ULTRA MAMA COACHING
Nancy Shura-Dervin aka "Ultra Mama" is founder and owner of Ultra Ladies. Nancy started running for the very first time in 1990 at the age of 40 and has finished more than 100 marathon to 100+ mile races where she has several age division podium finishes. Nancy was the first person documented to qualify for and finish two of the most prestigious foot races in the same year, the Boston Marathon and the Badwater 135 Mile Ultra Marathon known as the "World's Toughest Footrace".
"If SHE Can Do It... So Can YOU"
Nancy is a UESCA Certified Ultra Running Coach and an RRCA Certified Running Coach and holds an active CA nursing license. Her career as a groundbreaking educator, coach and motivational speaker in the field of natural childbirth translates perfectly to helping runners learn physical, mental and emotional tools to complete challenging races.
"For this race I listened to friends from the LA LEGGERS and LA Running Club and went to the Ultra Ladies site for guidance. I wrote an email to Coach Nancy asking about training. Her answer to me was a concise list of questions that devled into my history and current state of training and ability. From this information, Coach Nancy developed my personal training plan that slowly added miles over time but with enough recovery periods to let my body adapt to the new rigors it was under.
Most important, Coach Nancy made it clear this was a living document: I was to watch my resting heart rate for any spikes indicating overtraining/under-recovery and report to her given my previous attempts. Coach kept in weekly contact checking in on my efforts both my perception and the hard data my Garmin gave. She made the adjustments to the schedule as needed in a quick, positive manner - always encouraging me to keep at it. She knows when you need an ear to listen, or a drill Sargent to get you moving....but
Jump to race day where I did show and showed feeling ready. The race was a 24 hour run around a 2.43 trail. Nancy was there and gave encouragement and advice: (make your bandanna into a U shape around your neck and stick ice in to cool down)
When other racers were adjusting down the goals for the race and were wearing out during the dark of night, I moved up my goals and kept going all due to the training that Coach Nancy had me do. Not only did I finish my goal of 100K but I stretched that to 65 miles (my age this upcoming birthday). Next yesr on to 100 miles under the coaching of Nancy Shura-Dervin
Coach Barry Morrell
Certified USATF, RRCA and UESCA Endurance Coach
Training Chair LA LEGGERS
Coach South Bay Runners' Club and LA Running Club
"If SHE Can Do It... So Can YOU"
Nancy is a UESCA Certified Ultra Running Coach and an RRCA Certified Running Coach and holds an active CA nursing license. Her career as a groundbreaking educator, coach and motivational speaker in the field of natural childbirth translates perfectly to helping runners learn physical, mental and emotional tools to complete challenging races.
"For this race I listened to friends from the LA LEGGERS and LA Running Club and went to the Ultra Ladies site for guidance. I wrote an email to Coach Nancy asking about training. Her answer to me was a concise list of questions that devled into my history and current state of training and ability. From this information, Coach Nancy developed my personal training plan that slowly added miles over time but with enough recovery periods to let my body adapt to the new rigors it was under.
Most important, Coach Nancy made it clear this was a living document: I was to watch my resting heart rate for any spikes indicating overtraining/under-recovery and report to her given my previous attempts. Coach kept in weekly contact checking in on my efforts both my perception and the hard data my Garmin gave. She made the adjustments to the schedule as needed in a quick, positive manner - always encouraging me to keep at it. She knows when you need an ear to listen, or a drill Sargent to get you moving....but
Jump to race day where I did show and showed feeling ready. The race was a 24 hour run around a 2.43 trail. Nancy was there and gave encouragement and advice: (make your bandanna into a U shape around your neck and stick ice in to cool down)
When other racers were adjusting down the goals for the race and were wearing out during the dark of night, I moved up my goals and kept going all due to the training that Coach Nancy had me do. Not only did I finish my goal of 100K but I stretched that to 65 miles (my age this upcoming birthday). Next yesr on to 100 miles under the coaching of Nancy Shura-Dervin
Coach Barry Morrell
Certified USATF, RRCA and UESCA Endurance Coach
Training Chair LA LEGGERS
Coach South Bay Runners' Club and LA Running Club
1st Place Age Division Winner
@ 2001 Angeles Crest 100 |
1st Place Age Division Winner at the
High Desert 50K |
Nancy and her Team Ultra Ladies are official finishers of the Badwater 135-Mile Ultra Marathon