Nick Snyder – Frederick, MD Running Coach
I work with all athletes from 5K to Ultra marathons, road or trail, focusing on intentional consistent training towards your goals.
From: $60.00 / month
Running Coach Description
Waynesboro running coach Nick Snyder focuses on individual progression and consistency, working with athletes just starting out or those more advanced on both the roads and the trails, from shorter races to ultras and stage races. Reach out to Nick below to get started!
Specialties
I work with athletes from the beginner to the experienced runner. Whether it is your first 5k or you’ve worked your way up to 100 mile or even multi-day events I am here to help you strive towards your goals.
- Distance ranging from 5km to 100 mile and even multi-day events.
- Track, trail, road events.
- Race day and training nutrition.
- Race day strategies.
When you are coached by me you can expect:
- Individualized weekly coaching and training plan
- Intentional progression of workouts throughout the training cycle(s)
- Developmental advice for runners as they progress through their journey
- Explanations on why the training plans include what they do and the goals we are striving towards together
Philosophy
I believe that all people are runners and that all runners can have success. Not all success looks the same and not all runners are the same. Running is for all people and the gift of running is one that can mean so much and carry you further than you ever thought. You can experience things through running that many others will miss out on.
In my coaching, I believe that intentional training is important for the progression of a runner. I make it a point for my athletes to understand the work they are doing, what they are gaining from it, and how it helps them to accomplish their goals. The runner understanding the why behind the workouts is important to me.
Consistency is key but improvement is not linear. There will be ups and downs but as I’ve told myself deep into many ultra marathons it is about relentless, forward progress. When those hiccups do come along in the training I help to navigate them with my runners and work though things together.
I will work with the athletes via text, e-mail, and phone/video call to communicate throughout the training cycle.
Coaching Experience
I have coached for nearly 20 years. I started coaching high school track and field and then as my love of coaching grew I expanded my knowledge base to include events beyond the typical high school events. After my high school coaching career ended I began coaching training groups at a local running specialty store. I also worked at that store providing customers with advice on nutrition, footwear, and training plans. It was during my time at the running store that I became more involved in ultra marathon running and the uniqueness of those events.
About Me
I was a hurdler in high school and briefly in college. After college I began coaching at a local high school and quickly fell in love with the distance events and took up running on my own beyond just the hurdles. My coaching connection with the local running store led me to complete my first marathon (on a bit of a challenge from the owner). After stepping away from high school coaching I fell in love with ultra marathon running which is where I personally spend most of my time racing now. In 2015 I completed the “Beast Series” in Virginia which is a series of 6 races (3x50k, 100 mile, 50 mile, and 100K) over the course of the year.
Ultra running and my mission work in Haiti led me to the 2017 Run Across Haiti, which is an 8 day run from the north coast to the south coast of Haiti. There is no better way to experience a country than by foot at 5 miles per hour. (https://vimeo.com/240036864)
Big Influences
Dr. Jack Daniels has provided a wealth of knowledge to the running world and I use many of his ideas incorporated into my coaching.
Arthur Lydiard’s ideas on coaching have impacted my views on some of the foundational aspects of my training philosophy.
As I got more into ultra marathon running, Jason Koop has given me valuable insights into that little bit extra that needed in those longer events.
Race History
- 2015 Beast Series Finisher
- Holiday Lake 50K++
- Terrapin Mountain 50K
- Promise Land 50K
- Grindstone 100 Mile
- Mountain Masochist 50 Mile
- Hellgate 100K
- 2017 Run Across Haiti Finisher (230 miles over 8 days)
Certifications
- V.O2
Personal Records
- 50K: 5:33 (Feb. 2015) Promise Land 50K++
- 50Mile: 10:15 (Nov. 2015) Mountain Masochist
- 100K: 15:01 (Dec. 2015) Hellgate 100K
- 100Mile: 25:56 (Oct. 2015) Grindstone 100
Contact Nick
6 reviews for Nick Snyder – Frederick, MD Running Coach
Justin Williams –
I’ve been training with Nick for about six months. I’m retired Navy and a Marine Corps veteran, and running for me is more about the head than legs. I didn’t want an app spitting out generic runs. I wanted a coach who actually pays attention, and Nick does.
He tracks everything in Final Surge, texts after hard workouts, and notices when I go quiet. When a blister started wrecking my gait before the Frederick Half, he made adaptions to the plan that week without me asking. When family stuff came up and I missed workouts, there was attentiveness and kindness in the plan. Life and family come first with him. He just adjusts the plan and we move on.
He’s honest in a way I appreciate. When I start getting in my own head, he responds in a way that is authentic and empathetic from experience.
I had a strong Marine Corps Marathon and ran the Frederick Half in May at a near-PR pace under his guidance. Now we’re building toward the JFK 50. If you’ve been thinking about getting a coach, reach out to Nick. You won’t regret it!
Lupe Bobadilla –
Coach Nick is an empathetic, reliable, and highly experienced leader. He is my first running coach, and I am fortunate and humbled to learn under his guidance. I came to Nick with a couple of marathons, 50Ks, 50 milers, and a 100K under my belt. I am by no means an expert, and I decided to research running coaches. I feel honored to have chosen to work with Nick.
I value the attention he gives his athletes and his willingness to listen to our goals and needs. Nick understands running is a huge part of my identity, but it is not my only identity. He validates when runs become challenging due to social aspects of my life, tending injuries, and weather. I appreciate how his personalized approach makes me feel supported and understood. I enjoy the chances we get to meet one-on-one and debrief the goals we achieved.
I am proud to share that Coach Nick and I tackled a beast of a race this winter season. He curated a successful plan for my ultra 300-mile race, and I came in 5th place overall. We are proud of this achievement, and through his plan, I was able to celebrate with my racing crew after the race. Also, through his plan, I PR’d my marathon time and qualified for Boston in 2027. AND! Two weeks after the 300-miler race, I ran the 2026 Boston Marathon under 3 hours. This is a testament to his work and guidance, something I would not have achieved alone. I want others to feel confident that his coaching can lead to real, meaningful results.
I am fortunate to work under Coach Nick and excited for the work we will do in the future.
Kyle Slone –
I have been working with Nick for approximately three months now and the weekly programming and communication has been great. He’s understanding when life events come up and the weekly mileage needs to be adjusted. I’ve already seen an improvement in my heart rate lowering during runs in the brief time I’ve been working with Nick. We’ve got some races on the calendar now so looking forward to continuing to build and achieving some goals!
Laura Torres –
I’ve been working with Nick for a few weeks and he has been amazing! I have not been the most consistent due to personal stuff and he has been the most understanding and has adjusted the runs to fit what I’m able to do right now! Can’t wait to get back on track and see even more results !
Kelly Schultz –
Working with Nick has been outstanding. I’m running my first 100k and knew I needed a coach to help me level up to this distance. Nick’s ultra experience and guidance have been invaluable. Balancing family, work, and life in general while you’re going after big running goals isn’t easy. Nick gets it and it shows in his coaching. It’s a great balance of structure, flexibility, encouragement, and pushing me to the next level. He gives me great feedback throughout the week and makes adjustments to the training plan, always with the big picture in mind. Nick designed a plan that included 50k and 50 mile training races and I set PRs in both distances! which was definitely unexpected after a 9 year break from ultras.
Nick has been so encouraging throughout this training cycle and has helped me build the confidence I need going into my A race. I truly appreciate the commitment he’s made to helping me achieve my goals.
Amber Patterson –
I have run on and off for most of my life, but never stuck with it consistently. My longest races were a few half-marathons with friends that I barely prepared for with no goal. I never had any guidance or a desire to run any farther distance.
Once I started following Nick’s plans, instead of random internet plans, my paces were improving and my weekly mileage was increasing. Nick noticed my progress and encouraged me to sign up for a marathon, believing I could accomplish something I didn’t think was possible. Not only did he create a great plan for me that allowed me to be more successful in that race than I ever imagined, his encouragement and guidance was invaluable through the whole process. Since then, he has coached me through two additional marathons with improved times, a 50K, and PRs in the 5K and half-marathon distances, as well.
Nick really takes the time to learn where you currently are in your fitness and push you toward improvement in the most individualized, supportive and encouraging manner. He takes the time to explain the purpose of your workouts and how they will help you reach your goal, which I have found to be a huge motivator to get out there on the days I may not want to. When you doubt yourself, he never does. When you want to give up, he makes sure you don’t. His belief in his clients, his knowledge, experience and love for this sport, and his true excitement for your progress makes him an outstanding coach.