When I start working with a new client, my first priority is to try to understand you. I’m interested in your running journey (of course!), but I’m more interested in figuring out how we are going to work together – how do you express yourself, how do you communicate, and how do I best offer the kind of support you most need? Choosing a coach is really personal, and every coach I know (quite a few!) agrees that the interpersonal relationship between coach and athlete is far more important than the exact details of the training methods the coach favours. In that spirit, I thought I’d try to explain who I am and how I work, to help you decide whether you’d like to work with me.
What I am:
My style is fundamentally collaborative, rather than authoritative. I will be interested in frequent updates on how your training sessions feel, in understanding how you are adapting to the training load overall, and in your input on whether we are pitching things at the right level. I believe that the person who understands your body best is you, because you are the one running around in it! I will never be the coach who tells you to power through a session if you tell me you’re feeling fatigued or under the weather; I am far more likely to suggest that you listen to your body and rest.
I am flexible; I will support you in making training work around your life as far as possible. It’s not a problem if you need to move or change sessions at short notice, for example due to childcare commitments or work travel. I will work with what you have to hand, for example setting you a hill session if you want to train on holiday in a hilly location. I will also try to work with your preferences around racing; if you want to pack several events into a short period of time, I will try to help you figure out how that will work. However, I will also be honest with you if I think that your decisions may have unintended consequences. For example, if your schedule means that you always have to do your interval sessions immediately after going to the gym to do a strength session, I’d let you know that the effectiveness of your speed session is likely to be compromised. Similarly, if you wanted to train for two events very close together, I would support you in that. But I would also highlight the compromise involved in that decision – you may not achieve your absolute best in either event with a split focus.
I am your cheerleader! No goal is too big, or too small – if it is important to you, then it matters to me too. I will be the person who helps you to expand the boundaries of what is possible; I know you can achieve more than you dare to think you can. I will be by your side to support you with every aspect of reaching that goal, which goes far beyond simply writing you a training plan. I am the coach for you if you want an empathetic and supportive approach; I’m interested in you as a person outside of your training. Many of my clients become good friends. I am also organised, methodical and detail oriented; you’ll always have a carefully considered plan delivered to you in good time!
What I’m not:
I’m not a drill sergeant. I am not here to force you into going out for a run, as I value intrinsic motivation which comes from within you. I don’t believe that completely extrinsic motivation (i.e. only running because you feel accountable to a coach) works for the long haul. I’m happy to be the person that you feel accountable to, as part of your broader backdrop of why you run, but if I see you haven’t completed a planned session or two I will gently check in to see if you’re ok, rather than hassle you. Don’t choose me as a coach if you’re looking for someone who will give you grief for not completing a session.
I’m not a social media superstar! I am not a natural inhabitant of the Facebook and Instagram spheres, and use these platforms quite sparingly. I also believe that my athletes’ race plans and outcomes are theirs to share and celebrate, so I won’t post your race schedules or your achievements. I won’t tell people that I’m coaching you, unless you decide to share this. Your running is your business, basically! Don’t choose me as a coach if you’re looking for someone who is a social media guru.
I suppose I should add something about the practical stuff…
If you’re interested in my background as a runner, and my progression from adult beginner to ultrarunner and coach, have a look here, and here. And if you’d like to know more about the nuts and bolts of coaching, have a look here. I don't have any fixed terms for my clients; I believe coaching is right for you for as long as it's right. Having said that, I do suggest that around three months is a good length of time for us to get to know each other - it is the deepening personal relationship that starts to allow for really effective communication and therefore training.
I hope this is a useful insight! I am always happy to chat with prospective clients, and I set aside plenty of time for these conversations so that we can get to know each other properly. There is no expectation or obligation following an initial conversation, so please feel free to be in touch if you’d like to explore working together.
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