Train Under a Coach
7 Principles of Training:
#1) Train Under a Coach
Many runners train just as hard, if not harder in some cases, than champion runners, yet they never achieve the same degree of success. It can be frustrating to work so hard, yet achieve little.
Without someone to guide or motivate them, runners tend to make the stopwatch master and train to slightly improve their times everyday. This invites disaster, leading to over training, injury and burnout.
Working with a coach can combat this phenomenon.
A good coach is a skilled craftsman who combines both science and art to elevate an athlete’s overall ability and race day performance.
They are well versed in the science of training and seek to devise a systematic progression of running ability in their athletes.
But they also know that adherence to a system of training is only part of the puzzle. Franz Stampfl, coach to Roger Bannister, points out: “The coach’s job is 20% technical and 80% inspirational. The coach may know all there is to know about tactic, technique and training theory but if they cannot win the confidence and comradeship of their pupils they will never be a good coach.”
Much of running is mental. Top coaches understand this and are more successful than their peers because they know better how to harness a runner’s heart and mind.
The successful coach accurately assesses when the athlete is doing too much and provides guidance, inspiration, and support when necessary. All of which the stopwatch is incapable of delivering.