approach fosters accountability and consistency in your training, nurturing growth in a manner that enriches, rather than disrupts, your lifestyle.
- Trail Running Expertise: Specializing in half-marathons to 100-mile mountain ultras.
- Ultra Marathon Preparation: Tailored coaching for ambitious long-distance challenges.
- Adaptive Training: From beginners to advanced runners, adapting to your skill level.
- Lifestyle Balance: Creating training plans that fit seamlessly with your daily life.
PHILOSOPHY
Personalized Approach: The Experiment of One
Each athlete’s journey is unique, and I firmly believe in a personalized approach grounded in science. This includes identifying the right balance between pushing limits and necessary recovery periods.
Structured & Educated Planning: The Backbone of Success
Effective training planning and execution are rooted in structured methodologies and continuous education. My experience in trail running coaching ensures informed and reliable guidance.
Psychological Support: Understanding Athlete Needs
Addressing mental aspects are as crucial as physical training. My approach includes being adaptable and attentive to each athlete’s mental and emotional needs.
Communication & Honesty: Foundations of Trust
The cornerstone of my coaching is built on effective communication and honesty. These values are essential in fostering a successful and trust-based coaching relationship.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
I began formal coaching with Team RunRun in late 2023, leveraging a diverse background of coaching friends, family, colleagues, and participants in programs like Girls on the Run. My experience spans guiding beginners from a couch-to-5k to helping seasoned athletes complete 100-mile ultras. This range has honed my ability to support runners of varying goals and skill levels.
ABOUT ME
Hailing from Buffalo, NY, I now reside in Ann Arbor, MI, where I balance life with my wife and two nearly adult children. While I wasn’t a runner in high school, participating instead in soccer and swimming, running became a central part of my life post-college, inspired by runs with my Dad.
Professionally, my world revolves around software development, where I enjoy blending technology with health and wellness. This intersection of passions leads to innovative ways to enhance well-being through tech.
My love for running transcends the thrill of racing. For me, it’s about the journey – the idyllic experience of traversing a single track in the woods. Since 2013, 100-mile events have been my forte, offering not just athletic challenges but opportunities to explore breathtaking locations worldwide and forge lasting friendships.
BIG INFLUENCES
My coaching approach has been significantly shaped by mentors and literature. I’ve had the privilege of learning from coach Matt Urbanski and am a voracious reader of both running fiction and non-fiction. My literary inspirations range from the technical insights of Timothy Noakes, Arthur Lydiard, Jack Daniels, and Jason Koop, to the captivating narratives in “Born To Run”, “Once a Runner”, “Running with Buffaloes”, and “What I Talk About When I Talk About Running”.
My father’s passion for running, developed later in life, was also a major influence for me. His enthusiasm for self-improvement in the sport was infectious and played a crucial role in steering me towards this journey.
Additionally, the local running community in Ann Arbor continually inspires me. Their relentless pursuit of pushing beyond comfort zones and openly sharing both their triumphs and setbacks helps inform my coaching philosophy and methods.
RACING HISTORY
My first shot at a 100-miler was at the Hallucination 100 in Hell, Michigan. About 60 miles in, things took a turn – literally. I stubbed my toe on a stump and, trying to steady myself, I jammed my other foot under a root. What happened next was like a slow-motion scene: my body lurched forward, but my feet didn’t get the memo. An absolutely epic fall to witness I’m sure.
The next 20 miles were a mix of running and walking, a gritty push against every signal my body was sending. With each step, a flash of white-hot pain shot through me, a kind of searing light that I still remember vividly. But at mile 80, my body finally called it quits. I couldn’t take another step without debilitating pain. My persistence left me with a leg that was completely black and blue from toes to hip.
This experience, however, was just one part of my ultra running journey. In the FatDog 120, I faced another immense challenge when I went off course by 10 miles. Undeterred, I navigated back on track, a better application of my perseverance and resilience. This episode, along with many others, has not only enriched my racing journey but also equipped me with valuable insights and stories. These I now share in my coaching, helping fellow runners navigate their ultra running paths with determination and resolve.
CERTIFICATIONS
- Certified UESCA Ultrarunning Coach
PRs
- 50k: 4:17:04 (4/27/13) The Trail Marathon, 2 OA
- 100 mile: 20:58:30 (9/9/22) Hallucination 100 Miler, 5 OA
CONTACT ROB
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.
PUBLICATIONS
- Rob Raux & the Hallucination 100 ft. Sarah Raux – Podcast
SOCIAL
Chris Schults –
I highly recommend Rob for coaching services. His enthusiasm for running and helping others succeed in their journeys shines through. He also practices what he preaches and has wealth of experience solving running challenges you can’t always find on the Internet. He’s encouraging, helped me navigate an injury, and helped lay the foundation to get me BQ marathon pace ready.
Julia –
Rob is an absolutely fantastic coach! He is super supportive and provides very thorough feedback after nearly every run. He has been helping me train for my first 50-miler and I am so thankful to have him to help organize and structure my workouts! He is a wealth of knowledge in all things running and has been great about customizing my plan around my non-traditional work schedule/hours. I would definitely recommend Rob to any runner who is looking for that extra push to achieve their next running goal!