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Steep Endurance

Running Coaching

We believe every athlete is special and has untapped potential. Steep Endurance aims to make you not only a more successful runner, but have fun doing so! We will give you highly customized and guided daily/weekly planning to help you achieve your goals, whether they are PR’s or just improving your overall running experience.

Steep Endurance specializes in half-marathon, marathon, and ultra marathon training. These distances are exploding with increased number of participants in the last few years as runners are looking for greater challenges. We will teach you how to train and race efficiently to make that jump to the next level. Are you ready to tap that summit?

All coaching comes with:

  • Initial Consultation Questionnaire/Phone Consultation
  • Customized Individualized Training Plan on a weekly basis
  • Unlimited Communication via email, phone, and or Skype/Facetime
  • Daily analysis of GPS files (including HR, elevation, etc.) on Strava, Movescount, Garmin Connect, etc.
  • Advice on training routes (both road and trail)
  • Advice on picking appropriate buildup races for goal race, race strategy/preparation & pace charts, nutrition strategy, crewing/pacing, gear suggestions, etc.
  • Opportunity for group runs if local

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Coach

Brian Vanderheiden has always had a passion for running and adventure. He has completed 15 marathons including Boston, NYC, and Marine Corps with a marathon PR of 3:08. In the past few years he has taken to running longer distances, having run over 20 ultras with five 100 mile finishes, including the iconic Western States 100.

Building on his success as a tennis professional for the last 30 years, he loves to see his students/clients progress in each and every lesson/workout. He believes that if you train with purpose and specificity you are more prepared come race day!

​​Brian coached me for running a very hilly marathon in VT. He was incredibly encouraging, supportive and accessible. Each week he sent me a customized workout schedule and was available to discuss any questions or concerns which arose. He used the heart rate training method based on building a solid aerobic base, a technique I was unfamiliar with at the onset. He kept reassuring me that I would get accustomed to it and I would find it to be an incredibly effective and successful method of training for a race, no matter how much elevation and how technical the course. Ultimately, Brian’s calm demeanor and training strategy throughout the months of preparation leading up to the race were insurmountable in the successful outcome of surpassing my goal come race day!

Jeanne B., Bridgewater, CT

Many thanks to Brian Vanderheiden for coaching Aden! He put together an amazing training plan and provided critical advice on all topics (training, nutrition, gear, race day strategy, course intelligence, helping your crew prepare etc…). All of which were extremely helpful for a first time runner and crew! During the race he communicated with me and was able to make suggestions that kept Aden on track…incredible race support! Thanks Brian and congrats Aden!!!

Jason Kutserelis, father of Aden who ran his first 100 miler at the Grindstone 100 in 2017

I am often asked “why are you using a running coach?” The answer is simple. I wanted to bring my running to another level. I wanted to challenge myself and train hard without getting injured. I had run numerous marathons, BQ and ran a great marathon pr… but I wanted to try an ultra. I chose Bimbler’s Bluff 50K as my first realizing a trail race was going to be a challenge. After using Steep Endurance for the previous year for road races, I was confident in the training, especially since Brian has expertise in trail/ultra races as he ran himself (a lot!) I didn’t want a cookie cutter one size fits all plan. I wanted an individualized plan based on my goals, expectations and schedule. The workouts were intense, but they prepared me well. He designed course routes that were challenging with impressive elevation. We worked with nutrition so that I would be prepared on race day. I felt confident on race day and strong during the race. It was an added bonus that Brian and his son were there on race day and ran with me for short intervals at a time. I could not have done this without him! Because of my positive experience, I have recommended Steep Endurance to my running friends. Currently I am taking a break from training, but plan on using Steep Endurance again.

Debby V., Woodbridge, CT