Gustavo Roman Jr – Austin Running Coach
From: $149.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee
Subelite. BS in Sports Conditioning. Coffee Shop Owner. Husband. Honor simplicity, keep going, and seek wonder. Let’s get you some PRs!
Description
Austin running coach Gustavo Román Jr. works with marathoners, ultrarunners, and goal-driven athletes who want sustainable progress, strong aerobic foundations, and coaching centered around purpose and joy. Whether you’re chasing a PR or just finding your rhythm again, Gustavo builds training that makes you a smarter, more confident runner. With nearly two decades of competitive running experience and five years of coaching through his own business, Tavo Coaching, he brings a practical, purposeful approach to helping runners enjoy the process and hit new levels. Reach out below to get started!
LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
TYPES: Road, Track, Trail
DISTANCES: 5k/10k/Half Marathon, Marathon, Ultra
TRAINING PLATFORM: Final Surge
TRAINING PLAN: Individual, customized training plan
COMMUNICATION: Unlimited email, unlimited phone, unlimited text
RESPONSE TIME: Within 24 hours
LOCATION: Austin, TX
IN-PERSON SESSIONS: No, online coaching only
SPECIALTIES
I have coached runners to PRs at every major distance on every terrain from just about every experience level you could imagine. I work best with athletes who value structured training, consistent communication, and a high-trust relationship with their coach. I specialize in marathon, half marathon, and ultramarathon prep, high-mileage aerobic builds, race-specific workouts, and sustainable fueling systems (especially for high sweat rate runners). I also support post-injury runners, busy professionals, and lifelong athletes who want to keep chasing PRs while staying connected to their “why.”
PHILOSOPHY
My approach is centered around care, consistency, and curiosity. I believe real performance growth comes from sustainable progress, not from burning out or chasing perfection. I help athletes build aerobic strength, learn to fuel like athletes, and train with a mix of intention and adaptability. Workouts are purposeful, recovery is planned, and communication is open. I guide athletes to train hard but smart, build a strong aerobic foundation, fuel well, and rest with purpose. I treat every athlete as a whole person, adjusting training based on life context while helping them grow confidence, self-awareness, and joy in the process. I’ll never let your watch define your success.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
I’ve coached since 2020 working primarily with adult distance runners from first-time runners to Boston qualifiers, trail ultrarunners to sub-2:20 road marathoners, and post-injury comebacks. I’ve helped athletes complete their first races, chase ambitious PRs, and return from injury or burnout with renewed purpose. I also lead a weekly community run from my coffee shop in Downtown Bryan, TX, building grassroots energy around the sport and building local support for all levels of runners, from the D1 collegiate athletes and coaches who join from Texas A&M for some easy miles to runners new to the sport. I’ve helped athletes train consistently, PR at every major distance, and approach training with a deeper sense of purpose.
ABOUT ME
I’m a running coach, fifth-generation coffee producer, and co-owner of Tavo Coffee Co. My wife Cathy and I serve coffee from my family’s Guatemalan farm while also offering nutrition and performance coaching through Tavo Coaching. I love the beauty of process, whether it’s training for a race, perfecting a pourover, or helping someone fall in love with running again. I’m an RRCA-certified coach with a degree in Sports Conditioning from Texas A&M, where I’m the 17th Aggie in my family, as well as a lululemon and RNWY Ambassador. I love data, form, fueling, and helping people find meaning in their miles. I’ve raced over 300 events, but my favorite place to run is through the misty tropical mountain trails of my family’s farm at over a mile in elevation.
BIG INFLUENCES
My philosophy is shaped by all my own coaches over the years through middle school, high school, and college, and more formally the foundations of Arthur Lydiard, Jack Daniels, and Pfitzinger in structure, with a strong influence from David and Megan Roche in athlete-first communication and care, and I also value the science-forward, human-centered mindset of Steve Magness. I’m always learning and refining what makes training not just effective, but sustainable and joyful.
RACING HISTORY
I’ve raced for nearly two decades over the track, cross country, roads, and trail with over 300 races under my belt. I’ve raced the Boston Marathon twice, won races from the mile to the marathon, and set PRs well into adulthood. I’ve trained through injury, burnout, and professional pivots, and every phase has made me a better coach. These days, I’m chasing new PRs in the marathon and half while building out my long-term plan for ultramarathon training.
PRs
- Marathon: 2:38:53 (10/20/24) Detroit Free Press Marathon
- Half Marathon: 1:12:13 (4/1/12) Armadillo Dash Half Marathon
- 10K: 32:55 (3/2/24) Blue Bell Fun Run 10K
- 5K: 15:35 (11/23/23) BCS Turkey Trot
- 2 Miles: 9:37 (10/5/12) Sunrise Two Mile
- 1 Mile: 4:24 (4/6/13) Texas A&M Twilight Meet
CERTIFICATIONS
- B.S. in Sports Conditioning (Texas A&M University), with minors in Coaching and Psychology
- RRCA Level 1 Certified Running Coach
- CPR/AED Certified
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
- 2x Boston Marathon Finisher (2024 – 2:48 – 1,035th, 2025 – 2:40 – 765th)
- Winner – Shiner Beer Run Marathon (2021, 2022), Half (2023), 10K (2024)
- Winner – Blue Bell Half Marathon (2022), 10K (2025, 2024, 2013)
- Winner – Love on the Run Half Marathon (2024)
- Winner – Buffalo Stampede Half Marathon (2021, 2012)
- Winner – Inaugural BCS Half Marathon (2011) – hometown race in Bryan / College Station, TX, one of less than two dozen runners to participate every year since its inception
- Winner – dozens of 5K races on the roads and trails including the Polish Pickle Run, various Turkey Trots and Firecracker 5Ks, the Kyle Field Ramp Romp, and numerous others
- Founder – Tavo Coaching and Downtown Bryan Run Clubl
- lululemon and RNWY Ambassador
CONTACT GUSTAVO
Finding a coach who is a great fit for you is really important. We encourage you to email your coach prior to signing up so you can connect, communicate, and ensure a good athlete/coach fit.
SOCIAL
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