Why You Should Use a Running Coach

MOVEMENT THERAPY

DAZ RED TELLS US WHY ANY RUNNER NEEDS A COACH AND HOW HIS STYLE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM PEOPLE YOU HAVE SEEN BEFORE.

DO I REALLY NEED A RUNNING COACH?

In short YES. I believe everybody who intends to run over a prolonged period, whether it’s training for an event or just to get fit, should make use of a running coach to learn how to run. It may seem obvious that we all already know how to run but running is a skill and just like any other skill it can be taught. It can be developed and improved through a systematic and progressive training approach. 

In your search for a running coach, you will likely come across fitness coaches, personal trainers and even other runners who will all offer their services with claims of improving your PB’s and provide a training plan for you to follow. But running isn’t a “one size fits all” sport. We’re all different, we move different, our bodies are different. In fact, many people, sports coaches included, believe your form, or running technique, is something you are born with and that you can’t really change it. They are more than a little wrong and this is where coaching in running technique becomes valuable.

Running is repetitive. We put huge amounts of force through our bodies with every stride we take, whether we’re running fast or slow. For many runners, this repetitive nature of running means we take a body that has never been developed to move at its best and we rack up the mileage. Through years of our life, we wire our body to move one way and run one way. Then we decide to get better, and we read books, watch videos or hire a trainer. They tell us what we need to do to improve our form. But without first building that muscle memory, even subtle changes will feel awkward and usually end with no improvement or even injury. Better form starts with your body and your body drives your running form.

FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION

To be able to run better, faster, and more efficiently we first need to move better. Instead of asking you to run more (that will happen gradually), you need to plan to move better. Using the training methods and the skills I teach, the neurophysiology of your brain will adapt and rewire for moving better and so a more efficient running form. Improving your movement to be a more durable runner, build your running skills and rewire how your body moves. Using the simple strength training methods I can show you, you can strengthen the specific areas that are causing the errors in your technique.