Owner & Founder - Ame For It Run Coaching

Director of Elite Running / Head Coach / Founder - Ame For It Elite

Coach Dave Ames has been surrounded by running from an early age. One of the most decorated runners in the history of the distance program at his HS, and a member of a D3 powerhouse in college (career shortened to injury) currently 42, Dave has been running for over 32 years and coaching for 20 of them. Whether in his early days of working with teams as a Head Coach, Assistant Coach, director of distance running, or as of the last 15+ years - and what he enjoys the most - coaching privately. Dave’s coaching comforts include marathon and half marathon racing, middle distance road racing, cross country, track and field (800m and up, including steeplechase), ultramarathon racing, and what he loves the most -coaching the “comeback story.”

Born and bred in the hills of Central New York, home to some of the best distance runners each and every year in the country, running is part of Dave’s culture. It’s his mantra and is ingrained heavily in his blood. This deep love and passion for the sport is part of what he calls the “Ame For It” process (a holistic coaching approach to training and racing) and is instilled into his athletes, creating a massive belief in themselves, while learning to block out expectation or personal pressures. Via this belief, his athletes over the years have broken tape all over the place, set course records and placed highly in national events. His mentors include some of the best coaches the New York and New England regions had to offer.

Dave has coached thousands of runners over the years, including hundreds of Boston Qualifiers (BQ’s), Olympic Trials Qualifiers (OTQ’s), and has guided countless runners to win titles at all levels. Simply put, he’s helped athletes achieve things they never thought in a million years they could.

Dave is a USATF Elite Coach, is USATF Safesport Certified, CPR/AED/Infant CPR/First Aid certified, and is schooled via various running companies to teach proper fundamentals of biomechanics (Dave used to teach form clinics all over the country). Dave resides in Long Beach, CA, but spends a ton of time on the road coaching privately and attending races for his Elite team. Now, Dave primarily works with elite runners: pro to OTQ, to Elite Masters, and dedicated age groupers. Dave is married to his beautiful wife Gregoria, who is a longtime runner, certified in medicinal plants via Cornell University and is an active practitioner of Mexican curanderismo (traditional Mexican healing) — Dave and Gregoria welcomed their first child, a son, Diego, in February 2024. He is the real MVP here, and someday maybe a great harrier!

Director of Intermediate Running

Like many runners, Hollyanne came to running through soccer. Growing up in California where soccer was a winter sport, Hollyanne joined the cross country team her junior year to get a little extra conditioning before soccer season. While soccer continued to be her main priority throughout high school, running was the thing that “stuck” after she hung up her cleats. Hollyanne continued to run throughout college and graduate school, but “just” for fun and general fitness.

Eventually, as many of us do, Hollyanne wondered if running could be something more. After some initial success at all distances up to the marathon on her own, Hollyanne started working with Coach Dave toward the goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. The success and growth that Hollyanne has had since working with Dave, coupled with her love of being a student of the sport, inspired Hollyanne to want to “give back” and become a coach herself.

Originally from Southern California, Hollyanne now lives in Omaha, Nebraska, with her husband Kevin and black lab, Tater. By day, she is a research scientist for a public health nonprofit focused on nutrition-related work. She is an active member of the Omaha running community, and a proud, founding member of one of the longest-running weekly run clubs in the city, Scriptown Running Club.

At Ame For It, Hollyanne works with runners of all abilities, with a focus on intermediate athletes seeking long-term running development. As do all coaches at Ame For It, Hollyanne coaches every athlete as an individual, tailoring training to each athletes’ unique running history, goals, and strengths.

Hollyanne is a VDOT 02 Certified Coach and is USATF Safesport Certified.

Assistant Director of Intermediate Running

Katie started her running journey in 7th grade because it was the only varsity sport offered for junior high in the fall. As a soccer and softball player, running was just part of other sports. Once the season started, it was clear running was going to be her thing. She began running with the boys at practice because she “could keep up.” Katie got her first glimpse of competitive running after finishing second in the state as a 7th grader and went on to place 47th in the cross country Junior Olympics.

Throughout twelve seasons of high school running, Katie was a top runner in the state. Many times on the all-state team, her favorite race was the indoor 3000m her junior year. In a pack, she decided to take it to the front with 800 to go (a little too soon) but would hold on to third place in 10:37. It was during high school Katie learned the importance of a proper build up and what good PT can do for you.

Being a little burnt out over high school, Katie decided to step away from the competitive side and not run in college. Fast forward to spring and the competition was calling so she finished out her running career running for three years at Boston College. It was here her distance running love grew and the 10,000m became her favorite event. After college, working out became focused around the gym and running would be whenever she felt like it. This didn’t stop her from jumping into half marathons here and there.

After moving south for grad school, running picked up again during a stressful schedule. After the marathon bombing, Katie and her friend Ashley decided they would run a BQ marathon to get to Boston. Fall 2014 was her first marathon at 3:25, good enough for Boston. Since then, Katie has run 10 marathons, all BQs with a PR of 3:01 (not for long).

Katie started working with Dave in December 2020 after wanting a more personalized experience for her big goals. Katie has seen huge successes in working with Dave for the last two years that include a new half marathon PR, road 10k PR, winning a marathon, and becoming a better student of the sport. Because of this success, she wants to help others and become a coach herself. She wants to share her passion for running with others to help hit their goals.

Originally from Rhode Island, Katie now resides in Atlanta, GA with her husband Eric and English Cocker Spaniels Teddy and Oliver. During the day, she is a Senior Marketing Director for a cannabis company. She is a diehard Dawgs fan, as she got her MBA from the University of Georgia in 2012.

At Ame For It, Katie works with runners of all abilities, with a focus on intermediate athletes seeking long-term running development. As do all coaches at Ame For It, Katie coaches every athlete as an individual, tailoring training to each athletes unique running history, goals, and strengths.