Head Coach Michael Merlino
Founder, In Flight Running

In Flight Running is owned and operated by Houston running coach and personal fitness trainer Michael Merlino, a coach whose path into fitness and running is anything but typical. Before stepping into the world of coaching, Michael spent a decade in corporate human resources, working as an employee benefits counselor at Baylor College of Medicine, an employee benefits manager at Houston Lighting & Power (now Reliant/CenterPoint Energy), and later as an HR/Benefits consultant for the South Texas Nuclear Power Plant in Bay City, Texas.

That chapter gave him deep insight into people, behavior, burnout, stress, wellness needs, and what it truly takes to support working adults—experience that most “ex-athlete coaches” simply don’t have.

From Corporate to Coaching: A Different Kind of Run Coach

In 1997, Michael transitioned full-time into the fitness world, founding Merlino Fitness. With more than 28 years as a professional fitness trainer and 25 years as a running, cross country, and marathon coach, he brings unmatched experience to Houston-area runners. He is also nationally certified through the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA).

After catching the running bug in 1999 and completing his first few marathons, Michael began coaching charity runners for The Arthritis Foundation’s Joints in Motion program, helping athletes train for major marathons in Honolulu and Dublin while raising funds for the organization. Those early years shaped his philosophy: every runner - new, returning, or experienced - deserves personalized support, education, and smart, structured guidance.

The Birth of In Flight Running

As Michael trained and coached more athletes across Houston, he realized many local running clubs lacked true coaching, structure, or support for all skill levels. In response, he founded In Flight Running in 2004 with one mission:

To create a running coaching program that welcomes every runner - from first-timers to Boston Marathon hopefuls - with a high level of support, education, and injury-preventive training.

Today, In Flight Running continues to deliver that promise through a diverse, supportive, and non-intimidating training environment built around true coaching—not just group runs.  This philosophy has created a tight-knit running community that is very supportive of each other's goals.

Youth Coaching & Championship Success

In 2019, Michael expanded his coaching experience into youth athletics, becoming the Head Middle School Cross Country Coach at Houston’s prestigious St. John’s School. Coaching both boys and girls in the Houston Junior Preparatory Conference (HJPC), he guided the Mavericks to back-to-back team championships in 2021 and 2022 - one of the most enjoyable and rewarding coaching accomplishments of his career following the disruption of the COVID pandemic.

Corporate Wellness Presenter & Fitness Professional

Michael’s corporate HR background remained an asset throughout his fitness career. He has presented wellness and run coaching programs for:

• Accenture

• ExxonMobil

• Chevron

• Baylor College of Medicine

• Harris County Health

• Cemex

• Houston Police Officers’ Pension System

• Local law firms and small to mid-sized Houston companies

This blend of HR, coaching, and corporate wellness experience gives him a rare ability to understand the challenges that everyday runners and busy professionals face.

Coaching Style: Holistic, Supportive, Injury-Conscious

Michael’s coaching approach combines:

• Fitness training

• Running mechanics

• Injury prevention

• Strength and mobility work

• Nutrition and fueling guidance

• Structured, progressive training plans

He stays closely connected to Houston’s grassroots running community and collaborates with wellness professionals throughout the city to ensure his athletes get comprehensive support and wellness care.

At In Flight Running, every athlete has full access to Coach Merlino through:

• Group coaching

• During weekly long runs and interval workouts (track & hills) 
   

• One-on-one assessments

• Email

• Phone

• Text

• Video chats

His goal is simple: Help every runner improve while reducing injury risk and making the sport more enjoyable.

Where Michael Coaches

Michael trains fitness clients at a private studio in Houston’s Timbergrove/Lazybrook area (just west of The Heights) and coaches runners at Houston's Memorial Park and along Houston’s bayou trails. He utilizes more than 300 curated running routes throughout Houston and Southwest Texas to support runners at training distances of 3 to 20+ miles.

He is also a wellness consultant, speaker, and writer who lives and breathes the sport every day.

Ready to Be Coached by Someone Who Truly Cares?

If you'd like to discuss your goals and how to take your running to the next level, please call or text Michael at 832-619-9280.  Or use the chat window to the right on this page to connect with him.

When you train with In Flight Running, you’re not just following a plan - you're being coached, supported, and guided every step of the way. He'd love to see you training on Team In Flight soon!