I specialize in trail and mountain running coaching, helping athletes tackle everything from their first 5K to some of the toughest 200 plus mile ultramarathons in the country. What I love most about coaching is helping people discover they are capable of more than they ever thought possible.

For me, coaching starts with building a genuine relationship. I believe the best results come from trust, communication, and truly understanding each athlete’s goals, strengths, challenges, and life outside of running. Every athlete is different, and I enjoy creating a coaching experience that feels personal, supportive, and tailored to the individual rather than forcing athletes into a one size fits all approach.

My coaching goes beyond simply writing training plans. I help athletes build confidence, develop race specific strategies, and prepare for the physical and mental challenges that come with chasing big goals in the mountains. With experience in pacing, crew support, race logistics, nutrition, and gear selection, I enjoy helping athletes feel prepared for every aspect of race day.

Whether your goal is your first 5K, your first ultramarathon, or taking on a 200 plus mile adventure, my goal is to help you train smart, race confidently, and enjoy the journey along the way. There is nothing better than watching an athlete achieve something they once thought was out of reach, and I am grateful to be a small part of that journey.

What’s Important to Me as a Coach

* Building strong athlete and coach relationships through trust and communication
* Creating individualized training plans that fit the athlete, not forcing the athlete to fit the plan
* Helping athletes stay consistent while balancing training, work, family, and everyday life
* Emphasizing recovery, injury prevention, and long term development
* Preparing athletes mentally and physically for the unique challenges of trail and ultramarathon racing
* Teaching athletes how to adapt, problem solve, and stay positive during difficult moments
* Keeping training enjoyable and helping athletes stay connected to why they started
* Building confidence through preparation, experience, and sustainable progress
* Creating an environment where athletes feel supported, motivated, and genuinely stoked to chase big goals

I believe coaching is about much more than miles, workouts, and race results. At its core, great coaching is built on trust, communication, and a shared commitment to growth. Every athlete comes into the sport with different goals, experiences, responsibilities, and motivations, and understanding those things is just as important as understanding training itself.

One of the reasons I continue to train, race, and work with a coach personally is because I never want to stop learning. Staying connected to the athlete experience helps me better understand the challenges that come with pursuing meaningful goals, whether that’s balancing training with family and work, overcoming setbacks, or navigating the highs and lows that come with endurance sports.

I don’t believe in perfect training plans. I believe in adaptable plans, honest communication, and finding what works best for each individual athlete. Life happens, schedules change, and obstacles arise. Success comes from being flexible, staying focused on the bigger picture, and continuing to move forward.

Most of all, I want athletes to enjoy the journey. The finish lines, personal records, and big race goals are rewarding, but the real growth happens in the day to day process. When athletes stay healthy, remain consistent, recover well, and show up each day with purpose and intention, incredible things can happen over time.

My goal is to help athletes build confidence not only in their training and racing, but in themselves. When athletes trust the process, embrace the challenges, and find joy in the work, they often discover they are capable of far more than they ever imagined.

I’ve been coaching endurance athletes for the past 3 years and have been involved in coaching and athletics long before finding ultrarunning in 2020. Before trail and ultra racing, I spent most of my life playing football and competing in mixed martial arts, which helped shape the way I approach coaching today. A lot of what I believe comes down to consistency, building confidence, learning how to work through challenges, and keeping the process fun along the way.

I’m also a big believer that great coaches should always stay in the process themselves. I continue to work with a coach personally because I believe there’s always something new to learn, improve, and experience as both an athlete and a mentor. I still train hard and chase meaningful races that push me physically and mentally, which helps me stay connected to what athletes are actually going through day to day. From balancing life and training to dealing with setbacks, race nerves, and breakthrough moments, I understand the process because I’m living it too. That connection helps me coach with real experience, empathy, and a genuine passion for helping athletes grow, gain confidence, and get stoked about chasing big goals.

Most of my experience is centered around trail, mountain, and ultramarathon racing. I’ve helped athletes train for and complete their first 50K, 50 mile, and 100 mile races while building race specific plans around their goals, fitness, and lifestyle. I really enjoy helping athletes break down big intimidating goals into manageable steps and showing them they’re capable of more than they think.

I also love the details that come with race preparation. From pacing plans and crew support to race day logistics, nutrition, aid station strategy, and overall execution, I enjoy helping athletes feel calm and prepared heading into race day. Working in the endurance industry has also given me a lot of hands on experience with gear, hydration systems, packs, poles, and lighting systems, so I’m always happy to help athletes dial in equipment for long days and nights out on the trails. Whether it’s your first ultra or your biggest race yet, I want athletes to show up prepared, confident, and genuinely stoked to be out there.

Key Coaching Highlights
* 3 years of trail and ultrarunning coaching experience
* Coaching background in football and mixed martial arts
* Active endurance athlete who continues to train and work with a coach personally
* Specialized in trail, mountain, and ultramarathon racing

* Helped athletes successfully complete their first:
* 50K ultramarathons
* 50 mile ultramarathons
* 100 mile ultramarathons

* Experience with:
* Race specific pacing plans
* Crew and pacer support
* Race logistics and execution
* Nutrition and hydration planning
* Aid station strategy
* Gear recommendations and lighting systems
* Mountain and technical terrain preparation

* Helped athletes reach goals and successful finishes at:
* Tushars Marathon
* Red Mountain half marathon,30k, and 50k
* Saddles 100
* Zion 100

First and foremost, I’m a husband, father, and grandfather who found a deep love for running, helping others, and building connections through the trail and ultrarunning community. Long before I ever pinned on a race bib, I had a strong connection to the outdoors. Some of my best memories growing up were spending weekends in the Rocky Mountains with my grandfather, exploring trails, camping, and learning to appreciate the mountains and the peace that comes with being outside. Looking back now, those experiences helped shape a lot of who I am today.

Before getting into ultrarunning in 2020, I spent years involved in athletics and coaching through football and mixed martial arts. That background helped build the foundation for the way I approach both life and coaching now. I believe in hard work, consistency, learning through challenges, and showing up for people when they need support.

Running eventually became more than just a hobby for me. It became a way to challenge myself, connect with others, and be part of something bigger than myself. I’ve been fortunate enough to work my way into the running industry and surround myself with amazing people, experiences, and opportunities that continue to fuel my passion for the sport.

While I love coaching and helping athletes chase big goals, coaching has always been secondary to building community and supporting people through their own journeys. One of the things I love most about trail running is how willing people are to show up for one another, and I try to carry that same energy into everything I do. Whether it’s helping an athlete prepare for their first 100 miler, pacing deep into the night, crewing at an aid station, or jumping in last minute to help a complete stranger reach their goal, I genuinely love being part of those moments. Watching someone accomplish something they once thought was impossible is one of the most rewarding parts of this sport.

At the end of the day, I’m just someone who loves the mountains, values community, believes in doing hard things, and wants to help people discover what they’re truly capable of.

The people who have influenced me most have helped shape not only the coach I am today, but the person I strive to be. Growing up, I was fortunate to have two grandfathers who left lasting impressions on me in very different ways. One taught me to appreciate the outdoors, adventure, and the value of spending time in the mountains. The other showed me the importance of hard work, integrity, and always finding ways to give back and support those around you. Those lessons continue to guide how I approach relationships, community, and coaching.

Professionally, earning my coaching certification through UESCA under Jason Koop provided a strong foundation for understanding the science of endurance training and athlete development. More importantly, it reinforced the idea that great coaching is never one size fits all. Every athlete brings a unique story, set of goals, and life circumstances to the table, and coaching should reflect that.

I have also been fortunate to work with my own coach, Trevor Fuchs, for more than two years. Through some of the most demanding races and training cycles of my life, Trevor has taught me the value of patience, consistency, and trusting the process even when progress isn’t immediately visible. Those lessons continue to influence the way I support and guide my own athletes.

Beyond the people directly involved in my life, I draw inspiration from athletes throughout the trail and ultrarunning community. Athletes such as Tara Dower, Kilian Korth, Dan Green, Jeff Garmire, and Troy “The Punisher” Croxdale embody many of the qualities I admire most: grit, humility, perseverance, and a willingness to lift others up along the way. Equally inspiring to me are the mid pack and back of the pack runners who show up, put in the work, and continue chasing goals regardless of pace or placement. They serve as a constant reminder that success in this sport is measured by much more than results. It’s about growth, resilience, and the willingness to keep moving forward.

*2021-Utah Desert half marathon, Zion at night Half marathon, Snow Canyon Half Marathon 1:30:55
*2022- Sun Half Marathon, Red Mountain 55k, Zion at night Half Marathon 1:36:15 5th overall, Utah Desert Half Marathon 1:30:53 1st overall course record, Cedar breaks at night 1st overall course record, Javelina 100 mile 20:59:01
*2023-Red Mountain 30k 6th male, Zion Ultras 50K 5:08:56 10th male, Tushars Mountain run 70k, Cedar Breaks at night 1st overall course record.
*2024-Red Mountain 50k, Cocodona 250 97:02:29, The Bear 100 miler.
*2025-Hurt 100, Red Mountain half marathon 4th male, Zion Ultras 100 mile 9th overall, The Bear 100 miler, Bridge Burner 50k 5th male,
*2026-Redmountain 30k, Flagstaff Crest 40.

• UESCA Ultramarathon Coach
• UESCA Endurance Sports Nutrition

Athlete Team Manager at UltrAspire

* Back to Back 1st Overall Finisher and Course Record Holder at the Cedar Break Half
* 1st Overall Finisher and Course Record Holder at the Utah Desert Half
* Sub 21 Hour Finisher at the Javelina 100
* Sub 100 Hour Finisher at the Cocodona 250
* Official Finisher of the Hurt 100 and 2x finisher of the Bear 100

*100 mile PR 20:59:01
*Trail half marathon 1:30:34
*Trail 50k 5:08:56

Podcast Appearances

Let’s Run That Again
Episode 12: Richard Urias – “Be the Person You Needed When You Were Younger”
October 17, 2024

Golden Hour Adventures Podcast
Ricky Urias “Rage Rhino” | Living Life Just Above Average
December 27, 2024

Buckle Up: An Ultrarunning Conversation
Trail Blazing Through Life ep. 57
March 6, 2025

Skinner’s Locker Room
Beyond Ultra Running: Exploring Human Behavior and Motivation with Ricky Urias
May 3, 2025

Nutritional Revolution Podcast
Episode 142: UltrAspire Team Manager Ricky Urias – An “Ordinary” Runner Doing Extraordinary Things
June 17, 2025

Buckleheads Podcast
Episode 61: Ricky Urias
October 31, 2025

Bonus Smiles (Public Radio Runner)
UltrAspire Mini Series E3: Rage Rhino (Ricky Urias)
2026