LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
TYPES: Road, Trail, Track
DISTANCES: 5k/10k/Half Marathon, Marathon, Ultra
TRAINING PLATFORM: Google Docs
TRAINING PLAN: Individual, customized training plan
COMMUNICATION: Unlimited email, unlimited text
RESPONSE TIME: Within 24 hours
LOCATION: Surprise, AZ

Finding a coach who is a great fit for you is really important. We encourage you to email your coach prior to signing up so you can connect, communicate, and ensure a good athlete/coach fit.

SPECIALTIES

While I have experience coaching all abilities, terrains and distances, I have a few things I specialize in. I have helped numerous beginner runners start with their training and understand the basics of running, which can sometimes be more complicated than you think. I have a passion for trail and ultra-races that I want to share that with clients. I also have experience incorporating strength training to compliment running. Finally, I’m a busy, working mom myself which makes me uniquely suited to help others incorporate training into their daily lives to become the best version of themselves.

PHILOSOPHY

I believe the athlete-coach relationship is the cornerstone of coaching, I want to understand you as a runner and an individual so I can help make the best decisions for your training. I want to keep you healthy and injury free, maximizing consistency in training. The mix of volume, speed work and strength training depends on each runner’s goals, current fitness and outside obligations. Achievement is important, but so is maintaining the joy of running for many years to come.

COACHING EXPERIENCE

I have been running for over 25 years and coaching formally for about 4 years. I have coached individual clients to marathon PRs, finishing their first ultra and improving their trail racing performance. I coach beginner groups and have helped many runners complete their first 5k. I also coach a local run club, ranging in ages from 12 to 70+, in their weekly track workouts.

ABOUT ME

I am a full-on running nerd with a passion for inspiring others, especially other women, in their running. I am a member of the Aravaipa Racing Team, and a regular contributor to Trail Sisters online journal. I’m a little bit of a tree hugger and am happiest running in nature, especially the mountains. I work full time, coach and train for ultras, and am mom to two active boys who help fill up my husband and my schedules. I’m not sure if you’d say I have “free time”, but if I do you might find me reading adventure or running books or messing (rather unsuccessfully so far) with the compost and garden bins in our back yard. While I don’t preach a specific diet to my clients I am plant-based because it’s how I feel best. I’ve lived in Kenya for study abroad and Ghana during my Peace Corps service. I am originally from Pennsylvania, but now live in Arizona.

BIG INFLUENCES

I am a big believer of Jack Daniel’s methodology of the body reacting to and improving with repeated stress, paired with the proper rest and recovery, as well as the importance of specificity, especially as you near your targeted event. Easy runs should be easy and hard runs should be hard, and each workout has a purpose. I have also grown fond of the training philosophies of Megan and David Roche which focus on self-love, love of running and racing as a celebration. They also talk to the importance of balancing training-induced stress with general life stress.

RACING HISTORY

I raced cross-country and track in high school and college, but stepped away from competitive running for a while after college. When I started back racing I did a few road 5ks and half marathons, and in 2015 did my first and only road marathon. I quickly discovered trail racing and after my first 50k haven’t looked back.
In 2017 I won the Pennsylvania Triple crown of Mountain running which included a win at the Hyner 50k, second place at Worlds End 100k and fifth at Eastern States 100 miler. In 2018 I won the Insomniac Race Series in Arizona, finishing as first female and top three overall at each 50k race in the series. That year I also took 2nd place at Mogollon Monster 100. In 2019 I found races outside my comfort zone and still managed to frequently land on the podium.

Full racing history here on UltraSignup.

CERTIFICATIONS

I am a Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) Level 1 certified coach.

PRs

25k – 2:16, Pass Mountain 11/18/2017
50k – 4:43, Adrenaline Night Runs 5/19/2018
100k – 11:48, Montour 24, 12 hour 7/23/2016
100 mile – 29:08 Mogollon Monster (20,000+ft vert gain), 9/15/2018

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

Course records: Vertigo Night Runs 52k, Hypnosis Night Runs 54k, Adrenaline Night Runs 50k, Sinister Night Runs 54k
16 podium finishes
2017 PA Mountain Running Triple Crown “Queen of the Mountain”

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PUBLICATIONS

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Rebecca Learned

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Accuracy of coaching package implementation

Value provided given the price

Communication quality and consistency

Availability for questions/comments/changes

Knowledge about running and training

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I’ve enjoyed working with Coach Des so far in my 50k training. She is responsive to my questions and need for advice. She helped me with some patellar tendinitis issues and tweaked my training schedule to accommodate for a week. She is encouraging when I need it. She’s given me good race fueling/nutrition advice. I didn’t want a coach that wants to always hold my hand, a “helicopter” coach. Coach Des has been exactly the kind of coach I wanted.
4 weeks ago
Lauren Hoover

Overall Experience working with the coach

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Value provided given the price

Communication quality and consistency

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Knowledge about running and training

Training program effectiveness

Des is such a great coach to work with. She is the perfect amount of stern and understanding. Des’ communication is consistent and thorough. I am so fortunate to have found her and my running is improving every day secondary to her program. I feel I can accomplish all my crazy goals with her guidance.
7 months ago
Darrell Read

Overall Experience working with the coach

Accuracy of coaching package implementation

Value provided given the price

Communication quality and consistency

Availability for questions/comments/changes

Knowledge about running and training

Training program effectiveness

Desarae is an awesome coach. My goals were to run a 13.1 or more mile races each month but die to the covit 19 all the races were cancelled. She kept my training on point and I ran my first 50k. She has a strong knowledge on nutrition and running gear.
10 months ago
Carolyn Davis

Overall Experience working with the coach

Accuracy of coaching package implementation

Value provided given the price

Communication quality and consistency

Availability for questions/comments/changes

Knowledge about running and training

Training program effectiveness

Deserae is amazing. Attentive and thoughtful in her communication and keeps me accountable. She has given me tips on form and stretches; useful advise that I’ve put to use and it’s been great. Top notch coach and I am so happy I found her!
11 months ago

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Deserae Clarke – Phoenix Running Coach

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Deserae Clarke – Phoenix Running Coach

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