Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I hire a running coach? Can’t I just run on my own?

Yes, you can certainly run on your own but there are many benefits to working with a running coach. Hiring a coach can help you:

• Identify and meet your goals. This includes breaking large goals down into smaller parts, setting goals that are realistic, and creating a safe and healthy path to help you accomplish those goals. 
• Stay accountable. We’ve all experienced the realities of setting a goal and not following through on the actions required to meet that goal. Real change requires ongoing effort and a coach can help you remain committed and consistent throughout the process. 
• Reduce the risk of injury. A running coach will help you avoid the common mistakes of doing too much, too fast, too soon. I’ll work with you to pay attention to your body, manage your training load, and seek the help of medical professionals when needed. Being a healthy runner is critical. 
• Get a training plan made specifically for you. You can find and buy generic training plans online but those plans don’t take into account your individual fitness level, goals, and needs as an athlete. They can’t track your actual running data and make adjustments nor do they provide guidance if you’ve had to miss a few runs due to illness or injury. Working with a coach allows you to follow a plan specifically tailored to you. 
• Make improvements as a runner. Sometimes people fall into patterns of finding something that works for them and sticking with it. While running your usual distance, at your usual speed, on your usual route can be fine, growth and improvement come from breaking out of that pattern and trying things that are new and different. A coach can help you break free from your current state and improve as a runner.  

Where are you located? Do I need to live in your area?

I’m located in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area of Minnesota, USA but provide online coaching to runners in any location! So much of our world has shifted to the virtual environment over the last few years and run coaching is no exception. This means it won’t matter if you’re at home, visiting family out of state, or across the world when we connect. 

Is there a required number of months that must be purchased?

No, there is no minimum and are no contracts. Some people choose to work with a coach for several months leading up to a specific event while others continue coaching all year or across training seasons. It is important to note that real change comes over an extended period of time and the amount of change you can expect to see in one month is limited.

What type of runners do you coach?

I coach runners of many types, including those who don’t yet consider themselves runners as well as individuals who have been running for many years and are hoping to achieve new goals. This includes new and current runners of all ages (I’ve worked with people in their 20s to their late 60s), all body shapes and sizes (if you have a body and you run, you have a runner’s body), and all genders. As an “adult-onset” runner myself, individuals who started (or are starting) their running journeys beyond the high school or collegiate age often find it comforting to work with a coach who also came to running as an adult. That being said, I also work with people who discovered and were successful with running at a much earlier age. If we are fortunate and approach running in safe and healthy ways, our running journeys will be long and there will always more chapters to write. Please reach out and let’s talk about your next chapter!

I want to run a marathon (or half marathon, or 10k, etc.), when do I need to start training?

The amount of time needed for training depends on a number of variables. What is your current level of fitness? How many miles are you currently running each week and what is your running history over the last few months? What is your goal for the event? The longer the race, the longer the recommended build up in training. For example, most marathon training plans are between 16-20 weeks long but that generally assumes the athlete is coming in to training with some sort of training base (miles run over the past few months). With this in mind, having a solid 6 months (or more) for base building plus training is ideal for a marathon. Can it be done in a shorter timeframe? Yes, but typically not with the same results. A half marathon, 10k, or 5k doesn’t usually require the same amount of lead time for training, but starting earlier is always better than trying to ask too much of your body in too short of a timeframe. Most runners prefer to think about the long game, 10… 20… 30+ years of happy and healthy running rather than a one and done type of approach. Nonetheless, if running a 5k, 10k, half-marathon, or marathon is on your bucket list and you would like the knowledge and support of a coach to check that item off the list, I’m here to help you on that journey. When in doubt, please reach out!

Do you offer a referral discount?

Yes! If you refer a friend or family member and they sign up for coaching, you will both receive a 15% discount on your next month of coaching. ​Please contact me to receive your referral code.

Do you offer refunds?

I do not offer refunds on coaching services. I am here to coach you to your highest level of success, and part of that is requiring a commitment from you that you are fully invested in your training. When refunds are an option, you can have “one foot in” the work, and “one foot out” the door. It is to YOUR benefit to decide BEFORE purchasing your package and committing to work with me that you are 100% committed to this work. I will be there with an equal commitment to you. The only exception is if, after an initial consultation, I determine that you would not be a good fit as a coaching client. This would occur before any training plan is created.

Free consultations are limited to one per person and to prospective coaching clients only. Athletes who have a current coaching plan in place or have received coaching services from Journey to Run in the past 6 months are not eligible.