THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST Coach First, Tech Second: Tim Surface on Building Final Surge to Save Coaches Time (and Make Athletes Better)
Sep 25, 2025
Tim Surface, co-founder and CEO of Final Surge and a high-school coach with a stellar running background, discusses the evolution of coaching technology. He shares insights on balancing his roles as a father and coach while nurturing his sons' running talents. Tim reveals how Final Surge saves coaches time with streamlined tools and argues against over-reliance on email. He emphasizes the importance of customization in coaching and highlights the integration of modern technology in enhancing athlete performance.
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From Reluctant Kid To 15:12 Runner
- Tim's youngest son Luke progressed from not liking sports to running a 15:12 5K by middle school after winning a school mile event.
- Tim recruited Tom Schwartz to write training and acts as on-the-ground coach while keeping a parent role.
Three Kids, Three Running Paths
- Tim describes how each of his three sons found running through different paths: watching him, soccer, and a school mile event.
- He emphasizes supporting whatever sport they choose and only pushing further when a child shows interest.
Solve Coaching Gaps With Simple Tools
- If you coach but can't attend every practice, build a simple digital system to deliver workouts and collect results.
- Tim and his partner developed Final Surge precisely to solve that communication and tracking gap.