Being your own coach (Read 787 times)

I'm surprised no one here ever talks about this... As an adult athlete, one thing that I've found very rewarding about running is the fact that I get to be my own coach. I get to try out all my ideas and see how they work for me. I feel actively involved and invested in the process - and responsible for the results. That's one thing that high-school athletics never gave me - it was always just following someone else's directions about what to do. I like that I get to custom-design all my workouts and plans. I like the knowledge that I'm able to tailor it specifically to my needs and schedule. Sometimes I feel a little limited by my lack of knowledge, but that serves as an incentive for me to go learn more. So it's a nice little circle: learn more --> train better --> plateau/problem --> learn more --> train better, etc. Maybe some day I'll reach a point where I'm not improving with what I'm able to learn/see/do for myself and I'll be forced to seek outside, expert advice. Ie, hire a real coach. But until that time, I'm my own and it's really cool! How about the rest of you guys? Anybody notice this happening? How do you like being your own coaches? Okay, this may not apply to the teens/twenties here... but if it doesn't, how do you like having a coach and do you ever wish you were in charge yourself?

I do miss having a coach! In a lot of ways, it's a lot easier to be a runner when you've got someone else to do all the planning for you... and it's also very motivating to know that you have to show up to practice... I used to run through all sorts of conditions (bad weather, little sleep, sinus infections, etc) just because I didn't want to dissappoint my coach... that's a little harder now that it's all on my own shoulders! That said, I do share your enthusiasm for starting to learn about the planning/training aspects of running. I do feel like I'm becoming a more complete runner by learning all about thest things... Ya'know what else I really miss? Team-mates! I really miss having the same group of people to run with every day. I've joined some running clubs and training programs and they are really good that way, but it's not quite as fun as it was back in highschool XC and track. (Or is that just in hindsight?) Actually, this RA forum has really helped maintain that feeling of runner's camaraderie in my life... one of my favority parts!

MikeyMike, I think you have hit on pretty much what I feel (in addition to what Janell originally posted). In HS our track coaches were great for the distance runners, but they pretty much gave EVERYONE the same workout (I was a sprinter), so I almost always had shin splints and tight, painful calves. As a result I rebelled and ended up running alone and ignoring their workouts much of the time, anyhow. I like running with other people, but most people seem to be significantly faster or slower than I am, or they don't want to go as far. I wish I lived closer to backroadrunner, since she and I are so similar in our abilities (and she's my best friend, so we keep each other company and the time passes so fast).

I hear ya Janell! I too like organizing my own running. It's very empowering. Like Mike I can't imagine being part of a club and if I am honest I really wouldn't want to run with anyone else either! Maybe they will let me run Waiheke on my own so i don't have to feel 'slow' compared to all the experienced/elite runners! Anyhow - who needs a coach when you have JK to wager you to the finish line! Claire xxx

I didn't have such a good experience with my coaches in HS, and I am enjoying myself surprisingly well, though at the same time I fully acknowledge the fact that I really don't have much of a clue as to what I'm doing LOL - so perhaps some gentle mentoring and guidance is in order But that's what popping in here and bouncing ideas around are good for

I thought about making a new forum topic, but this goes along so I'll just add my QUESTIONS in here: How many of you have generally had BAD coaching experiences? How many of you have had GOOD ones? Would you ever consider coaching/assistant coaching (or just volunteering to help out) with a high-school running (XC or track) team? I've really only had good coaches... some I still consider friends.. but I'm starting to see that's pretty lucky as a lot of you seem to have bad experiences! And I have always thought I'd like to get involved with a highschool XC team, even if it's just for some informal running and volunteer helping...

How many of you have generally had BAD coaching experiences? How many of you have had GOOD ones? Would you ever consider coaching/assistant coaching (or just volunteering to help out) with a high-school running (XC or track) team?

In high school, I ran on one of the best cross country teams in the county (our girl's team won States) and had a dream coach - a Lombardi type who screamed at you, yet somehow you knew he loved you. Then I went to college and the coach was the total opposite... problem was, I was used to having someone scream at me -- I had trouble motivating myself and ended up quitting... While I still love my high school coach, I now realize what the problem was with his style -- I was working so hard for his approval that I didn't ask MYSELF what I wanted out of my running... it took me a long time to figure that out... now, I enjoy coaching myself.

I never played organized sports in school so, I missed out on the coach thing. The closest I come to having a coach is places like RunningAhead. This is a terrific forum for training advice & links to other pertinent information. I don't have a running partner & it's great to have a forum for talking about running with people who understand. Non-runners want to talk about running as much as your co-workers want to see pictures of your kids or hear all about your vacation. Not. Getting back to Wingz point, yeah, I love being my own coach. It's gratifying seeing improvement in my running both because of my effort in the workouts themselves & the thought I put into them. I started running again in April after a 20 year layoff & sometimes I feel like Rip Van Winkle. The improvements in gear & nutrition is very interesting. Things like Gu are a godsend. Sweat wicking fabric is fantastic. Running tights...well...still not sure about them. Carboloading,tapering, x-training. I didn't know about any of that stuff in the 80's. It's fun figuring out what works & what doesn't.