Coaching

Do Runners Really Need a Running Coach?

Probably not the answer you were expecting from a guy that makes his living coaching runners, eh?

But it’s the truth.

With all of the quality information available via books, blogs, podcasts, and on YouTube, you can figure out how to create a solid training plan for yourself.

You can also find information for dealing with injuries, adjusting your training when life happens, nutrition advice, and whatever else you may need if you are willing to look hard enough.

The question then becomes, do you want to spend the time and effort to create your own training schedule, make the necessary tweaks/adjustments, and figure out how to navigate the inevitable obstacles that crop up over years of consistent running and racing?

If so, then you probably don’t need a coach.

But if that sounds like a bit more than you’d like to tackle on your own, then working with a running coach may be beneficial to you.

Just so we are clear, here is where I (a full-time running coach) stand on the subject:

- - A running coach is a want, not a need.
  - A running coach is a luxury, not a necessity.
  - You can be successful as a runner with or without a running coach.

Running: Not Exactly Rocket Science

On the surface, running is a pretty simple process.

You basically keep putting one foot in front of the other until you either get tired, bored, or cross the finish line.

Don’t exactly need a coach for that, right?

In reality, running is quite a bit more complex than simply putting one foot in front of the other.

How so?

Injury

Few things in our sport are more frustrating than being sidelined due to an injury.

Statistically, a majority of runners each year will deal with an injury of some form or fashion.

Some injuries? Simply can’t be avoided.

But many of the more common running injuries are very much preventable.

Building your base intelligently. Progressing appropriately. Scheduling workouts strategically.

All of these things, and many others, influence the odds of suffering a running injury at any point during your running career.

How confident are you that you are structuring your training in a way that reduces, instead of increases, your odds of suffering an injury?

Plateauing

Progress in our sport is rarely a smooth and steady process.

Instead, there are various starts, stops, regressions, and forward leaps over the course of our years in the sport.

Occasionally, runners will find themselves stuck on a plateau making seemingly zero progress for months, and sometimes years, at a time.

If you’ve experienced being stuck on a plateau, you know just how frustrating it is to be putting in the time and the effort without reaping any of the rewards.

When that happens, when the work you’re doing doesn’t seem to be paying off, how do you respond? How do you know whether to change things up or keep grinding?

How do you ensure that you’re not stuck on a plateau indefinitely?

Information Overload

As I mentioned already, there is no shortage of readily accessible information available at your fingertips.

Having access to a seemingly limitless amount of advice and information is a good thing, at least in theory.

In reality, information overload can lead to uncertainty. Especially when you come across conflicting advice.

Should you do A or B? This or that? More or less?

In many cases, instead of being helpful, too much information leads to inaction simply because you’re concerned that you might make the wrong choice.

The Value of a Good Coach

While running may not be rocket science, it is seldom as straightforward as we would like.

A good coach helps minimize the complexities and allows you to simply do the thing you want to do: run.

Minimize Your Injury Risk

Running is a contact sport.

No running coach can completely eliminate the risk of injury.

What a good coach can do is adjust your workouts, recommend specific strength training exercises, and encourage (mandate?) proper rest/recovery to help you stay healthy while logging your miles.

Help You Keep Moving Forward

Whether you’re looking to run faster, run farther, or a little bit of both, a good running coach can help you minimize the amount of time that you spend stuck on a plateau.

Progress in our sport is incremental and it is going to take time, but working with a running coach can help you avoid some common missteps that runners (novice and experienced alike) are prone to making.

A good running coach recognizes that what got you here may not get you there, and they can help you decide when to stay the course and when it’s time to do something different to spur additional progress.

Chart Your Course

A good running coach takes the guesswork out of your training.

Instead of hemming and hawing over which option is the right one for you, a good coach makes the decision for you.

To be clear, this choice isn’t made without your input. Most of the time, the two of you work together to weigh the pros and cons of each option.

But when the rubber hits the road, a good coach eliminates the uncertainty and points you in the direction that is best for you.

Keep It Real

Perhaps the most important trait that a good running coach provides is a willingness to keep it real.

There are times that hard conversations need to be had, and a good coach isn’t afraid to have those conversations.

There are also times when you may fail to recognize the progress that you have made, and a good coach reminds you of how far you’ve come.

And sometimes you just need to vent, and a good coach is more than willing to simply listen when required.

Looking for a Good Coach?

I know a guy…

Options for Coaching Abound

Just like there are no one-size-fits-all runners or training plans, there are also no one-size-fits-all options for working with a running coach.

To me, that means that a good running coach should have different options available for runners to choose from based on their goals, their needs, and their budget.

I offer a variety of different coaching options, each of which are detailed below.

Concierge Coaching The Coterie 121 Coaching Consult Call

Concierge Coaching: The Quick Version

Literally Pacing You During Your Race (2x per Year)
Fully Customized Training Plan, Catered to You and Your Life
Unlimited Text/Voice Check-Ins to Answer Questions, Provide Feedback, and Provide Accountability
Initial On-Boarding Phone Conversation
Monthly Call to Maintain Clear Lines of Communication
Two a la Carte Add Ons Each Month
Access to the Monthly #DizRunners Webinar
Additional Strength Training Resources

For an in-depth look at Concierge Coaching, click here.

Cost: $495/mo

Rather use Venmo? No worries, just let me know and we can make it happen.

Coterie: The Quick Version

Fully Customized Training Plan, Catered to You and Your Life
Check-ins 3x per Week to Answer Questions, Provide Feedback, and Make Adjustments to Your Plan
Access to the Monthly #DizRunners Webinar
Strength Training Resources

For an in-depth look at the Coterie, click here.

Cost: $95/mo

Rather pay via Venmo? No worries, just let me know and we can make it happen.

121 Coaching: The Quick Version

Fully Customized Training Plan, Catered to You and Your Life
Unlimited Text/Voice Check-Ins to Answer Questions, Provide Feedback, and Provide Accountability
Initial On-Boarding Phone Conversation
Monthly Call to Maintain Clear Lines of Communication
Access to the Monthly #DizRunners Webinar
Strength Training Resources

For an in-depth look at 121 Coaching, click here.

Cost: $175 per month

Rather use Venmo? No worries, just let me know and we can make it happen.

Consult Call: The Quick Version

~30 min Call to Talk Through Whatever Questions/Struggles You’re Currently Dealing With

For an in-depth look at Consult Calls, click here.

Cost: $25

Rather use Venmo? No worries, just let me know and we can make it happen.

Questions/Comments/Concerns?

Denny Krahe is a Certified Athletic Trainer & Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist that specializes in injury prevention in runners. Click here to learn more about Denny.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are your coaching credentials/certifications?

Technically, I don’t have any.

When I was started as a running coach, I looked into several of the various coaching certifications available.

Every certification I could find qualified their coaches in one of two ways: by passing a test after either a weekend “crash course” of in-person classes or after working through course materials at home.

I feel that six years of studying anatomy, exercise physiology, kinesiology, and athletic performance at the undergraduate and graduate levels is, at least, the equivalent of a weekend course on the same topics.

If you care about your coach’s certifications, I may not be the coach for you.

If you care that your coach actually understands the human body and how it works, then maybe you can overlook my lack of a “proper” running coach’s certification.

(While we are on the subject, however, I am a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and a retired Certified Athletic Trainer.)

Do you require your athletes to do heart rate training?

No.

I’m unabashedly a fan of heart rate training, but I don’t force my athletes to go all-in as well.

I will encourage you to run easy most of the time, but we can work together to help determine what easy looks like for you.

How long have you been coaching?

I started coaching runners in 2015, and I’ve been coaching full-time job since 2017.

Are there any specific tools/apps that I’ll need to use if you’re my coach?

I use the Final Surge platform to keep training schedules and other resources organized and accessible.

FS is very user-friendly, both via the browser and their app, so you’ll need to set up an account (which is free) if we are working together. And depending on your preference, you may want to download their app (also free).

Depending on the level of coaching that you choose, we may utilize other apps/tools as needed/desired.

How much communication/interaction with you can I expect?

It depends on which level of coaching you sign up for.

At the Coterie level, you’ll hear from me 3x weekly.

At the 121 and Concierge levels, I’m basically available for comment/feedback every day.

What payment options are available?

Typically, I utilize recurring billing via PayPal to handle the financial piece of the puzzle.

Every month PayPal charges your card for as long as we are working together.

If, however, you would rather pay via Venmo, Zelle, or some other means, let me know and we can arrange the details.

Is there a minimum term that I must commit to working with you?

Nope. You can cancel your coaching at any time and for any reason.

How does canceling happen?

It’s simple. All you need to do is log into your PaPal and cancel your recurring monthly payment.

I’ll continue to work with you until your current payment term expires, at which point we will part ways.

Coaching

Do Runners Really Need a Running Coach?

Running: Not Exactly Rocket Science

Injury

Plateauing

Information Overload

The Value of a Good Coach

Minimize Your Injury Risk

Help You Keep Moving Forward

Chart Your Course

Keep It Real

Looking for a Good Coach?

Options for Coaching Abound

Concierge Coaching: The Quick Version

Cost: $495/mo

Coterie: The Quick Version

Cost: $95/mo

121 Coaching: The Quick Version

Cost: $175 per month

Consult Call: The Quick Version

Cost: $25

Questions/Comments/Concerns?

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are your coaching credentials/certifications?

Do you require your athletes to do heart rate training?

How long have you been coaching?

Are there any specific tools/apps that I’ll need to use if you’re my coach?

How much communication/interaction with you can I expect?

What payment options are available?

Is there a minimum term that I must commit to working with you?

How does canceling happen?