Ryan Woolley – Seattle Running Coach
From: $130.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee
15 years of competitive experience across many distances and terrains, a strong technical understanding of program creation (BSc, MA)
Description
Seattle running coach Ryan Woolley focuses on strength for performance and injury prevention, and has raced on both the roads and the trails, as well as long mountain adventures. Ryan also offers gait analysis for in-person sessions in Seattle.
LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
TYPES: Road, Trail, Track
DISTANCES: 5k/10k/Half Marathon, Marathon
TRAINING PLATFORM: Final Surge
TRAINING PLAN: Individual, customized training plan
COMMUNICATION: Unlimited email, unlimited text, unlimited phone
RESPONSE TIME: Within 24 hours
LOCATION: Seattle, WA
IN-PERSON SESSIONS: Yes, within 3 miles of Green Lake, Seattle. Options include: Reviewing form/gait across varied terrain, strength training (body weight exercises, only), and help with pacing as it relates to intensity (i.e. How to get through a workout without breaking yourself)
SPECIALTIES
- Distances ranging from 5000m to the marathon
- Road and mountain events
- Strength for performance and injury prevention
- Gait analysis
PHILOSOPHY
A big part of my job is to learn why you’re choosing to run and how you want it to fit into your life. This is based on me believing that running shouldn’t ever be considered in isolation to other parts of the runner’s day and the obligations that they’re trying to meet. We should all be trying to reach that superordinate running goal: Is it to be competitive? Is it to PR? Is it to explore a mountain range across a number of days? Is it to just feel-good while moving quickly on two feet? Is it to feel better connected with your body?
The creation of each program needs to consider the principles and practices of training within the context of this superordinate goal.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
- Three years of experience as a strength and conditioning coach, specializing in injury rehabilitation.
- Three years of experience as an individual running coach
ABOUT ME
Born and raised in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, I’ve been living in the US for the past six years, spread across Rhode Island, Boston, Colorado, and Seattle. I love to create and explore, whether it be through running, backpacking, music, or travel. Next to running, my second love is my guitar. In all these things, I tend to show the passion that I have for them quickly and am more than happy to talk about them when not talking shop. Got any advice on the Seattle scene? I would love to hear it. I moved here toward the end of October.
I feel that I work better when working with someone who is willing to provide me feedback in the moment for the sake of collaboration and collective learning.
BIG INFLUENCES
My high school coach, who pulled me out of line while I was waiting for class to convince me that I should run the next provincial track meet. That was the start of something big for me.
My second and last coach, Wayne Smith, who was a big advocate of the “Arthur Lydiard way.” Wayne taught me the value of mileage and patience at a pivotal time in my life. He also taught me that 100-mile weeks is no taboo thing for a 17-year-old when approached carefully.
Barry McGee – Bronze in the 1960 Rome Olympic Marathon. A skilled storyteller, Barry acted as a teacher and motivator for me when I was young.
RACING HISTORY
- Provincial cross country and road titles throughout high school and college
- Third place, New Zealand Cross Country age grade Championships.
- Winner and course recordholder, Newport Marathon (RI), 2015
- An abysmal New York Marathon, 2016
- Top 80 Boston Marathon, 2019 (2:28:41)
- Competing in – and then pulling out of – my first 100km (2019) attempt at 40 miles gave me a big lesson in the value of patience during races like this.
- 2nd place, Cambridge (MA) Half Marathon (1:06:27)
CERTIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s in health science (Sport and Exercise Major)
- Master’s in Organizational Psychology
PRs
- 5000m – 14:51
- 10km – 31:30
- Half Marathon – 1:08:27
- Marathon – 2:28:41
CONTACT RYAN
Finding a coach who is a great fit for you is really important. We encourage you to email your coach prior to signing up so you can connect, communicate, and ensure a good athlete/coach fit.
PUBLICATIONS
Written in collaboration with the Crow Athletics Wire (CAW):
ABOUT THE CAW
A space to share and appreciate the stories, thoughts, reflections, and insights of all those who find passion, meaning, and joy in the simple yet beautiful act of self propelled motion. Content curated by lifelong runner and Crow Athletics member, Patrick Caron, in collaboration with his studies at College of the Atlantic.
- Express Yo’self: https://www.crowathletics.com/the-caw-blog/2020/5/18/express-yo-self-by-ryan-woolley
- Check Yourself (before you wreck yourself) Pt. 1: https://www.crowathletics.com/the-caw-blog/2020/10/26/check-yourself-before-you-wreck-yourself-exploring-the-concept-of-balance-in-running-by-ryan-woolley
- Check Yourself (before you wreck yourself) Pt. 2: https://www.crowathletics.com/the-caw-blog/2020/12/7/check-yourself-before-you-wreck-yourself-exploring-the-concept-of-balance-in-running-continued-by-ryan-woolley
- Check Yourself (before you wreck yourself) Pt. 3: https://www.crowathletics.com/the-caw-blog?month=01-2021
Lexi Sun –
Ryan is very patient and nice! He has been communicating actively with me about my training and adjusting the plan based on my feedback. I also had in person sessions with him, and he designed helpful strength workouts and showed every exercise carefully. I really appreciate his effort.
Paula Sakuma –
Ryan is the most holistic athletic coach I’ve had. He is a source of wisdom when it comes to running techniques, building a personalized program, nutrition advice, research-backed guidance, and also completely understands what you are going through as a new runner. He took someone who could not even run for 10 minutes straight without stopping, to someone about to complete her first half marathon in a few days. He is so capable as a coach but also as a friend. He is very on top of his clients on Final Surge and is there to help when needed. I have tried another running coach before and my experience with Ryan has been 100x better. Being able to customize the program as life gets in the way, adjusting training to my performance, and just having a plan to a goal that is very clear is very valuable to me. Thank you Ryan!!
Akpanda –
I think the best way to describe coach Woolley is what I imagine to be a ‘one-stop shop for running’. For anything running related, he’s the expert!! – gait analysis, gear, nutrition, strength and conditioning, injury prevention, recovery or race strategy – you name it – you will find your guide in coach Woolley. Also, if you like geeking out on the science behind running mechanics you’ve got a buddy in him.
It’s been only 8 weeks since we started working together and coach Woolley has accelerated me in the right direction leading to a 8 min PR in a challenging Half marathon course (Rock ‘n’ Roll Washington) and also my very first marathon (Royal Victoria Marathon). However, what’s more important to me is what I’m learning and how that’s going to benefit me in the long term, for example, a few corrections and being mindful about my gait improved my easy run pace by more than 30s/mile.
With a very interactive training program, coach Woolley analyzes each workout and adapts the training block as needed with detailed feedback on each session. One of the unique aspects of training with him is that he will tell you exactly WHY the program is structured the way it is and WHAT each session brings to the table. Coach Woolley has a very cheerful personality and is super fun to work with.
I look forward to continuing working with him and I’ve a feeling we are going to achieve some really rad things together.
Dylan Brann –
In the nine weeks (so far) that I’ve worked with Ryan he’s opened my mind up to many new and fascinating training concepts and methods. What struck me right off the bat upon meeting him was how genuine he is. Very friendly, great personality and maybe most importantly, a good listener. Even when my own thoughts or feelings have been hard to articulate he’s been able to respond with constructive feedback and advice.
His technical knowledge is also really impressive! He focuses not only on using his knowledge to train you, but in sharing his knowledge to improve your own understanding of what good training is.
Going into my goal race for the year, a 100 mile trail race, I’m feeling confident having worked with him.
My only criticism so far would be that his hair always looks REALLY good, and it can make you envious, even jealous. But seriously, as David Burne said: “Never underestimate the power of a good hairdo”. Let it attest to his character and coaching ability!
MAURICIO CERNA –
I’ve been working with Ryan during this year and he’s been great! Originally we were preparing for the Eugene Marathon, but I wasn’t able to run due to getting COVID the week of. I’ve now been training of the Seattle Rock n Roll half, and Ryan has been instrumental in helping me improve my time and at the same time helping me deal with some knee injuries. I’ve been able to get 5K and 10K PRs and I’m confident that I’ll also be able to get a new PR in the half. Ryan is also very knowledgeable on nutrition, running technique and strength training to help meet your goals. He’s taught me an incredible amount and I’d fully recommend him to anyone.
Shailendra Verma –
Ryan has been an amazing coach. He has helped me with gait, strength training, increasing distance as well as getting me to my PRs. He is disciplined, prompt, and dedicated. His strength training sessions and in person gait training have been super helpful. While I have run 4 marathons, I am still early in my running journey. Ryan has helped me build a foundation which I hope keeps me injury free for the long run (no pun intended).
Younes Sennadj –
Ryan is an amazing coach. He helped me run more, longer, slower, free of injuries. He helped me perform better. Ryan is knowledgeable both on running and body strength and performance.
mattghall –
The serious
Ryan is a fantastic coach and has been a pleasure to work with for the last 3 months. I started working with Ryan because I had hit a bit of a training wall after a year of not improving my race times much and I have since shaved 5 minutes off a half and won a 10k. He is very knowledgable and gives great feedback on my workouts along with being flexible in helping me adjust my training plan as I need to.
He pushes me more than I thought I was capable of and I’m definitely seeing the results. I signed up for a full year of training after our first month.
The silly
Pros: New Zealand accent.
Cons: Does not hand out Strava kudos like candy.
Heather Hernandez –
Former D1 Stanford athlete here. Ryan and I partnered for just 1 month before my 10th marathon and he helped me drop 10min from my prior best time. He’s fantastic to work with. Great value for anyone who is looking to level up. Experienced on nutrition, creating tailored personal workouts, providing actionable run technique feedback. I cannot recommend him enough! Looking forward to our next blitz and hitting even more aggressive goals thanks to our partnership. THANK YOU COACH WOOLLEY! So proud to be one of your athletes.
Brad Blakeman –
Ryan is extremely knowledgable about not only road trail running as well. Although my primary objective is road this year I trained one day (actually raced) on Mt. Diablo in the Bay Area. It is a 4200 foot climb in first 7 miles single track. I had a 4 minute PR because of Ryan’s coaching. This enabled me to capture 2nd place age group and top 20% overall. Also, in preparation for my marathon (Big Sur California), I ran a half marathon race and was able to shave 9-10 minutes off my best PR. I ran a 1:47:02, 8.11 pace, took 2nd in age group and top 13% overall (>1300 participants).
These PR’s and placements are directly due to Ryans training plan and knowledge. He has taken a 60 year man, trimmed 8 pounds, and taught me discipline, gait, and how to run on a structured plan. My marathon is in 6 weeks, I have no doubt Ryan will get me to my goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. (at 60 years of age, quite the accomplishment for Ryan)