A coach? For my running?
That would likely have been my response if someone suggested I spend money on hiring a coach for my running. In the last two years since I started running, and primarily in the last year plus that I began to enjoy trail running and exploring ultras, it has been a journey to learn all that I can about the sport. This has run the gamut from training plans, shoes, running form, nutrition, and so on. I’ve enjoyed looking online at various sites, listening to hours and hours of podcasts, trying to gleam nuggets of wisdom from seasoned ultrarunners, elites, and coaches. With so many resources out there I wouldn’t have thought there was much necessity for having a coach for a recreational runner like me.
However, it’s something that I’ve been contemplating over the last few months as I made the decision to sign up for the Javelina Jundred. Heck I thought, even elite runners often utilize coaches to guide them and provide that independent assessment of their training & analyze their performance. I’m clearly not an elite runner I would tell myself, so why would hiring a coach be for me? Well, I finally determined that the reason I wanted a coach was to make the most out of my own running, even though it will only ever be a recreational activity. After suffering a couple of knee issues/injuries that have sidelined me from running, I quickly learned the importance of having excellent support in maintaining my body with physical therapy. Continuing to develop a network of professional advice could not only improve my performance but also make me less prone to injury.
Which coach to hire? That was the next question to tackle after making the decision to move forward. I definitely knew having someone experienced with ultras would be key since that’s what I’ve found myself attracted to now. Ultimately having someone who was available to answer my questions as they arose and who I felt I could communicate well with would be the best fit. After visiting Flagstaff last month and running right by Chris Vargo, an elite ultrarunner living in Falg, I figured he’d be someone that I should reach out to. Having heard him on several podcasts I enjoyed how he was laid back in his manner, seemed approachable (this was confirmed when he responded to my comment on his Strava run that day we crossed paths), and certainly was well versed in ultrarunning.
After making contact and finding out a bit more about his services I pulled the trigger and signed up on a monthly basis. It’s only been a few weeks since he’s begun coaching me but already I feel like I’m learning how to better prepare myself for races. None of the training runs he’s prescribed for me are things I didn’t know about. However, the workouts are something I wouldn’t schedule for myself and certainly not with any larger scale picture in mind of when to perform them during a week, how many days of the week, etc. Paying a coach like Chris also allows me to not worry about the training component as much and focus on my execution. I’ve begun to look at my runs as training sessions where an easy run should be easy, not a mid-paced effort that’s neither easy nor a workout. Running easy is something I still probably need to improve on but it’s at least something I’m acutely aware of now.
With Javelina being my first 100 miler there’s little statistical basis for comparison to see how I might have improved with a coach. However, I already feel like it’s been worthwhile and look forward to continuing to explore my own personal limits and goals with some help. Perhaps having my coach step in as a pacer for Javelina Jundred will be possible and would be a real asset to my completion of that race. To be continued…
