7 Traits of a Phenomenal Running Coach

Increasingly, runners, from beginners to elites, are choosing to hire a running coach. A good coach can help you get off the couch and train for your first 5K or help you put the finishing touches on your years of training to get a personal best in anything from a 1-mile race to a 100-mile ultramarathon.

Choosing a running coach can be a tough task. And there are a lot of good choices out there. You obviously want to choose someone who specializes in your goal distance.

Whether you are looking to just get started or want a coach to help you hone your racing skills, here are 7 traits your future coach should have.

1. Experience — Is your coach a runner himself? Or does he have years of experience running? Every mile your coach has run has added to his experience as a runner and that experience will carry over to you as the runner.

2. Passion — Does your coach love running? Success as a runner will only come if passion is present. A coach who is only coaching for the paycheck doesn’t have passion and will fail to motivate and inspire you as a runner.

3. Patience — Running is for life. If your coach wants to rush your results, chances are you will end up injured, over trained, and frustrated. A great coach understands that every athlete is different and will adjust at different rates than others.

4. Flexibility — Does your coach want to put you on a one size fits all, cookie cutter plan? Every runner is going to have different strengths and weaknesses. They are going to have good weeks and super weeks. A flexible coach will determine what each individual athlete needs and wants, and at what time in their training.

5. Creativity — To stick with training for the long haul a runner needs to have training plan that is fluid and creatively changes with their needs. Running coaches know not only the science of running but also the art of running. True running is an art.

6. Good Listener — A good coach is going to hear every word you say, whether positive or negative. Knowing your runner is vital to successful coaching. If a coach does not listen, how will he know where to steer his runner next? A successful coaching program changes with the runner and a coach who doesn’t listen will only hold his runner back.

7. Motivated — You as an athlete will not stay motivated if your coach is not motivated. A good coach is driven, motivated and inspired daily to help his runners succeed. He truly cares and is willing to give each individual runner the time they personally need to run stronger, faster, and smarter.

Did I miss any traits that you find important for being a phenomenal running coach?