I thought I’d heard them all but yesterday, I almost spit out my drink when I read this tip! It’s in a training log of all places! Are you kidding me?

From a training log! 😡

We are having a 7-Day Photo Challenge in my TRU TRIBE Run Team this week. The challenge is to take a photo each day and describe what feelings you are having at that moment (part of our focus on Mental Health Awareness month).  One of my members, who happens to be a personal trainer as well, posted this picture along with this comment: “Dismayed! I saw this in my runner’s log book. Don’t they know about Lisa?”

Or any other running coaches?!

If any running population needs a coach, beginners would be the first group I would recommend get one! Running keeps becoming more and more popular. Although it seems like putting one foot in front of the other is all you need to know, there wouldn’t be a 65% injury rate if that were true! (I don’t know what it is exactly but numbers I see range from 60-70%)

What’s one of the first things someone tells you when they find out you are going to start running or are a runner?  You shouldn’t run…it’s bad for your knees (or name any other body part.)  RUNNING DOESN’T HURT YOUR BODY, HOW YOU RUN HURTS YOUR BODY! What you do with your body when you are not running has an impact on how you run too (for example, sitting at your desk all day).

We take golf, swimming and tennis lessons, cooking classes, but rarely do people consider taking a class to learn how to run…or at least find a coach that can help them with this.  As much as I love social media, that’s a whole other blog post for another day.  I’m all for people sharing their experiences in facebook groups but I’ve seen some of the worst advice given about running there too.  Just because people run, it doesn’t make them experts.

I’ve been teaching ChiRunning for 10 years and coached many runners of ALL levels. Bottom line, it’s worth the investment regardless of what level runner you are to have a coach! There are many different coaches out there and it’s important that you find one that works for YOU.  Here are some key things that I would look for when hiring a coach, in order of importance:

• Education and credentials: Do they have the proper knowledge required to teach you how to run properly and increase your mileage safely? Being a runner isn’t enough.  Many of us have spent quite a bit of money for the education we have. There is a reason there are coaching agencies and certifications.
• Experience: how long have they been coaching?  More experience means they’ve dealt with more scenarios and have more tools in their toolbox. What type/level of athlete do they coach?
• Personality: are they a good match for you?  This is more important than you realize.  Some people like the hardcore, drill sergeant personality while others might prefer someone who is more of a cheerleader.

Does their speed matter? Absolutely not!  While there may be some great coaches out there that are fast runners, this is not something I would consider.  If you’re goal is to learn to run fast and they meet the qualifications above, great!

Does their “celebrity” status matter?  Absolutely not!  While there may be some great coaches out there that have a celebrity status because they are really good with social media, this is not something I would consider.  If they meet the qualifications above, great!

Will they give you a good hug at the finish line?  🥰 While there is nothing better than a good hug, this is not something I would take into consideration…unless they meet the qualifications above.

You don’t have to take this advice from me though!  Here are some of the answers to this question “What advice would you give a beginner runner?” from TRU TRIBE Run Team Member Spotlights:

“I had to start with alternating walking and running.  At the time I felt like I wasn’t a “runner.”  Now I realize that the moment I transitioned from a walk to a run, I became a runner!  So, I would advise a beginner to think of herself as a runner, regardless of speed, body type, age or experience.  I also recommend getting a running coach to help you with your mechanics.  You probably ran very naturally as a child, but as an adult you may need to re-learn good form.  It may be the key to staying injury-free.  Lastly, find a running group!  I love my time alone when I run, but I also love running with my Tribe!” Barbara B.

“Start with a good coach.  Learn the right form right out of the shoot. But most importantly, just start.” Andrea T

“Do not worry about your speed or what other people may think. Take your time, build up slowly, focus on your form, get some strength training in to smooth out any imbalances. Hire a coach to help you with all this so you don’t fall into bad (injury producing) habits!” Karla H

“Find a coach to help you with your running journey.  Learn the correct running form to prevent injuries along your way.  Strength training is such important element to help you get stronger, prevent injuries, and improves your performance as an athlete.” Sonia G

Guess what, Bill Gates thinks you should have a coach too! If you plan on making running a lifestyle, getting a coach is one of the best things you can do for yourself!