What do you think it would be like to live with your running coach? Convenient? Stressful? Annoying? Over the past 4 months that I have been coaching Rob for his marathon I’m pretty sure he’s felt it was all of those things, and more. We have been talking about the pros and cons of having a live-in running coach, so I thought I was share some of them.
What It’s Like To Live With Your Running Coach
24/7 Monitoring When You Live With Your Running Coach
This one is good for the coach, and may not be so great for the athlete. If Rob skipped a workout, or slacked on his exercises, I would know. I would also know whether or not he had a valid excuse! I think this helped him to stay motivated, but I’m sure it was annoying at times. Like that day he got home from work ready to lay on the couch and I was like “I thought you were gonna bike tonight?” He had completely forgotten (because he usually does it in the morning). But there I was to remind him- and not feed him dinner until he got it done.
Early to bed, early to rise
There’s no staying up late or sleeping in when you live with your coach. Rob refuses to set an alarm, but why would he need one when I will just come wake him up? He would need to get up around 5:15 for most of his workouts, but I was usually up already around 4:30. So I would have the coffee ready to go and then drag him out of bed to go run. Of course, I also made sure he got to bed at a decent time. I also think that knowing I would be there to wake him up early taught him to go to sleep early.
Getting Coached Beyond the running
I was constantly telling him to foam roll. Did he listen? Not usually. But I was that little voice in his head reminding him to do all those little things that runners should do. Not only was I his running coach, but also personal chef and sometimes driver. (Who wants to drive after running 20 miles?)
Immediate feedback from a Running Coach
I was literally there all the time to give immediate feedback about a run or a workout. When he had a tough run, I could easily figure out why (based on weather, route, other workouts that week, sleep, etc….I knew it all!). It was also simpler to make adjustments when our schedules changed.
Your Running Coach is Always watching
Wednesdays and Sundays were his cross training/strength training days. Usually on Wednesdays I was also in the basement strength training. During that time I was constantly making notes about his effort on the bike, form during exercises, etc. I think it was helpful…he may not agree.
For him I think the best part of this deal was that it was “free”. I put that in quotes because is anything really free? I think he would say it was a perk of being married to me. And if you were to read between the lines you can probably tell that I can be a little type A even when I’m not coaching.
Would you ever coach your spouse or have them coach you?
What do you think would be the pros/cons of living with your coach?
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I started out my running journey with my husband Ditiro as my running coach… I quickly fired him and landed a new online coach! LOL! I’m really organised and structured and need a clear plan. He is the complete opposite – very, very chilled and casual so he didn’t believe in having a plan – he would just wake up and say, “Let’s go for a run!” So I just didn’t take him seriously!! But having said that, it really is nice to have someone who has been running for 20 years there all the time. If I have any questions, he knows what to say and he is such a great support… just not the structured coach I need!
Haha thats funny that you ended up getting a different coach! Rob didnt really want a coach at all, so this was just convenient. He needs a little structure so it worked out well.
Hahah this is a great post! This sounds like a sweet setup to me. I would love for someone to wake me up with coffee and then cook me dinner at night. I’m not sure how this is possible but I forget to set the coffee pot at least twice a week. You would like it would just be part of my routine now, but I still forget … and it’s so annoying to wake up and realize there is no coffee. It’s like, why did I even get out of bed? 🙂
Oh no you need to get that coffee ready to go! We use a keurig so it doesn’t take very long to make it in the morning.
This cracked me up! #constantvigilance
Exactly…he can’t hide from me!
This is all so true, but made me 😂😂😂. And btw, free coaching is nothing to sneeze at. It’s a very wonderful perk to have😎
You are right! Sometimes I wish I had a free live-in coach!
Personally I’d love this setup. I mean what a great resource! I’m not one to slack on workouts so I think I’d appreciate the reminders to foam roll and such. He’s a lucky guy!
I feel the same way! I think it would be great to have someone there all the time to give constant feedback.
I guess Hubby is my running coach. I hate running by myself so it’s great we can go out running together. He helps with my breathing and setting a good pace. He’ll also gives me the kick up the backside if I need it sometimes, ha!
That’s great that he can help you and run with you!
I can definitely see the benefits — and how annoying it could be too. I’m sure he realizes that he’s really lucky — but probably forgets to tell you that!
I guess we will see how the race goes!
I love it! He’s a lucky guy to be married to a coach!
I think so too!
Paul and I never did any sport related coaching of each other but I did teach him how to play the piano! It started out with lessons, but he never wanted to practice when I was home, which was fine with me. Honestly, I don’t think I was that good of a teacher for him because after teaching music all day and then teaching my “real” piano students, the last thing I felt like doing was checking in on Paul!
That makes sense- if I spent my whole day coaching I don’t think I would want to come home and do it more!
I can definitely see how this could have its positives and negatives, but probably more positives! I think it’s great that you are there to give him reminders about foam rolling and to also be his driver after long runs!
I would have to agree that there are more positives:) And I guess we will just have to wait and see how the races goes!
There are certainly times where I want to skip everything and just veg. I was exhausted yesterday, but luckily that was after my strength training was done. I guess taking a day off today made me feel really tired yesterday? Sometimes I do skip workouts, but without a coach, only I know.
Exactly, Im sure there have been days he wanted to skip a workout but I try to give him that push to get out the door.
Haha I relate to this so much! I tell Ryan to foam roll all the time and wake him up early to run. There’s definitely upsides for me such as having a built-in running buddy, especially for long runs!
Its definitely nice to live with someone else who runs!
This is awesome for you guys! Rick is not a runner but my biggest cheerleader and supporter. He actually does give great advice when I ask him (and it usually is when I am not feeling great and his reply is “you will never regret taking a rest day”). He also drives me to my car if I ever feel like driving away from home a few miles and running back and he never questions any running purchases I make. Having him be my actual coach, though….um, no. I would not want to live w/ my coach or someone that I was coaching. Although, I am Rick’s nutritionist so I guess in a way that is the same. I gave him a plan years ago and he followed it and now he really does his own thing. I never comment on his food choices and will only give advice when asked. But honestly, for us…I think we would both rather just have a third party fill that role!
Thats so interesting that you gave him a good plan. I think that would be really tough because I would always feel like I was being watched! Haha. But I definitely know what you mean about having someone else to be in that role. For Rob, I know he wouldn’t pay someone to coach him, especially when I could do it for free.
I would LOVE a live-in coach! I think it would be so beneficial!!
I think so too! Especially if they can also cook for me.
I’m not sure my husband would deal well with me coaching him. He’ll barely listen to suggestions that I make when he mentions an issue LOL.
Ha! Well honestly I didnt know how this would go because in the past he hasn’t wanted to listen to me. But I think this time he was more open because he asked for the help.
I don’t know why but this line has me lol– ” But there I was to remind him- and not feed him dinner until he got it done. ” crack the whip! Lol
Haha yes! I sound pretty evil but it worked!
haha – that’s so funny! I think it’s great he as a built in coach!
It worked out well because he never would have hired a coach!
Ha! I’m glad you would feed Rob… after he got his workout done. 🙂 Too funny! My husband has written most of my training plans and I found that most helpful because I don’t like thinking about what my intervals are supposed to be. Beyond that, I’m self motivated so I didn’t need the push. I’m sure Rob will appreciate all of your efforts when that hard work pays off!!
So what time do you go to bed to get up at 4:30?
Its great that your husband wrote your training plans! I go to bed around 8:30. Even if I stay up until 9 I still end up waking up before 5!
My husband and I are both coaches, but I think it would be hard for either of us to coach the other. Or I should say that it would be hard for either of us to BE COACHED by the other. 🙂
I hear ya! Im not sure I would want someone close to me as my coach. In this case, I think it was all about the convenience for him (and that it was free!)
I can definitely see the benefits (for both of you), but I can also see a landmine of annoyances (again, on both parts). I’ve tried coaching my husband, and after awhile he revolts (out of HIS annoyance at me), and then I get an attitude (because of his arrogance). yes, so it does not happen very often LOL.
Haha yes, I kind of thought this would go similarly but luckily its worked out, I think because he knew he needed a little more guidance and structure this time around.
Haha, great post! My husband and I don’t even usually run together, even though we are both runners, so I can only imagine if one of us were coaching the other one 🙂
We don’t usually run together either! I may have run with him during his marathon training, but I was injured so it wasn’t even an option.
I think it would be okay if there was not constant monitoring and discussion about everything going on in life and how it relates to the running training. That would be too much. But to be able to check in OFICIALLY once or twice a day would be fine.
There is definitely a fine line. I let alot of things go because I knew it would just be too annoying if we were always talking about training.
You got to love it! My hubby was a professional athlete for decades. He taught me how to ski- hate it. He plays golf with me and I love it! But there are moments when I just walk off so I do poke him- LOL!
Haha! Its always interesting to participate in a sport with a spouse!