meeet the coach

Hi, I’m Sarah Ter Har—a certified endurance running coach, sports nutrition coach, and the founder of Ridge Running Co., where I help runners of all backgrounds chase big goals across road, trail, and ultra distances.

For more than three decades, running has been a central part of my life. I’ve raced on everything from paved roads to rugged mountain trails, coached athletes from their very first 5K to 250+ mile ultramarathons, and built a coaching philosophy rooted in adaptability, education, and encouragement.

My Coaching Philosophy

At Ridge Running Co., I believe there’s no one-size-fits-all training plan. Every athlete is unique—which means your running plan should be too. My approach is:

  • Science-Backed: All training plans incorporate current endurance research, including sports nutrition, strength training, and recovery strategies.

  • Life-Aligned: I build plans around your real life—work, family, travel, and unexpected curveballs included.

  • Supportive: You’ll never feel like you’re going it alone. I bring a balance of coaching accountability and deep empathy to each client relationship.

My coaching programs can be delivered through Final Surge or Excel, depending on your preferences. I also incorporate sports psychology tools to help you build mental resilience and train with confidence.

UESCA Certified Ultra Running Coach Logo

What I Offer

  • Personalized training plans for runners from 5K to ultramarathon

  • Trail and mountain running programs with elevation gain/loss focus

  • Menopause-educated coaching strategies for women over 40

  • Strength and mobility programming using dumbbells, resistance bands, and bodyweight exercises

  • Nutrition guidance for endurance athletes (PN1 Certification in progress)

  • Mindset and goal-setting support for sustainable motivation

Why Ridge Running Co.?

Ridge Running Co. was born from a love of the trails and a desire to make running more accessible, more adaptable, and more joyful. Whether you’re an aspiring trail runner, a mom rediscovering her strength, or an ultrarunner chasing a PR, I’m here to help you find your edge—and enjoy the process.

When I’m not coaching or training, you’ll find me camping with my family, exploring scenic roads on the back of a motorcycle with my husband, or crafting with our daughter. I'm also a proud pet lover with two senior dogs and four guinea pigs.

Ready to Run with Purpose?

I coach runners locally in California and virtually across the globe. If you’re ready to level up your training and work with a coach who sees the full picture—body, mind, and life—book a free consultation.

Let’s build something strong together.

Cocodona 250

Elephant Mountain

Bulldog Ultra

Black Canyon 100k

Cascades 100M

Leadville 100

Anza Borrego Cuyamaca 50m

Ultra Baja Trail

Black Mountain

Diamond Lake Trail Marathon

Mount Laguna Trail Marathon

Palm Desert Half

PCT 50

Del Dios 50k

Paramount Ranch

Notable Events (participated/coached)

San Diego 100

Cuyamaca 100K

Ray Miller

Mogollion Monster 100M

Sean O’Brien

Grand Canyon R2 & R3

San Diego 100

Cuyamaca 100K

Santa Monica Backbone Trail

Mountain Lakes 100

Kodiak Ultras

Bishop High Sierra Ultras

Avalon

Noble Canyon

Leona Divide

Routes That Shaped Me…

  • Malibu

    The Santa Monica Mountains and Malibu Creek State Park are mainstays on rotation in my running schedule. The terrain includes a little of everything, and is great training for nearly any goal an endurance runner has in mind.

  • Grand Canyon

    I’ve run R2 from South Kaibab, to the Colorado River, and up to Bright Angel. An unforgettable experience, this is now one of my favorite places. My near future goals include running R3.

  • Topanga

    Don’t let this area’s proximity to civilization fool you- it offers a trove of challenging adventures in the Santa Monica Mountains with sweeping vista views of meadows, valleys, and the Pacific Ocean.

  • Smith Rock

    Located in the Central Oregon high desert and sitting around 3,000 feet in elevation, this area is characterized by deep river canyons, 30-million-year-old compressed volcanic ash rock outcroppings, and miles of trails.

  • Deschutes River Trail

    Pine-needle covered trails intertwined with segments of meadow, the DRT is a trail-runners dream. I’ve run both the upper and lower sections of the DRT during all four seasons of the year. Don’t forget the micro-spikes in the winter!

  • Central Arizona

    This area is very diverse, including dry desert areas with sparse vegetation, plus others that are ruggedly beautiful. The trails are lined with an abundance of desert flora, and are extremely rocky and filled with long, remote segments that both climb and descend, challenging even the most seasoned runners.