Coach Michael Merlino

I've been coaching runners since 2004 through my Houston-based program, In Flight Running. I work with adult runners at every level, from first-time 5K participants to experienced marathoners, helping them build strength, improve pace, and actually enjoy the process without burning out or getting injured.

Most runners make the same mistake: they train too hard on easy days and not hard enough on the hard days, which leads to frustration and injury. I design training plans that fit into real life, balance intensity with recovery, and address what each person's body actually needs right now, not a generic template. That's the difference between checking boxes and actually getting faster.