Micksta Coaching - Training

Micksta

23/12/2005 at 11:36

I have been thinking long and hard and have been reading various posts and threads recently. And have come up with the idea of actually coaching forum members or giving advice on running and training.

This will be a first for me, but I have access to 2-3 years training plans and my own experiences, and would like to give something back to the sport I love.

Im no QULIFIED COACH! so any advice I gave to people on my thread it would be at the individuals own RISK to follow it, as I could not be held responsible for any injury occuring. I would give advice to beginners and more experienced runners.
Maybe even Individual training plans for some people.

I plan to start this in the New year, part of my 2006 plans and will also put a YAHOO Group up for people to join.

Whats everyones take on this idea?
Please be honest, if You think its a bad idea then please so say, if its a good idea likewise, as feedback is the best way to find things out!

Sezz

23/12/2005 at 11:39

Great idea, so long as you have have the time to respond to everyone individually and perhaps even meet up with them occasionally.

dan dan

23/12/2005 at 11:46

Nice idea, Micksta.

As Sezz says, it's time consuming to do it properly. I considered doing swim coaching, but it does take up a load of your spare time.

Good luck and enjoy!

Trinirunner

23/12/2005 at 11:49

Micksta - Great idea, I get most of my coaching from the daily thread and BT thread, which helps, but would appreciate specific coaching.

Micksta

23/12/2005 at 12:00

The idea being that I would post general questions and responses on the RW Thread, this so everyone could benefit.

If a Forum member would like me to specifically coach them, then I would do this via an email, possible meet ups if local to the area may be possible. I would set up a seperate email address for this purpose, so I could identify coaching emails and normal mails.

Barnsley Runner

23/12/2005 at 12:38

Does it include tips on how to deal with German Shepherd dogs?

:-)

SS - The Last Unicorn

23/12/2005 at 12:42

BR

just give them a cuddle

My GSD is purrfect....think of a cross between Tigger and a Teddy Bear

She even pulls me up hills when needed!

TimSutton

24/12/2005 at 07:52

Micksta, can you coach me please I'm an old has-been of 25 years experiance, stuck in my ways :-)

BR, surely you just out run them?

JRM

24/12/2005 at 10:23

Micksta

I think if you are not a qualified coach you should be a very good runner yourself in order to coach others.

I did a search on Google and Michael Gore of Invicta AC is running around 36 mins for 10k. Is this you? Because to be frank that is quite an average time. This is probably my mistake and you are actually a sub 32 min 10k runner.

On your profile you say that 'you will run for team GB in Beijing in 2008'. What does that mean? Have you been selected? What event? Or do you 'hope' to run there (like I do)?

Micksta

24/12/2005 at 12:41

BR:
lol..how to outrun a german shepard dog? hmmm, think a pair of roller skates would be a better idea than my trusty ASICS DS-Trainers!

Big-Tim:
Well if you want coaching then you know my email address ;p

JRM:
Probably is me on the google search, though I have done 35mins at Southend back in october! my best for 10k is 34:18 back in 2004. Marathon best is 2h43mins.

With regard having the talent and being a good runner, if I was going to be training elite runners, then yes that would be an advantage, but most people who would be looking at my advice, I guess would be beginners or club runners looking for a few tips to improve.

Thank you for calling me average though,least I know im 50/50 in a field a need that little bit of improvement, gives me focus for next season :)

Barnsley Runner

24/12/2005 at 13:16

Interesting point raised by JRM.

The best football coaches in the country are probably Ferguson, Wenger and Mourinho - none of them notable players. Maybe they did a lot of coaching qualifications.

I wouldn't like to `coach' anyone but I'm happy to give advice on points that come up to clubmates and forumites. I have the utmost respect for anyone who does coach as you're becoming responsible for someone else's performance. Guess I have too much of that at work!!

I have thought of doing the level 1 coaching course but I don't know if it would tell me anything about running I don't already know or anything about teaching people I haven't learned.

Although Micksta is right in that most of us are not elites, so knowing how to coach John Mayock to a 63 min HM would require a different programme to coaching someone from a 1:45 to 1:35 HM. I like coaches with a track record of improving the performances of keen club runners who have been training hard without necessarily getting very far, and by making some coaching improvements to that schedule, turn effort into results.

TimSutton

24/12/2005 at 13:35

I don't think you need qualifications or to have been elite.
Sometimes enthusiasium is enough & as Micksta is saying he's only really trying to help by email & web posting.

I'm a level 2 endurance coach but with my other qualifications I'd rate myself above level 3 & as good as some if not better level 4 coaches.
You can seach for me on Google to btw ;-)

dan dan

24/12/2005 at 15:14

Motion seconded.

I have coached national level swimmers yet was far from that myself, so the relevant qualifications and, more importantly, a bucket load of enthusiasm are all you necessarily need.

In fact, most elite athletes are poor when it comes to explaining how they do what they do-they'll say to you that they just 'do it'.

The ones who who are not quite so talented, yet have persevered with their chosen sport and have become 'students' of the game, like Mourinho and the others BR mentions, are often the best coaches.

MikeB

24/12/2005 at 15:26

I might coach oneday, but I won't still be running competitively then, unless I win the lottery and am not working full time.

GGHT

24/12/2005 at 15:34

Same with boxing trainers, Cus d'Amato probably the best of all time was not a boxer of any repute.

Pammie*

24/12/2005 at 15:46

Good idea Micksta .

Something my training lacks is structure.
That being i don't follow a set schedule.
Basically my training is loads (for me) of base miles and 6-8 weeks before a big race (about 2 key races a year) i add in speedwork. ie. fartlek, intervals tempo (not all in the same week i hasten to add)

I agree and have read, that the very best athletes do not necessarily make the best coaches, that can be applied to any sport.
So you do not necessarily have to run like Haile to be a good or even great coach

Something to ponder over.

Merry Christmas

Sportaloo

24/12/2005 at 17:08

Great stuff Micksta. I know I for one learn plenty from the likes of yourself,BR and some others. You don't have to be running sub 30 10K's to talk sense. Some people running those times have trouble stringing sentences together.

I was going to mention boxing coaches GGHT :o) The same with rugby coaches,very few international coaches represented their countries. Sorry Sir Clive but you weren't much of a centre :o)

JRM

24/12/2005 at 17:11

Miksta

On your profile you say that 'you will run for team GB in Beijing in 2008'. What does that mean?

Stellina

24/12/2005 at 18:00

Micksta - would really appreciate some online coaching and I think I could give you lots of satisfaction as a 'student' (more in terms of enthusiasm and progress than real results mind) as I am very determined and a high achiever.

I haven't been running for long but I had excellent fitness levels to start with, from a lifetime of swimming and cycling.

I have been practising yoga for seven years and have been a teacher for four, this has really thought body awareness/ breathing techniques.

The first time I went out for a run, I could go on for one hour and I run a half marathon after eight weeks.

My schedules are now, like Pammie's, somehow unstructured and would really appreciate some expert advise.

Tom.

24/12/2005 at 18:48

Micksta, I really don't know what to say....so best leave it unsaid.

Anyway, Merry Christmas to you.

Tom