Run SMART Coaches

I began coaching through a local running store in Charlotte, North Carolina shortly after finishing my college career. I was fascinated by the different circumstances that people had to deal with in their everyday lives and how those circumstances influenced their training. In time I realized that there are several factors that make an athlete/coach relationship successful. As with any relationship, there must be a mutual respect and understanding. I always start by getting to know a prospective athlete. I have found that knowing a person as an individual plays as significant a role in his running success as knowing him as an athlete. Family, school, work and the general details of life all factor into our running, so ignoring those aspects when considering training time and intensity can lead to a sub par performance on race day. I have found that being flexible as a coach plays a primary role in the success of my athletes.

As a runner, I continue to strive to get the most out of my ability. Though my running career has had its highs and lows, I believe that the obstacles I’ve faced along the way allow me to better understand what my athletes go through, and ultimately make me a better coach. I am currently living in Flagstaff and have had the opportunity to learn from Dr. Jack Daniels and renowned therapist Phil Wharton, of Wharton Performance.

I became involved with The Run S.M.A.R.T. Project out of the desire provide a successful experience to those who wanted to make running a part of their life. I did not start my relationship with running as a coach, but first as an athlete. I was an All-American at a top Division I university, and ran professionally post collegiately, competing at last year’s Olympic Team Trials in the Men’s Marathon. In my quest to become the best runner I could be, I naturally became a student of the sport, studying, reading, inquiring, and experimenting. As I gained knowledge, I became humbled in realizing how lucky I had been to land in the hands of such wise, patient coaches who guided my running career, from a high school runner to a professional athlete. As I looked around, I began to recognize how many runners had frustrating and negative experiences because of bad information, generic training plans, or poor guidance with incomplete understanding of this complex activity. One day it hit me: I had hit the jackpot, yes. But now I had a responsibility to the sport I have enjoyed so much.

And so I joined the team at The Run S.M.A.R.T. Project with my mission of showing people just what they’re capable of when their hard work is applied intelligently. My approach is completely individualized to each runner; I work with a limited number of clients to maximize attention

It is my desire to combine my experience as an elite runner, my educational background in Human Biology and Nutrition, and my passion for coaching in a meaningful way to help others achieve their goals . Currently I train and race for Saucony while living in the beautiful mountain town of Flagstaff, Arizona. I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by an incredible running community that includes the world-renowned physiologist and coach, Jack Daniels, many Olympic level runners, emerging elite runners, and arguably the nations strongest contingent of “weekend warriors”!

I am excited to continue and expand my relationship with the sport of running through the Run S.M.A.R.T. Project. Regardless if your interest in running is for the purpose of getting in shape, weight loss, training for an upcoming race or seeking to exceed your personal records I am confident that we can work together to accomplish your goals. Whether you are a novice or an expert I believe that I have the tools to help you successfully combine a training or nutritional plan within your current lifestyle and schedule. Please let me know how I can help you begin to accomplish your goals!

This fall I was named the head cross country coach at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The previous year I spent in Colorado Springs, Colorado training full-time as part of the American Distance Project under the guidance of 5-time national coach of the year, Scott Simmons. In 2004 I received my USATF Level I Coaching Certification and I have attended numerous lectures and summits on the principles of distance running. Along with experience in personal coaching, I have coached at the high school and university levels.

For the three years before joining the Run S.M.A.R.T. Project I coached at Iowa State University. Before Iowa State I assisted Bob Braman at Florida State University. Three of the distance runners I worked with in Tallahassee went on to compete in the 2008 Olympics. I look forward to sharing my breadth of experiences and knowledge with the athletes of the Run S.M.A.R.T. Project.

My experience as both an athlete and coach have taught me that the key to success is individualization. Anyone can write training plans out of a book, but it takes a coach who makes the commitment to understanding each of his athletes to get them to hit their best performance at the right time. I credit my accomplishments as an athlete to having a coach that was never dogmatic in his approach but adjusted each day to the feedback of his runners. As the head women’s cross country and distance coach at Georgetown University, individualization is the cornerstone of my philosophy. This past fall, my team entered the NCAA Cross Country Championships ranked 17th and finished 9th. All seven of my athletes who lined up that day had their best race of the year, but each took distinctly different training paths to get there. By really listening to each of my runners and constantly fine-tuning their training, we were able to hit their peak performance on the goal day. Helping my athletes reach their goal is more rewarding to me than any accomplishment I ever had as a runner and that is what brought me to the Run S.M.A.R.T. project.

Post collegiate running are always the most difficult transition times for runners. There’s a loss of team, steady coaching, and discipline…if the proper help is not sought out. Personally, I took a chance and moved to Colorado in an attempt at reaping the rewards of high altitude training. Honestly, I made a poor run at it, because I really didn’t seek the appropriate help that I needed from the start. That’s where The Run S.M.A.R.T. Project method comes into play for you, whatever your goals, whatever your level. Truthfully, I wish I had this type of focused training assistance at my disposal three years ago via the internet. I now continue to run, as well as consult a local High School Track and Cross Country team for which I used to be an assistant coach and helped lead to a Maryland State Cross-Country Championship.

After 5 years of collegiate running success at the University of Connecticut, Dan signed a contract with Asics and went on to train at ZAP Fitness, an Olympic Development center for distance athletes. He spent three years at ZAP lowering his PR’s for 1500, mile, 3000 and 5000 meters. His coaching experience comes from 6 years of private coaching and one year as Assistant Cross Country and Track coach for Appalachian State University. He uses his personal experiences as a professional athlete and coach to instill the proper training methodologies his clients need to achieve their goals. Dan believes in an individualized framework approach for each athlete. He has also contributed to the Running Times magazine and many other running publications across the country. Through Dan our clients have a unique opportunity to gain access to a broad range of running experience and sport specific knowledge. His goal is to provide each athlete with a greater appreciation of the sport and measurable growth as a runner.