How do I politely tell someone their coaching services are a joke?

Dont. If anybody has brains they wont get coaching from them, unless they have other credentials for it. Most their coaching is probably ripped from some running book anyways.

Just ask them if they can get you to run world class times and see what their response is.

RejectRunner wrote:

Dont. If anybody has brains they wont get coaching from them, unless they have other credentials for it. Most their coaching is probably ripped from some running book anyways.

That's fair. I just want them to know that I'm embarrassed for them.

Why would you want to say that? Sounds like you are just a dickhead.

Cheers!

A service isn't a joke just because it isn't targeted at you. Also, you don't have to be a successful competitor to be a good coach. There are NFL coaches who were never great football players. There are running coaches who were never elite runners.

Maybe this person's program is a complete waste of money. Maybe it isn't. The information provided isn't really sufficient to draw a conclusion either way.

not enough info wrote:

A service isn't a joke just because it isn't targeted at you. Also, you don't have to be a successful competitor to be a good coach. There are NFL coaches who were never great football players. There are running coaches who were never elite runners.

Maybe this person's program is a complete waste of money. Maybe it isn't. The information provided isn't really sufficient to draw a conclusion either way.

This.

Chances are nobody is buying the program anyway as ultra runners are usually rather experienced runners anyway and don't need a coach if they just want to finish. You don't go from couch to ultras normally.

not enough info wrote:

A service isn't a joke just because it isn't targeted at you. Also, you don't have to be a successful competitor to be a good coach. There are NFL coaches who were never great football players. There are running coaches who were never elite runners.

Maybe this person's program is a complete waste of money. Maybe it isn't. The information provided isn't really sufficient to draw a conclusion either way.

Another fair point. So maybe the question I should be asking is: "Can you point to some recent results from your clients?" I don't understand how you can charge someone money for a service and not have any sort of education, clients, past history, or present results. If she told me she lowered her 5k PR from 46 mins (yes, a real time of hers) to 26 mins, am I supposed to be impressed and highly recommend her??

Moby Dick wrote:

Another fair point. So maybe the question I should be asking is: "Can you point to some recent results from your clients?" I don't understand how you can charge someone money for a service and not have any sort of education, clients, past history, or present results. If she told me she lowered her 5k PR from 46 mins (yes, a real time of hers) to 26 mins, am I supposed to be impressed and highly recommend her??

Sounds like a dumb thing to ask.

How about this: Perhaps, just perhaps, it is up to the provider of services and the consumer of services to determine whether or not to engage in a commercial transaction of services for money. Weird idea, I know.

And the corollary is that douche bags really don't add any value by sticking their nose into what is obviously not their business.

You think this "coach" has something to offer YOU? Great, go ahead and have a chat with them about that. You don't think that they have anything to offer YOU. Great, STFU and mind your own business.

Cheers!

Agree with this past. The coaches aren't misrepresenting themselves or doing anything unethical. Let the market decide if there is demand for their services, and keep your pie hole shut.

Nah, I like to make sure other people don't get f'd over. She has nothing to offer me, you're correct. But she's asking people to pay her money. To use the example above about the "plenty of NFL coaches weren't great players": But they didn't just start charging people money to be an NFL coach. They started as a coach somewhere, or as an assistant, and worked their way up.

Honestly, this is a cash cow. There are so many people looking to just "finish" a 5k, half or full. These people serve as a sparknotes of most running books. But what they really do is serve as a cheerleader. That's fine for people who have no running ability and just want to run. Let it happen. Block the posts on facebook, instagram, etc... The only time to step in is when they are leading people to get hurt.

Don't recommend them but don't bash them.

My 401k voted for trump wrote:

Pointing Out the Obvious wrote:

Sounds like a dumb thing to ask.

How about this: Perhaps, just perhaps, it is up to the provider of services and the consumer of services to determine whether or not to engage in a commercial transaction of services for money. Weird idea, I know.

And the corollary is that douche bags really don't add any value by sticking their nose into what is obviously not their business.

You think this "coach" has something to offer YOU? Great, go ahead and have a chat with them about that. You don't think that they have anything to offer YOU. Great, STFU and mind your own business.

Cheers!

Agree with this past. The coaches aren't misrepresenting themselves or doing anything unethical. Let the market decide if there is demand for their services, and keep your pie hole shut.

Also, YOU are not adding any value sticking YOUR nose into my business. If you don't have anything constructive to offer, you're simply being hypocritical.

not enough info wrote:

A service isn't a joke just because it isn't targeted at you. Also, you don't have to be a successful competitor to be a good coach. There are NFL coaches who were never great football players. There are running coaches who were never elite runners.

Maybe this person's program is a complete waste of money. Maybe it isn't. The information provided isn't really sufficient to draw a conclusion either way.

Maybe not successful but someone who's pb is 26 mins for 5km sounds like a beginner with no experience of a proper training programme. I was no great runner myself but at least trained with international or close to standard. I bet they have not. You would get better advice for an ultra from a hiking club as that's the pace this person has done.

Unlike the coaches, you asked for people to stick their noses in your business. If you read my post, you will find some constructive advice. Don't be so douche-like.

My 401k voted for trump wrote:

Unlike the coaches, you asked for people to stick their noses in your business. If you read my post, you will find some constructive advice. Don't be so douche-like.

They posted on a public forum, asking people to pay them money for a service. When that happens, you open up yourself to review and criticism. I also did the same thing, and you somehow see this as different because it fits your agenda. Don't be so douche-like.

psychrunner wrote:

Don't recommend them but don't bash them.

Fair enough.

Moby Dick wrote:

psychrunner wrote:

Don't recommend them but don't bash them.

Fair enough.

In other words, keep your pie hole shut and let the market decide the fate of their business.

My 401k voted for trump wrote:

Moby Dick wrote:

Fair enough.

In other words, keep your pie hole shut and let the market decide the fate of their business.

You're so useless, bud. I imagine your wife hates you or has already left you, if not she's cheating on you. If you're not married, it's a pretty obvious reason why.

What I said your hopeful end goal here? Does the coach come to the realization that you are right, and give full refunds to all the participants?