Finding A Coach!
Happy Friday friends! I hope you are having a wonderful day so far! I wanted to pop in today and share a few tips when it comes to finding a coach. As we get farther into the year, I know that some runners have started to think about training for new or longer distances. Finding a coach can be a bit nerve wracking but once you find the right fit, it’s worth it!
Personality Style
This is a major key. What kind of personality or coaching style do you prefer? When it comes to this training cycle, I needed a coach that was going to motivate me through set backs. Distance isn’t an issue for me but I needed the extra push to actually go run. Maybe you don’t need that at all. You may just need the idea of being held accountable to get you going. Keep this in mind when you begin to search through different coaches.
Training Goals
When you’re choosing a coach, it’s good to have your goals in mind. Obviously, you don’t want to overextend yourself so it would be wise to have one big goal you are working toward. Communicate this with your coach candidates and see what their plans would be for you. Some coaches may want to narrow your focus if you are all over the place. This needs to happen right away and if your goals change, make sure to let your coach know!
Communication
How often do you want to hear from your coach? This can tie back into personality style. I am someone that likes to hear back from my coach rather quickly. My coach has a heart of gold and will tell me (nicely) if I need to reign it in. Maybe you only want to talk to your coach when you are having issues. Do you prefer email or video chats? These are things to take into consideration to make sure a certain coach is a good fit!
Those are three things to keep in mind when it comes to choosing a coach. Get suggestions from other runners in your circle and ask them what they liked about their coach. Testimonials and word of mouth are great ways to find out about coaches. Don’t be afraid to interview them and let know it isn’t working. This is for your benefit so speak up!
How did you meet your coach?
