Sam Renikoff – New York City Running Coach
$100.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee
50% off your first month! Running coach focusing on the 5k through the Marathon! Working with runners to set and achieve goals, crush PRs, and enjoy the process! In-person available in NYC!
Description
New York City running coach Sam Renikoff specializes on the roads and the track, whether it’s your first 5k or your 10th marathon going for that BQ, Sam is here to help with balance and consistency. Sam also offers in-person sessions in NYC, reach out to Sam below with any questions!
*** 50% off First Month for month-to-month Coaching – Coupon Code: 50percentoff ***
LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
TYPES: Road, Track
DISTANCES: 5k/10k/Half Marathon, Marathon
TRAINING PLATFORM: Final Surge
TRAINING PLAN: Individual, customized training plan
COMMUNICATION: Unlimited email, unlimited text
RESPONSE TIME: Within 24 hours
LOCATION: New York City, NY
IN-PERSON SESSIONS: Yes, meet anywhere in Manhattan or locations close to Manhattan in the Bronx, Queens or Brooklyn. Central Park would be ideal! Options include: Long training runs, pacing speed workouts, occasional easy runs, or an in-person race prep discussion.
SPECIALTIES
I specialize in distances ranging from the 5k up through the marathon. I work with beginners that are looking to cross the finish line of their first 5k, runners trying to set a new track personal best, all the way through runners looking to achieve a Boston-qualifying time. I am here to build a custom training plan, respond to any and all questions, and provide both motivation and accountability towards achieving running goals! I can also provide advice on how to fuel on race day, how to navigate the race-day experience, and strategy for race execution.
PHILOSOPHY
My coaching philosophy is centered upon consistency and balance. Improvements or success in distance running is contingent upon consistent, incremental growth. This means that training plans need to be sustainable for each athlete, both in volume and intensity, and they need to work within the realistic confines of everyday life. When I work with athletes, the first thing that we do is identify the priorities in their life that need to be worked around. In my experience, athletes that make time to enjoy and pursue other hobbies, or spend time with friends and family, tend to have more success than athletes that are more singularly-focused. This balance helps keep the joy in running alive, creating a more sustainable training plan that avoids burnout. To me, the training process is as much part of the goal as the race itself, and enjoying that process is incredibly important.
I also want to instill a mindset of flexibility with my athletes. Injuries, aches, and pains can pop up during training (though we do our best to avoid it!), and I always listen to the athlete, and encourage the athlete to listen to what their body is telling them. Tweaking a training plan to add an extra day of rest is much better than pushing through and getting injured!
COACHING EXPERIENCE
I’ve been coaching runners since 2020, after I received my RRCA certification. The runners I have coached range from those simply trying to get in shape, to some who were building up to their first 5k, all the way through runners attempting to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
Outside of run coaching, I also coached high school baseball for three years, as well as two years of youth soccer. I just love coaching!
ABOUT ME
Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, I left for New York four years ago and have loved living in my new home city. I frequently run with my wife, my friends, and a couple of social running groups. I love history and exploring the city, so I am also a New York City running tour guide! Outside of running, I love traveling the world and writing about it, I am a big fan of live music and dancing, I read a lot of books (I’m always looking for recommendations), and you can often find me experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen!
BIG INFLUENCES
My biggest influences are athletes that are able to produce incredible performances while still having balance in their life, which aligns with my coaching style and philosophy. This would include someone like Martin Hehir, who ran a 2:08 marathon while also completing medical school and being a father to two children. I would also add Keira D’Amato, who recently set the American record in the marathon after taking time away from professional running to become a real estate agent, be a parent, and rediscover her joy for running.
RACING HISTORY
My running history has been one of ups and downs, which has made me appreciate the process even more. I started out running 3:32 in my first marathon, and over the course of the following five years I brought that PR down to 2:40. It took me a couple of tries before I got my first Boston qualifier, which made my first Boston all the sweeter, and I haven’t looked back since! I’ve gone through some injuries and comebacks over the years, learning a lot along the way. I’ve run races in many places, ranging from my hometown in Minnesota, to New York, Boston, Chicago, Berlin, and Barcelona!
Recently I’ve added to my racing resume, by racing in a couple of track 5k’s, a trail ultramarathon, virtual time trials, and lots of unsanctioned races in the middle of the night! I love trying different styles of races, as they always remind me of my love for running.
CERTIFICATIONS
- RRCA (Road Runners Club of America)
- CPR/AED Certified (American Red Cross)
PRs
- 1 Mile: 4:54 (7/12/20) Black Lives Matter 1M
- 5k: 17:04 (6/2/20) Personal Time Trial
- 10k: 35:47 (9/14/19) OSR 10k
- 10-Mile: 57:35 (9/29/19) Bronx 10-Mile
- Half Marathon: 1:18:08 (10/13/19) Chicago Marathon
- Marathon: 2:40:00 (10/13/19) Chicago Marathon
CONTACT SAM
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.
Rich Renikoff –
Working with Sam has re-ignited my interest in distance running. At age 61 I have been dormant for over 10 years in part due to injuries, and in part due to lost enthusiasm for the sport. I have run 15 marathons and many other races but I felt defeated by my slowness and inability to “care” like I used to. Sam has opened my eyes to a return to running with baby steps and some shared accountability. He has built a gradual program for me to use as I work toward my goal of a half-marathon I am signed up for this June. I really like the way he has blended in my twice per week Pilates classes into my cross training days. I have been working with him for two months and the steady diet of miles, strength training and stretching has returned my running appetite to its former level! Sam pays attention to my comments posted after my runs or strength training and makes adjustments to the schedule when needed. The app is an easy tool to use for building accountability to these goals. It always feels good to record the success achieved each day. Sam has good instincts around the way your brain can help or hurt you when training and he builds in accomplishments that help you push to the next level. Great teacher and coach!
Kathy –
After one month of hiring Sam as a coach, I am already feeling stronger, faster and more confident as a runner. I have been a runner for many years, but as I have gotten older, it’s been harder to get myself motivated to become a better runner. I hired Sam to help me prepare for a 1/2 marathon which I will be running in June. During our initial consultation we discussed goals and objectives and he has been great about incorporating my other athletic activities into my program. He has been creative and flexible with my plan which keeps me interested and looking forward to my runs and workouts. I love the strength training that is part of the program as well as the cross training ideas. Sam offers great advice and encouragement! And I enjoy documenting my runs on the Final Surge platform. I am excited to continue my training with Sam and see how I do in June. Sam is the best!
Elisabeth –
Sam is a great coach! He is coaching me for an 800m track race and has helped me build confidence in my running. He is flexible and adjusts workouts as needed. When I’ve had a few great workouts in a row he adjusts to challenge me more, or if it’s a busy week at work he helps me adjust the training schedule according to what is do-able. I also love the training platform, Final Surge. It’s easy to use and helpful to track my progress. I definitely recommend Sam as a coach!