It’s not a secret that I’ve been looking for a running coach for a while now. Even when I technically had one, I was looking.

I find myself really triggered by conversations on podcasts about coaching, whether or not you need a coach and when, how etc to get one.

They make it sound like it’s an option for everyone and that they are easy to find.

Finding an alien riding a unicorn would be easier.

Maybe it’s like dating, maybe my standards are too high and I should “just settle” for good enough. That’s what the quirky best friend or the overbearing mother in those movies would say right? It’s me, my standards are too high, there are plenty of fish in the sea, I’m just too picky.

Well maybe I am but this is important to me and I don’t want to just settle and end up injured, broke and unable to run at all.

The ultra running coaching landscape is evolving as the sport grows but it’s still mostly a handful of qualified (as in tertiary qualifications!) coaches, a bunch of athletes who coach on the side and just as many influencers who have run one race so think they can make a buck coaching people.

Personally, I’m not a fan of the “it worked for me” coaching strategy so I haven’t reached out to any athletes unless they have legit coaching experience and/or qualifications. I’ve never run track and field and I don’t have that sort of training background. I don’t really trust that it isn’t going to break me and I’ve heard so many horror stories of elite athletes copy and pasting their training onto normal people and causing serious problems.

That leaves coaches with qualifications. Unfortunately there isn’t that many and their spots are really limited. There are folks who only train elite athletes and lots of groups like CTS, Sharman Coaching etc. Even Bronco Billy has a team of coaches now.

I’m interested in these to a certain extent but am limited by budget. A lot of them are asking $500 AU per month to send you an email once a week.

There are variations of contact and personalisation.

I need the accountability. Not daily, but just someone to check in once a week and say good job but the prices are insane. I see why people think this sport is elitist or non inclusive.

I feel like if I was on zoom with a coach three times a week then that would justify the fee but with my work schedule and the time differences I’d be surprised if I could schedule one call a week.

Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate this is people’s profession but I don’t know how they justify the cost.

I’ve found a few coaches who tick most of my boxes. I’ve generally had to compromise on the price point and just convince myself that it will be worth it and that I’m investing in myself.

I work out my budget, and figure out how I’m going to afford it and then they either say no, don’t write back at all or say let’s set up a call and don’t follow through.

I just want someone who cares about this as much as I do.