Whether you think you can or you can't, you're right.
Meet Coach D
Athletes always ask me “How did you start coaching? Have you always been a runner?” — Funny enough, no! Ironically I was that high school kid who had a doctor’s note to get out of running the mile every year! Throughout high school and college I was a competitive dancer and honestly never had time for anything else. Looking back I probably would have loved track and cross country.
Fast forward to my final year of college, I had just gotten my certification as a Kickboxing instructor and was teaching at my university gym & a local gym. I loved it. I loved showing participants they could go beyond their own expectations. Over the next five years I would acquire an additional five additional group exercise certifications and was teaching 10+ classes a week at three different gyms in Pennsylvania. During this time I went through some very difficult life challenges and somehow looked to running.
My best friend at the time was (still is) an amazing runner and I looked up to her. I told her I wanted to run, she told me “Ok, go out and run 4 miles everyday until it doesn’t hurt” For all of your reading: do not do this. Looking back, it was the most humbling introduction to running I could have asked for. I fell in love. In love with the burn in my legs, the racing of my heart, the desire to push myself. I needed to share this with others.
Spring 2013 I took the leap to acquire my RRCA Level 1 Certification. Since then I have studied the principles of Hanson, Higdon, McMillian, Jack Daniel, Galloway and countless other running gurus. My name became synonymous with running in my small town. I was leading Couch to 5K sessions multiple times a year at 3 different gyms and coaching individuals to half marathons & marathons. In 2019 I also became a Certified Personal Trainer through NASM.
Relocating to Arlington, VA in October 2015 I brought my coaching with me. I am proud of every one of my past athletes and all of my current athletes. I continue to push myself in my own personal goals but find passion in helping others achieve their own goals. Whether you want to run a 5K without stopping or run a Boston Qualifying marathon - there is no goal too large or too small.
I train safely and effectively, I get that we don’t all have 3 hours a day to train. We need to make the most out of our training time and that is exactly how I write my training plans for each of my clients. I’ll provide you with the tools to achieve your dreams.
Happy Running, Danielle
NASM Certified Personal Trainer , Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES), Senior Fitness (55+) Specialist, TRX Certified Instructor
RRCA Certified Running Coach
Precision Nutrition Coach (PN1)
Marathons Ran - 18 (current PR 3:47)
Half Marathons Ran - 25+ (current PR 1:47)
Boston Marathon Finish
Ironman 70.3 Finish -3x (6:33:54 PR)
5K PR - 21:32