I just registered to run a 50K (31 mile) race in the mountains of central Oregon – in celebration of my vaccination and a hoped-for return to normal life.
I have 4 months to prepare, and a pretty good idea of what will be required in terms of training, and yet… I’m considering the idea of hiring a running coach. Frankly I’m hesitant, because it seems like only elite athletes would have coaches, and I’m a LONG way from being elite. (I’ve run one previous 50K race, and the winner of that race finished the course in less than half the time it took me, so yes… I’m a plodder.)
Obviously no amount of coaching is going to get me into the top 10 – hindered as I am by age, genetics and unnecessary body-weight – but if I’m going to dedicate the next 4 months of my life to prepare for this race, wouldn’t it make sense to get some help?
I’m feeling particularly hypocritical in my hesitation, because at work I regularly compare our relationship with our clients to that of a team coach.
- Our technical consultants are part of your network operations team, but also separate from the team – an independent voice able to give an outside perspective.
- Part of our role is to mentor and train the technicians on your team so that their knowledge of VoIP, telecoms and Metaswitch grows through working with us.
- Just like a sports coach, we have expertise and experience that’s different (and often more advanced) than that of our clients – helping them to achieve goals that would not have been possible without our help.
Having researched the world of running coaches, their monthly fee usually covers an initial planning phase – where they prepare a training plan for your goal race – but then most of the service is on-demand assistance. You can call or email as needed, and the coach will be available to provide advice or encouragement to help make sure you achieve your goal.
It sounds similar, doesn’t it?
Now of course the two situations aren’t exactly the same. It’s not like the coach will take over and run the hardest hills for me mid-race (which we will do, metaphorically, for our clients). Even so, if our clients find our assistance highly valuable in achieving their goals, should I not expect the same positive outcome for my running goals if I engage a coach?
Let me hear your vote:
- Should I work with a coach and get some expert advice to help hit my goals, or
- Save my money as I’m not good enough to warrant a coach?
Drop me a line and let me know what you think.
(And if you want to learn more about our support retainers and how that benefits our clients, you can read more here.)
