In trail and ultramarathon running, we are seeing a steadily increasing number of coaches, as well as online training-plans. Hence, it’s important that as coaches we distinguish what we offer runners beyond simply a cookie-cutter training plan. Let’s take a look at what some of those roles are.
Personalised and Adaptive Training Plans: As coaches, we develop customised training plans that align with our athlete’s specific goals, fitness level, training history, long-term goals, and schedule. This includes detailed workout sessions, recovery strategies, and periodisation of their training so that they peak for key events. Importantly, it is never set in stone and must be constantly updated depending on how the athlete changes and progresses. Even the best thought-out 3 month training plan may need to be completely overhauled if the runner rolls their ankle tomorrow!
Mentor: We provide guidance and support to our athletes, helping them navigate both the challenges and joys, in and out of the sport. This mentorship can extend to cultivating a profound connection with nature, emphasising the importance of respect for the trails and the broader outdoor/running community.
Motivator: We inspire and encourage our athletes to perform at their best, promoting a positive and competitive environment. Setting achievable yet ambitious goals can build confidence and foster a sense of accomplishment in overcoming various obstacles. Our encouragement helps athletes maintain their focus and momentum, even when faced with fatigue or adversity. All runners are different (and each runner will change over time), and while some may be hyper-motivated and need you to help pull the reins back sometimes, at other times you are helping them simply get out the door to train.
Life Balance Facilitator: Given the significant time and energy demands of training for trail and ultramarathon races, we play a crucial role in helping athletes maintain a healthy balance between their sporting commitments, personal life, and their other responsibilities.
Strategist: We help athletes develop pacing strategies specific to their race, considering factors such as distance, terrain, elevation, time of day, competition, goals, etc. Trail races often involve varied, and possibly extreme, environmental conditions, so as a coach you must advise on acclimatisation strategies and gear choices to cope with heat, cold, altitude, humidity, rain, etc.
Nutritionist: We provide guidance on nutrition and hydration strategies that are critical for trail and ultramarathon runners, helping them optimise performance and recovery through proper fueling. This may involve a variety of nutrition strategies both in, and out, of races.
Sport Psychologist: Trail and ultramarathon running requires significant mental fortitude. So, we can work on developing an athlete’s mental toughness, teaching strategies to cope with pain, fatigue, and the psychological demands of their events. Coaches often act as counsellors, helping our athletes deal with the psychological aspects of competition and training, including stress, performance anxiety, and confidence issues. We also help our athletes navigate the ups and downs of life, as no one can train or race at their best if they’re not in the right headspace.
Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation Specialist: It’s no secret that injury rates are incredibly high among distance runners. As a coach you are a runners first-line of defence against injury. Load management, specific (p)rehab exercises (if you are qualified to prescribe them), running form changes, and recovery techniques can all help stop injuries before they happen. However, athletes will still pick up various injuries and these same modalities are how we treat them.
Role Model: By demonstrating professionalism, sportsmanship, and integrity, we can set an example for their athletes to follow.
Data Analyst: Technology and data analytics are steadily becoming a growing part of coaching. Data can help us monitor training loads, physiological responses, and performance metrics. This helps us make informed decisions about training and readiness for competition, as well as to evaluate race performance.
Support System and Advocate: It can be a major challenge for runners to figure out logistics for far-away races, find a network of experts and training-partners, choose the right equipment, deal with sponsors, navigate social media, etc. As a coach, you can draw upon your experience to help ease some of these challenges for your athletes.
Lifelong Learner: As coaches, we must continue to educate ourselves on the latest techniques, strategies, and advancements in sports science to enhance our coaching effectiveness.
Educator: It is not enough just to understand all the roles listed above. You must also be passing on that knowledge to your athletes. Talk athletes through your decision-making processes and encourage them to ask questions.
A good coach also knows their limits! While coaches may serve as a first-line jack-of-all trades, it will often be necessary to refer runners to a specialist physiotherapist, sport psychologist, doctor, sports dietician, etc! It’s not your job to know everything, and good coaches are able to seek-out and take onboard advice from others.
Key take-aways
- Coaches are more than just a training-plan
- A coaches role is highly multi-faceted and always evolving
- It’s your job not just to keep up with the latest advancements in the sport, but also to educate your athletes