Running Coaching · East Bay, CA
Running coaching for every pace.
From your first walk/run to a half marathon, a plan that fits your knees, your schedule and the race you have in mind.
See Pricing & Get Started →- ACE-certified coach
- 23 years coaching runners
- Sister site to Running Fit Lab
A plan your knees can live with.
Plenty of people start running after 50, and plenty come back to it after years away. The ones who keep going build up slowly, strengthen their legs and hips, and listen to the difference between soreness and pain.
Francisco coaches walk/run starters, first-time 5K runners and experienced runners chasing a half or full marathon. Your plan blends running with strength work so knees and hips hold up. For race-focused training plans and team running groups, visit our sister site, Running Fit Lab.
Is this right for you?
A good fit if
- You want to run your first 5K, or get back to running after years off.
- Knee, hip or foot trouble has stopped you before and you want a plan that respects it.
- You have a half marathon or marathon on the calendar and want a coach in your corner.
- You’d like strength training built into your running, not added as an afterthought.
Probably not a fit if
- You want a fast plan to race in four weeks from zero. Runners over 50 do best building up gradually.
What working together looks like
We talk about your running history, injuries and goal race, and look at how you move and run.
A week-by-week schedule of easy runs, a few harder sessions and two short strength workouts, built around your calendar.
We taper you in, plan your pacing and fueling, and celebrate the finish together.
“I could not run regularly due to knee problems. Coach Francisco quickly helped me improve my strength and form so I could run pain-free again.”
Margery C., Dublin, CA
Questions, answered
Is it too late to start running after 50?
No. Many people start running in their 50s, 60s and beyond. The key is a gradual build, often beginning with walk/run intervals, plus strength training for knees and hips. A coach helps you progress at a pace your body can handle.
How do I start running with bad knees?
Start with walk/run intervals on soft or flat surfaces, keep easy runs truly easy, and strengthen your quads, hips and calves twice a week. Stop if you feel sharp pain. If you have a diagnosed knee condition, follow your doctor’s or physical therapist’s guidance.
How long does it take to train for a 5K?
Most beginners are ready for a 5K in about eight to twelve weeks of three short sessions a week. If you are starting from walking, the plan begins with walk/run intervals and builds from there.
Do runners need strength training?
Yes, especially after 50. Two short strength sessions a week help protect knees, hips and Achilles tendons, improve running form and slow age-related muscle loss. Your running plan includes them.
What is the difference between The Fit Potato and Running Fit Lab?
Both are coached by Francisco. The Fit Potato offers private running coaching alongside personal training for East Bay adults. Running Fit Lab (runningfitlab.com) is the sister site focused on race training plans and running groups.
How much does running coaching cost?
Private sessions start at $120. Your coach will recommend a schedule and format during your private consultation.
Pick your race. We’ll get you there.
Tell us where your running is today and where you want it to go.
See Pricing & Get Started →Prefer email? coachfrancisco@thefitpotato.com