Coaching Information

ABOUT ME 
My name is Joe Uhan and I'm a runner, a coach, and a Physical Therapist based in Eugene, Oregon.  I am passionate about the sport of running -- and good health, competition, and self-actualization -- looking to help others reach their potential and achieve their goals in running.

My background:
  • I have been a competitive runner since 1994, and a competitive ultra-marathon runner since 2010.  I am a two-time finisher of the Western States Endurance Run (including M9 in 2012) and the Bronze Medalist at the 2012 USA 100K Trail Championships at Bandera, TX.
  • I have coached at the high school, collegiate, and professional level since 2002.
  • I have advanced, professional certifications in: coaching theory, sport psychology, and biomechanics/sports medicine.
Degrees and Certifications:
What do runners need?
In the Internet Age, most self-coached runners fare well in devising training and racing plans on their own to suit their goals. So what do runners really need?

# Individualized planning.  Training and racing plans need to be tailored to the individual.  Factors that Joe will look at with you -- that play a significant role in success in the training process include:
  • What event are you doing?  A road 5K?  A trail 100?
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses as a runner?
  • Where do you live?  What training resources do you have readily available to achieve your goal?  Training for a mountain 100M in New York City is a lot different than Boulder, CO (ask Glen Redpath!). 
  • What's your "Day-In-A-Life" like?  Each of us has our own daily obligations.  Some are students.  Others work 50 hour weeks with a spouse and kids. 
# On-The-Fly Plan Development.  Each time I write out a 12- or 16-week plan for my major races, I have an idea of what I want to do.  Then life happens -- aches and pains, work and family obligations, illness.  Plans need to be flexible and adjusted continuously - every one to two weeks - to reflect the status of your health and fitness. 

# Support, Encouragement, and Motivation.  Runners are well-known for their consistency and routine - doing the same runs, the same pace, the same workouts.  However, plateaus are inevitable.  A good coach can provide that needed jolt to the routine or the psyche.  A minor change to your routine, or simply asking, "When's the last time you've had a breakthrough?", can make a huge difference in both your performance and enjoyment in running.

What can Joe offer that most coaches cannot?
While training and racing planning from an experienced mentor is valuable, exactly how you run is the ultimately the most important.  Fitness is only as valuable as the mechanics to which it's applied. 

What two issues most often prevent runners from achieving their goals? Not a poor training plan, but Poor gait mechanics and injury. This is where a trained, professional gait analyst and instructor is crucial. 

What I offer
With my combined experience & certification in coaching, competition, and sports medicine/biomechanics, I provide A Three-Dimensional Approach to running coaching, encompassing:
  • Training Plan Development.  Devising short- and long-term running goals with an individualized training/racing plan to reach those goals.  An initial race-build-up plan is developed.  Then you will receive a specific weekly training plan covering two weeks. 
  • Initial Gait Assessment and Intervention. Each athlete submits video footage, and receives a detailed gait analysis report with strengths and weaknessess, with specific, easy-to-implement interventions to optimize your efficiency, speed, and injury prevention. 



  • "Big Picture Approach". A collaborative approach between coach and athlete that includes:
    • COMMUNICATION and feedback on performance/training (using e-mail and online training logs)
    • STRENGTH & INJURY PREVENTION strategies, based on initial assessment and response to the training process -- snuff out little issues before they become lost-time injuries! 
    • NUTRITION strategies -- both day-to-day and The Big Three on race-day: Fuel, Hydration, Electrolytes
    • SPORT PSYCHOLOGY. I have advanced training and education to address the mental aspect of training and competition, providing goal-setting and mental imagery sessions.
AVAILABLE PLANS & PRICING

CONTACT ME
If interested in my services or have any questions about the information above, contact me via email:  Go HERE and click on "EMAIL".