Coach Weber
World-Class Ultramarathon Coaching since 1988
"Prepare to Better Your Best"
For the past 23 years, I have prepared runners for success at ultramarathon events around the world. I specialize in taking runners from their first ultramarathons to completion of their first 100 mile run.
I have coached runners to finishes at the Hardrock 100, Leadville 100, the Western States 100, the Wasatch Front 100, the Vermont 100, the Old Dominion 100, the Umstead 100, the Bear 100, the Plain 100, the Mile High 100, the Rocky Raccoon 100, the Lean Horse 100, the Mother Road 100, the Badwater 135 and Solo 146, 24 hour races, 48 hour races, the Grand Slam and stage races to include the Marathon des Sables and the Himalayan 100.
I have coached champions at the Leadville 100, Old Dominion 100, Rocky Raccoon 100, Mile High 100, Plain 100, USA National 50 Mile Championship, USA National 100 KM Championship, USA National 24 Hour Championship, Marathon des Sables Stage Race, and the Himalayan 100 Stage Race.
I am accepting applications from motivated, disciplined runners for the 2011 season. From these applications, I will select 20 runners to coach. I expect that my 2011 roster will be filled by December 31, 2010 and that no further applications will be accepted after that date for the 2011 season. As always, talent is interesting and a definite plus, but it is trumped by dedication, motivation and 'coachability' in my book. Put another way, I am more likely to accept a 4 hr 45 min marathoner who I can work well with than a much more talented athlete who, for whatever reason, cannot maintain a training log, does not choose and space their races wisely, does not hydrate and fuel in a healthy manner in training and racing, and/ or will not train and rest appropriately.
My rate for new ultra clients beginning on or after July 1, 2010 is $275 per month for full service coaching; alternately, I am available at a rate of $60 per hour for individual 'pay as you need me' consultations. These rates allow me to concentrate on a few individuals and allow the time necessary for real coaching. If you think my rates are expensive, compare them to the time and cost of a major DNF at one of the 100s (add in a trip to the Emergency Room to top off that DNF and I'm a bargain). By the way, ultramarathon coaching is not a commodity. There are real differences in programs, qualifications, and experience among coaches. Choose wisely.
I am offering an 'unadvertised special' for Leadville 2011. One year of coaching - September 2010 through August 2011 - for $1800. It will be paid in 3 installments. $600 due on September 1, 2010 or upon signing up, but no later than September 30th; $600 on January 1, 2011; and $600 on May 1, 2011. This represents a savings of $1500 over my usual rate of $275 per month. This special discount is only available through September 30th, 2010. There will be no extension. This discount will only be offered to highly coachable runners who have run at least one 50 miler and/or have at least gotten to Twin Lakes at Leadville outbound (without medical evac please :-). If you are qualified and interested, then shoot me an email and we'll see if we have an effective match of athlete and coach.
The reason for the discount, and the reason it will not be extended past September 30, 2010 is that with one year to work with a client, my job is much easier, and the client's chance for success in August 2011 is much greater. It's a 'win -win.' Put another way, fixing training mistakes when a client introduces himself or herself in April 2011 wanting Leadville in August 2011 is very time consuming and is minimally successful (and I'll rarely take on that work). Working 12 months for that finish at Leadville is the right way to do it and I reward that with a discount. Now, for you procrastinators ... well, it's full price :-). By the way, I might consider the same discount for other 100 mile races ... Wasatch would be a good example ... write and tell me what's on your mind ... same qualifications though: you've run a least one 50 miler and we have a year +/- to work towards the goal.
To find out more about my coaching services, please visit my Q & A page.
So .... Are YOU ready to go Ultra?
The Leadville 100 Finish LineEvery ultramarathoner, no matter how famous, accomplished, fast or slow, had a moment when they first encountered the ultramarathon and wondered, "Could I do that?". For me, at a coffee shop in Boulder, Colorado, in 1986, it was seeing a magazine picture of a long line of runners heading up the initial climb at the Western States 100. Just seeing that picture changed my life. I knew that was for me ... I could see myself in that picture ... someday. I got on it, ran my first 50 in 1986, finished my first 100 miler in 1987 and have run at least one 100 miler - or longer - every year since then.
Are you at the same point in your life? Have you seen yourself, if only in your mind, perhaps after reading a book, seeing a video, or being at a ultra event ... finishing an ultra ... yourself? What next? How do you make that 'picture in your head' become real ... as soon as possible ... as safely as possible?
It is neither to early to begin your quest for 2012, nor too late for 2011.
I offer a free consultation to anyone who has run a marathon and wants to run their first ultramarathon.
Want to become an ultramarathoner in 2011?
Where do you begin?
Leadville 2011 Coaching and Consultations
You can't buy these ... you earn 'em
Leadville 2010 is over. As usual, about half of the runners who showed up at the start line finished. In 2008, many said it was 'too cold' and about half who started finished. In 2009, many said it was 'too hot' and about half who started finished. In 2010, many said the temperature and conditions were 'just right' and, as always, about half who started finished. One can micro-analyze it, but it boils down to this: If you don't come prepared for the full gamut of challenges, Leadville is going to send you home with only a heapin' helping of high-altitude humble pie with a mountain-sized dollop of hurt to go on top. Too hot, too cold, or just right, it isn't the weather that destroys a runner's dreams at Leadville ... it's lack of fitness, experience, and planning.
If you got your ass kicked (again) at Leadville, how about we figure out what went wrong ... really. You can still keep telling your excuses to your triathlete buddies and your Mom, but let's you and I figure out where you messed up and get it right for 2011. I won't tell anybody.
Now, if you did get to the finish line and lived (I guess you're reading this, so at least you're out of the hospital if you went), and would like to review your race and make some improvements for 2011 ... cool ... we can do that. Let's have a talk and see what went right and what went not-so-right.
Now, if you are thinking about doing Leadville for your first 100 miler (or to avenge your recent DNF there) ... my advice based on 25 years of Leadville expereince ... don't think too long. It's time to get a move on. There's plenty to learn, to do, and to accomplish in the next 12 months. Preparing yourself for one of the toughest 100 mile trail races on earth takes time. Don't be shy, I've heard it all and I want to help. I'll tell it to you straight. If you want 'fluff' don't bother me.
For absolute novices, if you can run 50 km now - August 2010 - in a reasonable time - I'll bet that I can get you to the Leadville finish line in 2010 if we work intelligently at it for 12 months. There are no 'fast track' programs. Please don't write to me in March or April of 2011 hoping for that. I am a ultramarathon coach not a miracle worker.
I've been preparing runners for Leadville since the late 1980s, if you are interested in buckling at Leadville 2011, shoot me an email. Let's see if I can help as your coach.
Flatlander Steve O'Connor & Coach Weber at the 2010 LT100
A great way to start my third decade of Leadville coaching!
2011 Badwater Solo 146 Mile
- The Real Deal -
Coaching, Crewing and Consultations
Want to take on the classic 146 Mile Badwater to Mount Whitney Summit Challenge? Since 1994, I've been making the journey from Badwater to Mt. Whitney myself and teaching athletes to make the their own successful journey from Badwater to Mt. Whitney. I'll put it this way, if you are looking for the most comprehensive, time-tested, forget the fads, no-nonsense coaching program for taking on the 146 Mile Badwater to Mount Whitney Challenge available anywhere in the world, then contact me. I'll get you to from Lowest to Highest.
In addition to coaching, I can assemble the finest and most experienced support, medical and pace team to assist you in your crossing. Please enquire for details and rates.
2011 Rocky Raccoon 100 Mile
Training and Race PlanningNow's the time to begin your 100 mile journey!
For years I have been recommending the Rocky Raccoon 100 mile as the best 'first timers' 100 mile trail race in the country. It is a perfect early season course of 20 mile trail loops, minimal ascent and descent, non-technical surface, reasonable weather, easy to do with or without a crew, reasonable entry fee and easy to get to. If you thinking of running your first 100 miler, or are aiming at the summer and Fall 100 mile classics, then Rocky Raccoon can be an excellent choice. Allow me to prepare you for your best day ever and your first, or fastest, 100 miler. Athletes who hire me receive a comprehensive, individualized day-by-day training program that is reviewed each week and adjusted as necessary. Every detail of preparation is addressed from pre-race to post-race. No finer, nor complete, program exists. My runners finish and they finish strong. Interested in finding out more? Email me, introduce yourself, and we'll set up a time to talk. I'll share my thoughts with you, and regardless of whether we choose to proceed as athlete and coach, you'll definitely learn more about ultrarunning and this particular race than you did before.
USA 2010 Ultrarunning Calendar
Leadville Trail 100 Info, Charts and Links
Daily Training Hour Distributions
The Coach's Personal 2010 Training Log
Or "How this 57 year old coach in his 25th year of running ultras keeps shuffling those feet forward."
I encourage EVERYONE to see a doctor before altering their diet, taking a supplement and/or performing athletic, fitness or other strenuous physical activity. It is your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any information, instruction, opinion or advice contained in the content of the Coach Weber website.
Coach Weber
This site was last updated 08/29/2010 17:10:05 -0700
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