About Full Stride Running
Helping runners train smarter, run stronger, and enjoy the journey.
Hi, I’m Dan Moriarity, founder of Full Stride Running.
I’ve been running for more than 40 years, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that becoming a better runner isn’t just about training harder.
More often, it’s about training smarter, staying consistent, and finding an approach that works for you.
That’s the philosophy behind Full Stride Running.
A Lifetime of Running
My running journey started as a teenager, and over the decades I’ve competed in everything from 800-metre track races to the marathon.
In my younger years, I was a competitive middle-distance runner, eventually recording personal bests of 1:57 for 800 metres, 4:10 for 1500 metres, and 16:35 for 5K.
Later, I moved up to longer distances, running 35:27 for 10K, 1:21 for the half marathon, and 3:00 for the marathon.
But some of my most rewarding running experiences have come much later in life.
As a masters runner, I’ve continued training, racing, setting goals, and learning how to get the most out of my running while balancing work, family, recovery, and the realities of getting older.
I’ve also experienced injuries, interruptions, disappointments, and the challenge of rebuilding fitness after setbacks.
Those experiences have taught me just as much as my personal bests ever did.
Running has been a constant in my life, but the way I approach it has evolved considerably.
And that’s something I want to share with other runners.
My Coaching Philosophy
I’m a certified Jack Daniels VDOT running coach, but my approach to coaching has been shaped by much more than a certification.
It’s the product of decades of training, racing, experimenting, making mistakes, and learning what works.
I believe in a few simple principles.
Consistency is king.
A sensible training program that you can follow month after month will almost always produce better long-term results than a series of spectacular workouts followed by exhaustion or injury.
I’d rather slightly undertrain a runner than overtrain them.
There’s little benefit in squeezing every last ounce of fitness out of someone if they can’t stay healthy enough to enjoy it.
Training should be individualized.
Your goals, experience, strengths, weaknesses, available time, and even the workouts you enjoy should influence how you train. There’s no single perfect schedule for everyone.
Intensity matters, but it needs to be managed.
Hard workouts are important. So are easy days, recovery, and knowing when to back off. The challenge is finding the right balance.
Progress should be gradual and sustainable.
Improvement takes time. The objective isn’t simply to have a great training week. It’s to become a better runner over months and years.
And perhaps most importantly, running should add something positive to your life.
I still enjoy chasing goals and testing myself in races. But I also believe that enjoying the process is one of the biggest factors in staying consistent and improving over the long term.
Why I Started Full Stride Running
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve noticed how much running advice focuses on doing more.
More mileage. More intensity. More complicated workouts. More optimization.
Sometimes that’s exactly the opposite of what a runner needs.
Many runners, particularly those over 40, are already balancing demanding jobs, family responsibilities, and limited recovery time.
They don’t need another training program that makes them feel guilty for missing a workout.
They need guidance that helps them make the most of the time and energy they have available.
I started Full Stride Running to provide that kind of guidance.
My goal is to help runners understand their training, make better decisions, build confidence, and continue enjoying the sport for as long as possible.
That might mean helping someone run a faster 5K, prepare for their first marathon, return to consistent training, or simply find a routine they can maintain.
Different goals. Same underlying philosophy.
More Than Just Training Plans
Full Stride Running has grown from a place to share my thoughts about running into something more.
Today, it includes free training articles, the Full Stride Running Club, and personalized one-on-one coaching.
I’m also developing the Full Stride Running Podcast, where I’ll have conversations with runners and coaches about training, racing, and the lessons we’ve learned along the way.
What connects all of these is a belief that running is better when we share our knowledge, experiences, successes, and occasional failures.
I don’t claim to have all the answers. Even after four decades, I’m still learning.
But I do have a lot of experience to draw on, and I genuinely enjoy helping other runners figure things out.
Let’s Talk Running
Whether you’re a lifelong competitor, a newer runner, or someone rediscovering the sport later in life, you’re welcome here.
If you enjoy thoughtful, practical discussions about running, I hope you’ll subscribe to the newsletter, join the conversation, or explore the coaching options available through Full Stride Running.
And if you’re looking for some help with your own training, I’d be happy to talk.
Thanks for stopping by, and I hope to see you out on the roads.
Dan.
Full Stride Running. Train Smarter. Run Stronger. Keep Going.
