NYC Running Coach
Central Park Coaching - NYC Running Coach is a best in class one-on-one coaching service by professional running coach, Sean Fortune. Coach Sean is a former NCAA track and cross country coach and Nike sponsored athlete for his previous club team. He is a USATF Level II certified coach and former multiple time winner of New York Road Runners' races. He conducts personalized, science-based one-on-one coached running sessions for marathoners, youth runners, and kids.
Happy New Year! At the close of 2022, I’m filled with reflection, gratitude, and joy. It will be my 15th year as a full-time coach in NYC and the weight of this isn’t lost on me. Getting let go from Citi in 2008 after the financial crisis turned out to be a true blessing in disguise. At the time, filled with dread, I started coaching part-time while working at a running shoe store on the UES, thinking I’d return to a Wall St. firm as soon as possible. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be here today - in 2023 - counting my blessings each day that I found coaching and all the wonderful people I’d meet along the way (many of whom I hope are reading this now). I couldn’t have imaged a better profession for me or dreamed of all the different directions and outlets it would take me.
Over the years, going back to 1998 - the year I started running competitively, I’ve seen the NYC running scene change dramatically. Some of the outsized trends and remarkable happenings include: the coming and going of great runners and club teams; the corporatization of club teams including major sponsorship deals; the remarkable growth of the NYRR and emergence of a valid competitor - NYCRUNS; the goodbye of a few long time local running shoe stores; the opening of world class track facilities: Icahn Stadium & Ocean Breeze; the Millrose Games move from Madison Square Garden to the Armory; the overall proliferation of new runners and clubs; running-related podcasts; the advent of ‘underground’ racing events; and so much more. Most of this points to the largest trend: growth. And Central Park Coaching has grown with it.
I’m pleased to say 2022 was another good year for Central Park Coaching. Marked by a 12% YOY increase in website traffic and 5% YOY increase in training sessions. I’ve taken on larger roles as a established contributor to mainstream media articles (GQ, NYMag, SHAPE, etc.) providing expert running-related advice and work as a Running Technical Advisor working with photographer Carlos Serrao and New Balance. The new year will continue to bring change and growth I’m sure, and I plan on contributing to that as I have a few new things in store for 2023! So I’m excitedly working on that and looking forward to another year immersed in the NYC running community, filled with joy and gratitude.
Give it time - you may find your body will adapt and become better at processing the cold air. Try slowing down the pace while you’re going through that transition. Give it a month. If it’s still giving your problems, not all is lost. Simply make sure your well hydrated all winter long and try wearing a balaclava to cover your mouth and nose, that should help. When doing that, go through periods in the run where you pull the balaclava down and practicing take in the cold air without the balaclava filter.
Ken is doing 100 meter sprints. The warm temperture is ideal for short, fast sprinting which develops all-out speed, strength, and form efficiency.
This is a short video of my typical warm up routine before doing full-body strength training geared specifically to make me a more balanced, efficient, and faster runner.
This is short video I made of a final tune-up workout before Nationals of two of the fastest High School runners in New York City and the country.
With the warmer temps, running fast and comfortably is the natural progression after the cold winter months. New York City running is some of the best in country.
With the appropriate apparel, running in the winter is easy and a pleasure. Don't let chilly temps keep you away, visit a proper running store to get the right gear and get out there and start enjoying the outdoors all year long.
Central Park is fertile training ground for running. Carefully measured, inspirational locations, help with the getting most of out of our workouts.
In this video, high school freshman and rising New York City miler, Ali, is working on her "top-end" running speed doing near all out 200 meter and 300 meter repetition sprints. Excellent for building speed and speed endurance which will improve her mile racing time and her fitness for lacrosse.
High School track runner doing sprints in Central Park on the east drive
The owners of CoreFitness and CyroNYC, Michael and Denise Margulies, are now offering "PRO LEVEL" recovery for runners and athletes with their new Cryotherapy therapy chamber located on the Upper East Side. Cryotherapy is the use of extremely low temperatures to treat symptoms such as tissue damage (excellent for athletes), decrease inflammation, increase cell rejuvenation, improve skin tone and reduce signs of aging. It's commonly used as a spa treatment, but pro athletes of all sports, including runners, are now using this treatment regularly.
Coach Sean recovering from a hard running interval workout with Cryotherapy at Core Fitness.
The Fall season in New York City is the best time for running!!