About the Run Coach [RUN/SPLIT]

I started running late. After a few duathlons in my 20s where I would run for a week or two then race, my legs would always be trashed for lack of run fitness. But in my 20s recovery was quick. I got serious about run training when I stopped bike racing at 30. My plan was to leverage my cycling speed, become a runner, and see how far I could go with duathlon. The motor was strong but the run legs took a while to develop.

For the first two years of running there were lots of injuries as my body got used to the movement. Gravity was harsh as my body 'hardened-off' to tolerate the impact. I had shin splints, plantar faschiitis, knee and hip problems (caused by a leg length disparity), and the usual temporary strains and pains. Learning how much run stress my body could take was by trial and error along with some advice from those who'd already been through the process.

A run where everything is working smoothly is a great thing; when there's a problem that stops your run training it's really, really, frustrating. To be a runner takes patience. I've known a few athletes who claimed they'd never had a run injury, but inevitably as they got older some body part broke down. I know runners who train with serious problems, but shouldn't. If injuries become debilitating they look to other aerobic sports (swimming and cycling perhaps) to take the place of runs and often a triathlete is 'born!'

My multipsort genesis was different as I had done all I could with cycling and was getting bored with it. I know swimmers that went though the same process.

I'm still at it after almost 20 years of run training. I know what works to gain run speed; I've experienced most of the injuries and I know how to resolve them. Experience and good judgment from a coach can help you find your best performance as a runner.

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