# Magnum Opus Coaching > Information about Magnum Opus Coaching, a Run Coaching business. ## About MAGNUM OPUS COACHING Strategic, high-touch coaching for runners ready to tackle big goals without sacrificing their health or their enjoyment for running. GREAT WORK IS MULTI-FACETED WELCOME TO THE WEB Like the threads of a web, performance is interconnected. Training, recovery, fueling, strength, stress, sleep, and everyday life don’t operate in isolation. Pull on one thread, and the others respond. That’s why we coach the whole athlete. At Magnum Opus, we help ambitious runners understand how these pieces work together, so you know when to push, when to adapt, what needs attention, and what doesn’t. Because durable performance isn’t built by perfectly executing a training plan. It’s built by creating a system that can adapt to real life while continuing to move you toward big goals. Your magnum opus, "your great work", is bigger than a single race or finish time. It’s the athlete you become along the way. Integrative Run Coaching In-Person Run Coaching in Harrisonburg and Williamsburg, VA Virtual Coaching Across the US You have ambitious goals. You also have a full life. Your training needs to account for both. We coach runners from middle-distance track to 100 miles, but distance isn’t what defines the athletes we work with. Our athletes want to find out what they’re capable of. They care about getting faster, stronger, and more durable, but they don’t want to sacrifice their health, relationships, careers, or love of running to get there. You might be chasing a PR, a Boston qualifier, your first ultramarathon, or a finish line that currently feels just beyond your reach. You’re willing to work hard. You just want to know that the work you’re doing is the right work for you. That’s where coaching becomes more than a training plan. We consider your physiology, training history, injury patterns, fueling, strength, recovery, stress, sleep, mindset, and the demands of your actual life. Then we continually adjust the pieces as you adapt. The goal shouldn't be to execute a perfect plan. Our goal is that you become the kind of person and athlete who can keep progressing through imperfect circumstances. HOW WE PROVIDE INTEGRATIVE RUN COACHING PERSONALIZED RUN PROGRAMMING STRENGTH + MOVEMENT DEVELOPMENT FUELING + RECOVERY STRATEGY HEALTH + PERFORMANCE TROUBLESHOOTING TRAINING + RACE MINDSET RACE-DAY PLANNING + EXECUTION HIGH-TOUCH COACH COMMUNICATION Meet Coach Nelle I’m Nelle, an endurance athlete, integrative performance coach, mother-runner, and founder of Magnum Opus Coaching. I’ve spent more than a decade training and racing while navigating the same puzzle I now help my athletes solve: How good can I become without losing myself, or the rest of my life, to the pursuit? My own running has taken me from road races and marathons to 100-mile finishes, podiums, setbacks, injuries, health challenges, and seasons when performance had to take a back seat to simply becoming healthy and strong again. Those experiences shaped the way I coach. I don’t believe better performance always comes from doing more. I believe it comes from understanding the athlete in front of me: their physiology, history, mindset, recovery, fueling, stress, responsibilities, and goals...and knowing which thread to pull or mend at the right time. I coach ambitious runners who want to discover what they’re capable of and build a body, mindset, and relationship with running that can carry them there for years to come. Intentional Training. Meaningful Results. Reflections from athletes inside the Magnum Opus Coaching community. Ready to Train with Intention? Schedule a health & performance audit to discuss your training goals, history, and next steps. Together we'll build a thoughtful path forward, whether you're preparing for your first race or your next ultramarathon. Join Our Newsletter, Filled with Enrichment and Current Offerings Frequently asked questions We're here to help! Contact us if you have any questions that we haven't answered here. Q: What services does Magnum Opus Coaching offer? A: We offer individualized run coaching, strength development, performance assessment, and race strategy for runners from middle distance track to 100 miles. Our approach integrates training load, recovery, fueling, nervous system health, and mindset because performance is multifaceted. For runners focused on building a strong aerobic foundation, we also offer a structured Base-Building program. This option provides high-touch support and accountability within a thoughtfully designed training framework, without full customization. Additionally, our Power Hour session is a one-time consultation for athletes seeking strategy refinement, race planning, gait review, or performance troubleshooting without the commitment of a coaching membership. Q: How can I schedule a consultation, and what should I expect during the onboarding process? A: Start by purchasing and scheduling a health & performance form and audit here. If there are no times available, in the below form, please email info@magnumopuscoaching.com a few days and times that work Monday through Friday. We will begin with a comprehensive review covering your training history, current load, stress, recovery patterns, goals, and performance data. From there, we provide an athlete scorecard to support building individualized training systems, never a template, designed around your physiology and life demands. Q: Is Magnum Opus Coaching Right for me? A: This is for runners who value thoughtful progression, detailed feedback, and are committed to building sustainable performance. If you want individualized programming built around your physiology, stress load, and long-term goals, you'll feel right at home here. Feedback on your training Strength that supports performance Strategic race execution Sustainable progress Q: What is your cancelation and refund policy? A: Consultations, coaching, and training sessions require a 24-hour notice to reschedule. Missed appointments without this notice are subject to forfeiture. Coaching membership cancellation, beyond the minimum requirement time, requires a 30 day written notice in advance of the next invoice. We do not offer refunds. Contact Us - Magnum Opus Coaching Welcome to Magnum Opus Coaching Expert Run Coaching & Personal Training in Harrisonburg, VA Your journey to peak performance starts here About Magnum Opus Coaching Dedicated Coaches Supporting Your Journey Your advancement is our mission Have you been wanting to begin your fitness or health journey, but are unsure of which steps to take? Have you been running for awhile, want to set more challenging running goals, or integrate a different training approach? Are you dreaming big about certain events and want both customized training and structured support to reach your goal?  WE ARE HERE TO HELP! We coach all abilities with a "meet you where you are" philosophy, emphasizing individualized definitions for excellence and optimal wellness.  ​Our missions statement:  We enrich our athletes with current and relevant resources to foster both a solid foundation for sustained vitality and personal empowerment during our time together and beyond. In prioritizing patience and consistency, individuals may then perform and live with excellence repeatedly and sustainably. About Magnum Opus Coaching Discover how our expert coaching can elevate your performance and help you reach your goals. Contact us today! Meet the Coaches Behind Magnum Opus We provide evidence-based running, strength, and health coaching for athletes who want to train smarter and perform longer. For athletes from middle-distance track to 100 mile ultramarathons. Meet Our Team Great performances are not accidental. They emerge from thoughtful training, patient development, and a deep respect for the body's capacity to adapt. At Magnum Opus Coaching, our team helps athletes build range, resilience, and longevity so they can pursue excellence without sacrificing health.   Our coaches collectively bring: 50+ maraton and ultramarthon finishes Boston qualifiers and podium finishes Certifications in running, strength, and integrative health Decades of coaching and teaching experience Award winning coaching Team member: Nelle Fox Title: Founder and Head Running Coach Team member: Heather Dougherty Title: Running Coach Team member: Zach Mathias Title: Sprints, Jumps, and Power Coach NELLE FOX Founder / Owner "Performance built on wellness."   Education and Certifications ​Bachelor of Science, Birmingham-Southern College Master of Education, University of Virginia Running Coach (RRCA, USATF, V.02, UESCA) Ultrarunning Coach (UESCA) Integrative Health and Endurance Nutrition Coach (IIN and UESCA) Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor (NASM and TRX) Gait Analyst (Run DNA) Menopause-Specialist Coach   I’ve been an athlete for as long as I can remember, competing in cross country and track through middle and high school, earning multiple all-state titles and state championships. But it wasn’t until after the birth of my second child in 2013 that I fully stepped into endurance running.   In the postpartum haze, curious about what my body was capable of, I built my own training system, blending science-backed structure with accountability. Within 10 months, I had set personal records across multiple distances, won a trail race championship, and discovered the philosophy that now defines my coaching.   Sustainable performance requires the integration of physiology, strength, recovery, and joy working together to prevent burnout.   Over the years, I’ve continued evolving as both athlete and coach: repeatedly Boston Qualifying, completing more than 30 marathons and ultramarathons, and earning certifications to support mastery of my craft as a coach.   Based in Virginia, I work with runners who want more than a plan, or just mileage. My goal is for every athlete I coach to leave not just faster, but more intentional, resilient, and confident. HEATHER DOUGHERTY Running Coach Heather journey as a runner began in middle school, where she first discovered the joy of running. What started as a way to clear her mind and challenge herself evolved into a lifelong passion. For Heather, running has always been about mental wellbeing, community, and the thrill of competition — bonds forged on miles of trail and road with friends who became family. Over the years, Heather has embraced the world of ultrarunning, pushing beyond marathon distance to tackle a wide range of demanding events. She has competed across multiple distances, from rugged 50Ks to grueling 100-mile ultramarathons, consistently testing her limits on challenging terrain. A hallmark of Heather’s ultrarunning career is her success at some of the sport’s toughest events. She earned podium finishes in four out of five Hardrock 100-mile race qualifiers, highlighting her ability to compete at a high level on technical, mountainous courses that demand both physical strength and mental resilience. Heather’s approach to running is grounded in balance — she runs for mental clarity, values the friendships built on the trail, and thrives on the challenge of competition. Whether lining up for a local ultra or a premier mountain race, she brings determination, grit, and a deep love for the sport to every start line. ZACH MATHIAS Coach Coaching Specialties: Track & Field Cross Country Football Baseball Power Lifting I was first introduced to the sport of track and field as a freshman at Spotswood High School. While track was in my blood, I had primarily been a baseball player up until then. But in the spring of my 9th grade year, I made the switch to outdoor track and never looked back. After 4 wonderful years of outdoor track, and 3 years of indoor, I made the decision to run at the collegiate level and signed with Concord University in Athens, WV as a dual sport athlete. It was during my freshman year at CU when my athletic career and my future got turned upside down, after sustaining a career ending spine injury in football season. I didn’t know it then, but that injury would lead me down the road to where I am today. With losing my ability to play sports, I lost all motivation in school, and ended up coming home after the fall semester of my third year. I had no idea what I was going to do, but about 2 months later I received a message from one of my high school coaches, who was now the Head Track Coach at the newly opened East Rockingham High School. They were in need of another assistant coach for their upcoming inaugural season. This was it, this was my chance to reconnect with the sport I once fell in love with. Fast forward 13 years, and the rest is history! I’m not just a high school coach, my passion has grown into so much more.. enter Excel Rocktown, now Magnum Opus Coaching! Coaching isn’t just my job, it's who I am. And I look forward to sharing this passion of mine through Magnum Opus Coaching. Join Our Community Are you ready to elevate your fitness journey? Connect with our dedicated team at Magnum Opus Coaching and discover personalized coaching that drives results. ## Pages - [Home](https://www.magnumopuscoaching.com/index.md): Coaching for the long game: run, strength, and holistic performance support for athletes building endurance, resilience, and a lifetime of movement. - [Blog](https://www.magnumopuscoaching.com/blog.md): Discover expert tips and advice on running and personal training. - [Contact Us](https://www.magnumopuscoaching.com/contact-us.md): Get in touch with Magnun Opus Coaching for expert run coaching inquiries. - [The Woven Athlete Learning Hub](https://www.magnumopuscoaching.com/woven-athlete-learning-hub.md): Educational experiences for runners who want more than a training plan. Learn how training, recovery, nutrition, strength, mindset, and life stress weave together to create sustainable performance and long-term development. - [Oasis Recovery Room](https://www.magnumopuscoaching.com/oasis-recovery-harrisonburg-va.md): Revitalize your fitness journey at our Oasis Recovery Room. - [About Us](https://www.magnumopuscoaching.com/about-us.md): Discover our passionate team dedicated to your fitness journey. - [FAQ](https://www.magnumopuscoaching.com/faq.md): Find answers to common questions about our run coaching and personal training services. - [Run Coaching](https://www.magnumopuscoaching.com/run-coaching.md): Strategic Run Coaching Built for Durable Performance - [Our Team](https://www.magnumopuscoaching.com/our-team.md): Discover our passionate team of run coaches and personal trainers. - [Running History Form](https://www.magnumopuscoaching.com/running-history-form.md): Share your running history to enhance your coaching experience. - [Health Revisit Form](https://www.magnumopuscoaching.com/health-revisit-form.md): Complete your health revisit form to customize your training plan. - [Health History Form](https://www.magnumopuscoaching.com/health-history-form.md): Complete our Health History Form to enhance your coaching experience. - [Newsletter](https://www.magnumopuscoaching.com/newsletter.md): Join Coach Nelle's newsletter and receive a free Lab Guide for Runners and Endurance Athletes. ## Blog Posts - [We Fall to the Level of Our Training](https://www.magnumopuscoaching.com/blog/we-fall-to-the-level-of-our-training.md): We don't fall to the level of our expectations; we fall to the level of our training. - [For the Female Athlete Who Feels Like Her Body Betrays Her](https://www.magnumopuscoaching.com/blog/for-the-female-athlete-who-feels-like-her-body-betrays-her.md): Some weeks you feel strong. Confident. In rhythm. And then your late cycle hits… and everything shifts. - [Is Magnum Opus Coaching Right for You?](https://www.magnumopuscoaching.com/blog/is-magnum-opus-coaching-right-for-you.md): Magnum Opus Coaching tends to resonate most with runners who value thoughtful progression and long-term development. - [What Athletes Receive Week-to-Week](https://www.magnumopuscoaching.com/blog/what-athletes-receive-week-to-week.md): Athletes receive a personalized training plan delivered through their training platform, built around their current fitness, life schedule, and race goals. Plans evolve week-to-week rather than being written months in advance, allowing us to respond to how your body is actually adapting. - [Pinhoti 100](https://www.magnumopuscoaching.com/blog/pinhoti-100.md): A heartfelt recap on Coach Nelle's most recent 100 mile race. - [Taper Tantrums 101: Keep your cool while cutting back!](https://www.magnumopuscoaching.com/blog/taper-tantrums-101-keep-your-cool-while-cutting-back.md): Read the blog post: Taper Tantrums 101: Keep your cool while cutting back! - [Let's Build Your At-Home Gym](https://www.magnumopuscoaching.com/blog/let-s-build-your-at-home-gym.md): Here are some tips to building your at-home gym. - [Stop fearing food and use it to perform instead!](https://www.magnumopuscoaching.com/blog/stop-fearing-food-and-use-it-to-perform-instead.md): Some tips and tricks to use food to better fuel your endurance journey - [5 Must-Do Strategies if You’re Gunning for a Marathon PR (or that Elusive Boston Qualifier)!](https://www.magnumopuscoaching.com/blog/5-must-do-strategies-if-youre-gunning-for-a-marathon-pr-or-that-elusive-boston-qualifier.md): Here are some tips to training for your next marathon PR or a BQ!