I've been running competitively for over 25 years, starting at the age of 13 in a youth track and cross country program (Cary Express, Cary NC). In High School, I was a State Champion in Indoor Track (3200M) and Outdoor Track (1600M) before moving on to North Carolina State University, where I competed, unremarkeably, for my first 2 years of college. I migrated into triathlons for several years before getting back into serious running in my late 20s. Since that time, I have gradually moved up in distance, having now won more than 20 marathons and ultramarathons, as well as numerous shorter road and trail races.
After being coached by Jack Batchelor (2-time Olympian and basis for one of the characters in Once A Runner) and Rollie Geiger (NCSU), I've been self-coached for the last 18 years. As one of the founders of Team CRUD, I've been able to share my love and knowledge of running with numerous runners, both novice and experienced over the last 6 years. We must be doing something right, because Team CRUD members over the last 7 years have had a 90% finishing rate at the Leadville 100 (versus a 43% finishing rate for the field as a whole). I'd love to share my ideas and knowledge with you as well, regardless of whether your goal is beating the cut-offs, winning your age group, or setting a course record.
Going out and running each day at the same pace can be fun, and suits many runners fine, but it isn't going to enable you to achieve the best results in your races. Simply running more each day isn't going to maximize your potential either. What each runner needs, and what I believe in providing, is a balanced training program with a specific purpose driving each run. For those of you focusing on ultramarathons, strategy, logistics, and fuel/hydration are extremely important topics that will also be addressed and practised in your workouts. I will also help you analyze your running history to figure out where your strengths and weaknesses are, and adjust your training accordingly.
I emphasize the idea of establishing date paces (current ability) and then gradually increasing the intensity of each type of training run till the corresponding goal paces (for achieving the desired race time) are attained. I’m also a big proponent of weight lifting and functionally specific strengthening for runners and can help get you started on a program if you are interested.
As far as overall training cycles, I use an approach called “non-linear periodization” which differs from the traditional “western periodization” ideas that are more geared towards a particular short season of goal races. It is one thing if you are a 1500 meter runner training for the Olympic finals and you are devoting 2 years to that one goal, but for most people it is more effective to strive for a relatively high level of fitness all the time. What this means from a practical standpoint is you’ll be doing all the key components of training (long slow distance, lactate threshold tempo runs, hill/strength explosive training, and max V02 workouts) at all times during the training. Then, for a period of 6 – 8 weeks prior to any particular goal race, I would adjust things to specifically address the demands of that race.
For more information on my training philosophy, please take a look at my running blog which has a lot of free training related articles (select "Training Talk" from the menu on the right).
I don't believe in different levels of coaching service; everyone I coach gets the same unlimited access to me via email or phone calls.
$85 per month. Discounts available for 6 month and 12 month commitments. Checks or Credit Cards accepted. Please contact me for more information or to discuss your individual running goals.
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Phone: 719.322.7010 (local Colorado Springs area)
888.805.5956 (toll-free)
2005 Montrail Ultra Cup Champion 2003 and 2004 Leadville Trail 100 Winner 2005 Vermont Trail 100 Winner Course Record Holder, 2007 Heartland Trail 100, KS (14:26) Course Record Holder, 2007 Umstead Trail Marathon, NC (2:40:35) Course Record Holder, 2003 Leadville Trail Marathon, CO (3:39:12) Course Record Holder, 2007 Pemberton Trail 50K, AZ (3:11:53)
1500m - 3:55 5K road - 14:44 8K road - 24:50 10K road - 31:28 Half Marathon - 1:09:56 20 Mile - 1:47:16 Marathon - 2:36 (at altitude - Boulder Backroads) 50Km trail- 3:11:55 (Pemberton - probably a bit short) 50 Miles trail- 6:31 (JFK) 100 miles trail- 14:26 (Heartland)