Deanna Schallau - Running Coach

Deanna Schallau

San Diego, CA
Accepting New Clients

Run better, live better

About Deanna Schallau
I am an International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) certified running coach and a runner myself. My certification gives me the knowledge to help runners meet their goals and my running experience enables me to understand the runner experience firsthand. My family and friends would describe me as hard working, determined, and light hearted. I meet my goals when my clients meet their goals and I make sure we are both having fun along the way!
Description
I was born and raised in the Bay Area (Sunnyvale, CA) and went to college at the University of Southern California, where I studied Business Administration and Applied Analytics. After graduating, I moved back to the Bay Area to live the city life in San Francisco for three and a half years. Not ready to leave sunny California but wanting a change of scenery, I moved down to San Diego in early 2023 and have been loving it since. I played soccer from five years old to 18 years old and started running recreationally in college. I ran my first half marathon in 2017 with my best friend, starting training off with a very challenging one mile run around the neighborhood. As I built mileage towards 13.1 miles, I fell in love with the process of training and realized that running filled the gap that soccer had once filled. Over the last 8 years on my running journey, I've run recreationally, trained for races, experienced injury, met goals, missed goals, got certified as a running coach, and have had a blast along the way. I've also seen firsthand how prioritizing my physical well-being translated into motivation and confidence in other aspects of my life. What it's like to work with me: My coaching style is one based on well rounded training. I bring an enthusiasm for helping my clients meet big, challenging goals, while also creating a strategy for meeting those goals with a dose of realism. Injury prevention is at the forefront of my training plans and I help clients approach training holistically (think adding strength, mobility, nutrition, recovery). Up until recently when I went full time as a running coach, I worked full time in the climate tech industry. So, I understand what it's like to balance training on top of an already full schedule. I make sure that my client's training fits into their lifestyle, rather than having them fit their life into training. Testimonials: "I can’t recommend Coach Deanna enough! I used her training plan to prepare for my half marathon, and it made all the difference. Her approach was structured yet flexible, keeping me motivated and injury-free while gradually building endurance and speed. She provided expert advice, personalized tips, and constant encouragement that helped me stay on track. On race day, I felt strong, well-prepared, and confident—all thanks to her coaching. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to improve your time, Deanna is the coach you need!" - Drew "Coach Deanna’s program was a perfect fit for my training for the Zion Half Marathon. Her plan was organized and matched my fitness from the start. It also fit seamlessly into my daily routine, which made it much easier to stick with. I truly felt at ease going into race day. On top of that, she was always there with encouragement when I was feeling tired or dealing with minor injuries. If you want a coach who’s fun and supportive and training that’s effective for your next race, Coach Deanna’s your person!" - Juliet "Deanna was the ideal coach for my first half marathon - she worked with me to develop a plan that accommodated my lack of running experience, the challenge of training in Vermont during the snowy winter, and built in flexibility to accommodate my travel schedule. I told her my time goals for the race, and in the end I beat the most ambitious time, thanks in large part to her training plan!" - Luke
Athlete Requirements
From beginner to experienced runner, I'd love to coach you wherever you are at in your journey. We'll be a good match if you are dedicated to meeting your goals, looking for a coaching/client relationship with open communication, and ready to have some fun along the way!
Qualified To Coach
Keywords
Available for Coaching
Online/Remote coaching, Group coaching, Consultations
Coaching Certifications
None

Consultations

Schedule a call with Deanna Schallau

Private Coaching

Work one-on-one with Deanna Schallau