How often have you said to yourself, “If only I knew how to train properly!”

How often have you wondered just how good you can be at running, or whether you could be any good at all?

Working with a running coach is often the link between casual enjoyment of the sport and being able to perform at a higher level, while overcoming those obstacles that have been holding you back!

I started running when I was in grade school in a very loose and unstructured program. We would even compete in track and field meets, but there was no real coaching or training methods being taught or emphasized. We just ran and jumped and did so in whichever way felt the most comfortable. When I entered high school I joined the track team and soon began experimenting with different distances to see where I would be the strongest runner. I also started following a training plan for the first time, learned how to warm up and cool down, and learned what the different workouts were. This was the first time I had actually been coached by someone, one-on-one, and the experience was invaluable. I went on to excel as a runner and I was recognized statewide for my accomplishments.

My experience with having a coach extended beyond my high school and college years and well into my adult years as I was competing on the track and on the road racing circuit. I was still very competitive but I needed the structure, advice and direction that only an experienced running coach could provide. My coach taught me how to train properly in order to avoid injury, how to do the necessary running recovery and how to focus on both the big picture goals and the little things that made all the difference. Mary D’Arcy, a local competitive runner from Wakefield, RI says, “I had always been a do-it-yourself runner when it came to training. It took a running coach to see that I was far more capable than I had ever realized and to push me to new limits.” Under the guidance of a running coach, she has gone on to run personal bests in the 5K, half marathon and full marathon distances.

Working with an experienced running coach allows you to:

• Have someone who can hold you accountable to your daily runs and weekly goals.
• Leave the details (workouts, mileage, pace) to someone else to figure out (the coach!).
• Trust that you are following a plan that makes sense and is tailored to your specific goals and experience level.
• Get advice on which races to run and when to run them.
• Have someone who is focused on injury prevention but who can also guide you through an injury if necessary.
• Dream of what you can accomplish, because you may just be scratching the surface of your own ability.

...and these are just SOME of the many benefits of a running coach.

Run better. Run smarter. Run for life.

Coach Mwangi