Coach Michael Grathwohl

I’m a lifelong runner and RRCA-certified coach passionate about helping runners of all levels learn about themselves and unlock their potential. Whether you're taking up running for the first time or you're a seasoned racer looking for a breakthrough, I provide training structure, race and fueling strategies, and the expertise necessary to increase your confidence and achieve your goals. And we’ll have fun doing it. Over the past 20 years, I’ve raced every standard distance from 800 meters to the marathon. In college track and cross country, my successes were consistently interrupted by injury. In retrospect, I had no sense of what it meant to run easy, to periodize my training, or to balance speedwork and volume with appropriate recovery. Through education and research on training theories and race strategies—and a whole lot more running—I developed a coaching philosophy built around the belief that building fitness is about smart, consistent training over time. Fun is the backbone of my coaching philosophy because I believe becoming a stronger runner calls for consistency, and it’s tough to be consistent at something you don’t enjoy doing. Enjoying running will look different for each athlete. For me, it’s meditative peace and quiet, finding a rhythm where I can cruise, and the accomplishment following a challenging workout—doing a tempo run in 15-degree Chicago weather is my idea of a good time! With the right approach, I can help you enjoy running and reach your goals.