I’ve been running for most of my life - track, cross country, ultras. I’ve coached high school athletes, earned an ultrarunning coaching certification, and spent years studying training, physiology, and strength.
So why would someone like me, deep in the sport, hire a coach?
Because even with all that knowledge, I still fall into the same trap many athletes do.
Solomon’s Paradox.
When we hit tough crossroads in training, it’s hard to be objective. Emotion clouds judgment.
Should I take a few extra rest days, or try to push through this lingering injury?
Am I executing this workout at the right intensity, or am I letting my memories of faster times from three years ago influence my judgment?
These questions feel obvious when giving advice to others, but murky when we’re in the middle of it. We're too close to the problem to see it clearly.
That’s where a coach comes in.
A coach offers objectivity when emotion takes over.
A coach helps prevent overtraining when motivation is high and keeps you moving when motivation is low. A coach offers perspective, encouragement, and structure when you’re too close to the process to navigate it clearly.
For example:
I recently dealt with a stubborn hamstring strain. My instinct was to just rest and hope. Instead, my coach tweaked my training, easing up the load while monitoring progress. When the pain stuck around, coach urged me to see a PT, something I hadn’t even considered. A few sessions later, I was back on track and picked up some preventative strengthening exercises I still use today.
Above all, a coach provides guardrails, keeping you on course with smart, objective decisions grounded in evidence-based training principles.
Asking for help by hiring a coach isn’t a sign you don’t know what you’re doing. It’s a sign that you’re serious enough to take your training to the next level. It is also a sign that you are setting big goals for yourself, goals that require a team to achieve.
You don’t have to do it alone. Let’s train smarter, together. Contact us to set up a coaching consultation call!
✉️ ryan.singlesteprunning@gmail.com ✉️ jen.singlesteprunning@gmail.com
