Dolan Ward – Boise Running Coach
Trail & road coach helping beginners to 100 mile ultra-runners PR while staying injury free
From: $120.00 / month
Running Coach Description
Coach for beginners, high school athletes, and ultrarunners seeking smart training, consistency, and lasting progress.
Specialties
- Road and trail coaching for distances up to 100 miles
- Half marathon and marathon preparation
- Beginner and intermediate athlete development
- Heart-rate-based endurance training
- Aerobic efficiency and pacing strategy
- Race and training nutrition feedback
- Race-day execution and mindset
Philosophy
I believe running should build you, not break you. I’m a big believer in volume and steady progression — the crawl, walk, run approach that keeps athletes consistent and strong over time. While technology can guide, I believe human coaching is what prevents injury, keeps perspective, and adapts training to real life.
Coaching Experience
I’ve been coaching runners for over a year and officially certified through UESCA since April 2025. In that time, I’ve helped several athletes achieve new personal bests in the half marathon and guided others to successfully complete their first 50k and 50 mile races. My experience spans road and trail training, with a focus on practical, personalized plans that fit real life and lead to measurable progress.
About Me
I’m Dolan Ward, a UESCA-certified running coach based in southern Idaho. When I’m not coaching, I’m out training myself — running everything from track sessions to mountain trails with my dogs or mixing in a few CrossFit sessions each week. I love the challenge, community, and clarity that running brings, and I’m passionate about helping others experience that same sense of purpose and enjoyment in their own training.
Big Influences
My coaching is shaped by the UESCA framework, Jason Koop’s data-driven approach to endurance training, and Kilian Jornet’s belief in freedom, curiosity, and connection to the mountains.
Race History
Highlights include two finishes at the HURT 100 and pacing and crewing at the Badwater 135.
Certifications
- UESCA Running Coach Certification
Personal Records
- Half Marathon: 1:27 (10/18/25) Idaho Running Day Half Marathon
- 50K: 6:06 (11/11/23) Thunderbird Trail Run
Contact Dolan
3 reviews for Dolan Ward – Boise Running Coach
Eric Webb –
I’ve been working with Dolan for a few months now, and it’s been an awesome experience. My goal is to complete the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim hike this fall, and I had no idea where to start. Dolan created a plan that gave me direction and confidence, and I’ve already seen significant progress.
One thing I really appreciate is that he checks in with me every week, reviews how my training went, and adjusts the following week’s plan based on my feedback. It feels personalized rather than a one-size-fits-all program.
If you have a fitness goal and you’re willing to put in the work, I highly recommend Dolan. He’s knowledgeable, supportive, and genuinely invested in helping you succeed.
Josh Webb –
I’ve been training with Dolan since January as I prepare for a trek through the Himalayas and run some of my first distance races, and I couldn’t recommend him more highly.
From day one, he met me exactly where I was physically and built a training plan that has steadily challenged me while keeping my long-term goals in focus. He takes the time to really listen, understands what I’m trying to accomplish, and creates clear, organized weekly training schedules that help me get the most out of every workout.
What has impressed me most is that his support goes far beyond simply sending workouts. Whenever I’ve dealt with minor injuries, he’s been quick to help me work through them with practical advice and adjustments to keep me progressing safely. He’s also provided excellent guidance on nutrition, hydration, and fueling—things that have made a real difference in my training.
Dolan is always willing to answer my calls and respond to my questions, no matter how simple they might seem. He has a way of making you feel like you’re his only client, even though I know he has many. That level of personal attention and genuine investment is rare.
If you’re looking for a knowledgeable, dedicated coach who truly cares about your success, I wholeheartedly recommend Dolan. Working with him has been one of the best decisions I’ve made in preparing for my bucket list adventure.
Beau –
Working with Dolan has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for my health, mindset, and confidence.
What sets him apart is his intuition. He always knew exactly when to push me and when my body needed rest. That balance alone prevented injuries, kept me motivated, and helped me improve far faster than I ever could have on my own. Every week felt purposeful and personalized.
He’s in tune with my goals, whether it was prepping for a race, building endurance, or navigating life’s busy seasons. He’s responsive, accommodating, and genuinely invested in my success. I never felt like just another client, he made me feel like an athlete with potential.
But beyond the technical side, his leadership and mindset coaching changed the way I see myself. He helped me believe I was capable of things I never imagined: mileage, pace, discipline, and mental toughness.
He celebrates the wins, coaches through the setbacks, and always shows up with positivity and direction. I felt supported the entire journey.
Whether you’re just starting or trying to hit big race PRs, he brings a combination of expertise, heart, communication, and consistency that’s rare to find. He’s the real deal, he’s a beast of his own and is an accomplished runner himself with some impressive accolades. He’s an inspiration and I’m beyond grateful I found him.