Steven Ovah – Whiteriver, AZ Running Coach

Description

Whiteriver running coach Steven Ovah has trained and raced across distances from 5k to 100 miles, on both the roads and the trails, and is committed to helping guide you on your running journey, no matter the distance or terrain, all the while through the joys and hardships of training and racing. Reach out to Steven today to see if you’d be a good fit!

Contact Steven

LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate
TYPES: Road, Track, Trail
DISTANCES: 5k/10k/Half Marathon, Marathon, Ultra
TRAINING PLATFORM: Final Surge
TRAINING PLAN: Individual, customized training plan
COMMUNICATION: Unlimited email, unlimited phone, unlimited text
RESPONSE TIME: Within 24 hours
LOCATION: Whiteriver, AZ
IN-PERSON SESSIONS: Yes, meet in Whiteriver, AZ and options include: Treadmill or road running form analysis, Assessment on movement patterns: push, pull, squat, bend, and press movement patterns, strength training with bodyweight and/or intro to the Barbell, running drills, stretches, and mobility exercises, and BMI measurement and breakdown of certain heath markers. Reach out to Steven more more info.

SPECIALTIES

• Beginners looking to learn the fundamentals of training.
• Strength Training for runners looking to implement strength training for injury minimization, stronger structure and better mobility.
• Teaching basic human movement patterns.
• Guiding/Coaching 5k road runners to 100 mile ultrarunners through the joys and hardships of training and racing

PHILOSOPHY

Run for life, strength, family, prayer and community. Take what works, leave what does not, do everything you can to learn what those things in training and running are for you. Run because it is something that you love to do and learn to enjoy competing and finding out what you are capable of. Learning, growing and developing as a person and athlete throughout a lifetime of running and helping others do the same. Being competitive and running hard to do your best while enjoying all the long miles, weeks and years of preparation. Through the good runs, bad runs and all time great performances we still get up and go out again the next day no matter the result.

COACHING EXPERIENCE

• 6 years working as a personal trainer.
• 4 years as coach and trainer of the Whiteriver Running Club. Organizing group runs and group training for half marathons to ultras.
• Informal coaching experience of 10+ year with friends and family.
• Able to coach kids, adults, groups and individuals
• Coach of the Stepping to Sobriety group in Whiteriver, AZ for two years.

ABOUT ME

Native American/Hopi Runner with 30 + years of experience running all the reservation dirt roads & trails of southwest Arizona’s Canyons and Mesa’s. Running since the age of four I was always taught to run with purpose, for life, and to run for the well being of everyone in the world. I grew up running for such storied school XC programs as HOPI High School where the strong running tradition there led the program to 27 straight state titles. These days I run everything from 5k’s to 100 milers. I seem to enjoy training and the hard daily work more than I do racing but I do believe racing is the only way to get good at racing. More than anything I just really enjoy the process of training and living a life that benefits myself, my family and my community. Running seems to be my way of sharing what I like to do with others.

BIG INFLUENCES

Local Native American Running Legends: Coach Ricky Baker from HOPI XC and Coach Albert Gipp from Haskell Indian Nations University XC, Hopi runner/leader Bucky Preston who coordinates and organizes many prayer runs and relays for the Hopi people and people all over the world. Hopi ultrarunner and buddy Dennis Poolheco who urged me to get into the longer runs. Most of all my Dad Marty Ovah and Grandfather Lawrence Ovah who started me off at the age of four with running. My only two crew members at the ultras my Dad and Mom.

Of the more well known running coaches: Jack Daniels, Steve Magness, Keith Hanson , Kevin Hanson, Canova, Percy Cerutty, Jonathan Marcus

RACING HISTORY

Middle School, Jr High, High school and some collegiate team xc and track experience. Last 15 years running 5k’s, 10k’s, 1/2’s, full Marathon & Ultra distances up to 100mi. Multiple time Boston Qualifier and Finisher, sub 3 marathoner. No plans to stop anytime soon.

CERTIFICATIONS

• AFAA Certified Personal Trainer

PRs

• 800 meters: 2:03 AZ State Meet 4×800 2002
• 1600 meters: 4:32 AZ State Meet 2002
• 5k: 17:02 – 11/9/2002 – Arizona AIA State Championships – Cross Country
• 8k: 27:36- 2002 Haskell Indian Nations University
• 1/2M: 1:17 Rock N Roll Arizona
• Marathon: 2:53:52 Arizona Rock N Roll Marathon
• 50K: 4:02:00 Paatuaqatsi Water is Life
• 50 mile: 8:35:00 Man Against Horse
• 100k: 11:06:24 Black Canyon Ultras
• 100 mile: 20:24:45 Javelina Jundred 2019

CONTACT STEVEN

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.

SOCIAL