Ultramarathon Coaches

From time to time, folks who are searching for an ultrarunning coach find themselves at iRunFar, so we decided it was time to put together a guide to some ultrarunning coaches. What's more, it's the time of year when folks start considering next year's racing schedule and, therefore, it's an excellent time to think about how an ultramarathon coach might fit into your training plans for those races.

What follows is a list of ultramarathoners who provide ultrarunning coaching services. While this list is not exhaustive, it is also not meant as an endorsement of any particular coach. However, for one reason or another, I believe every coach included on this list is capable of providing outstanding guidance to any ultrarunner from beginner to trail veteran. A good coach is one who provides the services you need when you need them, motivates you to train and achieve your goals, has a system you can believe in, and, most importantly, has a personality that works with your own. All fees noted in the list are as of November 2008.

Ultramarathon coach Paul Dewitt left an insightful comment regarding the reasons why someone might want to be coached for an ultramarathon when he wrote:

1. Somebody who has decided she wants to run an ultra, but really doesn't have a built-in support system of other local runners to run with and learn from. Many of these runners mistakenly believe that, "If I ran 45 miles a week for that marathon last year, I probably need to run 100 miles a week to do a 50 mile." For this runner, it is really a mentoring situation and giving reassurance that the amount of running they are doing is fine; they just need to work on some of the logistics and strategy aspects of longer running, such as fueling.

2. A good runner who is already putting in plenty of effort and getting good results, but has never had a structured training program (never ran in high school or college) and feels like he isn't getting the most out of his efforts.

3. Somebody who has had a really bad first ultra experience and is very apprehensive about giving another one a shot unless they feel like they have a better chance of finishing, etc.

To those, I would add a fourth type of ultrarunner who benefits from coaching:

4. Somebody who, for whatever reason, desires to be held accountable in their training. This is little different from the many individuals who hire personal trainers for years on end. The possible reasons behind this desire for accountability are too numerous to name.

If you have been coached for an ultramarathon by any of the following coaches or any other coach, those looking for a coach would certainly appreciate your thoughts. Please share you insight into the coach's personality, training philosophy, etc. What worked for you? What didn't? While both positive and negative opinions are encouraged and anonymous posting is permitted, please be respectful.

Coaches should also feel free to add their voices to the comments. A few words about your training philosophy or unique aspects of your coaching services would be particularly welcome.

Ultramarathon Coaches

Lisa Smith-Batchen
Lisa Smith-Batchen has the most ultramarathon coaching experience of any of the coaches listed here. (Lisa's bio) She's is a great person who's current and former students often sing her praise. Lisa undoubtedly knows how to coach runners from the back-of-pack to ultramarathon champions. Lisa also puts on races and running camps along with her husband, Jay. You can get a better sense of Lisa on her blog. You can also read Lisa's students' testimonials. Now, something from Lisa:

My coaching goes far past ultra running. I have such a variety of people I coach. From people who want to drop 100 pounds to even some who need to gain a few pounds. I have students who are training for there first 5k race, marathon and many who run multi-day races, as well as adventures races. I have done many adventures races, Ironmans, and so on. I just had 2 students do very well at Ironman Hawaii, 2 at Ironman Florida and 5 who in 2 weeks will be at Ironman AZ! So... as you can see my coaching has a wide range and this gives me great joy! I coached Mike Wardian for 2 years...look where he is today!:) My philosophy in coaching is that there is never one way to do things! Running is so much about not running! Most of my students cross train with yoga, pilates, swimming, biking, deep water running...snowshoeing, skate skiing... and guess what... I have had very few injuries in students over my many years coaching. There is not one schedule that will work for everyone, there is not one race plan, one nutrition plan... we are all so uniquely different. The fun comes from finding what works for a particular person. I have some students who run high mileage, but I see so many injuries and burn out from doing this. I see the best success with sound cross training and nutrition. Keep the training fun yet challenging! If you can dream it, you can do it!

Lisa Smith-Batchen's coaching services - Lisa coaches runners for $250 per month.

Matt Hart
Matt Hart is the most versatile coach on this list. While he's currently a very strong mountain ultramarathoner, he comes from adventure racing and mountain biking backgrounds. (Matt's bio and race resume) While Matt's only been coaching full time since late 2005, this former Microsoft software test engineer knows running theory and data frontwards, backwards, and probably in third derivative hexadecimal. That said, Matt can do something even more impressive - that is reduce all the heady stuff to workouts and a plan anyone can understand. As a bonus, Matt's knowledge of gear is encyclopedic. He also assists with Lisa Smith-Batchen's Dreamchaser camps.

Matt Hart's coaching services - While Matt doesn't post his coaching rates on his website, he does offer 3 different training packages.

Karl Meltzer
Not new to ultrarunning, Karl Meltzer is new to coaching. While he officially began coaching in early 2008, Karl began coaching a number of athletes in 2007. Karl did take some time off from coaching this year to run the Appalachian Trail. (You may have heard of Where's Karl?) While some youngsters have burst onto the ultramarathon scene of late, Karl is the dominant mountain 100 miler of the decade. (Karl's bio) If only a small portion of Karl's training and racing skills (not to mention toughness) rub off on his students, they're bound to improve greatly. Take a peak at Karl's entertaining blog.

Karl Meltzer's coaching services - Karl offers one level of online coaching that runs $125 month or $700 for 6 months when paid in advance.

Scott Jurek
If you're still reading and don't know who Scott Jurek is then wake up and smell the wheat grass! As a refresher, Scott won 7 straight Western States Endurance Runs, has set course records at both the Badwater 135 and the Hardrock 100, and has won 3 straight Spartathlons. (Scott's full bio) Scott has been working as a physical therapist since 1998 and has coached since 2003, so Scott knows the human body as well as he knows how to train and race. Some folks would add Jurek's nutritional knowledge as a bonus. To get a better sense of Scott as a person, read his recently revived blog. You can also read a couple coaching testimonials.

Scott Jurek's coaching services - Scott coaches by 75 minute sessions which run $75 individually, $600 for 6, and $1100 for 12.

Additional Ultramarathon Coaches
If none of the coaches above strike your fancy, you are looking for a more local coach, or perhaps a less costly one, take a look at these additional ultrarunning coaching options.

• Andy Jones-Wilkins - He'll get you to the finish of a 100 - cheap, as in free (or beer) - read his comment
  
• Michael Wardian - A top American 50k-100k runner from Virginia - email Mike directly at mwardian@rocketmail.com for more details (read iRunFar's interview with Mike)
  
• Paul Dewitt - A top ultramarathon from Colorado - $80 month for unlimited access
• Howard Nippert - Yet another top ultramarathoner who coaches. $100/month; $1000/year
• Derrick Spafford - This Canadian is a long time runner and coach. $90/month (3 month minimum)
  
• Coach Weber - $275 a month for this experienced coach with a great Q&A
• Kelly Wilson - ultramarathon coaching from Vermont - email Kelly directly at kellypersonaltrainer@yahoo.com - $399 for 6 months (plus $30 set up fee)
  
• AnyTrail Ultra Services - little information available - $45/month
• Bad to the Bone - trail runs & training/coaching - 90 minutes sessions (1=$110, 6=$600, 12=$1080)
• Terri Schneider - coaching, clinics & sport psychology - $199/month with multiple month discounts
• Tim Neckar - personal running coach in the Houston area
  

iRunFar's Bryon Powell (Trail Goat) offers coaching to a very limited number of students. Contact him for details.

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