1:1 run Coaching

I believe that every human is an athlete and every athlete, regardless of fitness level, benefits from intention and relentless belief in their training, dreams, and goals. I am passionate about running, but even more passionate about being in a healthy relationship with it. Having personal experience with balancing a career in medicine as a surgeon, coaching, writing, in addition to my professional running career, I place a lot of importance on flexibility, adaptability, and training being a joyful addition to my athletes’ lives, not a stressful one. I strongly believe that big, crazy dreams are for anyone, at any stage of life — and that it’s never too late to become who you were always meant to be.

My favorite aspect about distance running is the ability to find yourself and your why out on runs, whether in training or racing. I love that running offers us the unique opportunity to experience life in a day, if we’re open to it. I highly value the coach-athlete relationship and I believe there is significant power in lifting my athletes up at every stage of the journey.

I work with athletes from the mile up to the 100, 200 mile/multiday races/thru-hiking/Fastest Known Times on any surface, road or trail.

Tenants of my coaching

Personalized

Completely unique to the athlete programming delivered each week, taking into account your personal schedule (even if it changes on a weekly basis) and fitness level. I meet you where you are, but serve to help develop your goals and plan a path forward with you to achieve them in a healthy and sustainable way.
supported

You have access to me via your training log, email, calls, and text. I strongly believe that open and trusting communication is the key to a successful coach-athlete relationship.
Dynamic

Our schedule, life, and goals are constantly changing and evolving. Your training should evolve with you and this is why I don’t place any limits on adjustments. I’m here to make your training fit into the puzzle, not force it.

What’s included:

Dynamic run programming delivered on a weekly basis, meeting you where you’re at with where you want to go in mind
Unlimited communication and adjustments to your training - flexibility and adaptability are key!
We communicate through your training log, email, text and calls
Pre-race calls, goal-setting calls, end of the year/season calls included
Support and education on race-day strategy, as well as comprehensive race plans
Education on fueling, hydration, heat mitigation
Course-specific training and race suggestions based on years of experience in the sport
Goal development

FAQs

What is your training philosophy?

I believe in identifying (or helping develop) the athlete’s A goal(s) for a given season or year and then working backwards in order to map out a logical, intentional, and specific series of periodization leading into the athlete’s A goal race(s). I believe there is no single way to coach athletes and each individual requires unique physical, mental, and emotional development. I believe that focusing on quality over quantity (relative to each athlete) is important and goes hand in hand with intention. I aim for consistency with my athletes, placing health — both physical and mental — above all else, because I know the magic that consistent, healthy seasons stacked upon each other can create.

If I get sick, injured, or if life just gets crazy, will you adjust my training for me?

YES. The programming I write for my athletes is not a rubric and it is never set in stone. My athletes are humans, not robots, and if someone is paying for 1:1, truly custom, Run Coaching, their plan should remain dynamic and adjustable.

What type of feedback will i receive?

I provide quantitative feedback, with the understanding that I do not place a large emphasis on numbers in an obsessive way. Paces are important in signaling to us where your fitness is at, but effort is even more important. I also provide qualitative feedback particularly on mental and emotional fitness. I also provide feedback on fueling/hydration, shoe and gear guidance.

WORK WITH ME

Athlete Testimonials

“Working with Coach Stef has built not just accountability for me but also my confidence levels. Even when I'm nervous about my abilities, having someone in my corner who has created and cheered on my workouts has allowed me to think less and just focus on the plan one workout at a time. In working with Stef, I've accomplished goals I wasn't sure were even possible for myself. Her belief in me is often bigger than my belief in myself, and that has helped me immensely in my performances.”

- Kari
"Ultrarunning is a team sport and when Stefanie joined my team, it felt like my running was complete. We met at the Western States Endurance Run Women’s panel. I was supposed to run WSER, but I was unable to complete the race. I felt like a failure. At the time, I didn’t feel like an ultrarunner at all. It felt like it was an empty dream for me. I thought, “I’m old and not able to run longer races.” But then, Stefanie reached out to me and offered her coaching and guidance. I decided to try again and push myself one more time. We started our training on July 10th. Our training together has been life changing. Previously, I had never even thought about fueling on the run. I was so new to the sport and those types of details hadn’t even occurred to me.Coach Stefanie guided me through everything: and I mean everything. I crossed the finish line at the Rio Del Lago 100 mile race in November 2023 after almost four months of training with her. It was a very eye-opening four months for me. I have a very special support team with Stefanie in my corner, guiding me. I’m forever grateful to Coach Stefanie for redirecting my trajectory and giving me the gift of belief in myself. We are continuing to work towards even bigger goals and I’m only getting faster in my fifties. It’s amazing.

- Zaagda
"Stefanie coached me for the Western States Endurance Run in 2023, a goal I've had for a long time. She made sure I was not only physically prepared for the race but also mentally ready for the challenge. I ran the race of my life and can’t wait for what 2024 has in store for us."

- Jesse
“Working with Coach Stef has been life changing. I’ve been a runner for a long time, have had various “coaching” experiences or followed various training plans, some paid and some free, but nothing compares to the support and guidance I’ve received since working with Stef. I love the roads and the trails, and I love bringing my dog with me, so I needed to work with someone who understood and could help me balance it all. Working with Stef has been nothing short of amazing. I was coming off a string of recent health issues and needed guidance to start from scratch again, but in a healthy way. I also had the Chicago Marathon on the calendar. Stef not only helped me get physically fit, but also mentally fit. She pushed me when I needed it but was also a friend who listened to me when I didn’t believe in myself. I’m looking forward to working with Stef for a long time and allowing myself to dream big because I know she’s the one to help me get there.”

- Casey
"I started working with Stefanie after a knee tendinopathy that forced me to pull out of Boston. Patiently, Stefanie guided me back to constant training, and through her guidance, I was able to reach a new high in my weekly mileage. Coming into the Amsterdam Marathon, I was most grateful to be healthy and ready to race. I ran a controlled race, cheering by the amazing crowds, and knew my training had been just right. At age 56, I ran a lifetime PR in 3:23. Stefanie is diligent about leaving notes and feedback that are the most encouraging and always makes you feel that you have someone rooting for you. As a solo runner, I find her presence behind my workouts and long runs to be precious. She is definitely an asset to me."

- Muriel
"When I first started running, I had no idea what I was doing. I ran everything at the same pace, didn’t know what a workout was, and neglected my strength training. Working with Stef helped me to see the benefits of it all and most importantly, to have fun along the way. Stef provides so much more than workouts. She encourages you to build the confidence in yourself to chase after goals that you once thought were far fetched. Knowing that Stef believed in me and was in my corner no matter the outcome fueled my fire across every finish line this year. I won a trail 50k this year, completed my first 100k trail race, and recently ran a 22 minute lifetime marathon PR, qualifying for Boston for the first time. Before the race, Stef provided me with a personalized race and fueling plan which allowed me to feel strong in my efforts and know I was in the right place at the right time. I put all my trust in her and her plan for me and it paid off. I can’t wait to see what’s next!"

- Sammy
"I did not grow up being a runner. Running started when my kids were young and I needed another outlet that I could do anywhere and with them. I loved the freedom in it and I really loved the challenge of it. I never had a coach and didn’t recognize the benefit of it to someone who wasn’t elite. I’ve been working with Stef for over two years now and it was the best choice! She has not only developed a simple and challenging program for me that has consistently pushed me but also allowed me to truly appreciate what my body can do. I started to trust that I could hit paces I never would have attempted before for fear of injury. But I haven’t had an injury since starting to work with Stef, which is HUGE for me, because plantar fasciitis has plagued me for years every time I attempted speed work. She has gradually increased speed workouts and included strength to keep me balanced. She also helped me get my ferritin levels back up. I recently ran a lifetime eight minute PR in the half marathon, and while I was nervous about the race plan Stef had written for me, having a strong woman in your corner believing in you is everything!"

- Carly
"I started running at age 36. By age 40, I was running in the Olympic Marathon Trials. Hard work and passion were factors, but my achievements would not have been possible without an incredible coach. At age 59, I decided I wanted to enter the trail and ultrarunning world. I sought out Stefanie’s support because she not only had the experience to help guide me, but also a big heart and someone who cares deeply about her athletes. I’m improving as a trail runner with plans to complete my first mountain 60k on my 60th birthday! A few decades after achieving my big dreams on the road, I’m eager to discover my personal bests on the trails and I’m so grateful to have Stefanie’s support on this journey!"

- Susan
"After taking a year off after dealing with long COVID, I started working with Coach Stef with the goal of just getting another marathon under my belt. She has been the perfect balance of grace and grit. As a busy homeschooling mom of two little ones and a husband with a crazy schedule, she gave me perspective and hope to chase those long term big goals while still supporting me when life pulled in a million directions, often with things not always going as planned. As we chipped away at my times this last year, I told Stef I wanted that BQ and I wanted it for my kids. We made plans for me to run CIM but as luck would have it, I caught COVID again just a few days before the race and had to pull out. Even through my heartbreak, Stef never stopped being in my corner and assured me we’d pivot and not let the hard work go to waste. I got my redemption race in Ventura, running a 3:27 with my kids and husband at the finish line! It’s a memory I’ll carry with me forever. Stef often reminded me to focus on my “why” and it was to make my kids proud."

- Heather
"Stef coached me to my first marathon, in 2:58. I had no clue about training or going the distance and she helped me embrace the grind, build up my confidence, and really be proud of what my body can do. I can’t say enough of how she’s built me up as a runner and person. Truly an amazing woman to work with. A few months later, Stef coached me to a 2:50, where I placed top American in the Nagoya Women’s Marathon. There’s a lot of things that go into prepping for a race - but I cannot say enough about how Stef has pushed me and made me the runner I am. Without her, I would not be where I am today. There’s such a big learning curve each time you run a marathon, and building on fitness is a very real thing. There’s no way I could have done this all even a year ago without Stef guiding me."

- Jonel