Running properly is not as simple as some people think (see violent heel strike above). There are several good reasons to hire a running coach, or at least experiment with one to see if your performance improves.

Reason 1: You are just getting started

You are new to running and do not know where to start. Before you head out the door for an aimless jog, consider what your goals are, how you plan to avoid injury, how you are going to make sure your technique is correct, and how you are going to measure your improvement. If you cannot address those issues on your own, a coach is a good choice to make sure you get the most out of your new adventure. Don’t create bad running habits that will be harder to break later. Start off right with a little guidance and you’ll go far.

Reason 2: Information overload

You know you need to train with a plan, but you don’t know how. The internet is flooded with generic training ideas, but you don’t know who to trust or what’s right for your specific goals and running strengths. A good coach takes out the guesswork and sets you on a course to get better, stay healthy, and gain confidence in your training.

Reason 3: You are too busy

Distance running takes time. Those with heavy schedules need their training to be as efficient as possible. A coach relieves you of the burden of mapping out your sessions, calculating pace targets, and mixing different intensities of workouts. Athletes in our plans receive their daily workout in their inbox each morning. You can also set these to download automatically to your watch and hit the road without spending time and energy and you don’t have designing your own plan.

Reason 4: You are in a performance rut

You are training well and feeling fast, but race day comes and goes with missed targets, no PRs, and no smiling post-race photo. This is always frustrating and confusing for athletes who have been working hard but not performing when it counts the most. A coach can diagnose these issues and deliver a plan that gets you back on track. Bad days happen, but a coach who knows your goals and limitations can keep them to a minimum with a well though-out program.

Reason 5: You need a mental push

Some days the sun is shining, the wind is calm, your schedule is open, you’re pain-free and can’t wait to get outside for a run. Most of the time, people can find at least one decent reason not to train. A coach keeps you motivated and accountable. Athletes on the right training plan are enthusiastic about hitting their milestones and staying on track. When things go awry, a coach checks in to make sure you are in the right frame of mind to complete your training. This extra layer of support can be crucial to a long and happy career as a runner.