Being a new runner can often feel overwhelming. At first it seems rather simple, you just put on your shoes and start running, right? But pretty soon you realise that nothing is ever as easy as it seems, often it can be quite complicated, and it can lead to an ever growing number of questions.
How often should I run?
How fast should I run?
How far should I run?
What shoes should I wear?
How should I eat?
How do I avoid injury?
The list seems to grow constantly and your seemingly easy hobby is now anything but simple. So you find yourself seeking help, and the idea of hiring a coach crosses your mind, but this too brings more questions.
What does a coach do?
How can they help me?
How much does it cost, and is it worth it?
Well this post is here to try and answer some of these questions and show how investing in a coach can be beneficial for any runner, no matter where you are in your journey or what your goals are. So what exactly are some of the benefits?
Personalised training plan
Let’s start with the obvious: personalised training plans! Anyone can find a whole host of generic training plans online, but people are far from generic. We all start with different fitness levels and abilities, we have different goals and limitations, our lifestyles and schedules vary, and we each adapt to training stimuli at different rates.
So if we are all so different, why do we assume that any generic training plan will do? What works for one person might push another too hard and lead to injury or burnout, or equally it might not push them hard enough and hold them back from reaching their full potential. A coach can take all the variables into account and craft a plan tailored specifically to your circumstances, optimising your progress and chance of success while minimising the potential for setbacks.
Any training plan will inevitably require adjusting from time to time, whether it’s adapting to your increasing fitness levels, dealing with illness or injury, or when life just gets in the way (as it tends to do!). A coach will know to make those adjustments to keep you on track to achieve your goals, saving you the hassle and stress of trying to work it out for yourself and, more importantly, save you from making the mistake of sticking with a plan that doesn’t work for you.
Expert guidance and feedback
A coach won’t just create a training plan however. They bring with them a wealth of knowledge and expertise that you can, and should, exploit as much as possible. All those questions that you have can be answered, and in a way that applies to you and your goals. Coaches love to talk about running so take advantage. In fact, a good coach will look to teach you as much as possible, and if you can learn enough to be capable of coaching yourself, we’ve done our job well!
As well as answering any questions you have, a coach can assess your form and technique, making adjustments to improve your efficiency and reduce your risk of injury. They can also provide real time feedback during in-person sessions that can help you to develop good habits and break bad ones.
The guidance and feedback a coach provides can help you reach new heights with your running and provide the support you need to reach your full running potential.
Accountability and motivation
Staying committed and motivated is a major challenge that all runners will face at some point in their journey, especially if you are only accountable to yourself, and this is where a coach can be invaluable. The structure and accountability they provide through regular check-ins to discuss your progress, goals and challenges can keep you focused and motivated.
Having someone to answer to who can share your journey and provide support and encouragement, even through the hardest of times, can make all the difference in inspiring you to push beyond your limits and achieve more than you ever thought you were capable of.
Injury prevention and management
The risk of injury is a big concern for any runner, especially new runners, but a coach can identify any potential issues or imbalances that might increase that injury risk and help provide guidance on how to address them, whether through adjusting your running technique or suggesting specific strength and mobility exercises.
They can also help you develop a balanced regimen of progression and cross training with rest and recovery to enable you to be consistent in your training while minimising the risk of injury. And if you do happen to pick up an injury, a coach can be invaluable in managing the recovery progress, modifying your training with alternative methods of maintaining your fitness while providing the support and guidance you need to get back on track safely.
Mental strength and goal setting
Running isn’t just a physical challenge, it’s also a mental one, and a coach can play a crucial role in helping you to develop your mental strength and resilience. Their guidance on techniques including visualisation, positive self-talk and affirmations, and mental focus and clarity can help you to overcome mental barriers, push through fatigue and self-doubt, and enable you to both set and achieve more meaningful goals.
Invest in your future
While it may seem like an extravagance and you might wonder if it’s worth the added expense, hiring a coach should be seen as an investment, both in your future fitness and your overall health and wellbeing. They can accelerate your progress, optimise your training, and enable you to reach your goals more safely and efficiently. As for the cost, it very much depends on the coach, their experience and qualifications, and the services they offer. What’s important is to find the right coach for you, so look around, ask questions and get to know them, and if it doesn’t feel like the right fit, even after signing up with them, then move on.
What are you waiting for!
The expertise a coach can provide in creating personalised training plans, providing expert guidance and feedback, accountability, motivation, injury prevention and management, and their skill in nurturing the development of mental strength and resilience, are undeniable advantages that can be a game changer for any runner, but especially for new runners. So why settle for mediocrity when you can invest in your future running success and reach your full potential.
Venture-Running 