Ryan Williams – Columbia, MD Running Coach
Structured running coaching from 5K to ultramarathon. Smart, steady training that fits real life and builds lasting strength.
From: $110.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee
Running Coach Description
I’m a running coach based in Columbia, Maryland, working with athletes training from the 5K through the ultramarathon on road and trail.
I enjoy coaching runners who want a clear plan, steady guidance, and a thoughtful approach to training that fits alongside real life. Many of the athletes I work with are balancing running with work, family, and other commitments, and my goal is to help them train consistently and confidently without overcomplicating the process.
My coaching blends science-informed training with practical pacing and fueling strategies, along with a strong emphasis on communication and mindset. I’m MBTI certified and an accredited life and engagement coach, which shapes how I support athletes through the mental and emotional demands that often come with training, racing, and juggling competing priorities.
I place particular focus on pacing, durability, and staying mentally steady when training starts to feel challenging. These skills matter across all distances, from shorter road races to long trail and ultra events, and I build them into training from the start. I bring firsthand experience from racing and training in the environments my athletes are preparing for, and I approach coaching as a collaborative relationship built on trust, curiosity, and shared effort.
If you’re excited about training with purpose, building confidence over time, and working with a coach who values consistency and perspective, I’d be glad to work together.
Specialties
- 10k and beyond to Half Marathon, Marathon, Ultramarathon
- Trail Running and Ultramarathon Preparation
- Building Consistency and Durability
- Pacing and Race Strategy
- Injury Prevention and Sustainable Training
- Runners balancing training with work, family, and life
Philosophy
I believe the best training comes from consistency, patience, and learning to listen to your body over time.
Rather than reacting to every single workout, I focus on helping runners see patterns, build confidence in the process, and make smart adjustments when they actually matter. Training should feel challenging, but also sustainable and integrated into the rest of your life.
My goal is to help runners arrive at race day prepared, confident, and healthy, and still motivated to train well afterward.
Coaching Experience
I’ve coached runners across a wide range of distances and backgrounds, from newer runners building their first consistent routine to experienced athletes training for marathons, trail races, and ultramarathons.
In my coaching, you can expect:
- a personalized training plan built around your goals and schedule
- regular check-ins and clear communication
- thoughtful adjustments as training progresses
- an emphasis on long-term development rather than quick fixes
I enjoy coaching athletes who are engaged, reflective, and willing to trust a steady process.
About Me
I’m a certified running coach and endurance athlete with a long-standing passion for trail running and ultramarathon racing.
I care deeply about the human side of coaching. I enjoy getting to know the people I work with and helping them navigate training alongside the rest of their lives. I bring curiosity, honesty, and perspective to the coaching relationship, and I value clear communication on both sides.
At its best, coaching feels collaborative, grounded, and motivating without becoming overwhelming.
Big Influences
My coaching is influenced by endurance training frameworks that emphasize long term development, durability, and consistency. I value approaches that build fitness gradually, respect recovery, and prepare athletes for the specific demands of trail and ultrarunning.
Race History
I have extensive personal experience racing across trail and ultramarathon distances.
My racing background shapes how I think about pacing, patience, fueling, mental resilience, and long-term development. I’ve experienced the highs and lows that come with endurance training, and that perspective helps me guide athletes through both strong blocks and more challenging seasons.
I believe racing is one of the best teachers an athlete can have, and I enjoy helping runners learn from their experiences and carry that learning forward.
Personal Records
- 50K: 5:10 at Hashawha Hills 50K with 6,000 feet of vert
- 50 Miles: 9:40 at Stone Mill 50 Miler with 5,000 feet of vert
- 100K: 16:43 at World’s End 100K with 12,000 feet of vert
- 24 Hour: 90 miles at 24 Hours at Genesee Valley with 11,000 feet of vert
These performances reflect years of experience managing effort, fueling, and mindset over long distances and sustained climbing, which directly informs how I coach trail and ultra athletes.
Publications
Contact Ryan
8 reviews for Ryan Williams – Columbia, MD Running Coach
Lars A Henke –
Ryan is one of the kindest people I have ever had the good fortune of meeting. He has deep empathy and a genuine understanding of the challenges of training and the pitfalls that can come with a training block—fitness fluctuations, injury, motivation, and even equipment changes.
His expertise allowed me to reach goals I did not think were possible. I leave my time working with Ryan with profound gratitude for his guidance, friendship, and care.
One of the most beautiful elements of working with Ryan was how accessible and collaborative he was. Routine comments after workouts, weekly check-ins, and thoughtfully tailored plans made the process feel supportive rather than prescriptive. I always felt comfortable giving honest feedback about how runs went—both positive and negative—and he knew how to adapt accordingly.
Ryan didn’t just coach me physically; he taught me how to enjoy running. For that gift, I will always be thankful.
Supendeep Dosanjh –
I could list several reasons why Coach Ryan was just the best fit and coach for me. But here are a few that resonated deeply and well with me:
1. His gentle, kind and yet firm coaching style is an art. He knew when to push me and when to approach me with ease to motivate me, especially when he recognized I might be getting into some negative thinking patterns around training.
2. He made training fun and shifted my mindset towards training, in a subtle and genuine way. I think many of us, myself included, get fixated on the ultimate goal of running (ie to run a marathon or 10K). But he finds genuine and creative ways to make you realize how building your reward system into the actual training vs the actual goal is where the real reward is at. That type of mindset helps you put in the long hours, weeks, and months into your training.
3. If you go with Ryan, you will not be disappointed and you’ll have a friend for a lifetime.
Linda –
Great coach…Ryan is super responsive, gives good feedback and really challenges you..I very much appreciate his wisdom and how he challenges me to do better
Camille Mayes –
Ryan has been an amazing coach! My training cycle did not go as expected, I was dealing with a crazy schedule, injuries, nutrition fails, and burn out. Ryan helped me adjust and get me where I needed to be. He worked with me and not only helped me reach my goals but was supportive, motivational, and consistent. Whenever I had an issue I could count on Ryan to problem solve with me. Whether it was nutrition, warm ups, or something hurting, Ryan had an answer for me. I’m so appreciative for all Ryan has done for me I cannot recommend him more, this is your guy!
Valerie J –
What’s going well: Coach Ryan is meeting us (team mom and son) where we are. This helps us with momentum. We are slowly getting into fitness after a period of inactivity. Coach asks lots of thoughtful questions before creating an intentional weekly plan. The unexpected lessons we learn from Coach hit us just when we need it, so we feel supported both physically and then emotionally too, as we are on this journey back to running. When there is a hiccup, coach knows how to help us pivot due to injury or limitation with positive forward motion, helping us use any hiatus to our advantage.
Trevor Bates –
Ryan is an incredible coach. He guided me through training for a Backyard Ultra and was consistently supportive, flexible, and engaged throughout the entire process. He stayed on top of my plan, adjusting it as needed to fit around vacations and life’s curveballs without missing a beat. Ryan checked in on me regularly and gave thoughtful feedback on every workout. He genuinely cares, knows his stuff, and is clearly dedicated to the craft. Can’t recommend him highly enough.
Sebastiaan Oude Groeniger –
Ryan’s a fantastic coach — I really can recommend him to anyone!
I reached out to Ryan when I decided I wanted to go for my first ultra marathon (a 50K). I could use some coaching after some bad luck with injuries in 2024. My goal for this year was to avoid getting injured again, but still challenge myself and find out what I’m capable of.
What I really appreciated was that Ryan doesn’t just focus on the physical side of training — his attention to the mental aspect is just as strong, and it made a big difference for me.
I’ve always been someone who tries to stick to the training plan no matter what. In the past, I’d push through even when rest would’ve been the better choice. Ryan helped me become more relaxed about it and taught me to listen to my body. I learned that it’s completely fine to skip or adjust a session when needed — and not to feel guilty about it.
Ryan pushed me to find my limits, but never to overdo it. He also taught me the importance of fueling properly before and after training, something I wasn’t doing well until Ryan started coaching me.
He was super flexible and quick to adjust plans whenever life got in the way — whether I got sick or something unexpected came up, he’d always find a good alternative quickly and calmed me down when necessary.
The day before the race, we focused mostly on mental prep, which turned out to be incredibly useful. It gave me tools to deal with the tough moments that will come during a long race. And most importantly, it was also really fun (and, as he will say, it should be fun!). He set me up so well for raceday — I honestly wouldn’t have been able to perform as well, both physically and mentally, without his support. I finished my 50K with a smile on my face thanks to Ryan and I’m ready for more!
If you’re looking for someone to coach you towards your goals, Ryan is a GREAT coach. I can’t recommend him enough.
Thank you Ryan!
Gavin OBrien –
Ryan is one of, if not the, best coaches I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with! I have ran for more than 15 years (throughout high school and college), but have been in a rut athletically and mentally, so needed some additional support as I’m preparing for a longer race longer than what I’ve ever done before. Ryan provided so much help building a plan that increased my athletic performance, boosted my mental resilience and crafted a positive and encouraging atmosphere to be successful.
I couldn’t be more thankful that I connected with Ryan and he was able to coach me! His athletic accomplishments speak for themselves, but he is also so flexible in his approach and is such an amazing listener. He learned what was important to me and changed the training plan to meet my unique requests. He was always responsive and his training plan was so comprehensive, which helped me so much to prepare for my 24 hour race.
Some specific examples that highlight Ryan in a more specific way are below:
-He educated me all about fueling during exercising (and how this can be both art and science). After following his advice and eating more, I felt like a million bucks even after several hours of strenuous activity
-I had a vacation during the training and Ryan worked within this constraint to help me relax the workouts, but still help maintain my conditioning
-Ryan provided answers to my countless questions and personalized his advice by sharing scientific literature so I could “dive down the rabbit hole” to learn more
-He was flexible and when I was feeling emotionally up and down, he told me to take care of myself first and foremost; he never made me feel bad when I wasn’t able to complete a workout. He just wanted what’s best for me and always focused on what we learned from both positive and challenging experiences
Overall: If you’re feeling in a rut with your training (or if having trouble getting started), you’re planning on doing something way outside of your comfort zone, curious about all the latest science to get you from “good to great”, or simply interested in a supportive, flexible, understanding and creative coach to create a plan built around your life – Ryan is your coach!! I give my HIGHEST recommendation for you to reach out to him so he can learn more about your needs and help you achieve your goals!