Hey, I’m shiv burne
Marathon & Ultra Coach, Teacher, and Endurance Athlete
Hi, I’m Shiv, a marathoner, ultrarunner and full-time teacher who never saw herself as a “natural” runner. I was shy growing up, pretty average at sport, and only signed up for my first half marathon because it was a charity event at the school I worked at. I trained without a watch, guessed at my distances, and simply hoped for the best.
My coaching
Crossing that first finish line was the hardest thing I’d ever done, but it completely changed my view of myself. I realised I was capable of far more than I’d ever believed. That feeling led me into more races, then marathons, then ultras, eventually taking me to a 250k multi-day event in Kenya, Race to the Stones 100k, and a 3:16 Tokyo Marathon that earned me a Boston Qualifier.
It hasn’t all been smooth or glamorous. At the London Marathon, I went out too fast, didn’t fuel properly, and completely blew up toward the end. I collapsed just 500 metres from the finish line and ended up in an ambulance on oxygen, and that moment transformed the way I think about pacing, fuelling and respecting the distance.
When I first hired a coach, I wanted structure but quickly realised how impersonal the experience felt, especially as a woman. There was no conversation about my menstrual cycle, no acknowledgement of low-energy weeks, and barely any communication. The plan felt like something copied and pasted rather than something designed for me.
That experience is what pushed me toward the coaching style I have today. I work with busy, ambitious women who are juggling full-time jobs, families and big running goals. Many of my athletes are teachers, NHS staff or corporate professionals, and they need training that supports their lives instead of overwhelming them.
My coaching is personal, collaborative and based on lived experience. I help athletes train with their menstrual cycles rather than fight them, and I focus on fuelling, pacing and mindset just as much as mileage. I care deeply about building confidence, especially in runners who see themselves as “average” or feel like imposters in the running world.
As a teacher myself, I understand how chaotic some weeks can be. I create plans that encourage consistency but can easily adapt when life gets challenging, when energy drops or when stress peaks. There is no guilt or pressure here, only communication, problem-solving and realistic progress.
More than anything, I want my athletes to finish each block feeling proud, strong and excited for what comes next. Whether you are training for your first marathon, stepping up to your first ultra or chasing a big personal best, my goal is to help you get there with confidence, joy and a coaching partnership that truly supports you.
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