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Half Marathon Training · SF Bay Area · In-Person & Online
Train Smart.
Train Smart.
Race Strong.
Crush 13.1.
Train with a certified Bay Area running coach — through group classes, private one-on-one coaching, or both. Built for first-timers and PR chasers. RRCA & USATF certified.
Coach Francisco's Track Record
15+
Years Coaching
1K+
Runners Coached
22
Boston Qualifiers
All
Levels Welcome
RRCA Certified · USATF Certified · Dublin, CA
Who This Is For
Every Kind of
Every Kind of
Half Marathoner.
01
First-Time Half Marathoners
Never run 13.1 before? We'll take you from where you are to the finish line — with a plan that builds endurance safely, prevents injury, and makes the whole journey feel doable and fun.
02
PR Chasers
Already run a half and ready to go faster? We'll dial in your race-specific pacing, sharpen your speed work, and build the race-day strategy to finally break through that plateau.
03
Comeback Runners
Returning from injury, time off, or a training gap? We specialize in smart, progressive rebuilds that get you back to the starting line stronger — without rushing you into re-injury.
04
Marathon & Boston Marathon Builders
Training for a full marathon or working toward a Boston qualifier? A strong half marathon is one of the best fitness benchmarks and speed-building blocks in the process. Francisco has guided 22 runners to Boston — he knows exactly how a half fits into the bigger picture.
What Makes Us Different
More Than a
More Than a
Training Plan.
Anyone can hand you a spreadsheet. Running Fit Lab builds a coaching relationship — one that accounts for your life, your body, and what actually motivates you to show up on a cold Wednesday morning.
✓
Built Around Your Real Life
Your work schedule, sleep, family commitments, and injury history all go into your plan. No generic cookie-cutter templates.
✓
Race-Specific Preparation
Training for the Livermore Valley Half, SF Half, or another local Bay Area race? Your plan accounts for that course's specific terrain, weather, and demands.
✓
Strength, Mobility & Recovery
We train the whole runner — not just your aerobic engine. Strength work, mobility, and smart recovery protocols keep you healthy from week one to race day.
✓
Run by Feel Philosophy
Francisco teaches you to listen to your body, not just your watch. Runners who train by feel are more consistent, less injured, and actually enjoy the process.
✓
In-Person Track Gait Analysis
Francisco watches you run live on the track — not on a screen. Real stride, real conditions, real feedback. Most coaches can't offer this. We can.
How It Works
How Running Fit Lab
How Running Fit Lab
Gets You There.
Start with an in-person gait analysis on the track — then choose the coaching path that fits your life.
01
In-Person Track Gait Analysis
Unlike video-call assessments, Francisco watches you run live on the track — seeing your real stride under real conditions. He analyzes your foot strike, cadence, posture, arm drive, and full-body movement patterns in motion, identifying the form inefficiencies that cause shin splints, runner's knee, IT band issues, and plantar fasciitis before they sideline your training. Most coaches can't offer this. We can.
Path A · Community & Accountability
02A
Join Group Training Classes
Train with the team on Monday and Wednesday evenings plus Saturday long runs. Everyone trains toward the same goal race together — Francisco sets the training plan, leads every session, and adjusts week by week based on how the group is progressing. The community keeps you accountable when motivation dips. From $159/month.
View Classes →
Path B · Personalized 1-on-1 Coaching
02B
Work 1-on-1 with Coach Francisco
Every week Francisco emails you a customized training plan built around how your body is responding, your schedule, and your race timeline. No two weeks are the same — your plan evolves with you. Ongoing support via text, email, and call between sessions. The fastest path to your goal time.
View Private Coaching →
Bay Area Races We Specialize In
Race-Specific
Race-Specific
Preparation.
Training for a specific Bay Area half marathon? Your plan is built around that course — its terrain, elevation, and race-day conditions.
Livermore Valley Half Marathon
San Francisco Half Marathon
Bay Breeze Half Marathon
Oakland Running Festival Half
San Jose Rock 'n' Roll Half
Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon
Santa Rosa Marathon (Half)
SF Hot Chocolate Half
Your Race — We'll Build For It
Training for a race not on this list? No problem — Running Fit Lab has built plans for races across California and nationwide. Just let us know your goal race when you reach out.
Real Runners, Real Results
They Did It.
They Did It.
You Can Too.
★★★★★
Training with Running Fit Lab completely changed how I approach running. I used to just grind out miles and burn out — now I actually enjoy the process. I crushed my PR by 8 minutes at the Livermore Half and felt stronger than ever at the finish line.
Erin G.
Livermore Valley Half Marathon · 8-Minute PR
★★★★★
Before Running Fit Lab, I wasn't sure if I could even finish a half marathon. Francisco's training plan kept me motivated, healthy, and actually excited for every long run. Crossing that finish line was one of the proudest moments of my life.
James R.
First-Time Half Marathoner
★★★★★
Coach Francisco helped me stop obsessing over my watch and start running by feel. For the first time in years, I'm running injury-free — and I'm faster too. Running isn't just a race anymore, it's my therapy.
Melissa P.
Bay Area Runner · Injury-Free PR
Common Questions
Half Marathon
Half Marathon
Training FAQs.
Most runners need 12 to 18 weeks of structured training. First-timers typically benefit from a full 16–18 weeks to build their aerobic base safely. Experienced runners chasing a PR can often work with a 12–14 week plan. The right timeline depends on your current fitness, weekly mileage, and goal race date — which is exactly why we start with an assessment.
Most half marathon training plans peak between 25 and 40 miles per week depending on your goal and experience level. A first-timer might peak around 20–25 miles per week, while a competitive runner chasing a sub-1:45 finish might peak closer to 40. Your custom plan will be calibrated to your starting point and progressively builds mileage at a safe rate to avoid overuse injuries.
For a first-time half marathoner, finishing in 2:15 to 2:45 is a solid and achievable goal. The average finish time across all runners is around 2:10–2:15. The most important goal for a first timer is crossing the finish line feeling strong — not a specific time. After your first race, you'll have a real baseline to work from and a coach who can help you set a PR target for your next one.
Yes — with enough time. If you're starting from little to no running base, allow at least 20–24 weeks and expect your first several weeks to involve walk/run intervals. Francisco has helped complete beginners go from the couch to half marathon finish lines. The key is starting conservatively and building gradually — which is exactly how every custom plan is designed.
Both paths start with an in-person track gait analysis. Group class members train together toward the same goal race — Francisco sets and leads the program for the whole team. One-on-one clients receive a customized weekly training plan by email each week, built specifically around how their body is responding and their individual race timeline. Either way, you have direct access to Coach Francisco throughout your training.
Running Fit Lab is based in Dublin, California, and serves runners throughout the SF Bay Area — Dublin, San Ramon, Pleasanton, Danville, Livermore, Walnut Creek, and beyond. Custom training plans and online coaching are available for runners anywhere in the country. In-person group classes run Monday evenings, Wednesday evenings, and Saturday mornings in Dublin and San Ramon.
We specialize in local Bay Area races including the Livermore Valley Half Marathon, San Francisco Half Marathon, Bay Breeze Half, Oakland Running Festival Half, San Jose Rock 'n' Roll Half, and Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon. We also train runners for races elsewhere in California and across the country — just let us know your goal race.
Dublin, CA · SF Bay Area & Online · All Levels
Your 13.1
Your 13.1
Starts
Right Here.
Whether this is your first half marathon or your fastest — Running Fit Lab gives you the plan, the coaching, and the community to get there.