Approach & Benefits

While a personal running coach involves an investment, many runners find the benefits well worth the cost, particularly if they are looking to enjoy themselves, achieve specific goals or overcome challenges in their running journey.

Approach

These beliefs underlie my approach and style of coaching.

  • The athlete should own their goals and training programmes. I will advise, suggest and challenge but, ultimately, they are your goals and it’s your training. I encourage and support athletes to input into the design of their programmes.

  • All runners are different, and what you need and want can also (will!) change over time. A programme which works for one athlete might not work for another. Indeed, what produced results once for a runner might not deliver the same or better outcomes a second time.

  • Injuries are not completely avoidable, sadly; and some people are more prone to them than others. I aim to provide advice and support which will reduce the risk of injury. I will also stand with injured athletes to support them through recuperation and with the psychological challenges which many of us encounter when injured.

  • Not every run will be enjoyable! Some runs/sessions will be just plain hard. And sometimes the conditions might not be conducive to a big smile (think rain, cold, mud and dark!). But overall, we need to enjoy our running! I bear this in mind when working with athletes; this might involve including some “interesting” sessions in the programme, suggesting new locations to run, or just having some days/weeks/blocks which are less structured so you can just run for fun!

  • There is always so much more to learn as both a runner and a coach. Through our relationship, we should aim to learn together and from each other!

Benefits of having a personal coach

Working with a personal running coach can offer numerous benefits to runners of all levels, from beginners to experienced athletes. Here are some:

  • Bob works with you to design highly personalised training programmes appropriate for your running goals and experience and which fit in with your work, social and family lives. There are usually two time frames for programmes: a) a longer term overview (typically 3 – 6 months) which plots key elements of training blocks; and b) day-by-day plans for 3 – 5 weeks ahead.

  • In addition to the customised training programmes advice/guidance can cover, for example: clothing, shoes, equipment (eg head torches, running poles), when to obtain specialist medical advice (and what questions to ask them!) and sources of information and advice about strength & conditioning.

  • Many athletes find that having a personal coach who supports them to achieve their running goals is highly motivating. Bob will also encourage and support you through those low moments (which are inevitable!) as well as helping you to set exciting goals!

  • Some athletes find it helpful to be accountable to someone for their training and efforts. On a cold and wet day a sense of accountability to someone might get them out when otherwise the sofa beckoned! Or a sense of accountability gets you through that tough session when you might have stepped back or out!

  • Most athletes will sustain an injury at some point; injuries are not totally avoidable. But a personalised programme which takes into account your experience and medical and injury profile should help to reduce the risks.

  • Performance improvement in some form is usually every runner’s goal. Nothing is guaranteed, and the athlete has to put in the work; but athletes who have worked with Bob have an excellent record of improving their performance and/or achieving specific goals (see case studies).

  • Coach Bob can help you to design your race programme (if you want to race!) and race selection. Before a race Bob can work with you to think through and plan your strategy for events in relation to, for example, pre-race preparation, pacing, tactics, hydration and nutrition.

  • Through involvement with a coach you will probably gain more knowledge about such things as energy systems and running techniques/form.

  • Bob stands shoulder to shoulder with you through those times when things are not going right. This might be when you are injured… he stays with you through those common moments of fear when athletes think they might never recover or get back to form. Or a race might not have gone to plan… he helps to dust you off and reset that positive and hopeful mindset!