
Coach Sandi Nypaver
Co-founder & Director of Coaching Development
Coaches all levels, distances from 5K to 100+ miles, on all surfaces.
Coach Sandi is a co-founder of Higher Running and has been fully pursuing her passion for coaching runners of all levels since 2014. She is a USATF and Lydiard Certified Coach, a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, a Level 2 Certified Gait Analyst, and an elite runner. Always learning, Sandi has completed Jay Dicharry’s Running Rewired course for both sports clinicians and coaches. She is also a graduate of Cornell’s Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate program and has been passionate about health, fitness, and helping others reach their goals her entire life.
You’ll often find Sandi reading the latest research from respected scientists, always learning and thinking critically about training methods and coaching practices. She believes in a holistic approach to performance, having personally experienced the benefits of good nutrition, balanced lifestyle habits, and a positive mindset. To help athletes develop a high-performance mindset, she completed the Finding Your Best course with world-renowned performance psychologist Michael Gervais and NFL coach Pete Carroll.
Sandi has earned podium finishes in races ranging from 5K road races to 100-mile trail ultramarathons, giving her firsthand experience across every distance she coaches. Athletes working with Sandi often see progress year after year. While she can help runners prepare for a single race, Sandi finds that athletes get the most out of coaching when they commit long term. Over the years, she has come to deeply value the lasting relationships she builds with her athletes.
More services included with coaching:
-Movement Assessment & Run Gait Analysis
-A list of strength exercises to focus on and when to do them (based off of movement assessment and gait analysis)
-Mindset Training
Email: sandi.higherrunning@gmail.com
Here’s a video to see what working with me is like:
Working with Sandi Nypaver at Higher Running has been transformative — not just as a runner, but as a complete being. I first came to Sandi when I was recovering from an injury, battling both physical and mental barriers to getting back on the road. The fear and uncertainty I felt during that time were a challenge, but with Sandi’s guidance, I gained both physical strength and mental fortitude.
Through her expertise and holistic approach, Sandi has helped me move from a 3:27 marathoner to a 2:48 marathoner looking to continue improving. But it’s not just about the times—she’s helped me fall in love with the process, embracing both the delightful discomfort of shorter races and the personal growth that comes with each new distance.
What sets Sandi apart is her genuine care for the whole runner. She’s incredibly responsive and adaptable, evolving my training as my needs and goals shift. Her creativity in designing fun, effective training plans keeps the journey exciting, and her patience as I try new things makes me feel supported.
Sandi’s influence extends far beyond running—my life has genuinely changed since I started working with her. My friends and family have noticed that I’m stronger and more resilient and her belief in my potential has inspired me to set some aggressive goals. I am endlessly grateful for all she’s done to help me continue becoming a better version of myself. If you’re looking for a coach who will invest in your success on every level, the team at Higher Running is the best! -Michaela K.W.
Working with Sandi Nypaver through Higher Running has been an absolute gift. As a 63-year-old woman, I’ve never felt stronger, more capable, or more supported in my running journey. Sandi’s coaching and training plans are thoughtfully tailored to my specific goals and always prioritize both performance and safety. What sets her apart for me is that she cares about me as a whole person, not just as a runner. She weaves in support for my mental and emotional well-being, which has made all the difference. Her wisdom, responsiveness, and experience are unmatched. I’m so grateful to have her in my corner, helping me define and accomplish my short and long term running goals. -Pam R.
Notable Running Accomplishments:
- Course Record at The Rut 50k
- 2nd at the USATF Trail Marathon Championship
- Member of the 2018 World Mountain Championships Long Distance team
- 2019 Winner of Moab Red Hot 55k
- Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim in 7:33:05
- Won her first two 100 miler races, Mohican 100 and Grindstone 100
Click here for more information on monthly coaching.
Follow Sandi’s Adventures:
Instagram: @sandinypaver
YouTube:Running Wild
RECENT MEDIA:
Burnout is Complicated (Trail Runner Magazine)
Training and Racing at Altitide (Trail Sisters)
Top Mistakes Trail Runners Make In Training (Trail Runner Magazine)
4 Tips for Dealing with Injuries
Joining the Topo Athletic Team
Grand Canyon: https://www.runinrabbit.com/blogs/rabbit-chatter/sandi-nypaver-fkt-grand-canyon-rim-to-rim-to-rim
Sandi Nypaver has the Power to Control Her Own Happiness: https://www.nicoledeboom.com/104-sandi-nypaver-power-control-happiness/
Contributor to Trail Sisters: https://www.trailsisters.net/team/sandi-nypaver/
Women’s Equality In Trail and Ultra Running – Video Podcast
Ultimate Direction- How to Train for a Mountain Ultra: http://blog.ultimatedirection.com/how-i-trained-for-and-won-the-rut-50k/
Strava- Coach Sage and I wrote a series of 4 blog posts concerning training for trail races: https://blog.strava.com/how-to-run-hills-17147/