I think right now it's about 1/4 to 1/3 self-coached; I decide the races I run, and where I do my training. When I cross-train at the gym, I decided most of the machines I work on.
That being said, having Deb as my coach has been (and is!) a huge plus for me. Her work as a physical trainer has given her great insight into assessing what's just a sore muscle from a little overuse or misuse, and what is could be a more serious situation. Either way, she knows the approach needed to treat it - doing work with A, cutting back on B, etc.
Deb is always pestering me (in that good way) to make sure I tell her what I've been doing. She's open to ideas and suggestions I have, but is not hesitant to tell me no - always explaining why.
After my Run of the Mill race, I told her that while I knew I could run the marathon at Mad City, the AG awards at Run and Crossing the World (Shelfie's race) meant more because I had thought sometimes I'd never get an AG. She's always believed in my possibilites (almost as much as LC), and I really believe that's a reason why I was able to accomplish those things.
That being said, having Deb as my coach has been (and is!) a huge plus for me. Her work as a physical trainer has given her great insight into assessing what's just a sore muscle from a little overuse or misuse, and what is could be a more serious situation. Either way, she knows the approach needed to treat it - doing work with A, cutting back on B, etc.
Deb is always pestering me (in that good way) to make sure I tell her what I've been doing. She's open to ideas and suggestions I have, but is not hesitant to tell me no - always explaining why.
After my Run of the Mill race, I told her that while I knew I could run the marathon at Mad City, the AG awards at Run and Crossing the World (Shelfie's race) meant more because I had thought sometimes I'd never get an AG. She's always believed in my possibilites (almost as much as LC), and I really believe that's a reason why I was able to accomplish those things.
Self-coached---do a lot of reading and chatting with people who have been coached in the past. I found a great book--outdated, but useful---"The Runners Book of Training Secrets" by Ken Sparks.
If one can do it, join a running club with a coach, hopefully a good one!
If one can do it, join a running club with a coach, hopefully a good one!
I'm self coached but I usually try advices I see or read about on TV, magazines, friends,...