Looking for a running coach? Here are some tips:
1. Certifications. Look for a coach who has National Coaching Certifications from National Governing bodies at greater than the first level.
2. Experience both in length and breadth. A coach who has been coaching for several years will have been exposed to lots of different athletes and will have learned what is needed for different levels of athletes with varying training years. In addition, a coach who coaches track, cross country, road and trail in all distances brings a lot to the table.
3. INTERVIEW COACHES and ask:
How they structure training? How often can you contact them? How would they approach helping you reach your goals? Do they plan your race schedule or does the athlete have the reigns on this?
4. Ask to meet current athletes. I always encourage new folks to come out for a couple of practices, if they are local to my area.
5. Ask for the names of a couple of athletes they have coached in the past, and also a couple from who they currently coach. Make connection with these athletes and ask for their view on the coach.
6. Look for results. A coach who has a reputation for improving performance of athletes is only part of an equation. The other part of the equation is the length of time athletes have been with a coach. A good coach has the ability to keep athletes accountable and responsible. In other words, they ensure that the athlete understands that training is a process of learning and adapting. It is not the same thing over and over again. A good coach knows when and how to move the training process along so that the athlete makes strides every year.
7. Make sure that the price that a coach charges is justifiable. The experience level must match the price being asked. Look for someone who is a professional and not a hobbyist. There are a lot of online coaches with pretty websites; however, that does not mean that they have adequate experience coaching. Do your homework by going through #1 to #6.
8. Experience as an athlete adds to the toolbox a coach has but it is not experience as a coach. A good coach was mentored by other coaches. Ask the person who their mentors were. I had some amazing mentors both as an athlete and a coach. I owe a lot to those people.
