Coaching
Elevate your journey with personalized road, trail, and ultra marathon coaching! My coaching philosophy is all about personal growth and enjoyment! I believe strength training is paramount to long term success in the sport.
Whether you are a new or seasoned trail/ultra runner, I can help you!
We are NOW offering Mental Health Coaching too!
Noteworthy
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UESCA Ultrarunning Coach Certification - The UESCA Ultrarunning Coach Certification is the only ultrarunning coach certification on the market.
Specialization in Injury Prevention for Endurance Athletes - great for those returning from injury as well
Specialization in Ovarian Hormone Profiles (OHP) in Sport - I believe in empowering women to train in sync with their natural physiology—optimizing performance, recovery, and well-being through hormone-informed coaching.
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I have completed 5 one hundred mile or further races, and over 30 ultra marathons.
Completed the Leadville Trail Marathon, Leadville Silver Rush 50 miler, and Leadville 100 & the No Business 100 in the same year.
I have won 4 ultra marathons, including a backyard ultra, and 3 timed events 12 hours or longer.
I have completed several adventure runs of 40 miles or further.
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I have reviewed over 100 pairs of shoes, countless watches, heart rate monitors, hydration gear, and more running specific gear. I have the knowledge to help you find the right gear!
Hiring a running and strength coach isn’t about doing more work — it’s about doing the right work. A great coach takes the guesswork out of your training by aligning your runs, strength sessions, and recovery into one clear, intentional plan built around you: your goals, your schedule, your injury history, and your life.
Instead of bouncing between random workouts, you train with purpose, build real durability, and gain confidence knowing every session has a reason. A coach can also adjust the plan before small issues become season-ending setbacks.
The result? A stronger body, fewer injuries, better performance, and the freedom to focus on showing up and enjoying the process, while someone experienced has your back every step of the way.
Personalized Coaching
Peak Performance Run & Strength
$200 per month
1 hour athlete on-boarding (virtual or in-person)
Customized weekly training plan with a focus on injury prevention
Customized weekly strength training
Unlimited plan adjustments
Weekly workout analysis
Training & education along the way
1 thirty minute phone call per week
Unlimited text/email communication
Premium TrainingPeaks account
Possible race support
Contact me to see if we are a good fit for each other, or select “Purchase” to select your product and check out.
Valan’s Mental Health Coaching
Foundational Focus
$100 per month
Bi-weekly 30-minute coaching sessions
PDF version of “Breaking Through” DBT-based mental skills workbook
Weekly self-guided exercises
Email support for quick questions
Enhanced Engagement
$200 per month
Weekly 30-minute coaching sessions
PDF version of “Breaking Through” DBT-based mental skills workbook
Personalized mental resilience plan
Weekly mindfulness and stress-reduction exercises
Email support for quick questions
Peak Partnership
$300 per month
Weekly 60-minute coaching sessions
Print version of “Breaking Through” DBT-based mental skills workbook
Personalized mental resilience plan
Weekly mindfulness and stress-reduction exercises
Unlimited text/emails
Consulting
$45 - Up to 60 Minute Call
Have a specific topic or race you want advice on? Select this option to schedule upto a 60 minute video call.
Testamonials
“My first year of running the No Business 100 I was swept at mile 80 missing cut off by 45 min. Broken and defeated. Not understanding why or how I could not keep moving quick enough to finish when all these other runners were finishing. Little did I understand in this sport, that thinking you’re tough and strong and thinking you can fight through pain and hard times is NOT ENOUGH.
Fire was lit! I was finishing next year, only this time I’m acknowledging I don’t know enough about the process. Simply picking a plan and hitting weekly numbers did not work for me.
Coach Ultratrailsteven enters chat: We have a video conference, talk about my experience, evaluate strengths weaknesses and what my goals are. I sign on and commit to putting in all the work and being held accountable. Weekly calls, progress checks, strength work, injury prevention, injury modifications ,explanations on not only what we are doing but why we are doing it.
This year I snagged that buckle with some change in the bank! 31:21. And thats after breaking down faster than I prepared for and death marching the last 15 plus miles.
Coach had me primed ready to go. I can’t thank him enough for all the guidance and support through this whole process! Race day he was at every crewed station checking on runners, giving encouragement, adjusting plans and giving tips and advice on the spot!
THANK YOU COACH! ”
“This past June, I decided to hire a running coach for my 2nd 100-mile trail race, the NO BUSINESS 100. I noted that Steven was their official trail running coach, so after a bit of hem hawing, I decided to reach out.
Steven was quick to reply to my inquiry. We set up a time to speak over the phone, and discussed where I was at in my training plan and what my goals were, and discuss if we would be a good fit for each other; in which I knew we would after our first conversation.
Steven designed a training plan specifically for me in a short time, and helped me add in weights (something I neglected previously), but really needed. We spoke weekly on the phone how each week went. He was always open to my feedback of what I liked and didn’t like. He helped me with fueling strategies, to giving me codes for discounts for running things I wanted. He helped me with foot care and taught me how to tape my feet. He also helped me find the shoes I have come to absolutely love. I felt like he kept me injury free, and helped me become a better runner with more strategies to get me not only to the finish line, but winning my age group in NB 100.
Steven is easy to communicate with, has a great sense of humor, but a ton of knowledge too. Even though we had a set time to talk every week, he always answered my texts messages. Steven has a ton of knowledge behind him and if he doesn’t have an answer, he will find one. I can’t recommend him enough! Not only is he a great coach, he is an even better human being!!!!!! He showed up at NB 100 and crewed his runners as much as he could. He was so helpful! He was also at the finish line cheering us on. I know he probably can’t make it to all of his runner’s races, but it was cool to have him there and cheering us on at the finish line. If anything, this shows dedication to his runners; THIS speaks volumes! I would highly recommend him and would definitely use him again!!!”
“I’ve been training with Steven towards my first 50K, and just completed my first EVER injury-free training cycle. It’s been great to have such a knowledgeable and experienced coach along the way. Steven is fully invested in his clients, and very easy to get along with. I look forward to doing bigger and harder things with him in my corner.”
“I’ve always struggled with staying consistent in strength training, and it’s led to injuries time and time again. But for the first time, I’m incorporating strength workouts alongside my running—and staying on track. I owe that to Steven!”
“Training for the Leadville Trail 100 is no small feat—but doing it under the guidance of Coach Steven made it not only possible, but deeply rewarding. From the start, he built a plan that was tailored to my lifestyle, fitness level, and goals. But what stood out the most was his ability to adapt and guide me through serious challenges along the way. During training, I dealt with both plantar fasciitis and compartment syndrome—injuries that could have easily derailed my progress. But thanks to Coach Steven’s thoughtful programming, strategic adjustments, and constant communication, I was able to stay on track without making things worse.
Every check-in, workout, and pep talk was filled with intention and care. Coach Steven didn’t just prepare me to cross the finish line—he helped me discover a new level of resilience and self-belief. I went into the race not just physically prepared, but mentally ready for the highs and lows of an ultra, and I owe so much of that to his coaching.
If you’re considering a big goal and want a coach who genuinely listens, understands endurance training, and knows how to bring out your best—Coach Steven is the one.”
“Working with Steven over the last year has been one of the most impactful decisions I’ve made as an ultrarunner. Steven doesn’t just hand you a generic training plan, he takes the time to truly understand who you are as an athlete, your goals, your limits, and how real life fits around training. His approach is thoughtful, data-driven, and grounded in deep experience, but what really sets him apart is how well he listens and adapts my training to my life, schedule, and needs.
Under Steven’s coaching, I became a smarter, more resilient runner. My fitness improved, my confidence grew, and I learned how to train with purpose instead of just grinding miles. From race strategy and pacing to recovery, fueling, and mental toughness, his guidance showed up exactly when it mattered most, on race day and during the tough weeks leading up to it. Steven strikes the perfect balance between pushing you to your potential and keeping you healthy and motivated for the long haul.
If you’re serious about ultrarunning and want a coach who is invested in your success as both an athlete and a person, I can’t recommend Steven highly enough. ”