Welcome to Oak Ridge Endurance

Elevate Your Endurance Journey

Professional coaching for peak performance

Founder/Head Coach

Nick Slack

Nick Slack is a UESCA Certified Ultrarunning Coach based in Independent Hill / Manassas, Virginia. Combining evidence-based training methods with extensive personal experience across rugged mountain ultras, Nick helps athletes prepare for the unique demands of long-distance trail running.

My Coaching Method: Tailored for Your Trail

No two ultra runners are the same, so why should your training be? Whether you are aiming for your first 50K or attempting a 100-mile mountain race, I offer flexible coaching methods tailored to your goals, experience level, and life commitments. My 1-on-1 coaching is a high-touch partnership designed to take the guesswork out of your training, allowing you to focus entirely on the miles ahead.

This isn't a "set it and forget it" PDF. It is a living, breathing program that evolves based on how your body feels every single day.

Here are the primary ways we work together:

Dynamic Programming: Receive weekly plan updates in TrainingPeaks, fully customized to your shifting schedule, fitness goals, and real-time progress.

Continuous Feedback Loop: I review your workout data and comments daily. This allows us to track trends in your heart rate, pace, fueling, hydration, and perceived exertion. This oversight ensures we are optimizing your performance and recovery, allowing you to build peak fitness without the risk of burnout.

What’s Included in 1-on-1 Coaching

$90/Month

Military, Veterans and First Responders Discount

Initial Deep-Dive Consultation

We begin with a comprehensive review of your running history, injury profile, and specific ultra-marathon goals to build your baseline.

Dynamic Weekly Training Plans

Your workouts are delivered and updated weekly via TrainingPeaks, precision-tailored to your evolving fitness, personal schedule, and specific race requirements.

Tailored Multi-Sport Integration

To build a more resilient athlete, I incorporate cycling and gym-based sessions specifically designed around your equipment access and schedule. This personalized cross-training builds massive aerobic power and "bulletproofs" your body while keeping you fresh and injury-free.

Fueling & Nutrition Review

We’ll analyze your daily fueling habits and long-run nutrition to find what works for your gut. From daily recovery meals to race-day calorie targets, we ensure your engine is always topped off.

Weekly Performance Check-ins

A dedicated review of your training logs and data to celebrate wins, troubleshoot challenges, and ensure you are peaking at the right time.

Custom Strength & Mobility

A periodized strength program built specifically to handle the unique vertical and high-mileage demands of ultra-running.

Race-Day Blueprint

A complete strategy covering pacing, gear selection, and a personalized nutrition/hydration plan—vetted and refined during your long training efforts.

Unrestricted Access

Have a question about gear or a last-minute schedule change? You have a direct line to me via text or email for ongoing support, with phone calls available by request for deeper strategy sessions.

My coaching philosophy is built on the reality that training is not one-size-fits-all. I create individualized programs tailored to your specific goals, but I also understand that life happens. As a father, husband, and full-time employee myself, I recognize the daily balancing act required to get the miles in; my approach is designed to be flexible and ready to adjust whenever necessary. I believe an athlete should maintain a level of fitness that allows them to sporadically hop into a local 50k just for the fun of it. Beyond just running, I believe nutrition is a discipline that must be practiced. I work closely with my athletes to ensure they have a precise, tested fueling plan so they never show up to race day 'firing from the hip.' Finally, I highly encourage cross-training and will seamlessly integrate it into your program if it’s something you desire to keep your body strong and resilient.

From the Starting Line to the Finish: My Background

Nick has successfully finished five 100-mile races:

• Massanutten Mountain Trails 100 (2025)

• Pinhoti 100 (2024)

• The Bear 100 (2022)

• Eastern States 100 (2021)

• Rocky Raccoon 100 (2020)

Nick has also competed in multiple 100K races, highlighted by several strong finishes at the notoriously difficult Hellgate 100K (including 2022, 2021, and 2020), as well as the Worlds End Ultramarathon 100K (2021).

With nearly 20 ultra-distance events logged on UltraSignup and an overall ranking in the top 25% (age-group ranking near the top 20%), Nick has developed deep, practical expertise in technical terrain navigation, heat and humidity management, mountain-specific pacing, fueling, recovery, and the mental strategies required for 100-mile efforts.

As a UESCA Certified Ultrarunning Coach, Nick creates personalized, science-supported training plans tailored to individual goals and lifestyles. Whether you’re aiming to finish your first ultra, improve on classic tough courses like MMT, The Bear, Hellgate, Pinhoti, or build sustainably toward bigger objectives, Nick draws directly from his own multi-year experience at the 100-mile and 100K distances to guide you with realistic, effective strategies for any trail race or ultra.

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Let’s Build Your Peak Performance

"A goal without a plan is just a wish. A goal without motivation is just a dream. We provide both"

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1-on-1 Coaching $90/month