How did you adjust to a new coach?

I miss Dave too.

It is hard making that transition. If after this season, you are not reaching your personal goals, talk with the new guy and maybe incorporate "what works for you" into your training.

You really liked your old coach?

Maybe he really liked you too and can still help.

There's this thing called the internet...

write your old coach and ask for assistance or guidance

if your new coach doesn't inspire or motivate you

you are allowed to have more than one coach

you can learn and grow from anyone you choose,

choose wisely

Thanks for the replies and I have kept in touch with my old coach, as far as I can tell he liked me pretty well and we have emailed a few times this semester. I'm really just trying to give the new guy a chance and I feel like if I keep in touch with my old coach on a regular basis it would be cheating the new guy, I dunno. The problem probably is that I really wanted to "learn and grow" from the old guy and the new guy has a lot of different ideas about things than my old coach and I pretty much agreed with my old coach across the board.

I'd give the new guy a chance. The motivation piece will probably become apparent once you get use to the new style.

Maybe you can work something out with him and incorporate the new and old coach ideas together. If you just talk to your new coach, he should listen. He probably wants what is best for you as much as you do. Just talk to him and give him a chance.

Maybe you could ask Alan Webb for advice.

You said, "the new guy has a lot of different ideas about things than my old coach and I pretty much agreed with my old coach across the board"

Go with that feeling...

How insecure and immature would the new coach be if your old college coach or old h.s. coach or your dad was Jack Daniels or Joe Vigil or someone else with 30-40 years of coaching experience?

If the new guy thinks you are cheating on him, the problem isn't yours, it's his.

You are allowed to listen to a second opinion and hear from someone you know and trust. If the new guy disagrees with that, can you really trust their opinion? And what else about them makes you feel unsure about following their direction?

Wouldn't it be bizarre if your college professors were jealous of others teaching you?

Even older - not good advice. your last sentence makes no sense. If you can't work with this coach, quit or transfer. You have the problem, not him. Good luck.

OK, this is poor advice too. Sounds like you've been with this coach for less than a season. Give it some time. You usually don't see spectacular results right away with good programs.

If you are having questions about the program address him. If you put in the work and don't see improvement and/or just don't agree with it - address the problem at hand, he'll understand. If you are doing workouts behind his back or this or that - then you are already addressing the problem and you (probably) wont improve - and if he knows you're doing this then he's probably already pissed at you. Give him a fair shake, and he'll give you one.

"A bad plan is better than no plan" - Scott Razco(sp)(alan webbs coach)

If it's a question of motivation, then read a book. His personality is not going to change. If you don't have oodles of intrinsic motivation then you'll never reach your potential anyway...

You're not dating him - he's your coach. You can't dump your college coach, but, unlike a girlfriend, you can actually ask him questions and work with him and he wont be a bitch about it...

You can't dump your college coach?

Let's ask Galen Rupp and Alberto Salazar.

That's just one famous example. I can cite dozens more that are not so famous where the new coach was a dud

and the runner(s) continued to be coached and counseled by a coach that could help them shine and reach their potential.

There's more than a few out there that do the majority of their weekly mileage on their own with only one or two actual workouts side by side with teammates.

The coach should see that you are true to the sport and have done your homework and aren't going to quit the sport or the team and should be happy to have you happy and healthy.

If not, and their ego is getting in the way and they are trying to make an example of you and punish you for their perceived view of you being disloyal and not following their commandments...well, then they're a dope.

Ask for a private meeting and sit down in a one on one with the new fellow and tell him how you feel and what you can contribute to the team. Anything and everything can be negotiated. You are an adult. Don't stand for any childish "My way or the highway" lectures from him.