Just Hired a Running Coach

davepete57

I have been training on my own for the past 6 months I have run 3 5K's and a 5 mile Turkey Trot. I just had a session with a wonderful running coach to help me take things to the nest level. I should have done it sooner! She taught me several things in just one lesson. I plan to do more training with her and am seriously considering doing the Broad Street Run next May,

pondee629

I hired a running coach for my Half Marathon training. Found her help to be very helpful and also helped on keeping me on schedule. Something about reporting to someone else on your progress that assists in seeing that there is progress ;-)

Keep on running and enjoy.

daj150

I want to emphasize how great it is hiring a coach or even getting a consultation from a coach. Proper form is so important I cannot stress it enough. And to be honest, nobody has the ability to analyze their form solely on their own, unless they have the tools and already have the knowledge to do so...in which case you are probably training others. If you don't need someone to motivate you, I recommend getting your form and a good training plan, then going at it by yourself. Granted this could equate to a lengthy duration with a trainer...but hey, proper form = no injuries. Well, having proper core strength too...but form means sooooo much. Have fun and good luck at Broad Street. It's a super fun and flat race...just don't run on the outsides...slopes by the curb are recipes for ankle and knee injuries.

Vladimirnapkin

I'm not sure that proper form = no injuries, but proper form can only help. A (good) coach can help you push yourself and can help you get the most out of your training. Just try to do what they tell you to, and not second guess everything.

99clmsntgr

I work with a running coach as well. He's helped me with form, he's helped me plan workouts that have really allowed me to destroy my PR's (went from a 22-minute 5K two years ago to 19:25 this past fall).

But the most useful thing he's done for me -- helped me recognize when I should just slow down or rest. It's funny how often I forget that rest is just as important to training as the physical work. And having someone remind me that it's OK to take a day or two off, especially after my performance starts to reflect that need, is a good thing.

MobyCarp

99clmsntgr wrote: »

I work with a running coach as well. He's helped me with form, he's helped me plan workouts that have really allowed me to destroy my PR's (went from a 22-minute 5K two years ago to 19:25 this past fall).

But the most useful thing he's done for me -- helped me recognize when I should just slow down or rest. It's funny how often I forget that rest is just as important to training as the physical work. And having someone remind me that it's OK to take a day or two off, especially after my performance starts to reflect that need, is a good thing.

This. Like most runners, I'm a lot stupider for myself than I am for other runners. Having an experienced coach telling me to back off eliminates a lot of second guessing and some bad decisions on my part.

pondee629

MobyCarp wrote: »

99clmsntgr wrote: »

I work with a running coach as well. He's helped me with form, he's helped me plan workouts that have really allowed me to destroy my PR's (went from a 22-minute 5K two years ago to 19:25 this past fall).

But the most useful thing he's done for me -- helped me recognize when I should just slow down or rest. It's funny how often I forget that rest is just as important to training as the physical work. And having someone remind me that it's OK to take a day or two off, especially after my performance starts to reflect that need, is a good thing.

This. Like most runners, I'm a lot stupider for myself than I am for other runners. Having an experienced coach telling me to back off eliminates a lot of second guessing and some bad decisions on my part.

Along the same lines, having a running coach tell you that it is perfectly OK to slow down when the weather is too hot is also nice. Frequently we need that detached perspective.

jenring3

I also use a coach - Mostly when I do full marathons. I can get myself through a half but I always do a couple on the way to the marathon and I have to tell you I get SO much faster and run so much better when I work with him.