The path to peak performance: Why runners should hire a running coach
Introduction
Serious runners are no strangers to discipline, dedication, and hard work. They set ambitious goals and train hard to achieve them. While many self-coached athletes have achieved remarkable success, some even making World Championship and Olympic teams for GB, there comes a point in a runner's journey where the guidance, expertise and accountability of a professional coach become indispensable. In this blog post, we explore the numerous reasons why serious runners should consider hiring a professional coach to take their performance to new heights.
1. Customised Training Plans
One of the most significant advantages of working with a professional coach is the creation of customised training plans tailored to an individual's unique needs, goals, and ability. A coach will take into account factors such as current fitness level, previous injuries, lifestyle constraints, and race objectives to develop a personalised roadmap to success (often called a ‘mesocycle’). This personalised approach helps runners maximise their training efforts while minimizing the risk of overtraining and injury.
At DRT coaching we go further than this, by providing athletes with both an individualised running plan and Strength & Conditioning plan that work in harmony with each other to get you to where you want to be faster, and injury-free.
2. Expertise and Knowledge
Professional coaches are equipped with a wealth of knowledge and expertise gained from years of experience and education in the field of running and sports science. They stay up-to-date with the latest training techniques, research, and innovations to deliver the most effective training programs. Having a coach means having access to a vast pool of knowledge that can significantly impact a runner's performance and understanding of their own body.
Whilst only having been a coach for a short period, I’ve been running for over 12 years. In that time, I’ve competed in numerous national championships indoor, outdoor, and over cross-country, with my most significant achievements winning a silver medal in the Welsh National Championships over 800m, and coming 9th in the English Cross Country Championships.
Therefore, I know what it takes to perform at a high-level, and can help you get there too.
3. Objective Feedback
Objective feedback is invaluable for any athlete looking to improve. When runners self-coach, they may be prone to overlooking weaknesses or areas that need improvement. A professional coach can provide unbiased feedback on form, technique, and performance, helping runners make necessary adjustments for better results.
Unless your professional coach is also the coach who sees you every week on track nights, it’s unlikely that they’ll be able to provide you with feedback on your form and technique, meaning you could be missing out on an invaluable part of the coaching service.
At DRT coaching, we meet our athletes once a month at a training session of their choice to properly assess their form and technique, and discuss a plan for improvement.
4. Accountability and Motivation
Staying motivated and adhering to a rigorous training schedule can be challenging, especially when coupled with a full-time job, family, and other responsibilities and hobbies… I get it, I’ve been there! A professional coach serves as a constant source of accountability and motivation. They keep runners on track, celebrate their successes, and offer support during challenging times, making the journey to success less daunting.
At DRT coaching, we’re available for WhatsApp support 24/7, and regularly review your runs and training sessions. Furthermore, you’ll benefit from bi-weekly catch ups with your coach, which provide you an opportunity to discuss whatever is on your mind.
You’ll also have access to the DRT Coaching Athletes WhatsApp group, where you’ll get accountability and motivation from your peers.
5. Injury Prevention and Management
Injuries are the bane of any runner’s existence. They can be small, or sideline you for months on end, but either way they’re frustrating and get in the way of progress.
A professional coach understands how to structure training to minimise the risk of injury and can detect early warning signs to prevent potential problems. If an injury does occur, the coach can guide the athlete through proper rehabilitation and modify the training plan accordingly to facilitate a safe return to running.
Did you know, some coaches offer training plans that are rigid and cannot be changed in the event of injury (unless you pay more… obviously). Or you may have heard of some fancy new running apps, which give you a ‘bespoke plan’ (Newsflash, they most certainly won’t be bespoke!)…. But once the athlete is injured, it won’t be able to adjust for that.
At DRT Coaching, all plans are designed with injury prevention in mind (hence the joint focus on Strength and Conditioning). But furthermore, all plans are adaptable in the event of injury.
6. Race Strategy and Mental Preparation
Find yourself always being the person caught at the end of a race, never the person catching people? Beyond the above, a coach helps runners develop race strategies tailored to different events and distances. Understanding pacing, nutrition, and mental preparation are essential aspects of successful racing is essential for all athletes, but particularly those who want to compete at a high level. A coach can help athletes optimise these elements to achieve peak performance on race day.
As previously stated, I’ve trained and competed at a high level for 12 years. I love running for one reason – competing. Pacing, race strategies, out-kicking fellow competitors in the final stage…. It’s addictive. At DRT Coaching, we help athletes improve their pacing and race strategies so they can truly excel at their chosen distance.
7. Time Management and Balance
Serious runners often have to juggle training with other commitments, such as work, family, and social life. I’m not saying you’ll be running 100 mile weeks, but even a modest 30-50 mile week requires planning and adjustments to fit everything in. A professional coach helps runners strike a healthy balance, ensuring that training fits seamlessly into their lifestyle. By managing time effectively, runners can avoid burnout and maintain their passion for the sport.
It’s important to follow the plan a coach gives you each day, as the sessions will be sequenced in an order that makes sense, allows for recovery, and helps you perform at your best when it’s needed. However, at DRT Coaching we understand that sometimes it just isn’t possible to stick to the schedule 100%. Therefore, we work with the athletes to move sessions around in the week if needed.
8. Breaking Plateaus and Achieving Breakthroughs
Even experienced runners may encounter plateaus where progress stalls, and personal bests seem out of reach. Remember when you first started running, and it seemed that every time you raced you took a chunk out of your personal best? I do! The time between me first setting foot on an athletics track to the time it took me to become top 25 in the UK over 800m was 9 weeks. The time it took me to then reduce my personal best after that? A year.
A professional coach has the expertise to identify the reasons behind plateaus (I’m looking at you, dear runners, who run the same sessions again and again and wonder why they aren’t improving!) and design training interventions to overcome them. With the right guidance, runners can achieve breakthroughs that might have seemed impossible on their own.
9. Periodization and Peak Performance
Periodization is a crucial aspect of training for athletes looking to peak for a couple of key races throughout their season. It involves dividing the training year into specific phases that focus on different aspects of fitness, such as endurance, speed, and recovery. A running coach can expertly design a periodized training plan to peak your performance precisely when you need it for important races. This strategic approach ensures you reach your highest potential during competition while avoiding performance plateaus.
At DRT Coaching we work with athletes at the beginning of each season to discuss the previous year, current fitness, and goals for the season ahead. This then informs the mesocycle we prepare for athletes, using the key competitions they wish to prioritise as a base from which to build from.
Race identification
Sometimes, athletes will know they want to run a 5km or a marathon, but not know which one to target, or which course provides the best chance of them hitting their personal best.
At DRT Coaching we work with athletes to understand what they are trying to achieve, and research races that give them the best chance of doing so.
Conclusion
For serious runners with ambitious goals, hiring a professional coach can be the key to unlocking their full potential. The personalized training plans, expert knowledge, objective feedback, and motivation provided by a coach contribute to improved performance, injury prevention, and consistent growth. With a coach's guidance, runners can embark on a transformative journey towards reaching their running aspirations and finding fulfilment in their pursuit of excellence. Remember, every champion has had a coach in their corner, guiding them to greatness. Why not invest in one for yourself?