We understand that not all runners are the same. Runners have different goals and expectations based on their personal lifestyles and resources available. It's evident that runners respond different to training due to a variety of uncontrollable elements. We believe that not all training programs work the same for all runners. Our goal is to sort out each element of training and provide you with the best training advice that works for you. In the end, we want you to enjoy a lifelong and sustainable running experience.
Our Team
Our coaching staff brings over 100 years of combined running experience.
" Jill is an accomplished runner, coach and mentor whose passion for the sport is contagious. As a couch to 5k runner at 40 years old, the thought of running longer than 5 minutes was so daunting to me. At first it was not enjoyable but Jill continued encouraging me. A coach who instantly believes in you before you believe in yourself is key to success. Running seemed so complicated, however Jill shared her vast knowledge of setting goals, following training plans, dealing with aches and pains, fueling and nutrition, importance of cross training and much more. She continually inspires me and because of her belief in me and my abilities I have accomplished so much as a runner. From 5ks, 10ks, half marathons to 4 marathons, she was my go to person and one of my biggest cheerleaders. I have found a passion for a sport that a decade ago wasn’t on my radar. I will continue on this journey for many more years and I have no doubt Jill will be there coaching and mentoring me towards my future running goals. "
Heather - Andover, MA
- Boston Qualifier, 3:03 Marathon Debut -
It took me years of competitive running to decide to finally give the marathon a try. Wanting to get to the start line healthy and fit, I knew I needed enlist the help of a coach. Fortunately, I was able to connect with Lowell Running's Coach Ruben Sança. I expressed to Ruben that I had worked with coaches in the past whose training plans were more of a "ready made" platform, and I felt I needed coaching that consisted of more feedback and adjustment in order to undertake the marathon. Monitoring and adjusting of workouts as the plan progressed is exactly what I got working with Ruben. There was continuous communication with my coach regarding the workouts, which were altered based on my fatigue level and performance ,both perceived and actual output. This got me to the start line physically healthy and mentally ready to race knowing I was fully prepared. I was able to meet all my goals, even the ones that seemed like a "reach" in my debut marathon. I have Coach Ruben and Lowell Running to thank for helping me achieve those goals! Would recommend Lowell Running to anyone (except maybe women in my same age group I'm competing against ;) )
Maggie - Chelmsford, MA
- PR in the Half Marathon -
" I was just getting back into distance running after about five years away when I had reached out to Ruben about his online coaching program and honestly wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to keep up. I however have exceeded some of the goals and have surprised myself along the way. I love having my workouts available to me each day, Ruben is responsive with answers to any questions I may have – he checks in and makes sure runs are going okay and I am feeling well. The workouts that are given to me change each week, and are challenging I enjoy seeing the progress that I am making with each and every workout. I highly recommend Lowell Running to anyone that asks me about my running or a coach for any goals that they may want to work towards. Each workout is individualized and Ruben stays patient when unexpected injuries may occur during training. Ruben switched my entire workout schedule around to make sure that I could still train when I was unable to run for a short time whether it was in the pool, ARC/Elliptical, or Bike. I couldn’t be more happy with the option that I have chosen for coaching and getting me to my current running fitness and can’t wait to see how much further I continue to go. "
Heather - Bloomington, IN
- 2-time Olympic Trials Qualifier -
" Kevin Beck is a particularly gifted coach when it comes to assessing the fitness level of his athletes – in both physical and emotional terms. Where some coaches privilege their own knowledge above all else and demand the athlete adhere to it, Kevin values the insights (as well as self-imposed limitations) an athlete brings to the table. This empowers the athlete to face challenges and have the confidence to determine their own approach in the process. "
Gregg - London, England
-PR & Sub 3 hour marathon after 40 attempts -
" Huge thanks to @NateJruns and @LowellRunning for giving me that final, decisive boost. These guys know their stuff! "
David - Chelmsford, MA
- PR's in the 10k and 10 mile -
" I like the clinics and how they give you detailed tips you can't find easily online. To have an elite like Ruben to get advice from and to have other people to train with really inspired me to enjoy running and marathons much more. "
Tim - Gilford, NH
- Ran a 35-minute PR at Baystate Marathon-
" This was a challenging plan but a good plan. The balance of life, work, family and training is always a struggle. I had some troubles with speed work as i often over work the hamstrings but i was able to adjust. I would like to thank Lowell Running Company for making this my strongest of 6 marathons by far. My plan was aggressive but I did what I could to fit it into my busy life. The results were a strong finish and a PR for me. I would certainly use this program again. "
David - Brockton, MA
- Ran a 15-minute PR at Baystate Marathon -
" I found the Lowell Running Co training plan easy to follow and very helpful to my motivation for the race I ran."
Rachel - Lowell, MA
- First time marathoner -
" I loved the app's integration into my Google Calendar, it made it easy to keep track of my training. I don't think I would have been as well prepared (except for the weather, but you can't control nature) without Ruben and this training plan. This was my first marathon, so I decided to get a coach and have a training plan. The app had some bugs, but nothing that was moderately inconveniencing. The workouts were well explained and Ruben was always a couple of clicks away if need be. I completed about 80% of the prescribed training, and I felt incredibly well prepared. If the weather had been better, I'm sure I would have run faster, but I finished and that was my goal."
Tara - Bedford, MA
PR in Half Marathon & Marathon
After running 2:23 in the half marathon twice in the past year, she wanted to improve to 2:15 and also run her first full marathon in under 5:30. Tara did our 16-Week "Beginner" plan and crushed her half marathon PR by running 2:08 at Smuttynose. Three weeks later, Tara ran 4:40 at the Baystate Marathon - essentially running her old half marathon PR twice in the same race!
Scott - Los Angeles, CA
- Sub 2:30 Marathoner -
" Nate Jenkins (@NateJruns) took me from a 2:39 to a 2:27 and (@BlueBenadum) from roughly 2:35 to 2:23! Will truly show you what hard work in running looks like! "
Keon - Weymouth, MA
- Boston Marathon Qualifier 2019 -
" My biggest fear of choosing online coaching was the fear of getting a general training program that I could find in a Runners World Magazine or some random website. Luckily my fear did not come true. I got training that was geared specifically to my current fitness, developed areas that I was weak in, and helped me to achieve small goals while working up to my main goal. My favorite part about using Lowell Running online is all of the technology behind it. Having my daily workout emailed to me was a convenience. Also the ability to see my weekly mileage and compare workouts, paces, see cadences, heart rates etc. I would definitely recommend Lowell Running to my best friend because you are getting a personalized training plan from an Olympian who knows all of the ins and outs. I have had absolutely no complaints with Lowell Running. "
Marla - Andover, MA
- PR & Sub 4 hr marathon after 6 years attempting to break 4 hrs "
" Thank you thank you thank you!!!! That was the most unbelievable feeling to break 4 hours and run such a strong marathon - I never felt my energy (neither mental nor physical) wane. I have been trying for 6-7 years to get close to 4 hours and I can’t believe I finally finished under 4 (and beat my first marathon time of 4:06 18 years ago!!!!!)
The running program you wrote was so amazing. I hope I can use your coaching for my next race - whether half or full! Your running clinics and messages with the blogs were so informative and positive and inspiring I just kept working harder and harder.
I can’t wait to see what I can do next!!
I truly can’t thank you enough! "
The Boston Marathon: How to Focus on the Right Things on Patriot’s Day by Kevin Beck for LowellRunning.com As my last post implied, even before the rise of social media and the Internet in general, the Boston Marathon had an extraordinarily high profile in the media and the public consciousness in general. When I was in myRead more about The Boston Marathon: How to Focus on the Right Things on Patriots’ Day[…]
Boston: A Unique Race by Kevin Beck for LowellRunning.com Like any runner who was born and raised in the general Boston metro area and took up running as a kid, I developed a strong attachment to the Boston Marathon starting at a young age. And like most people who have had continual contact with the eventRead more about Boston: A Unique Race[…]
A Bloody Mess: Understanding Your Iron Levels by Kevin Beck for LowellRunning.com Anemia, while hardly limited to endurance athletes, is a condition that most serious, longtime runners encounter to some degree at least once. (If you don’t know what the symptoms feel like or even what anemia is, do read the material on the Mayo ClinicRead more about A Bloody Mess: Understanding Your Iron Status[…]
What Kind of Goal Seeker Are You? by Kevin Beck for LowellRunning.com Let’s say you’ve reached a point at which you’ve pinned down your fitness level across a range of distances with a decent level of accuracy. (one useful way to do this, in addition to making use of one of the estimated 2.3 million onlineRead more about What Kind of Goal-Seeker Are You?[…]
On to 2019, Reviewing Your Year, Part two by Kevin Beck for LowellRunning.com There is a danger in over-associating significant single workouts with race-day success. Sometimes, if an athlete completes a powerful, unprecedented workout like, say, 3 x one mile at well under 5K pace or a fantastic marathon-pace run a few weeks before a greatRead more about On to 2019: Reviewing Your Year, Part two[…]
On to 2019, Reviewing Your Year, Part one by Kevin Beck for LowellRunning.com Already, without prompting from the Internet, you’ve started concocting your running goals for 2019. Soon, you’ll see about a zillion articles and blog posts throwing more variables and ideas at you than your mind can process at once. Focus on the marathon andRead more about On to 2019, Reviewing Your Year, Part one[…]
How Full-time Runners Keep the Fire Lit: (hint) This Works for You, Too! by Kevin Beck The last time I wrote about motivation, I claimed that top-class runners, or whatever runners you see as perhaps supernaturally immune to slothful tendencies, have many of the same basic foibles as the rest of us, I asserted that theyRead more about How Full-time Runners Keep the Fire Lit: (hint) This Works for You, Too![…]
Another Runner’s Paradox: Seeking to Demolish “Impenetrable” Barriers by Kevin Beck for LowellRunning.com In preparing for a race a few weeks or months ahead and formulating a specific goal, have you ever concluded that you could not only better your previous best time at that distance, but blow it cleanly out of the water? AndRead more about Another Runner’s Paradox: Seeking to Demolish “Impenetrable” Barriers[…]
Elite-level Motivation: It’s Not (Quite) What You Think by Kevin Beck for LowellRunning.com Last week, I did a very hard but rewarding 45-minute structured fartlek workout here in Boulder, elevation 5,300’ (give or take). My coach, a two-time Olympian and extraordinarily warm and generous human being named Kathy Butler, has a way of setting upRead more about Elite-level Motivation: It’s Not (Quite) What You Think[…]
Responsible Summer Long Runs by Kevin Beck for LowellRunning.com You may be familiar with the saying, “Variety is the spice of life.” It’s wisdom based on the sound idea that mixing up your day-to-day experiences helps keep life interesting. For example, don’t be like me and listen to the same six songs on your MP3Read more about Responsible Summer Long Runs[…]
Dodging Eight Common Half-Marathon Mistakes by Kevin Beck Now that we’re approaching midsummer, you’re probably training for at least the possibility of a half-marathon if you’re not training for a full marathon. If not, what follows is still likely to be useful to your race planning and execution. The half-marathon isn’t just a stepping stoneRead more about Dodging Eight Common Half-Marathon Mistakes[…]
Running: Toughness and Context by Kevin Beck for LowellRunning.com — Running means pushing and experiencing a degree of unrelenting physical and mental discomfort that few other athletes face. Even sports we acknowledge to be punishing, such as rugby, football, and hockey, allow for periods of respite during games to gather and re-focus critical resources. InRead more about Running: Toughness and Context[…]
Episode 88 Ruben Sanca Jul 5, 2018 – Produced by Dean Ouellette Welcome to episode 88 of the Final Surge Podcast where today we welcome Olympian runner Ruben Sanca. Ruben ran for Cabo Verde in the 2011 World Championships in the marathon and the 2012 Olympics in the 5k. Ruben won 2017 New England GrandRead more about Final Surge Podcast: Episode 88[…]
Form Matters: Limitations on Assessment by Kevin Beck — Suppose someone asked you, in the warm, bright glow of an office Christmas party, if you have any fear of being in unlit places, or if the idea of being cold and alone in an unfamiliar environment was unsettling. Depending on your gender, age, and individualRead more about Form Matters: Limitations on Assessment[…]
Rumors About Your Running Form Are Greatly Exaggerated by Kevin Beck — None of us can change most of what our bodies contain at the cellular level and how our bodies behave on the inside while we’re running. Anyone can improve vastly with training, no matter how great or small the genetic gifts that personRead more about Rumors About Your Running Form Are Greatly Exaggerated[…]
Marathon Training Basics: Part 3: How Specific is Your Race Preparation? by Kevin Beck — This is part 3 of a four-part series about the basic needs of serious marathoners. If you’re a modestly experienced competitor and getting ready to run a 5K or a 10K, it doesn’t take a great deal of creativity toRead more about Marathon Training Basics: How Specific is Your Race Preparation?[…]
Marathon Training Basics: Part 2: Are You Running Too Hard on Easy Days? by Kevin Beck — This is part 2 of a four-part series about the basic needs of serious marathoners. One of the most common questions thrown around the running community is “How fast should I run on my easy days?” Evidently thereRead more about Marathon Training Basics: Are You Running Too Hard on Easy Days?[…]
Marathon Training Basics: Part 1: Are You Running Enough? by Kevin Beck — This is part 1 of a four-part series about the basic needs of serious marathoners. Look closely at that simple question and apply it to an honest assessment of your own running. What’s the highest mileage (or kilometrage) level you have reachedRead more about Marathon Training Basics: Are You Running Enough?[…]
Marathon Training Basics: Introduction by Kevin Beck — This post introduces a four-part series about the basic needs of serious marathoners. Over 15 years ago, when I was working on a Running Times article about Keith Dowling, the top U.S. finisher at the 2002 Boston Marathon, Keith opined: “Some say there’s no magic formula. IRead more about Marathon Training Basics: Introduction[…]
The Marathon: Visualization Strategies by Kevin Beck Mike Platt, who now lives in the Boston area, became a 2:18 marathon runner in the 1990s following a solid career at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania — and he only took up running thanks to trying to rehab a wrestling injury that derailed his efforts in thatRead more about The Marathon: Visualization Strategies[…]
The Marathon: The Perfect Race for Everyone by Kevin Beck If you follow the careers of professional distance runners from the United States, you see a typical, even predictable progression. They wrap up their college careers at age 22 or 23, and if they’re lucky, they shoe, gear, and other endorsement contracts. They then usuallyRead more about The Marathon: The Perfect Race for Everyone[…]
Run a Marathon Best With This Simple Test By Ruben Sança When Pheidippedes ran from the Greek city of Marathon to give word of the Greek victory over Persia nearly 2500 year ago, one could say that he wasn’t so concerned about how quickly he arrived in Athens, as long as he actually made it thereRead more about Run a Marathon Best With This Simple Test[…]
Dos and Don’ts: 10 Tips Before a Marathon By Ruben Sança With 10 days to go before a marathon, you’ve certainly put in lots and lots of miles and many long hours of running. Your body has been put through a series of physical and mental tests and you think you’ve conquered it all. Your FacebookRead more about Dos and Don’ts: 10 Tips Before a Marathon[…]
Tips for Running in the Winter By Ruben Sança If you’re a distance runner living in a climate that changes drastically with the seasons, you have to battle against the elements to get your training done. Temperatures in the winter in cold places are not ideal for running workouts. These months can often be crucialRead more about Tips for Running in the Winter[…]
