5 Things To Consider When Hiring A Run Coach

Are you thinking about hiring a run coach but not sure what to look for in a run coach? As people are lacing up their shoes and hitting the roads in record numbers, you might be seeing more and more run coaches and coaching companies popping up in your community and on social media. Picking the right coach might feel overwhelming.  I totally get it, I’ve been there! 

In 2021, I started following a run coaching company’s Instagram account.  When I decided I was ready, I reached out this company and was paired with one of their many coaches.  I’m really not sure if the pairing was random or if something in my questionnaire helped them determine who would be a good fit; but I didn’t care (or so I thought).  I just wanted a coach to tell me what to do.  After working with this coach for almost 2 years, it became apparent that this was not the right coach for me.  I wasn’t feeling heard or understood and started to feel like I was wasting my time.  I have some pretty ambitious goals and it was really important to me that my coach would develop a plan specifically with those in mind. When it was time to find a new coach, I was so afraid to make a wrong choice.  And with virtual coaching being so prominent now, the options are seemingly limitless.   Here are my top tips and things to consider when looking for a run coach-

1.        Think about what qualities are important to you in your coach.  Does it matter to you if they are male or female?  Do you prefer someone with a similar lifestyle to you?  For example, if you’re a working mom, is it important to you that your coach is also a mom?

2.        Do you want a coach who is local to you?  A local coach might offer in person meetings and training, so if that is important to you, then a virtual coach might not be what you're looking for.

3.        What kind of coaching style do you best respond to?  Do you want a gentle hand holder, a no BS tell-it-like-it-is type, or something in between?  You should expect your coach to keep you accountable and that might mean they sometimes tell you things you don't want to hear. But the intention and delivery can make or break your experience with the coach.  

4.        Decide what qualifications are important to you.  The truth is, anyone can call themselves a run coach, and it’s generally pretty easy to obtain a run coaching certification.  You might want to ask your prospective coach why they feel they are qualified to work with you.  Trust me, us good ones will appreciate this question as we’ve spent a lot of time learning and developing our coaching skills and knowledge.  And remember, just because someone is “good at running” doesn’t mean they will be a good coach; nor does having a ton of certifications.

5.        Interview the coach.  It is completely fine to talk to several coaches before making your decision.  Most coaches will offer some kind of free intro call so you can get to know each other.  Working with your coach should feel like a partnership.  If you don’t have a good feeling about someone from that initial call, move on.  You want to feel comfortable enough with your coach to be open and honest with them.

I believe that communication is one of the key components to having a great coaching experience. I personally never want to feel like an afterthought to my coach, and I would never let my athletes feel that way either. Let's talk if you have questions or concerns about finding the right coach!