Don’t train for a marathon alone. Run with Coach Brendan Running along Chicago’s lakefront path on Saturday mornings, first group training run to be held Saturday, May 30, 2020. This 20-week program will help prepare you for running or run-walking a fall marathon. The training program coincides with the date of the Bank of America Chicago […]
As we get past the holidays and the dreary days of winter, our thoughts turn to getting outdoors and running throughout the summer months. Perhaps there is a spring half marathon on your schedule or you want to build a base for your summer and fall marathons. Here is your opportunity. Join Coach Brendan Running […]
In the midst of a long training run preparing for my first Boston Marathon, I felt a little delirious and thought “I must be running on LSD”. Not necessarily the hallucinogenic, but those other forms of LSD common to marathon runners in Chicago. Long Slow Distance (“LSD”) running – the key component to marathon training. And […]
Welcome to my endurance and speed training website, coachbrendan.com. I’m passionate about running and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to help others start an exercise program and improve their running performance. While I played a variety of sports in my youth, I started running as an adult to improve my fitness and ease the […]
Athletes of all backgrounds can benefit from a training program. For those athletes beginning an exercise program, or who desire to run their first 5K or 10K, my training programs will help you get started and get into the habit of exercise. Whether you are interested in developing an exercise routine for health or fitness, […]
If you had asked me 3 years ago if I was ever going to run a marathon, I would have told you that you were crazy! 5k’s and 10k’s were about all I could do, at least in my mind. But after meeting Coach Brendan, a parishioner and marathoner, who invited me to believe that 26.2 is possible, I have now completed my 5th marathon. Though I always enjoyed the short run, I never imagined myself running a marathon distance. Coach Brendan helped me believe in my abilities to do something so “unimagi… Read more
Nine months ago, I injured my back, which kept me from running for over six months. Run walk is the only reason I am able to train again. Now that I am on the mend, run walk provides me just enough rest to let me maintain my form, which, in turn, protects my back — and I can achieve my pace goals at the same time. Coach Brendan’s style of run walk is not just for recovery, though: it can be as challenging as you allow it to be, and I plan to continue to run walk my way through all my ten mil… Read more
I completed my first half marathon in Miami (2004) and have gone on to finish many races thereafter with your coaching. You taught me what it meant to truly finish a race.
You have continued to teach me. Your patience and advice, even when I didn’t necessarily want to hear it, was exactly what I needed to hear. Your tips, “Good Form Will Carry You Through” are engrained in my brain.
You have molded me into what I am today as a runner. I am truly grateful for your friendship and coaching.
I had been a middle distance runner since 1971, and started doing marathons in 2002. My first four years of marathoning led me to a 4:42 PR. When I sought to break 4:30, I sought coaching that would deliver a combination of science and strategy that would enlighten my overall approach to training and execution.
The premier insight you shared was also about getting the mental element – setting goals and how to reach them. After a year of turning theory into practice, I took off with another per… Read more
Coach Brendan has the incredible ability to make you believe you can accomplish the goals you set for yourself. He also reminded me that running truly was a way to have fun. Throughout training, he makes a point of encouraging me and teaching me the proper form and technique, that helps me through those long runs.
He teaches everyone to be their best, and it doesn’t matter if you were fast or slow. I ran my first ever half marathon in January 2007 and I completed four half marathons in 2008. N… Read more
Brendan Cournane is a USATF- and RRCA-certified running coach who has helped more than 5,000 runners reach their marathon goals.
He has completed 88 marathons, including each of the 50 States and all 7 Continents. Brendan has qualified for the Boston Marathon in over a dozen years and has completed Boston 6 times.
Coach Brendan blends his knowledge and experience to offer runners training programs to reach their goals.
Whether you are an elite runner or if you haven't run in years, Coach Brendan can make you better.
Coach Brendan's training is built on helping you develop good running form to improve your efficiency.
Next Coach Brendan works with you to develop your running endurance, before moving to improve speed. A tested mix hard, easy, and cross-training days keeps you motivated, healthy, and improving.