Step 1. Consultation
The first step in the coaching process is the initial consultation, during which your coach will learn as much about your running background, goals, and time commitments as possible. The consultation will be conducted via email or telephone, whichever method is most convenient for you. The more information you provide to your coach, the better they can tailor the schedule to you.
Step 2. Training Schedule
After the initial consultation, your coach will start writing your training program. Typically, we will create a long term plan in “pencil” with the goals you hope to accomplish and the road-map for how to get you there. After outlining the long0term plan, your coach will send you the first three or four weeks of training in detail, which includes daily mileage, paces, ancillary training and everything you need to know. We send out the training in three to four week blocks because it helps us keep the training flexible and adaptable to your progression.
Step 3. Review
Once you receive the training schedule, review it and make sure you understand all the workouts and it fits your expectations. If you have any questions or require any adjustments, get in touch with me and I will adjust as necessary.
Step 4. Execute
A training plan is only as good as the person who can follow it, so do your best to follow the schedule. Certainly, we know that this is never 100% possible; this is why you got a coach! Do your best and don’t be afraid to ask questions along the way.
Step 5. Adjustments
Your coach will follow your training daily – through email, your Garmin device, or through the activity stream on our site – and ensure that you are getting the maximum benefit from each workout and recovering properly. Your coach will make modifications to the schedule to ensure success and take your progression and adjustments into account when they write your new schedule.
Step 6. Success
With the ability customize the schedule specifically to you and the opportunity to make training modifications as necessary, we guarantee that you will improve your results and have more fun running. We haven’t worked with an athlete yet who has not accomplished their goals. It is time for you to add you name to that list!
Other Coaching Options
We do offer coaching options that are not as personalized or as expensive as the personal coaching. Here’s a brief breakdown of each option for you.
RunnersConnect Membership
The RunnersConnect membership is our most popular coaching option for beginners and experienced runners alike. It provides you with our awesome training tools, connects you with your supportive team, and gives you access to all of our available training plans and coach chats. It’s the perfect training option for runners of all ability levels who want to run faster, train smarter, and revolutionize the way they train.
Click to expand and read more»Custom Schedule
The custom schedule is designed for runners who have unconventional training requirements and need a schedule that is truly unique; whether it be limited training time because of a busy family or work schedule, an unorthodox travel schedule, or physical accommodations that require special adjustments. However, they don’t need the hands-on attention of personal coaching and don’t need email access or unlimited contact. One of our coaches will work with you to create a truly unique schedule that will fit your exact schedule and lifestyle and provide monthly adjustments to keep you on target.
Click to expand and read more»Personal Coaching
Personal coaching is our premier, most comprehensive and supportive coaching option, providing access to your coach full-time. That is unlimited questions, phone calls, emails and text messages with your coach. You will be provided with a personalized schedule for the entire length of your training cycle right up until the big race and beyond. Your coach will analyze your training daily and make necessary adjustments as you progress through the training cycle. Personal coaching is perfect for the experienced runner looking to breakthrough to new personal bests or the new runner intimidated by their first race and anyone runner looking for the one-on-one attention only an expert can provide
Click to expand and read more»How RunnersConnect works
Step 1. Create your profile
We not only want you to run fast, we want you to have an amazing training experience, and getting connected to other members by filling out your profile is the first step. You can connect with other runners with a variety of similarities, including those at the same experience level, in the same location, training for the same race distance, and maybe even training for the same race. You can always visit our help section if you have any questions on how to get started or use any of our features.
Step 2. Find your training plan
Finding the right training plan for your running schedule and your goals is a critical component of success. You’ll choose your training plan based on a number of different factors including: (1) race distance; (2) training schedule length; (3) current mileage; and (4) goal mileage among other variables. You’ll be then shown the training schedule options available based on your criteria so you can find the one that best suits your goals.
Step 3. Customize your training plan
After selecting your training plan, you’ll customize the plan based on your current fitness or your goals. Our amazing training pace calculator can predict your race performance based on your previous personal best at almost any distance. More importantly, it will dynamically assign your optimal training pace directly to your training plan; no math, no formulas. As you progress through the training cycle, you can come back and change your fitness level to ensure that your paces stay on track with your progression.
Step 4. Run fast and have fun
After you have your training plan selected and customized, it’s time to start training. If you have questions about your running, you can ask one of our coaches during one of our coach chats or you can ask other community or team members. Share your training ups and downs with our community, join groups with runners training with the same goals, and participate in our contests and community.
Features
Here is a brief list of out features. If you want to learn about any of them in more depth, please visit our features page.
- Private social media tools to connect with fellow runners
- Special members only training clinics, videos, and articles
- Live coach chat
- Training groups and discussion forums
- Contests and achievements
How the custom schedule works
Step 1. Finding a coach
Once you’ve signed up, you have the choice of selecting one of our coaches to work with, if they are available, or having us pair you with a coach who we feel fits your personality and goals. All of our coaches focus on creating a very positive and open coach-athlete relationship and we want you to be completely comfortable with who you’re working with. So, if you have any hesitations, we would be glad to discuss them with you.
Step 2. Consultation
After meeting your coach, you’ll begin the initial consultation, during which time your coach will learn as much about your running background, goals, and time commitments as possible. The consultation will be conducted via email and there is no limit on the back and forth communication. We want to make sure we get things right the first time. The more information you provide to your coach, the better they can tailor the schedule to you.
Step 3. Training Schedule
After the consultation, your coach will begin writing your training schedule. Typically, they will write out the entire training block, unless doing so doesn’t make sense within the scope of your training. Your coach will return the first training schedule to you within 24 hours, unless it is a very busy time, in which case they will let you know beforehand.
Step 4. Review
Once you receive the training schedule, review it and make sure you understand all the workouts and it fits your expectations. If you have any questions or require any adjustments, get in touch with your coach and they will adjust as necessary.
Step 5. Execute
A training plan is only as good as the person who can follow it, so do your best to follow the schedule. Certainly, we understand that this is never 100% possible; this is why you got a custom schedule! Do your best and ask questions in our coach chat if you need any adjustments.
Step 6. Adjustments
If you need, your coach will review your training, provide feedback, and make any adjustments on a monthly basis. This ensures that you’re progressing as intended and adjusts for any unexpected interruptions.
Features
All the great features that come with a RunnersConnect membership…
- Private social media tools to connect with fellow runners
- Special members only training clinics, videos, and articles
- Live coach chat
- Training groups and discussion forums
- Contests and achievements
PLUS
- A personally created training schedule
- Monthly feedback and schedule adjustments
- Race planning
- Goal setting
Features
All the great features that come with a RunnersConnect membership…
- Private social media tools to connect with fellow runners
- Special members only training clinics, videos, and articles
- Live coach chat
- Training groups and discussion forums
- Contests and achievements
PLUS
- A personally created training schedule
- Unlimited feedback and schedule adjustments
- Unlimited contact – email, phone or text
- Long-term planning and development
- Race planning
- Goal setting
- Personalized race strategy
- Nutrition analysis
- Video form analysis