Coaching Process
Evaluating your Running History
After you return the questionnaire(s), I will evaluate your training and racing history as well as your future goals. We will meet in person and discuss other life obligations, time commitments, and then outline short term goals. We will discuss if you are seeking to attain specific goals or if you are looking for ongoing support. I will get you to perform a few movements to check stability and balance. Then, I will watch you run, outside but hopefully on a treadmill as well.
Creating Your Running Plan
From there, I will begin building your running and strength training plan. Your program will gradually and progressively build to prepare you for the challenges of your goal race(s). Equipped with your questionnaire(s), the training plan is built specifically for you, taking into account when you prefer your long runs and key workouts days, races, etc. Based on your current fitness, I will give you specific paces for each run. I will also explain the purpose for each workout as well as any special instructions or goals for workouts and races.
Weekly Feedback
The schedule is built for your primary goal of the training cycle…race day. With your weekly feedback, the program is updated to reflect how your training is progressing. This program is also adjusted when "life happens" and you need to change things up a bit.
I’ve written a mission statement for The Run Garden; you will create your own mission statement as well.
Coaching is a two-way street. I provide the training plan and I expect you to provide the feedback (at the least weekly) that will allow me to help you. Let me know the results of each workout, race, problems with the training, upcoming vacations, and family commitments, etc. This allows me to make any necessary adjustments to your training schedule. It is modified based on your feedback with the results of each workout and potential race, so it is your responsibility to keep me updated on how the training is progressing.
I welcome and encourage your feedback as often as necessary, especially in the early part of the training schedule. Ask as many questions as you can think of, please! Let me know how things are going, both physically and mentally. You are the only one who truly knows your body, so I rely on your feedback to keep your program on the fast track to success.