Ryan Woolley – Seattle Running Coach
From: $100.00 / 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
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)