I'm a coach. And I hired a coach
Admitting to myself that it might be time to hire a coach felt strange at first. I understand physiology, how to apply it, different training approaches, periodization, programming, and other super fun stuff!* I have an analytical mind and am a 'people person' - traits that have served me well during my teaching and coaching career. I love working with runners of all backgrounds, coaching them through the highs and lows, and watching them run down their goals and succeed. Gee, I sound great! I should just coach myself! 😂 So, why did I feel I could benefit from working with a coach?
When I mentioned wanting to hire a coach in a Facebook group, one of the group members was able to articulate what I had already known, but struggled to put into words. She wrote:
I’m a psychologist that sees a psychologist when I need to! It’s called believing in your craft and valuing it!
She was right. Having worked as a coach for years, I understand the benefits of inviting another person with an objective view into your running journey. So, I did my research and I found a coach with whom I clicked, who listens to my needs and goals (and gives me a kick in the pants if needed 😆).
Here's what having a coach has done for me so far:
A coach can focus on the thinking, so you can just focus on the running. I no longer have to think about my training plan! I LOVE thinking about other people's plans. I don't want to think about mine. This allows me to focus my energy on my run and the recovery.
A coach offers an outside perspective. We all get caught up inside our heads at times. I find it helpful to have somebody who can pull me out of an unhelpful thought pattern, somebody who can help me refocus.
A coach provides motivation and support. Having regular communication with somebody who is invested in my running automatically increases my motivation to do well, and it holds me accountable.
A coach makes you do the runs you wouldn't normally do if left to your own devices. Every runner is different. Some enjoy speed work. Others (if you let them) will run easy all day long. I am the ladder. If you know me, you know how much I love my "Dilly-dally" pace. But that means my speed is underdeveloped. A coach helps me become a more well-rounded runner by adding variety.
A coach helps you reduce the risk of injury by encouraging strength training, warm-up routines, etc.
A coach helps you reflect on your performance. We have all heard the phrase "listen to your body." But how often do you really listen? (You know who you are. 😉) Having a coach makes me reflect on my runs more deeply.
Bottom line is, anybody can benefit from having a coach. Even a coach!
(*Sidenote: I LOVE talking about anything training. So, if you ever want to nerd out over a glass of wine, let me know!)
(Yes. I'm wearing my Brooks Christmas shirt and it's not even Thanksgiving. What can I say. It's 2020 and I'm embracing the chaos that comes with it.)
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