Being Coached.
One of my athletes (we will call her T) is running the Houston Half-Marathon on Sunday. She shared on twitter the other day, that she has never felt so prepared for any race in her running career. I just had to smile ear to ear...... not just because I am her coach, but because I am her coach.
This athlete has taught me so much about coaching. And that is the reason that I am proud to coach her. She isn't afrad to kvetch to me. She isn't afraid to tell me when she is feeling less than stellar. She isn't afraid to offer praise about the program I have written. She isn't afraid to argue with me about training progressions, and be honest if she needs more or less. She goes out and does her best, regardless of what she is feeling. AND she offers her feedback. She knows what she needs and when she needs it, and will ask for it.
Through my interactions and coaching over the past year, I have learned a great deal (more) about distance coaching. It is challenging when you don't see your athletes face to face, and the interactions are solely via email and telephone. It is challenging to rely on the verbiage on the computer. I would love to be able to coach all my athletes face to face. I would love to train all my athletes, locally. And while I see many athletes locally, through running and other programming, there are some that chose to work with me regardless of geography.
The interactions I have had with T, have taught me how to not only be coached better, but to coach better.
1. Be open minded.
The parachute only works when it is open. Regardless of what is being asked of you, go do it. Do it to the best of your ability. Just do.
2. Give honest feedback.
If you didn't like something, say so, and explain why. It was different; it was hard; it didn't challenge enough; it was overwhelming; whatever your reaction, be honest about it. Your coach is not a mind-reader. That is good and bad.
3. Do your very best with every training session.
Not every protocol in the program is going to be your favorite. We have to do some things we don't like. My coach has me doing stuff that I *hate*, but I do know I benefit from it. And the stuff I love usually follows the other stuff. I go out and conquer it. I feel successful for tackling it.
4. Provide feedback in a timely fashion.
Your coach cannot track your progress and make changes as necessary if you do not report in. I expect to hear from my athletes weekly at the very least. Some email me daily to tell me how the program went. Others report in at the end of the week.
If programming needs to be changed/revised for whatever reason, the more quickly you communicate, the more quickly the issue can be resolved.
5. Express your needs.
Traditionally, you have run further distance in preparation for a race. Communicate that. You are used to only a ten-day taper, prior to a race. Communicate that. You need more speed work. Communicate that.
You may not get all of your requests. Your coaches vision might be different than what you are accustomed to, but the communication of what you are familiar with can help with programming and communication with something.
6. If you don't understand something, ask.
Clarification of your program. It is improbable that you will execute efficiently, if you do not understand what is expected. Coaches are human, and sometimes we write thinking our verbiage is universal, and you just know. Bear with us, and ask...'what do you mean by that?'
Being coached is an excellent opportunity for both you and the coach. Everyone learns and gains from the experience. These should help improve your experience as the athlete receiving the coaching.
meg stolt
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