Considering a Running Coach?
For years I’d thought about becoming a running coach. I’ve been running for 40 years and have learned a lot during that time that has helped me compete and place in many races. Friends and family will occassionaly ask me for running advice and I like helping them get interested in the sport or perform better, so I thought coaching could be fun.
The RRCA (Road Runners Club of America) hosts courses around the country for people to earn their coaching certification. There hadn’t been one near me in the last few years so last year when they scheduled one in Ann Arbor for August 2020 I signed up. Little did any of us know that there’d be no in-person classes or gathering of any kind in the summer of 2020. Fortunately, the RRCA shifted their courses to a live online format.
Coaching is more than running
Before the course I didn’t really know what to expect but I didn’t think it would be too difficult since I have done a lot of reading and research on running. Although it was scheduled for two eight-hour days I assumed they’d start late, take lots of breaks and end early. Wrong. The class was a full sixteen hours with very few breaks. The course guidebook was 350 pages covering everything a coach needs to know including building training plans, nutrition, injuries, sports psychology, and the business of coaching. We had group assignments and overnight homework. It was very thorough and helpful. I’m glad I had the background I did coming into the course because if I wasn’t a runner, a lot of the terms would have been foreign and the course would have been much tougher. That was the case with several of the students who were physical trainers but not runners. They struggled.
A “Pass/Fail” Test
After sixteen hours of class we had been given a lot of information. To earn the certification I needed to pass a 100 question exam. 85 or better is a passing grade and below 85 is fail. We had 30 days to take the exam but I decided taking it sooner was better while the info was fresh. The exam was a mix of true/false and multiple choice. It covered all topics from the course with an emphasis on training plans. Once the completed exam is submitted you get your score instantly. I was relieved to see my score of 93.
The other requirement for RRCA certification was completion of a Red Cross First Aid and CPR course. Fortunately that course had been offered through my employer in the spring so I had the first aid credentials.
Starting a Business or Just Helping for Fun
Now I need to decide what I want to do as a running coach. I wasn’t interested in coaching for the income. Coaching just sounded fun. Even if I never coached another athlete, I thought it would help me in my running goals and I know it will. But I’ll give some thought to setting up a side business to take on a few clients if they come. I don’t plan to aggressively look for them but I’m now listed on the RRCA site so maybe I’ll get some interest.
So, if you’ve ever considered using a running coach, or not sure if it’s for you, let’s talk. No charge for the initial conversation.