On top of that they have zero actual running experience?
On top of that they have zero actual running experience?
have to ask wrote:
Why do you need a coach? Unless you're a pro and your wage-earning depends on running, but I doubt that's true if you're seeking out an online coach. Even if you're the local fast guy or gal, why would you need a coach? Just to carve 30 seconds off your Turkey Trot time?
Ok, if you're attempting a big goal like the Oly trials, sure maybe. But to qualify for Boston or NY guaranteed? Just run more miles, solid tempos, and read some good books (Pfitzinger, Daniels) and some good articles (Running Times, not Runners World).
Have to fully agree with this. When it comes right down to it running is not rocket science. There's no magic. Lots' of mileage and throw in some speed work. Done. Sure you can trim some seconds off with weight loss, proper diet, the right shoes, etc. But all you really need to do is run. And lots of it. If you're in the ballpark of a world record then okay. But for your above average runner on down you're throwing money away. And that's okay if you want the attention and need someone to tell you what to do every waking moment.
Glenn McCarthy wrote:
I do not do "internet" coaching. I use email and phone calls to work with the runners I coach.
Glenn McCarthy
You do know that email is on the Internet, right? I guess the only difference here is that you must not have a website. The website is a tool to market your coaching service, not actually do the coaching. Of course any coach will use email, phone calls and occasionally meet in person if possible.
have to ask wrote:
Why do you need a coach? Unless you're a pro and your wage-earning depends on running, but I doubt that's true if you're seeking out an online coach. Even if you're the local fast guy or gal, why would you need a coach? Just to carve 30 seconds off your Turkey Trot time?
Ok, if you're attempting a big goal like the Oly trials, sure maybe. But to qualify for Boston or NY guaranteed? Just run more miles, solid tempos, and read some good books (Pfitzinger, Daniels) and some good articles (Running Times, not Runners World).
you're right - the technical parts of training are not hard at the recreational level -
where a coach can help is psychology - he can make you confident that you did the training right and the did the right training. Fewer doubts = faster runners. Like Malmo has said, a huge role of a coach is motivator.
Plus, if you pay a few hundred dollars, you might try a little harder in the races to make the expense worth it.
So sorry to hear about your coach...
82939/31212 wrote:
The trouble is, seems that everyone considers themselves an exphys-guru with all of the answers. I have no idea how to sort out the good from the bad. Thanks in advance!
Guess what? There are no secrets. Of course they all have to say they have all the answers because they are asking people to pay them MONEY for advice that is easy to come by. Learn your own truth! Why not:
- Get a running mentor. As mentioned a lot of the benefit of a coach is motivation. Ask some older runners for advice when needed. And LISTEN to it. People that have a passion for something don't need money in order to help people.
- Get some running partners. Put the word out in your neighborhood that you are looking. Try to meet people at local races (great if they finish close to you) and find out where they train and if they are interested in running together.
- Get some running books - Daniels Running Formula is a classic and spells it all out. Lore of Running if you want to get technical, anything by George Sheehan if you need motivation, and Pete Pfitzenger or Brad Hudson have useful books too. Even the letsrun "good threads" have a lot of great tifbits. Learn for yourself. It might be more more fun and you don't have to pay anyone for free information.
Good luck with everything!
Well said, txRUNNERgirl.Ahah, I love the "I do not do "internet" coaching" with the word internet in quotes by Glenn McCarthy. Glenn, how old are you?
txRUNNERgirl wrote:
Glenn McCarthy wrote:I do not do "internet" coaching. I use email and phone calls to work with the runners I coach.
Glenn McCarthy
You do know that email is on the Internet, right? I guess the only difference here is that you must not have a website. The website is a tool to market your coaching service, not actually do the coaching. Of course any coach will use email, phone calls and occasionally meet in person if possible.
I would look for a coach that has had "reputable" success with a variety of athletes, i.e. athletes of different ages, competitive level, etc. The likelihood of improved ability due to coaching versus general development is much more likely with a coach who has had success with many different athletes (as opposed to someone who just coaches "elites" or just coaches "school kids" or the "local running club"). My two cents.
82939/31212 wrote:
Just lost my last coach to death. Thought about it for a time and think that I might better go with a web coach...? Can anyone point me in the right direction toward 2-4 coaches that have the the ratings and personal experience. The trouble is, seems that everyone considers themselves an exphys-guru with all of the answers. I have no idea how to sort out the good from the bad. Thanks in advance!
sba wrote:
have to ask wrote:Why do you need a coach? Unless you're a pro and your wage-earning depends on running, but I doubt that's true if you're seeking out an online coach. Even if you're the local fast guy or gal, why would you need a coach? Just to carve 30 seconds off your Turkey Trot time?
Ok, if you're attempting a big goal like the Oly trials, sure maybe. But to qualify for Boston or NY guaranteed? Just run more miles, solid tempos, and read some good books (Pfitzinger, Daniels) and some good articles (Running Times, not Runners World).
Have to fully agree with this. When it comes right down to it running is not rocket science. There's no magic. Lots' of mileage and throw in some speed work. Done. Sure you can trim some seconds off with weight loss, proper diet, the right shoes, etc. But all you really need to do is run. And lots of it. If you're in the ballpark of a world record then okay. But for your above average runner on down you're throwing money away. And that's okay if you want the attention and need someone to tell you what to do every waking moment.
Agree
Also you are also losing out on two of the most important reasons to have a coach - training partners and someone to give you encouragement as you do workouts
Glenn probably sent that e-mail in a bit of a rush and did not convey exactly what he meant.
FWIW I received a very thorough explanation of how do best do hill training in 2007 from Glenn and was not charged a cent.
sfdg345 wrote:
On top of that they have zero actual running experience?
Like Bill Bowerman or Colm O'Connell.
drtiop wrote:
They (Pfitzinger, Daniels, Running Times) are the reason, why I we have no speed. I don't need more endurace guys. Why run 100 miles a week and only run a 31:50 10k?
Did you need a coach to tell you that you needed more speed or did you realize that on your own? (Honest question.) Cookie cutter plans like Daniels and Pfitzinger can be helpful, but you need to glean the key points from all of them and then tailor it to your training history. If you lack speed, work on it. If you lack endurance, work on it. If you lack strength, work on it.
agip wrote:
you're right - the technical parts of training are not hard at the recreational level -
where a coach can help is psychology - he can make you confident that you did the training right and the did the right training. Fewer doubts = faster runners. Like Malmo has said, a huge role of a coach is motivator.
Plus, if you pay a few hundred dollars, you might try a little harder in the races to make the expense worth it.
I don't win many races, but I have no problem giving it all in races. I can't remember a race I've ever run where paying hundreds of dollars to someone would have motivated me to run any harder during the race. Or even train harder and better in the training cycle.
ukathleticscoach wrote:
Also you are also losing out on two of the most important reasons to have a coach - training partners and someone to give you encouragement as you do workouts
Training partners. Now that is a very good reason to have a coach and something I wish I could benefit from.
This is the reason why, most whites are slow runners. Every slow white guy, think he is smart. The TOP BEST WHITE RUNNERS ARE SMART, THEY HAVE SPEED AND A GOOD COACH . How can you guys be smart and run so f***ING SlOW? Selfcoaching = more slow a** white runners in the world.
Randy Oldman wrote:
Like Bill Bowerman or Colm O'Connell.
Just to be clear, you just compared Bill Bowerman and Colm O'Connell to these two ladies.
http://yourrunningbuddy.com/?q=Coach%20BiosOKNUHF wrote:
... Every slow white guy, think he is smart. ...
How can anyone challenge such a well crafted comment? Your excellent grammar adds credence to your insinuation that an entire race of athletes is not smart.
If "yourrunningbuddy" can't keep up with you, do you get a refund?
NOTOKNUHFF wrote:
OKNUHF wrote:... Every slow white guy, think he is smart. ...
How can anyone challenge such a well crafted comment? Your excellent grammar adds credence to your insinuation that an entire race of athletes is not smart.
He told you what the problem is a** hold. Stop and look at what the guy is posting
txRUNNERgirl wrote:
http://www.xcnation.com/rossrunningDave Ross (aka nikeman) has an online coaching service that is $350 for a year, $200 for 6 months and can do customized plans starting at $40 per month (if your goal race is less than 6 months away, for example). That's very reasonable compared to what a lot of other coaches charge, but he's not in it for the money.
As for personal experience, he is my coach. He's very good with personalizing training plans to individual goals, abilities and paces. Everyone has been improving.
Didn't you have to quit running because of osteopenia? And don't you swear by compression socks?
Not son good wrote:
Didn't you have to quit running because of osteopenia? And don't you swear by compression socks?[/quote]
The osteopenia and stress fractures caused me to quit running in college, but not quit running entirely. That was back in 2007. As for the compression socks, I do swear by them, but I got healthy first by eating better, taking time to recover, etc. That took a while. I was able to run pretty consistently by 2008, but didn't race or anything. I started dating Dave in 2009 and soon caught the racing bug again. I did okay on my own, but I'm doing better since he started coaching me last summer. It helps to be held accountable. It helps to have someone else supporting you. It also helps to feel like you're a part of a team.
Dashlp wrote:
NOTOKNUHFF wrote:How can anyone challenge such a well crafted comment? Your excellent grammar adds credence to your insinuation that an entire race of athletes is not smart.
He told you what the problem is a** hold. Stop and look at what the guy is posting
You get right, you F***ing A** hold. If they was smart, they would have a f***ing coach.