These days, more and more runners are recognizing the value of working with a running coach. You don’t need to be a professional runner or even be working towards a big goal to benefit from a coach. There are many reasons to work with a coach, such as support, guidance, goal setting, and much more. Over my years of coaching I have worked with dozens of runners and some have truly made the most of their coaching experience. It’s ok to have a coach just to get a good training plan, but there is much more you can get out of the relationship. Here are some suggestions to help you maximize your experience working with a running coach.
How to Maximize Your Experience Working with a Running Coach
Find the right coach
The first step is to find the right coach. There are many coaches available, so you want to think about what you want in a coach. What is your budget? What kind of experience do you want them to have? What level of communication do you want them to offer? Are you ok with online-only coaching or do you want to work with someone in-person? These kinds of questions can help guide you to identifying a coach.
Before you hire a coach you will want to ask them questions and get to know them a bit. You may even want to ask to speak to a current or former athlete. Also, find out if they have a minimum amount of time you would need to sign up for coaching. Some coaches will have a certain month commitment since it will take some time to see the benefits of coaching.
Find out about the coach’s training/credentials as well as their coaching experience. Most coaches will have a certification from an organization like RRCA or UESCA. This means they have taken some courses and passed a test to get their certification. While that is important and helpful, experience also has a great deal of value. Brand new coaches need to start somewhere, so if you are open to working with someone who is new to coaching that is great! (They likely have been self-coaching at the very least, so you can ask about that.) But if you want someone who already has a lot of experience coaching other runners then you may be looking at a higher price point.
Give your coach a lot of information
Most coaches will offer an introductory call or meeting. Use this time to share information about your experience, what you are looking for, and what has worked or not worked in the past for you. Before your meeting write down all the things that will be important to share. The more your coach knows, the better they will be at helping you.
Ask questions
Don’t be afraid to ask alot of questions, both before you start and during the coaching process. When your are meeting a coach for the first time you can ask about their coaching experience, their communication style, frequency of plan updates/check-ins, and more.
Throughout the coaching process continue to ask questions! If you are wondering why you have a certain workout or why you are running certain mileage, just ask! Ask any questions you you have about fueling, hydration, strength training, etc. If they don’t know the answer or it is out of their scope, they should at least be able to point you in the right direction for good information.
One of my goals as a coach is to help my athletes grow as a runner. The more you know, the more you will be able to make smart decisions with your training and coaching will grow into a more collaborative process.
Communicate with your running coach
Different coaches offer different levels of communication. Take advantage of whatever they offer! At the very least, make notes in your training log about your runs. This gives important information to your coach about your runs. It’s one thing to be able to see data on paper, but it’s much more useful to be able to understand how an athlete felt to go along with that data.
Part of the reason to work with a running coach is to have a relationship with someone who can guide youn in your running. If you don’t communicate, you won’t be able to build that relationship. The more you get to know your coach the more comfortable you may feel sharing details of your life with them.
Finding a coach with the right level of communication for your needs is important. Try to find this out before you start working with a coach so you know what to expect.
Keep your expectations realistic
Remember that progress takes time. It can also take time for a coach to really get to know you as a runner. Please don’t sign up for coaching expecting to run a PR in a month. (If you do run a PR in a month, it likely was not all due to coaching). Sometimes it can take multiple training cycles with a coach to have a breakthrough race.
Remember that a coach is there to guide you, but you still need to put in the work. And if something isn’t working, talk to your coach about it. You can’t expect a coach to be able to read your mind, but most should be willing to make adjustments based on your feedback.
See your coaching experience as a collaborative process
It’s important to find a coach that you can work well with as a team. There are roles the coach will play and roles that you, as a runner, will play. While different coaches have different styles, most will want their runners to be active participants in the process. Share what workouts you think work best for you. Let your coach know how much mileage you think you can handle. Give feedback about your racing plan. Ask questions if something seems off. A coach is there to guide you, but you will be the most successful if you truly buy in to the process.
Be open with your running coach
It may take time, but once you feel comfortable and trust your coach be open with them about details of your life that affect your running and how your running is going. If things are not going well it’s important for your coach to know so they can support you.
One of the benefits of having a running coach versus just following a training plan is the relationship. Over time your coach will get to know you as more than just a runner. Trust is an important part of this. If you don’t feel like you truly trust your coach then it may not be a good fit.
Give your coaching experience time
Change does not happen overnight. If you are willing to try something new it’s important to give it time. After a few months, evaluate your progress to see if you are moving in the right direction. Race results don’t always tell the whole story. Have you grown as a runner by working with a coach? Have you stayed injury free (or at least avoided major injuries due to training errors)? Are you able to handle more mileage? Or avoid burnout? These are all good markers to show that things are going well.
Be willing to make changes if needed
If you feel like things are not going well, start by addressing it with your running coach. See if there is anything different you can try. But if needed, it’s ok to find a different coach! Not everyone will be a perfect match. Learn what worked and did not work for you to help you find a coach who can best meet your needs.
Now it’s time for the Runners’ Roundup! Link up your running and fitness posts below! Join myself, Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner and Runs with Pugs to post your favorite running tips, experiences, race and training recaps, workouts, gear, and coaching ideas.
I loved working with a coach, especially when I came back from injury. He gave me an excellent programme (with non-running exercises) and made sure I wasn’t overdoing it with running. He led me to a great result in Berlin and to a marathon PR result last year. I’m currently without a coach, but I’m thinking of starting with one again for my next training cycle.
This is excellent! We’re lucky to have coaches in our running club and I had a good strength training programme from one – though he also said in the pub one night that of all the people he’s coached, I am the person who is least willing to go outside their comfort zone (though he admitted that I’m a happy runner who has never hit the wall in one of her careful marathons, so there’s that, and I’m also more willing now I think!).
I have done some fun group running coach rounds and really enjoyed them as well as years of personal trainers. these are great reminders for both
I worked with a coach once, and it was a positive experience, but I think I need a running sherpa. I want someone to be with me, carry my hydration, and encourage me when I get unmotivated. Having meetings, workouts, and training plans isn’t what works best for me.
Oddly enough, I’ve never worked with a coach even though I am one. Unless you count my husband when I was first running and training for my first marathon. Now that can be tricky!