How to Hire a Running Coach

Although running is often considered a solitary sport, serious competitors also need the regular training and advice that a running coach can provide. Unless you are an elite world-class runner with a lucrative running shoe contract and realistic dreams of Olympic gold, your best opportunity to hire a running coach involves joining a running team or a local running club.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Join a Cross-Country or Track Team

1. Go out for your high school or college cross-country team to get a running coach and add structure to your running routines. High school and college cross-country and track coaches are usually very experienced, helpful and focused on the specific running capacity and developmental issues of the age groups with which they work.
2. Ask your team's running coach for advice on how to make the most of your off-season workouts. Your coach may even help you to design a workout program, and he can stay in touch with you by email to discuss your progress.
3. Consider a week-long off-season running camp if you would like to work with another coach and accelerate your preparation for the upcoming running season.

Join a Local Running Club

4. Get information on amateur running clubs in your area in the "Running Clubs" section of the CoolRunning.com website (see Resources below). These clubs are listed by city and state and many have professional coaches who work with all the club's members.
5. Research the area running clubs before you join by asking about workouts and members. Find out about the clubs' coaches and ask if you can attend a workout on a trial basis to see if you are a good fit with the coach, the club and the other club members.
6. Select a group that has a coach with whom you know you will be comfortable working. Join the group and commit yourself to the workout program so that you can get the most out of your membership and your coach. Membership dues are usually reasonable and generally include the cost of using the facilities where the group holds its workouts.
7. Participate in your running group's competitive teams in races, relays and other events. Competition tends to bring out important elements of a running coach's training talents, and you may get extra benefits, as well as have fun through this participation.

Tips & Warnings

• Most runners have particular distances at which they are most comfortable. Decide whether you are a track competitor, a 5K to 10K runner or a marathoner and let this guide you as you hire a running coach. Avoid a mismatch where you have your heart set on training for a marathon but end up working with a sprinters' coach.