Don’t Fear Coaching: Why Every Runner Deserves Support

A lot of runners I know, are nervous about the idea of having a coach. Many people, for whom I respond to enquiries, before assessing for coaching, start off with a fear mindset or wondering if they are "suitable". I can totally understand this, and have learned over the past 2 years, why it feels intimidating to some. Maybe it reminds you of a bad experience with a sports coach, team manager or PE teacher with a whistle, or maybe you’ve convinced yourself you’re “not coachable.” If that’s you, you’re honestly in very good company. But you’re also wrong about what coaching actually is; and especially the online type that I offer.

Let’s get something straight: coaching is not about judgment. No shouting matches, no disappointed sighs, and definitely no "you need to work harder" Good recreational runner coaching is about someone helping you figure out your goals, your barriers, increasing your confidence, and your enjoyment of running. It’s about supporting you, not scolding you.

A Coach’s Job Is to Build You Up, Not Break You Down

My role is simple. Meet you where you are, and help you grow from there. Growth might look like all or some of the below:

• Getting more consistent

• Learning to avoid injuries

• Finally understanding how to dial into intensities for maximum benefit

• Figuring out what’s been holding you back

• Feeling proud of your progress

• Understanding core training principles, so that over time, you become your own best coach

Coaching isn’t just about planning running programmes and workouts. It’s about understanding your life, your schedule, your stress, your ups and downs, and adjusting things so running fits your reality, not the other way around.

Common Stigmas About Running Coaches

“I’m too slow for a coach.”

This one needs to retire. Coaching is not reserved for the gazelles floating across finish lines. In fact, recreational runners usually benefit the most, because they’re juggling real-life chaos. Kids, jobs, relationships, sleep deprivation, clothes washing mountains, random injuries that appear out of nowhere… yet still need to be on their feet all day at work; you name it. Having someone who isn't your best friend guide you, makes a huge difference.

“A coach is going to make me train like an elite.”

Don’t worry. I'm not going to be programming in 120-150 mile weeks and 3 x double sessions a week. Elite runners train in a whole different universe. They sleep like champions, eat like champions, and recover just as hard. You have a life. You have responsibilities. Your training should reflect that. It doesn't mean that you can't progress to heights beyond what you ever thought possible, it just means that everything is safe and relative to where you are on your journey.

“I’ll disappoint my coach if I miss runs.”

Trust me, I know life happens. Work gets wild, you get sick, your kid has a meltdown, your dog eats your pre-run bagel, or you simply have a day where your brain says “nope.” A good coach adjusts the plan, not their opinion of you. I will though help you find strategies that help you overcome minor setbacks. Very often there is time to train, and it's all about time management and prioritisation.

“I’m not coachable.”

If you can communicate honestly, promise to show up when you can, reflect a bit, and try most of the time, you’re coachable. Coaching is a conversation, not an exam.

My Goal as a Coach Is to Be Needed Less Over Time

This might sound like a questionable business strategy, but it’s true. My goal is to help you become confident enough to eventually coach yourself. That means:

• You understand your body better

• You know what works for you

• You can adjust things on the fly

• You trust your training choices

• You become more knowledgeable on actual running and training principles and science, allowing you to ignore the noise around the internet

If one day you look at the next 4 weeks of a training plan and instantly think, “This all makes perfect sense,” that’s a win. Coaching isn’t about creating dependence. It’s about creating growth.

Coaching is for Everyone

If you want to enjoy running more, reduce your injury risk, actually understand training, or simply have someone in your corner cheering you on instead of comparing your pace to others, then it's for you. You don’t need to be fast, experienced, confident, or perfect. You just need to be willing to grow a little. And if you’re worried about not being coachable, don’t stress. If you've got this far, you are.