Coach Jon Wade

Runner. RRCA Certified Running Coach. Someone who genuinely loves this stuff.
I’m Jon Wade, a running coach based in Indianapolis, IN, helping runners of all experience levels train smarter, race faster, and discover what they’re truly capable of. I’ve run everything from 5Ks to the ultra-marathon, experienced the excitement of personal records, struggled through tough training cycles, and learned plenty of lessons along the way. And I’m still learning, training, and chasing new goals myself. But I wasn’t always a distance runner.

How It All Started

My distance running journey actually started in a Muay Thai gym in Oceanside, California. I ran track in junior high and loved it, but that was about the extent of my running experience for many years. When I started training in Muay Thai in my mid-20s, I quickly discovered just how much work my cardio and endurance needed. My coach started sending me out for 2, 4, and eventually 6-mile runs several times a week. I wasn’t exactly thrilled about it at first. Running was something I had to do to improve in the ring, not something I particularly enjoyed at the time. But something changed when I started seeing results. My endurance improved, my conditioning got better, and I began to appreciate what consistent training could accomplish. A few years later, after moving back home to Indianapolis, someone talked me into signing up for the Indianapolis Mini Marathon (a half marathon). Thirteen point one miles sounded absolutely ridiculous at the time. My training was inconsistent, disorganized, and occasionally discouraging. I really didn’t know what I was doing. But I showed up, finished the race, and discovered something I hadn’t expected. I loved it. That first finish line changed everything.

Why I Became a Running Coach

Since that first half marathon, running has become a huge part of my life. I’ve raced countless 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, and multiple marathons. I’ve trained for new distances, chased faster times, made mistakes, adjusted my approach, and continued finding new ways to improve. Running has given me so much over the years. It’s challenged me, pushed me outside my comfort zone, improved my fitness, and shown me that I’m capable of more than I once thought possible. And that’s something I wanted to share with other people. I became a running coach because I believe running can do more than improve your physical fitness. It can build confidence, change how you approach challenges, and give you a sense of accomplishment that carries over into other parts of your life. But I also love the performance and competitive side of running. There’s something exciting about discovering you’re capable of running farther or faster than you ever imagined. Whether it’s finishing your first 5K, breaking two hours in a half marathon, or chasing a marathon PR, those accomplishments are huge. Especially when you know how much work went into earning them. As an RRCA Certified Running Coach, I get to help people work toward those moments. I combine what I’ve learned through education with years of my own training and racing experience to help runners build fitness, improve performance, and pursue goals that genuinely excite them. Because sometimes the most rewarding part of running isn’t just reaching your goal. It’s realizing how much more you’re capable of.

My Approach to Coaching

I believe good training should challenge you, but it should also make sense for your fitness, experience, goals, and life outside of running. Not every run needs to be hard. More mileage isn’t always better. And a training plan is only useful if it works for the person following it. Whether you’re preparing for your first 5K, chasing a half marathon PR, or getting ready for another marathon, my goal is to help you understand your training, build confidence, and show up ready to perform. I don’t believe in simply handing someone a schedule and telling them to follow it. I want runners to understand what they’re doing and why they’re doing it. That means training with purpose, knowing when to push, knowing when to recover, and making adjustments along the way. I take training seriously, but I also believe running should be something you genuinely enjoy. The process matters just as much as the finish line.

Still Running. Still Learning. Still Chasing Goals.

One of my favorite things about running is that there’s always another challenge waiting. I’m still training, racing, experimenting with workouts, and working toward my own personal records. I know what it’s like to have a great training cycle, a disappointing race, or a breakthrough workout that makes you rethink what’s possible. I also love being involved in the running community, especially as a race pacer. Helping runners cross a finish line, achieve a new PR, or break a time barrier they’ve been chasing is one of the best experiences this sport has given me. Whether I’m coaching an athlete, pacing a half marathon, or lining up for my own race, that excitement hasn’t gone away. And I don’t expect it ever will.

Let’s See What You’re Capable Of

You don’t have to be an experienced runner or have an ambitious race goal to get started. You just need to be willing to put in the work. Whether you’re looking to build consistency, tackle a new distance, or take your racing to the next level, I’d love to help you get there. Train Like You Mean It.