As a coach...

Starting out

I stepped into coaching when a group of fun, fearless and fabulous folks asked for a hand to complete the Cardiff half marathon. Most hadn't completed the distance before, and of those that had done had not enjoyed it.

We didn't set goals of time or pace - they just wanted to finish, and have a blooming good time while they did. Working over 20 weeks, we tried new methods (run/walk) and tested strategies I knew from ultra running on nutrition, weekly volume, and recovery. We adjusted as holidays came up and 10k races appeared and when niggles derailed plans. I watched the runners fly past one by one. Every single one smiling. The feeling I chase as a runner was supplanted by this feeling in watching them achieve and right there I knew I wanted to help more runners.

As a thank you - and completely unexpectedly - the runners had a whip around to say thank you. From that initial thanks, RunVive coaching was born …

My Philosophy

I use a holistic athlete-centred model, putting you front and centre in your training. I'm nosy. I want to know about you, your running and your life (including stress levels, work, family - you name it).

From coaching a range of athletes to achieve various goals, from time-based to distance-based, I know that the best training approaches are flexible, adaptable and fun. Making your running fit around you and your lifestyle is the best way to achieve consistency. And in the words of David Roche (author of the Happy Runner) :

Consistency beats epic because epic isn't consistent.

With that in mind, my approach to coaching draws on ultra-marathon training principles, focusing on building quantity and quality volume safely and using regular cut back weeks to recover both the body and the mind. Niggles do not need to be a fact of your running and preventing them is a key part of my training approach.

I usually work to six-week training cycles, building for two weeks then cutting back for one. This allows your body the time needed to adapt, and grow stronger and therefore faster. Working to this rhythm also means that impromptu time off, races, holidays, sickness can all be easily accommodated. Flexibility is key in order to maintain consistency.

I encourage all runners to try a variety of running sessions. From hills to speedwork to tempo to offroad. While certain goals will require certain sessions, variety is important to stay injury free, stay motivated, and stay improving. As we build through the weeks, sessions become more specific to any particular goals, building on that strong base.

I set challenges throughout training to measure progress, and while I love a bit of Strava and data analysis, ultimately the most important feedback I receive is from you:

How did it feel?

That's the most important question a coach can ask an athlete, and it's one you will hear from me a lot.

Running is our hobby. Even those at a competitive level, ultimately it is supposed to be fun. While I can't promise that you'll have oodles of fun during a mile time trial, I do keep the fun at the heart of everything we do. (Bad jokes included at no extra cost).

Get in touch for an initial chat to see how I can help.