Ready for a breakthrough in your running
Ready for a breakthrough in your running
Train Smarter. Race Faster.
Have More Fun. Stay Healthy.
Real Coaching, Proven System & A Performance Driven Team – Not AI
Train Smarter. Race Faster.
Have More Fun. Stay Healthy.
Real Coaching, Proven System & A Performance Driven Team – Not AI
READY FOR A BREAKTHROUGH?
Coaching That Helps Runners Train Smarter, Stay Healthy, Have More Fun and Perform at a Higher Level
Welcome, I’m Coach Todd, a running coach and recovery specialist with 35+ years of experience helping runners from 5K to marathon unlock a new level of enjoyment, confidence and performance.
I’ve worked with hundreds of athletes who were frustrated by stalled progress, recurring aches, or training plans that simply didn’t fit their lives. My coaching philosophy is built around a culture of fun, consistency and achievement, supported by a deep background in exercise physiology, nutrition science, recovery and orthopedic healing and recovery.
This is coaching designed to help you thrive, not just survive training.
I Learned the Hard Way, So You Don’t Have To
Over my own 35+ years as a runner, I’ve experienced my share of injuries and setbacks. Looking back, the reasons were clear.
I didn’t always train SMART.
I didn’t always recover SMART.
I ran too fast too often.
I progressed too aggressively.
I pushed through soreness.
I under-fueled.
I wore the wrong shoes.
I relied on icing instead of real recovery.
I didn’t respect rest after hard workouts or races.
Sound familiar?
I knew there had to be a better way, so I went searching for answers. I tested methods, studied the science, experimented on myself and eventually hired a coach as well. All of this and my continued research has shaped my approach and who I am today and what I teach.
What I learned changed everything!
The SMART Approach
The SMART Approach is a structured, adaptive coaching system that looks at you as a whole runner, training load, recovery, fueling, biomechanics, mindset and lifestyle and builds a plan around your current fitness and your goals ahead.
The result:
* More consistency
* Fewer injuries
* Stronger physical and mental resilience
* Better race execution and long-term performance
* Most importantly, runners start enjoying the process again.
My mission is simple:
Help runners train smarter, stay on the road and perform at their best and continue to grow without unnecessary breakdowns.
Welcome to SMART APPROACH Training.
Structured Marathon Adaptive Recovery Training
From first-time runners to experienced marathoners chasing PRs or a BQ, my coaching is built around one simple goal:
* Smarter training, more fun & consistent progress & growth without unnecessary physical or mental breakdowns *
This isn’t AI or cookie-cutter coaching. It’s a personalized, adaptive system built around your body, your life and your goals.
▶️ Watch my welcome video to learn how the SMART Approach works.
Train Smarter to Get FasTer
Fuel and Hydrate with precision and Purpose
Recover like a rock star so you can stay consistent, Improve & Race Better & With joy!
The value you get with SMART APPROACH Coaching
My coaching is built around one core principle:
Train the right things, in the right ratio, at the right time so you progress without breaking down.
Every runner is different. Your training should reflect that.
I take a hands-on, adaptive approach, adjusting your training week by week based on your fitness, recovery, stress and life outside of running. This isn’t rigid programming, it’s thoughtful coaching. And yes, we’ll have fun along the way.
Personalized, Science-Based Training With A Lot Of Common Sense
Your training is based on your current fitness, not reaching for an outcome or goal pace.
Using proven pacing formulas and strategies refined over 35+ years, I build training that develops fitness safely, consistently and sustainably without overreaching or guesswork.
No trends.
No hype.
Just smart progression that works.
Fully Customized Weekly Training Plans
You receive a new, customized training plan each week, delivered through my Final Surge App and built around:
Your goals
Your current fitness
Your recovery needs
Your real-life schedule
Training is cyclical. There are times to build, times to sharpen and times to recharge. I manage that process for you so you arrive at race day confident, healthy and prepared and not exhausted or stale.
What We Train, And Why It Works
Rather than chasing unrealistic extremes, the SMART Approach develops complete runners.
Endurance
Builds your aerobic engine through easy running, long runs and appropriate volume. It’s the foundation for everything else.
Stamina
Teaches you to hold faster paces for longer, using Coach Todd’s carefully prescribed steady, progression, threshold and critical velocity type efforts.
Speed & Skill
Shorter, controlled speed elements like striders, hills and intervals improve running economy, coordination and power without excessive breakdown.
Most plans overemphasize speed and intensity. Coach Todd prescribes just enough to make you better, not injured.
Race Strategy Is a Skill , And We Train It And Emphasize It
Many runners do the work… then sabotage it all on race day. All the hard work does not get rewarded on the big day.
Your pacing, fueling, execution, strategy, mindset and decision-making matter just as much as your fitness on race day. I help you develop race intelligence and toughness so your performance matches your preparation. And you line up at the start line confident, fit and feeling badass.
You’ll go into races with:
A clear plan
Realistic expectations
Confidence built from training
The ability to adapt on the fly
Mindset to finish the race strong
That’s how runners start racing to their potential consistently
The Bottom Line
You can get fitter, faster and more confident at every race distance without unnecessary frustration or setbacks.
That’s what the SMART Approach and Coach Todd will deliver for you everyday.
If you’re ready for real coaching and not guesswork or generic plans or AI, let’s talk. My focus and approach is always to work on key components of run fitness development in the ratio of what I feel is best for your progress and health in a fun and engaging manner. I will provide you with many resources that you won’t find with many running programs or other coaches. I am 100% hands on an adaptive. We will have a blast. Reach out to me today for a FREE no obligation virtual call. Click the link below.
Why choose SMART Approach Training?
Train from anywhere
SMART Approach Training is online with run coaching made easy. SMART Approach Training is delivered 100% online, so you can train intelligently from anywhere in the world without disrupting your work, family or life schedule. You’ll follow a structured plan, recover properly and progress with confidence all while keeping running fun and sustainable. This is the training that fits your life, not the other way around.
A Proven, Adaptive Plan
No guesswork. No grinding. Just progress. Feeling stuck, frustrated or dealing with recurring aches and pains. The SMART Approach replaces you guessing with a clear, adaptive system that balances training stress and recovery so you can get stronger mentally and physically, not broken. You’ll follow a plan that grows with you led by Coach Todd who adjusts your training as your body responds.
Real Coaching, Real support
YOU ARE NOT DOING THIS ALONE! Don’t waste time experimenting or bouncing between generic plans or AI plans that are not real and cannot get to know the real person inside you. With SMART Approach coaching, you have direct access to Coach Todd for his vast knowledge, guidance, feedback, adjustments, support, motivation and honest answers throughout your journey. This is hands-on coaching built around long-term growth, confidence and consistent growth month after month and year after year as part of a team. Get ready to thrive.
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Seriously.
IT. JUST. WORKS.