Dolan Ward – Twin Falls Running Coach
UESCA-certified running coach helping athletes train smarter, build volume patiently, and stay injury-free from 5K to 50K.
From: $60.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee
Running Coach Description
I’m Dolan Ward, a UESCA-certified running coach and military veteran based in southern Idaho. I work with runners training for road and trail races up to 50K, focusing on smart, consistent progress and injury prevention. My coaching emphasizes patient volume building, real-world balance, and a genuine love for the process. I’ve helped athletes achieve personal bests at the half marathon distance and guided others through their first 50Ks.
Specialties
- Road and trail coaching for distances up to 50K
- 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. Training should feel purposeful, not forced, so I help runners find enjoyment in the process rather than pressure from the plan. While technology can guide, I believe human coaching is what prevents injury, keeps perspective, and adapts training to real life. My goal is sustainable progress — smart mileage, patient development, and a genuine love for the run.
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 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. I’ve finished eight ultramarathons, including the HURT 100, and completed seventeen races of 5K or longer. When I’m not coaching, I’m out training myself — running 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
I began racing in February 2023 and have since completed nearly 30 races across nearly every distance. Highlights include two finishes at the HURT 100, eight additional ultramarathons, and pacing and crewing efforts at events such as the Badwater 135. Most recently, I earned a podium finish and set a personal best in a half marathon in Boise, Idaho, out of 165 runners.
Certifications
- UESCA Running Coach Certification
Personal Records
- Half Marathon: 1:27 (10/18/25) Idaho Running Day Half Marathon, 3rd OA in a field of 165
- 50K: 6:06 (11/11/23) Thunderbird Trail Run
Contact Dolan
1 review for Dolan Ward – Twin Falls Running Coach
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.