Our Mission
Golden Runs offers personalized run coaching based in Albany, NY, supporting athletes both locally and remotely across the United States.
Born out of a love for the sport, Golden Runs exists to guide athletes of ALL backgrounds and abilities, helping them unlock their potential not just in running, but in life. Our mission is to build confidence, inspire growth, and help you achieve goals you may have once thought were out of reach.
Running brings joy, strength, and adventure, and we believe it has the power to bring out the best in everyone. At Golden Runs, we’re here to guide you, support you, and celebrate every step of the journey.
Meet the Team
Emily Taft
UESCA Certified Running Coach
Emily wasn’t a track or cross-country athlete growing up, she just genuinely enjoyed running. Her dad would bring her to local 5Ks, where she quickly became hooked on the energy and community, even though she was far from the fastest. She tried a handful of other sports over the years and considered herself an average athlete, but running was always something she came back to. Even as a teenager, you could often find her jogging a mile or two around her neighborhood just for the fun of it.
It wasn’t until her late twenties that Emily began working with a coach and following structured training plans. That experience not only helped her improve her own race times, but also opened her eyes to how much there was to learn about the sport, and how much room there was to grow. The progress she saw ignited a deeper passion for running and inspired her to help others discover their own potential.
Through running, Emily has gained confidence, resilience, and personal growth that extends far beyond the miles. She believes that anyone can be a runner and experience the same transformation she has. As a coach, Emily is passionate about guiding others on their running journeys, offering encouragement, support, and expert advice every step of the way.
Emily is based in Albany, NY, however she also works remotely with athletes living all over the United States.
Beginning Times Mile - 6:32
5k - 25:11
Half Marathon - 1:52:42
Marathon - 3:57:44
Current PRs
Mile - 5:04
5k - 17:31
Half Marathon - 1:19:53
Marathon - 2:59:01
Pete Rowell
Behind the Scenes
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Pete has been a runner his entire life, competing at the high school, collegiate, and post-collegiate levels. Originally a sprinter, he has moved up to compete on the roads including distances up to the marathon.
He believes running is not only a personal challenge but a hobby that can connect you with others in a way not many things can.
Pete focuses on the behind-the-scenes efforts of assisting with the construction of training plans and workout planning.
Current PRs
800 - 1:50
Mile - 4:15
5k - 15:33
Half Marathon - 1:11:55
Marathon - 2:34:58
Frankie
Golden Runs Mascot
Frankie is the official four-legged "assistant coach" at Golden Runs. While he doesn’t design training plans, he does specialize in wag-filled welcomes, post-run cuddles, and reminding everyone that running should be joyful.
Frankie loves long walks, chasing squirrels at tempo pace, and napping through recovery days. His coaching philosophy? Run happy, stay curious, and never say no to a snack.
Pricing
All levels include:
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An initial consultation to determine your training needs
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A custom training plan built just for you
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A Training Guide PDF with information on key elements of training and strategies to be successful
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Ongoing tweaks and updates to training based on your needs
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Unlimited communication via email, text, and final surge
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Race prep sessions for key races
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Access to the Final Surge platform for workout plans and review
Level 1
$175/month
Month-to-month flexibility
Ideal for runners looking to try coaching for the first time without any long term commitment
Level 2
$150/month
6-month minimum
Ideal for runners training for a specific race or goal
Level 3
$125/month
12-month minimum
Ideal for runners ready to train for a year of growth and consistency
Final Surge
At Golden Runs, we utilize Final Surge to provide personalized and data-driven training plans for our athletes. With Final Surge we can:
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Create tailored workout schedules based on individual goals, fitness levels, and progress.
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Monitor workouts, tracking key performance metrics like pace, distance, and heart rate.
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Make data-driven adjustments to training plans to optimize performance and keep athletes on track.
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Maintain clear communication with runners through the platform, offering ongoing feedback and support.
Success Stories
Maia N.
Emily was a great coach! This was my first experience having a running coach and Emily was easy to talk to and provided a weekly schedule that helped me not have to think about what I needed to do. I highly recommend her! She was realiable and kind. Over the training I was able to improve my time and have consistent months of running and regular check ins and meet her at my race! I learned about how to have consistent workout running days and prepared for a goal race where I was able to feel good through the race and finish faster after having issues with pacing in races. Emily’s advice was always helpful and encouraging.
Tammy C.
Emily coached me for the Boston marathon. She helped me work through a setback early in the training block, making sure I was patient, adapting training and always encouraging me. Emily’s joy and enthusiasm for running really shines through and got me even more excited to race. She helped me get to the start line healthy and I had a great day!
Laura B.
I can’t say enough good things about working with Coach Emily! She created a training plan that actually felt realistic and manageable (not intimidating or overwhelming) and helped me rediscover the fun in running again. I really appreciated how available she was for check-ins and quick adjustments whenever life or fatigue got in the way. It never felt rigid; it felt supportive, flexible, and tailored just for me. I’m running stronger and more confidently now, and I finally feel excited about my training again. Highly recommend!