Is it worth it to hire a coach?

My kids have a coach and it helps a lot but I imagine it's not as personalized with an online coach.

I'll coach you, do you like hilly fartlek runs?

Aspiring sociopath wrote:

Just wondering if anyone on here has hired a coach and how it compares to training on your own. I'm thinking of hiring a coach (possibly McKirdy Trained) but I'm wondering if I'm better off just following a book's program like Jack Daniels or Hal Higdon or something. Is it worth paying ~$150 a month for personalized workouts? Also curious how personalized these workouts are or if these virtual coaches just give all their athletes the same workouts anyway?

Disclosure: I have coached adult distance runners off and on since 1996.

A lot depends on your goals. If you want to finish a marathon, a program from Daniels, Higdon, Pfitzinger and others will get you there.

One issue there is what happens when you need to adjust the schedule. Let's say you have a business trip that takes you away for 5 days and you are not going to be able to run or the likelihood of running is low. The book plan offers no input. And something is going to throw off that plan. You may get sick. Ok, how long do I not run? What do I do when I get better? Do I just pick up where I would have been or repeat a week?

A coach can offer objective feedback. We can often fool ourselves or maybe not push ourselves. I had one runner who would not do speedwork on her own. But I put it in so she would do it.

To me, the coach-athlete relationship is a relationship. You have to be honest with me and give me information. I need to be understanding, honest and push you a bit outside your comfort zone.

I have core workouts that I use, but the intensity is adjusted. So while I might have everyone doing the same workout, the pace is individualized. So if one person is doing 3x1K that pace is X and another is doing Y based on their abilities at the time. Some newer runners might do 2x1k and some more seasoned runners might do 4x1K.

The other thing I bring is putting the schedule together. Balancing rest and work. I ask all my runners to use a Google calendar to put in events that I should know about (business trips, vacations---it might be hard to believe but some people do not run on vacations, weddings, etc.). I can then work around them.

I have runners who like to hike 14ers (being in Colorado) or do the Incline (this crazy 1 mile 45 degree hike). I work around those activities. I am not working with "serious" runners for the most part so they want to have a life outside of running.

The only way you will know if the workouts are individualized (or to what degree) is to look at the coach's other runners training schedules. You are not likely to have that option though.

I do have core workouts that I give to runners. I think that too often we try to get too cute with workouts or think there is a MAGIC interval session. Also there are no "secrets".

I also answer questions. My favorites start with "I was reading on the internet...". (STOP READING THE INTERNET!)

I also spend a lot of time just listening. I had one runner whose wife was okay with him training for a marathon, but she was not interested in the minutiae so our weekly calls were a chance to let him talk about running.

I suggest getting an hour of the coach's time on a phone call or in person (I really think that having a coach who can meet with you face to face and see you run is better than distance coaching---I have done both) and chatting. It is an interview. You are hiring this person. Also, keep in mind the coach might not want to coach you. I have turned people away usually because I did not think I could help them (like training for an ultra) or I just did not connect with the person (I said it is a relationship).

Why McKirdy trained?

They seem to have a lot of success based on social media. I don't know of too many others. I guess they do a good job with marketing. Any better recommendations?

Luv2Run wrote:

or think there is a MAGIC interval session.

Ummmm...ever hear of DANCAN???

Gravy wrote:

Luv2Run wrote:

or think there is a MAGIC interval session.

Ummmm...ever hear of DANCAN???

20 x 400 with rest being heart rate down to 120 BPM and LT- intervals.

Luv2Run pretty much nailed it.

What are your PRs/goals?

17:35 5K about ten years ago, probably in about 19:50 shape right now. Hoping to run a half marathon next spring sub 1:25. I've always been more middle distance oriented though so not sure how it will translate.

Smoove coaches.

I started with a coach in January. I am much faster than I would be without him and doing a higher volume than I would have ever tried alone. (Swim/Bike/Run)

Ran my first good marathon in 15 years in June.

You want to run your current 5 k pace for a half marathon in about half a year? Good luck.

My coach has helped me a lot post college. He coaches me over email, text and phone. We live in different states

From 4:41 Mile to 4:34

5k 17:45 to 16:21

3k 9:41 to 9:13

I'm a female by the way and this all happened in 12 months.

His website is Runccg.com

Aspiring sociopath wrote:

Just wondering if anyone on here has hired a coach and how it compares to training on your own. I'm thinking of hiring a coach (possibly McKirdy Trained) but I'm wondering if I'm better off just following a book's program like Jack Daniels or Hal Higdon or something. Is it worth paying ~$150 a month for personalized workouts? Also curious how personalized these workouts are or if these virtual coaches just give all their athletes the same workouts anyway?

You can get one of the worlds very best online coaches for only 60 dollars a month. Is it worth it ?

You can ask the master runner age 43 who lowered his PR from 16:30 to 15:37 in just 2 months coaching, or ask the elite marathoner who lowered his marathon PR from 2:13:46 to 2:10:44 in just 3 months coaching and won the Nice-Cannes marathon 2016. just contact

to get world class coaching.

Partridge wrote:

You want to run your current 5 k pace for a half marathon in about half a year? Good luck.

I don't need luck; I have talent and a great work ethic on my side.

Thank you; this is really helpful info along with everyone who provided their insight. Seems like a coach is the way to go!

Luv2Run wrote:

Aspiring sociopath wrote:

Just wondering if anyone on here has hired a coach and how it compares to training on your own. I'm thinking of hiring a coach (possibly McKirdy Trained) but I'm wondering if I'm better off just following a book's program like Jack Daniels or Hal Higdon or something. Is it worth paying ~$150 a month for personalized workouts? Also curious how personalized these workouts are or if these virtual coaches just give all their athletes the same workouts anyway?

I think that too often we try to get too cute with workouts or think there is a MAGIC interval session. Also there are no "secrets".

Have you not followed the boards? There is actually a MAGIC interval session that just keep on produce personal records. The coach behind is the Superior online coach who goes under the name JS.

Your username would make for a good rock band name.