Coaching

It's hard to believe that it is two years to the day since my first training session under the guidance of Rob Affleck. 

I first sought Rob out for some coaching having started to believe that I had plateaued and was struggling to improve beyond the standard I had got to at that point.

My times at that time looked like this:

5k - 16:28

10k - 33:25

1/2 marathon - 77:21

Marathon - 2 hours 52 minutes 17 seconds

I had clear aims for what I intended to achieve through training with Rob. Firstly I knew that I needed to learn from him both how to structure a proper training plan - week to week, as well as long term - and also how to look after my body away from the roads and actual running. By this I mean how to stay injury free (I had struggled with hamstring and groin strains early on in my running) and how to eat and drink properly. As well as that, I obviously wanted to get quicker...

Initially, I hoped to progress to being a sub 33 10k runner, sub 16 for 5k, sub 75 for the half and 2:45 for the marathon.

I achieved every single one of those goals within 10 months of starting to train with Coach Affleck. But as with all runners, as soon as I had achieved one goal, the goalposts moved and my ambitions became bigger. That is still the case now. My second wave of targets saw me aim for sub 15:30 (5k), 32:00 (10k), 72:00 (half) and 2:37:00 (marathon). Again I am now in a position were (apart from the 10k time - still a sore subject!) I have fulfilled these times and am now looking to push myself even further.

The next twelve months will see me heavily target the 5k and 10k times, as well as having a few good goes at setting some quicker half marathon times.

For a while now it has become apparent to both myself and Rob hat for me to continue to progress from a speed perspective, that I need to move on from our track sessions together and link up with some faster runners. Hopefully now I am going to be able to do that by jumping on with Helen Clithroes training group who also train at UCLAN sports arena on a Tuesday night.

When I first started training with Rob, I remember getting some stick for seeking out help with my running. I was told that 'real' runners didn't need coaches, who were basically "fat men with watches telling you to run faster". I was told that if I needed coaching then I wasn't self motivated enough. 

I would argue that the complete opposite is true. If you are willing to seek advice and spend both your own time and money on improving your ability, then that shows both motivation and determination to get better, quicker and stronger.

I went from being a 35 mile a week runner, with no proper speed sessions, or long runs and structured training. Now I plan my week around a track session, tempo session and quality long run, with more relaxed recovery runs to help the legs between hard sessions. I now aim to do between 65-70 miles per week.

Two years ago, I was still light years away from being able to compete with the top local runners. Now, there is still a gap there, but it is getting smaller and I can see a definite improvement coming all the time. I hope that it now continues as I look to begin the next chapter.

I will still train with Rob and Gethin Butler, who has also been a great source of experience and advice over the last months. I have learnt masses from both and continue to every week.

I know that to continue to progress will take even more hard work than I currently put in, but I am prepared for it and willing to give it a real go. 

Finally, my advice to anyone striving to improve their running and wondering how they can do it, to seek out a proper source of professional guidance. You won't regret it!