Are Free AI Running Coaching Plans Actually Good or Evil? Matt Chittim

In 2026, no one needs to hire a running coach to write a training plan.

So the deeper question is, how does the work of a human running coach go beyond what a large language model can iterate?  What is the intrinsic human value of what I do to help runners around the world?

I’m going to be exploring that a lot in my work coming up and to help me out today, I’m talking to another running coach and voice you might recognize, Matt Chittim of the Rambling Runner Podcast.

And the conversation gets interesting.

Today, Matt and I go into a lot of running topics like:

How AI is changing the profession

How masters runners can change their relationship with running, and

What Matt is doing now with knee surgery coming up.

I was recently a guest on The Rambling Runner so if you haven’t checked out that conversation, please do that right after this one.

Welcome to the Planted Runner. I’m Coach Claire Bartholic and my mission is to help you improve your running, your mindset, and your life with science-backed training and plant-based nutrition.

If you need more help, you can order my book The Planted Runner: Running Your Best With Plant-Based Nutrition wherever you get books or request a copy from your local library.

Don’t forget to stay tuned all the way to the end of the episode for another Mental Strength Minute. Fortify your mind in 60 seconds or less.