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A new coaching season w/ Jack Daniels

September 15, 2014

I first met Jack during the summer between my sophomore and junior years in high school back in 1999 at Jim Ryun’s Running camp. My Dad and I attended the camp that summer and we were like sponges, soaking up every story, every conversation, every video, and every seminar we attended. One of the speakers at camp was the legendary coach, Jack Daniels, who’s coaching expertise rivals that of any coach in the country. He told story after story of testing he had done on various Olympic runners, like Jim Ryun prior to the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, and all he had learned with each study. My Dad picked Jack’s brain during our week in Kansas and we came back ready to take on a new year.  With our new found knowledge my Dad coached me from a mile PR down to a 4:05 by the end of my junior year. It was one of the biggest breakthrough I’ve had in my career.

During my time at Stanford I crossed paths again with Jack, as he was one of the coaches on the Farm Team (a group of professional runners that trained at Stanford), and I did a couple of VO2 Max tests under Jack’s eye. I remember doing those tests with Jack and thinking to myself what an honor it was simply to say you’ve been tested by Jack Daniels, joining my name to a list a mile long of incredible runners Jack has worked with and tested. There are few coaches in the world I have as much respect for as Jack.

Now, as a professional runner I am thrilled to be working with Jack as my coach.  It has been a fun ride over the last couple of years being self-coached and I have learned a lot, but I feel like I am back in my old “sophomore self” shoes looking forward to soak up everything Jack has to say. Jack has already played an influential role in my development as a runner as well as hundreds and thousands of others and I am confident he can help me get back to my full potential as a marathon runner. With the Olympic Trials just a year and a half away it’s time to start making progress towards my main goal as an athlete, to return to the Olympics and be at my very best there. This is something that has eluded me the last two Olympics but I am hopeful and expectant for the next years ahead with Jack’s guidance.

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10 Comments

  • Reply patrick voo September 16, 2014 at 12:48 am

    fantastic news ryan – super excited for you and for jack! i can only see this partnership going amazing places.

  • Reply dave goodwin September 16, 2014 at 3:37 am

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    You can still run for god’s glory even under the guidance of such a great coach. Excited to see this new chapter in your running career unfold.

  • Reply Kristin Scott September 16, 2014 at 2:14 pm

    I met Jack at “The Running School” (summer running camp) in Rome, NY when I was a junior too! He coached at SUNY Cortland at the time? How exciting it must be for you to work with him!! ‘can’t wait to see the results!

  • Reply Louis Cote September 16, 2014 at 2:48 pm

    That’s great to hear Ryan. I have been following you since your amazing exploits in high school and college. I can’t wait to see what you will do in the future and look forward to watching you race Boston again. I always make sure to be out there cheering. good luck with your new coach and training program!!!!!

  • Reply Trust in HIS vision September 16, 2014 at 3:28 pm

    it will be great to see Coach Jack at the 2016 olympic marathon with Ryan Hall

  • Reply Amanda September 16, 2014 at 6:00 pm

    VERY COOL! good luck! I am using Jack DAniels’ program for the first time (after using others in the past). Will you still be focusing on the marathon?

  • Reply Brendan O'Brien September 16, 2014 at 7:05 pm

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    Hi Ryan
    its always great to trust in your own ability as you have done over the last couple years. but sometimes if we don’t have guidance, we fall off a little bit and you will have JD (GOD) TO LEAD YOU BACK ON TO THE RIGHT PATH OF GOOD PAIN.
    BEST REGARDS
    BRENDAN

  • Reply a fan September 16, 2014 at 8:57 pm

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    Excellent news, Ryan! Listen to the man’s guidance, check any ego, and make sure you’re communicating everything you’re thinking, feeling, doubting, etc with him. Trust in him, and believe you were led back to him for a reason.
    Please consider setting a goal, now, of medaling in 2016. Keep it between you & jack, but set the goal now & dedicate yourself to achieving it. I believe you can get it if you put your mind to it now. no hype though… talk about it after you achieve it!!

  • Reply joe carlino October 1, 2014 at 9:33 pm

    Comment Ryan , glad to see you have picked a new coach. you can still run for god
    good luck in 2015

  • Reply Ned towle January 29, 2015 at 1:18 am

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    Want to see you at the head of the Pack, god willing.

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