Can AI Replace Your Running Coach?

Author

Letty Lundquist
February 12th, 2025

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Is AI Coaching a Game-Changer or Just Another Running Trend?

Today’s newsletter is written by Letty, the host of the Marathon Running Podcast and YouTube Channel:

Artificial intelligence is everywhere—from self-driving cars to personalized shopping recommendations. But what about running? Can AI-powered coaching apps like Runna truly replace a human coach?

This week on the Marathon Running Podcast, we’re tackling this question head-on. Whether you're an experienced runner or just getting started, understanding the role of AI in training could change how you approach your workouts.

What is AI Run Coaching?

AI-run coaching isn’t just another version of a cookie-cutter training plan. These apps use machine learning algorithms to analyze your running data and adjust your training dynamically. Instead of sticking to a static plan, AI coaching responds to your progress, fatigue levels, and even subjective feedback like "felt tired today."

Many of these apps integrate with wearables like Garmin, Coros, or Apple Watch, gathering real-time data on pace, heart rate, and sleep to fine-tune your workouts. Some even estimate your training goals based on performance trends rather than having you set them manually.

On the surface, this sounds like an exciting evolution in coaching. But is it enough? Let’s break down the pros and cons.

The Pros of AI Coaching

✅ Affordable & Accessible – A good human coach can be expensive. AI coaching makes personalized training available to runners who might not be able to afford 1-on-1 coaching.

✅ 24/7 Availability – Need to tweak your long run at 3 AM? Your AI coach is always there, ready to adjust. A human coach? Not so much.

✅ Data-Driven Insights – AI has the power to process vast amounts of data to detect patterns even experienced coaches might miss. This could mean more optimized workouts tailored to your unique physiology.

✅ Objective Feedback – AI doesn’t play favorites. It provides analysis based on numbers alone, which can be refreshing if you prefer a no-nonsense approach to training.

✅ Structure & Motivation – Many AI coaching apps provide daily guidance, reminders, and even motivational messages, helping runners stay on track.

The Cons of AI Coaching

❌ Lack of Human Connection – Running is more than just numbers. A great coach offers emotional support, mentorship, and encouragement—something an AI will never truly replicate.

❌ Limited Adaptability – AI might adjust your plan based on data, but it doesn’t fully understand life’s unpredictable moments—a sudden illness, a stressful workweek, or a mental block before race day. A human coach can.

❌ One-Size-Fits-All Approach – Even the best AI algorithms struggle to factor in your unique biomechanics, past injuries, and training preferences the way a human coach can.

❌ Potential for Overtraining – AI coaching apps sometimes push athletes aggressively. Without the nuanced decision-making of an experienced coach, some runners may be led into overtraining or injury.

❌ Dependence on Technology – What happens when the app crashes? Or your data syncs incorrectly? Unlike a human coach, an AI can’t manually adjust for tech errors.

Who Benefits Most from AI Coaching?

AI coaching might be a great fit for:
📌 Beginners – Those who want structured guidance but aren’t ready for a big coaching investment.
📌 Budget-Conscious Runners – Athletes looking for data-driven training without the high price tag.
📌 Tech Enthusiasts – Runners who love analyzing numbers and optimizing performance through data.
📌 Casual Runners – Those who want to improve their times but don’t need deep emotional support or highly specialized coaching.

Who Still Needs a Human Coach?

Some runners will always benefit more from a real coach, including:
🏆 Experienced Runners – Those who want highly tailored training and race strategies.
🏥 Injury-Prone Athletes – AI doesn’t analyze running form like a coach can. Runners with past injuries need that extra human oversight.
🧠 Athletes Who Value Mental Coaching – A great coach does more than plan workouts; they provide motivation, confidence, and race-day strategies.
📈 Elite or Competitive Runners – AI is useful, but fine-tuning peak performance still requires human expertise.

What’s the Future of AI in Running?

AI isn’t going away. If anything, it’s likely to become more advanced, integrating virtual reality, augmented reality, and even predictive performance modeling. But will it ever replace a human coach? Probably not.

The most promising future seems to be a hybrid approach—where AI helps analyze data and suggest training adjustments, while human coaches focus on the emotional, psychological, and strategic aspects of training.

What do you think? Could AI coaching work for you, or is a human coach irreplaceable? Hit reply and let me know!

Join the Conversation!

We’re breaking all of this down in depth on this week’s episode of the Marathon Running Podcast! Tune in to hear our thoughts and insights.

🎧 Listen Now:

Your Daily Dose Of Usain⚡️

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Words To Run By 🏃‍♀️🏃🏽‍♂️

I train harder than anyone else in the world. Last year I was supposed to take a month off and I took three days off because I was afraid somebody out there was training harder. That's the feeling I go through every day - Am I not doing what somebody else is doing? Is someone out there training harder than I am? I can't live with myself if someone is.

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