Athlete Stories: 'I Don’t Deserve A Coach.' Yes, You Do.

That eternal divide between the fast, serious runner and the slow, casual runner. Two different worlds. Two totally different goals. After all, how can you maximize your speed, win races or qualify for Boston if you don’t invest in a coach? But a walk/jogger or slow runner? Well, the fact that you’re getting off the couch should be reward enough.

This was 100 percent my view. What does a back of the packer need a coach for? You’re never going to be fast enough to compete at a local race for age group, never mind have a podium finish. You don’t need, let alone deserve to have a coach. Coaches are for athletes. You aren’t an athlete. But before the “I do it for myself” people start to get out the pitchforks, I’m not saying this from my 5 minute mile soapbox. I’m saying it from my view of most people’s backside. Back of the pack? I’ve been DFL and gotten an award for it.

It seems like a long time ago now, but I was almost 40 in 2007 before I did a 5k and then a half marathon along with losing almost 60lbs. I didn’t even start out running – our kid’s cross-country coach said to start with a 30 second jog and then walk a little. I followed the Jeff Galloway method before I knew who Jeff Galloway was! A couple of years later I read the Dean Karnazes book Ultra Marathon Man and thought maybe, just maybe, a marathon was in my future. Post marathon #1 – this was the dumbest thing I’ve ever done and why had I already signed up for #2 before running the first one. Post marathon #2 in Hawaii where I actually met Dean Karnazes? Marathon Maniacs and I think it’s time to try a 50k. And then 44 miles…50 miles…100k…and now 10 successful 100 mile distances (and some unsuccessful ones).

What does that drawn out personal history have to do with anything? It has nothing to do with the number or distances of races I’ve been in. After 13 years of participating in running events, I still can’t call myself a runner. If I’m not a runner, why would I ever need a coach? So how did a self-proclaimed undeserving non-runner come to do a complete 180 on his thinking? A somewhat chance encounter with Lifelong Endurance.

After a suggestion by a fellow Orange Mud Ambassador to apply as an ambassador for Lifelong Endurance, I still wasn’t convinced I should have a coach. But after a long time off due to shoulder injury it seemed like maybe this would be a way to get back after it and start doing some races again. It should be no surprise that with no experience with the team I didn’t get to be an ambassador. They did however, offer a special coaching deal with their curated coaching program (more on this later). I certainly didn’t have anything to lose!

So earlier this year I began my coaching. Curated coaching is a more affordable version of one on one coaching (which is also available along with strength training) that gives you many of the benefits, but a team of coaches oversee all curated athletes (soo..I’m an athlete). Now, don’t think this means you just get a generic spreadsheet workout. In the beginning you have to do a specific run to get a baseline for your heart rate and pace to tailor your zones. In addition, I had specific requirements to the days I could devote to training, which the team built my training around. Having always been pretty loose in what constituted a program, I was introduced to hill repeats, tempo runs, flying 200s and other “love/hate” workouts. The team also moved workout days for me when necessary and answered email questions. And can you believe it? I did BETTER than on my own.

The moral of the story? I deserve a coach. YOU deserve a coach. Speed or ability isn’t a deciding factor in your worthiness to want to excel. I was totally wrong – not only do I deserve a coach; the coaching staff has definitely improved my performance above what I would have done on my own. Does that mean I will win a race? Not on your life. Although, I did get an age group award at a half marathon because they ran out of 50 year olds (meaning I got last in my AG). What I will do is continue to improve within my level. Beyond that, Lifelong hasn’t just treated me as a number. There’s an online FaceBook group that is positive and encouraging where we can ask questions, a “book club”, various live videos to answer questions and even a once a month happy hour via zoom to just shoot the breeze and see what people are up to. When I mentioned my wife and I were making a trip to CO, coach Lexi took time out of her day to take us hiking and get to know me as a person “face to face”. Things like that make a big difference to me.

So give coaching a try. You just might find your inner athlete too.