About GRIT
OUR PHILOSOPHYTrain Smarter, Stay Consistent, Find Balance
At GRIT Running Center, we believe running is more than a workout — it’s a practice in consistency, confidence, and growth.
We’re not here to push you to exhaustion or chase perfection. We’re here to help you show up — and keep showing up — through every stage of your running journey.
Our goal is simple: help you train smarter, stay consistent, and find balance in the process. Whether you’re building your base, coming back from injury, or chasing a personal best, we meet you where you are and coach you forward.
One run, one decision, one day at a time.
What GRIT Means to Us
GRIT isn’t about perfection or pushing to exhaustion. It’s about showing up, even when it’s hard.
Discipline
progress through small, intentional steps
Structure
purposeful training that fits your life
Balance
knowing when to rest, recover, and refocus
Because real progress happens when structure meets support — when you have the plan, the people, and the purpose to keep going.
Built for Runners, by Runners
We’re a small training center in Houston, Texas, created for runners of all backgrounds and paces. Our certified coaches take time to understand your goals, your story, and what motivates you — so your training feels personal, not prescriptive.
Every runner who walks through our doors deserves to feel seen, supported, and capable of more than they thought possible.
Founded on Passion
Chris Gonzalez
Owner, UESCA-RRCA Certified Coach
Chris’s athletic journey began as an NCAA Division I soccer player, where he developed a deep appreciation for discipline, teamwork, and personal growth through sport. After college, he discovered a new challenge in distance running at the Chevron Houston Marathon. Captivated by the energy of the event and the sense of community within the sport, running quickly became an essential part of his life. Through years of racing experience, five World Marathon Majors, and plenty of trial and error along the way, he’s built a deep understanding of what it means to train, perform, and grow as an athlete. He currently holds a personal best of 2:43:50 in the marathon. His experiences, both successful and challenging, have shaped his approach to coaching and performance. Today, Chris is dedicated to helping others build a successful, healthy and sustainable relationship with running—one centered on joy, balance, and purpose.
Kiplimo Chemirmir
Founder, Physiotherapist
Kip hails from the Kalenjin tribe in Kenya–a tribe renowned for producing some of the fastest runners in the world, including Eliud Kipchoge and Faith Kipyogen. For him, running is far more than a sport; it’s a form of meditation and self-discovery. Each step offers an opportunity to quiet the mind, connect with the breath, and find stillness through movement. After a long and successful career as both an athlete (100+ races) and physiotherapist, Kip often reminds his athletes that recovery and training with purpose are what sustain longevity in the sport. He believes that caring for the body allows athletes not only to perform better but to truly enjoy the process. Kip’s mission is to share the Kenyan running philosophy and warrior mindset, helping others discover a new relationship with running-as an awakening of their body and soul.
WHAT GRIT MEANS TO USIt’s About Showing Up
GRIT isn’t about perfection or pushing to exhaustion.
It’s about showing up, even when it’s hard.
Our training philosophy is built on three simple ideas:
Disciple • Structure • Balance
We believe progress comes when structure meets support. At GRIT, you’ll find coaches who care, accountability that’s personal, and a community that motivates you through every stage of your running journey.