Should you hire a running coach?

Honestly, probably not. Now, that doesn’t mean that hiring a running coach can’t be a game-changer. IT ABSOLUTELY CAN.

But having a running coach isn’t a necessity.

I’ll keep it honest with you, what the vast majority of runners actually need isn’t a 1 on 1 running coach; it’s access to a coach and the support of a team.

Why? Running is all about learning how to change your perspective around your pre-defined limits and redefining what success and failure mean to you.

A running coach will give you a training plan and hold you accountable for your training. Maybe they’ll hop on a call with you and talk you off ledges or help you build confidence.

A GREAT running coach will help you define your process and outcome goals, what your pre-defined limits are, understand the fears and doubts you have, build self-assurance, and redefine your relationship with running. But when you do that with the support of a team? THAT is where real change happens.

Most people really don’t need a running coach. They don’t. You can absolutely get by with free or cheaper running plans you can find online.

But there comes a time in many runners' lives when they plateau, need a change, or sense that what they’re doing isn’t working for them anymore. Running is complicated, and while so many of us can do our best on our own, having someone to guide you towards your next breakthrough and a team you can learn with and support along the way can change your life.

Sounds trivial, but it’s true.

There are so many reasons to hire a running coach, but it’s expensive as hell! And most people don’t actually need one.

But do what’s right for you.

Hiring a running coach can help you break through barriers and build new skills, but your coach isn’t going to run for you. You have to do the work. What you put into it is what you’ll get out of it.

Kickass, take names.

Why Athletes Choose Chiropractic

Many amateur and professional athletes are sidelined with injuries that could be avoided or problems that do not respond to ordinary treatment. Others are playing, but at less than peak performance, simply because their mechanical systems are dysfunctional. The chiropractic approach to health relates closely to the needs of the sports participant. Chiropractic is a natural health care method that stresses the importance of keeping all the systems of the body functioning efficiently so that the athlete enjoys peak performance, a minimum injury risk, and fast recuperative ability.

Chiropractic is a healthcare profession focused on the diagnosis and treatment of neuromusculoskeletal conditions. The primary treatment of the chiropractor is manipulation of areas of the spine or surrounding joints which are restricted in mobility and/or dysfunctional. The adjustment will help to restore proper mobility and function to the spinal and pelvic joints, helping to decrease pain and improve performance. Other treatment modalities may include massage, electrotherapy, trigger point therapy, dry needling, strapping, and rehabilitative exercise.

Injuries like sprains (ankle), strains (pulled muscles), tendonitis (tennis elbow), bursitis (shoulder pain), and joint problems in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, hip, knee, ankle, and foot can all be treated effectively with chiropractic care. The beauty of chiropractic is not only that it is drug-free and surgery-free but also that it is preventative and performance-enhancing care. Maintaining proper alignment allows athletes to be prepared for their sports. Many of the greatest athletes in the world are adjusted as part of their ‘training’ regimen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Can chiropractic help improve athletic performance?

Answer: Yes. In many cases, the doctor can also offer advice on safe, healthy ways to improve peak performance. A chiropractor’s training and experience with the dynamics of the human body qualifies him or her to diagnose and successfully treat a wide range of injuries and conditions.

Question: What can a chiropractor do for me if I’m having leg or knee pain?

Answer: These may indicate a spinal problem, pelvic imbalance, an inappropriate training program, overuse injuries, or stress conditions to soft tissues or bone. These conditions can often be effectively managed if the problem is identified early and appropriate treatment is followed. X-rays may also be required if certain types of pathology are suspected. Your training regimen and schedule may be reviewed to see if any problem areas need to be corrected. In addition to any chiropractic adjustments your doctor may perform, he or she may also recommend that you consult a podiatrist for orthotics and perform home rehabilitation exercises.

Question: What kind of exercises do I need to do at home (rehab)?

Answer: Injured soft tissue and muscles/joints can be strengthened with rehab exercises. An entire spectrum of these can be recommended by your chiropractor after examining your needs and condition. Many are very simple and can be done in a few minutes at home or at the office. You may also be referred to a biokineticist for a more comprehensive and intensive rehab program.

Question: What can my chiropractor do to stop pain?

Answer: The treatment you receive will focus, in general, on reducing swelling, relieving pain, restoring functional movement through manipulation (adjustment), protecting the area from additional stress, and strengthening your foundation. Depending on your specific condition, your chiropractor may instruct you to do some or all of the following things after you leave the clinic:
REST – a decrease or stoppage of running and jumping exercises is often indicated
ICE – to help bring down any swelling
EXERCISE – to help build muscle strength and joint stability
STRETCHING – flexibility improves movement and function, helping to prevent injury or rehabilitate damaged muscles/ligaments/joints.

Running Puns

#1 Runners never eat a full meal before the race because they are supposed to fast.

#2 The only type of meal that runners eat before a big race to be at their peak powers is fast food.

#3 Even after the heart surgery, the marathon runner set the pace for this marathon. Guess this is why he had a pacemaker.

#4 All the marathon runners were disappointed that the race had been cancelled- another run bites the dust.

#5 During the marathon, the Swedish runner couldn’t complete the race because he stopped just before the Finnish line.

#6 I don’t particularly appreciate running marathons because it gives me the runs.

#7 Long-distance runners usually are good students because their education pays off in the long run.

#8 One should never train for sprints. That way, athletes would only win in the short run.

#9 I wanted to tell you one of my running jokes, but it somehow ran away.

#10 Two cowardly sprinters got into a fight after the marathon. I heard it was a hit-and-run.

#11 Penguins have a reputation for emerging as winners in marathons because they peng-win.

#12 Sir Paul McCartney was stopped from running a marathon once. He got banned on the run.

#13 The cow surprised everyone at the farm by running so fast. He really knows how to use his calf muscles.

#14 Pigs can never run marathons due to always pulling their hamstrings.

#15 Did you hear about the gardener who lost his race? Apparently, he took the wrong root.

#16 I forgot the next pun. Do you have anything to jog my memory?

#17 Did you see the fishmonger that completed the race? He came in last place, his heart and sole weren’t in it.

#18 The snowman had to give up running because he couldn’t warm up.

#19 The DJ got disqualified from the 800m race because he kept changing tracks.

#20 I love doing LSD on my runs – “Low, Slow, Distance”.

#21 My dentist is a good runner because he knows his drills.

#22 Why did the lawyer with a torn ACL win the marathon? Because he had the power of a torn knee.

#23 Papers and pens will never win races because they are, in fact, stationary.

#24 When all the numbers came together for a race, the number 1 emerged victorious. This is because he one.

#25 In the race of vegetables and fruits, the lemon couldn’t win the sprint because it ran out of juice.

#26 After the two brothers reached the finish line, they fist-bumped. Guess we could say that, in a way, the finish line was the punchline.

#27 The marathon runner was detained in the middle of the marathon by the police because he was resisting a rest.

#28 There have been efforts to have a marathon in Antarctica. The winners will win the medal of nowhere.

#29 When the couch won the marathon, his other couch friends were shocked because they hadn’t realised before that he could run sofa!

#30 The sprinter finished the race first despite having a late start because he was running a delay.

#31 I’ve got a gait feeling that I may win today. 

#32 She always wins the race. I guess it runs in her genes.

To Zwift or not to Zwift

Not too long ago, I logged into Strava and stumbled upon a striking comment beneath one of my recent rides: “It’s a stunning day outside. Why choose Zwift?” The words hit me with a pang of guilt. Indeed, the weather had been inviting. Instead of relishing the sunshine and the rhythmic sound of tyres on pavement, I found myself bathed in the artificial glow of my TV screen, accompanied by the constant whir of my indoor cycling setup.

Rather than engaging in casual banter with fellow riders or vying for victory at town line sprints, my time was spent collecting virtual accolades like “ride ons” and vying for digital jerseys. Yet, the somewhat unsettling truth behind my decision to opt for Zwift was simply that I didn’t feel like venturing outdoors. Admitting this feels daunting, almost as if it might result in my expulsion from the cycling community. But the reality is, there are moments when I find solace in Zwift—times when I secretly wish for stormy weather just to justify retreating into my personal pain cave. “Shame about the weather, guess I'll have to settle for the trainer,” I'd quip.

Like many, I used to dread indoor rides or runs. I recall countless evenings spent staring at the wall or fixating on the markings of my training space. While roller sessions did help refine my pedal stroke, it often felt like a laborious chore, especially considering the sweat-soaked aftermath resembling a salt mine.

Then came Zwift in 2014, answering my prayers for a video game that offered more than just entertainment—it offered fitness. Early on, I embarked on Zwift Island, now known as Watopia, racking up virtual achievements and inadvertently claiming KOMs thanks to my uncalibrated trainer. My time on Zwift was so extensive that it even took a toll on my bike's components. Instead of fixating on numbers, I found myself immersed in the thrill of chasing fellow riders and pushing through intervals effortlessly. Zwift racing became a genuine substitute for real-world competition, complete with adrenaline-pumping starts and strategic last laps, all meticulously tracked on Zwift Power.

Yet, my enthusiasm for Zwift isn’t without its reservations. There's often a twinge of FOMO (fear of missing out) as I scroll through social feeds post-session, witnessing others' outdoor adventures. I occasionally grapple with guilt, feeling as though I'm neglecting the essence of cycling by opting for the virtual realm. If we were to envision a hierarchy of cycling greatness, with conquering Mont Ventoux in adverse conditions at its apex, Zwift rides might linger somewhere near the base, perceived by purists as a lesser substitute.

However, I'm gradually shedding these concerns. While I cherish epic outdoor rides when time allows. The prospect of navigating through Rustenburg traffic just to access a decent route dampens the appeal. Instead, laps around the reservation, while scenic, have become repetitive. Since I'm already simulating my rides, why not embrace Zwift entirely?

Despite its virtual nature, Zwift demands genuine effort. I've logged higher power numbers indoors than during many outdoor excursions, all without the inherent risks of road cycling. Dodging traffic, potholes, and distracted pedestrians becomes a non-issue. Plus, the avoidance of pre-ride hassles like outfit selection or gear checks adds to its allure. In essence, Zwift offers a safe and efficient means of training, allowing me to maximize my time and effort without sacrificing enjoyment.

ZLDR JANUARY CHALLENGE

According to Bruce Springsteen and modern research, we were born to run. Yeah…..I don’t know…doesn’t sound right to me.

I mean, if you take a look at my “thoughts / feelings” during January 2023, you will see that I was definitely not born to run.

👟1 January 2023: I woke up in running clothes. I really admire Drunk Me and her ambitions.

👟Do people running at 5am know about not running at 5am?.

👟That awkward moment running near a friend's house when you want to text them, "Hey, can I poop in your bathroom real quick?"

👟I'm sorry if I don't wave back at you while I'm running. It's just that I'm trying very hard not to die.

👟So my rugby player son and I actually WENT FOR A RUN. I can't tell if the taste in my mouth is victory or blood from my lungs, but I'll savour it.

👟I like going for runs at night because the added fear of being murdered really does wonders for my cardio.

👟I always hope that when people see me outside running, they think, "Wow, an athlete!" but instead, it's probably like, "Aw, good for her."

👟If you ever hear me say I "love" running, I want you to sign me up for a backwards marathon down a set of spiral stairs.

👟Don't cry because it's over, cry because you forgot Body Glide and it's time to shower.

👟I saw this girl on the trail today... No iPhone. No earbuds. No smartwatch. No hydration. She just ran. Like a total psycho.

👟The most awkward thing about running with friends is figuring out which person is most likely to be the fast runner, who is taking it easy for the day, and which person is the slowpoke running much faster than usual but pretending they're not dying.

👟I hate when the phone automatically corrects "omw" to On My Way! ...I'm not that excited for a midweek run.

👟 "It could be drugs," I whisper to myself as I buy another pair of running shoes on an extremely tight budget. "At least it's not drugs."

👟And here we f*cking go again! I mean, “good morning”

👟Another fine day ruined by a long run.

👟Never seen anyone cycling and smiling, so that's all I need to know about that.

👟Okay, hear me out: an old-fashioned candy necklace with Tylenol and Ibuprofen.

👟Sometimes, I wonder what happened to the hikers who asked me for directions.

👟Came home after a long run, and my dog peed a little because he was happy to see me. None of my friends pee when they see me. I'm surrounded by fakes.

👟Apart from being exhausted, financially unstable and nearing a mental breakdown, training is going great, thanks.

👟Long story short, I want to be sponsored by a shoe company.

The jogging Dead

Let's file this story under the heading "Only in Ireland..."

I went out for my morning run in a thick Ireland fog. The sun wasn't quite up yet. No one else was out on the street. It was eerie yet peaceful. In other words, a typical Irish morning.

This was my fourth straight day of running, so my body was sore. To urge myself through the exercise (torture?) I promised I'd go at a slow pace and only do 10km. My body agreed to those terms.

About a km and a half in, as I struggled to take the steepest hill on this course, I heard this freakish scream behind me (no, the view of me from behind is not frightening!).

I turned just in time to see a man with a crazed look in his eye and a massive axe in his hands, running straight for me (and, yes, I was jealous that he was running much faster than I had been!).

I froze. "What the hell are you doing?" I demanded in the thickest of South African accents (I like to bust it out when I need to intimidate someone... like a dude trying to behead me).

"I saw you trudging along all limping and moaning in the fog," he replied "I thought you were a zombie!"

Oh. Well, that made perfect sense. I apologized for turning his own weapon on him, helped him to his feet, and explained that I was just a half-asleep runner with a bum ankle.

We laughed, I thanked him for his dedication to keeping the streets safe from zombies (this is Ireland after all!), and he invited me to his weekly "Walking Dead" watching party.

To my fellow joggers... we live in an anxious time. If you're going to run on a foggy morning, be ready, for there are men with axes who might mistake you for the undead.

This is why we always stretch before we run...

Weirdest Things Runners Do

After running for 16 years, my life has become progressively weirder. Not only do I do things that ordinary folks think are unbelievable/weird/crazy/stupid, but what I think is standard is anything but for the general population.

And with each passing year, the harder it becomes to stop running. The odd rituals and obsessive tendencies become further ingrained in my personality until they help define who I am.

Sleep isn’t just fun, it’s recovery.

A bathroom stop isn’t just a relief. It’s a chance to check your hydration.

Parks aren’t just for picnics; they’re for barefoot strides.

Food is evaluated as fuel.

Indeed, we’re a wacky bunch. But that’s what makes us fun – our idiosyncrasies are what bonds, unite, and strengthen runners everywhere.

So from one weird runner to another, I just want to say that it’s great to be weird together. 

To celebrate runners, I’ve created a list of the top 13 weirdest things we do because we run. But these are primarily from my experiences as a runner. I’d love for YOU to add your own oddities, obsessive-compulsive rituals, and crazy tendencies in the comments below.

Let’s have some fun!

Our Weirdest Running Habits

Runners aren’t just weird about what they do, but also because of what they like and what they wear. These are our weirdest tendencies, habits, and preferences – and they might just sound familiar.

1. We have a skewed sense of weather. Tropical storm caused record flooding? Lightning? Triple-digit temperatures? Well, you gotta get in your run!

My response: It will take a nuclear holocaust to stop me from running.

2. Our hobby isn’t as “fun” as others. Getting up at 4am to run over 26 miles / 42km for fun this weekend was a CHOICE! This is what I do for fun! Why my non-running friends don’t get this is beyond me.

My response: Oh, you’re in a kickball league? Neat.

3. Nipple Band-Aids! While I’ve never needed to tape my nipples, it’s a tried and true strategy for those of us predisposed to chafed, bloody, raw nipples. The next time your nipple is pouring blood, don’t forget that you chose to run!

Other sports require their participants to wear jock straps. We have Band-Aids… for our nipples.

4. Our definition of “far” is very different. We run more per week than you probably drive.

Once on the weekend, we’ll run far enough to prompt our family members to say, “That’s why they invented cars.”

5. We are Gear Junkies! We own more shoes than fashion bloggers.

Most runners could be mistaken for paid tech consultants because of their expertise in programming GPS watches, heart rate monitors, and wearable tech that the general public doesn’t even know exists.

And socks? I own more than 30 pairs.

5. Our commitment is steadfast. Yes, we run almost every day. Yes, we do it in challenging weather. YES, we get up before dawn to run!

I die on the inside when people are incredulous that I run most days.

6. We run a LOT. Not only do some of us run every day, but some runners do it TWICE in one day!

Tell a non-runner you’re going for the day’s second run and watch their head explode.

7. Bathroom breaks don’t need to happen in bathrooms. Taking a quick pit stop outside is no big deal (just make sure you have a tall blade of grass to hide behind).

Using the facilities without facilities doesn’t even phase me anymore – just another Saturday!

8. Shoegasms. Runners get more excited about a new pair of running shoes than most people do about getting a new flat screen.

Look at those colours! The heel-toe drop differential! Wait, is that Fresh Foam?!

9. We downplay what others think is extraordinary. Running a marathon, training for hours, and finishing races faster than most can finish them on a bike makes others think we’re superhuman.

But to us, it’s just something we love to do. And when the extraordinary is normal, that’s a weird world to live in.

10. Wear gratuitously short shorts. Shorts with a 1.5-inch seam and a split leg design attract the scorn of non-runners everywhere. And have prompted some of the most hilarious taunts I’ve ever heard:

Hey, why are you wearing your sister’s shorts?!

Mommy, why is that man naked?

Why are you wearing booty shorts? Get your life together!

11. Own too many running books. Just look at my collection of running books for just a glimpse into my library. Who owns so many books about one sport? How much is there to really know about running?

I think it’s entirely reasonable, but my “normal” friends think I’m fit for a straight jacket.

12. Shaved legs (on guys). Look at the front of the pack at any major road race, and you’ll notice quite a few smooth legs on the male runners.

Besides swimmers and cyclists (who have better reasons to shave), male runners do it to feel fast and look intimidating. Now THAT’S weird.

13. Require ample “skippy doo” space. You need space for all those warm-up and core exercises – which are affectionately called “skippy doos” by a friend of mine.

Now I demand a living room clear of furniture to have ample space to do all those exercises. When family or friends are visiting, they laugh their heads off.

 Running with a South African.

-or a Springbok as some Frenchmen like to call me-

If any of my Zwift friends decide to visits South Africa here is some weird things about South Africans you need to know.

     

1. 

   
   

    Robots are called robots. Also, traffic lights are called robots, and there’s no reasonable explanation. 
   

Bang your head here...

Your failure to start is your failure to finish. 

I could end this blog here because it’s literally that simple. However, what does failure to start actually mean?

Getting older has some valuable benefits. One of the key benefits is the beauty of hindsight and experience. Life is such an incredible teacher if you are awake enough to really hear her teachings.

We often talk about great teachers, great motivators and their innovative ideas, but essentially, there is nothing new. Most things are absorbed and regurgitated with an individual spin. What is the difference between these agitators for change and those who feel stuck?

The change agents simply started. Life kept dishing up the lessons, and they kept listening whilst staying out of judgment, remaining awake in that process, and life did the rest.

If you feel like you are banging your head against the wall, you are not listening. 

Many people think they are on their way to their goals because they are putting in a ton of effort.

You’ve heard all the memes: don’t quit, be the lion, chase your dreams, etc.

After you’ve heard all the pumped-up rhetoric and you spin your wheels, “efforting to get there”, it gets tiresome, loses its juice, feels empty, and apathy sets in. An empty shell is now chasing a shadow on the wall. The feeling of banging your head against the wall is the analogy most would draw.

So the thing is, you don’t need to jump on a plane and fly to the States to spend 6 days with Tony Robbins, pumping yourself up. Not that there is anything wrong with that if it gets you moving, but eventually, the motivation has to start burning inside you again, as it once did, not outside of you. No one else can take responsibility for your fire. You lit it; you have to keep it burning.

You need to follow the threads back and find out where the fire ignited in the first place. What was the feeling that took place in your body, gut and heart that set fire to this goal? 

Because in the feeling of banging your head against the wall, if you look, if you really look, you’ll find out that you’ve lost contact with that initial feeling and the fire has gone out.

If you really want something to manifest, you have to get good at wanting it. You can’t want something with thought; it’s not strong enough. Why? Because thinking is an illusion. It takes you to a place where you imagine yourself successful; you daydream about it. It’s the ego wanting to add more to itself. It’s not strong enough motivation, and life knows it.

You have to stay in flow with the goal. Be still, visualize it, feel it, taste it, and then start whilst holding those things in place, and when things are toughest, connect to those places even more.

Whenever you get kicked in the guts or slip backwards, ask yourself, “What is the lesson?”

Never give up? Sorry, unless you stay in touch with your heart and the fire in your belly, you will have to stop; you’ll have no choice. Because you can’t keep a fire burning by pouring water on it. Once it’s gone out, you are wasting your time sitting in front of it, thinking it will keep you warm.

What’s the point of all this? 📌

“Stop banging your noggin against the wall. It’s not about the goal; it never was!”.

When you look into the initial feelings of the goal, you will see and feel it clearly.

It’s all about “YOU”! Your fire, desire, heart, and soul.

If you read this and think, “Oh, this is more of that hippy-type rhetoric”, that’s fine. Go back to sleep, but know you are returning to hitting your noggin against that wall.

When we were kids, we all had dreams, and we gave them up to settle for reality. Reality is bland and life is tough, three squares, a BBQ, a beer and a 9 – 5 job is what we do, right?

Bulls..t! It’s what we settle for because we lose touch with our inner fires and talents. Life is beautiful if you are happy where you are; by all means, enjoy it to the fullest if you are not feeling a pull.

If, however, you are sitting on top of a powder keg and deep inside, it’s calling you out, or it has called you out, and it now feels flat because you feel you have failed, it’s because you never really started.

How do I start towards this goal? ✔

Fill your space with your own essence. Not your thoughts, your essence. 

Let that be the driver behind all you do, even if it seems risky. Go out on a limb and do what your essence tells you to do; trust your gut. 

When it goes pear-shaped, pick yourself up, connect back to the essence, fan the flames of your own desire, and pick up where you left off with the lessons you have learned.

If the steps towards your goals have been full of thought, judgment, and effort, you have failed to indeed start your journey. The fire is smouldering; no wonder you are feeling cold.

You cannot superimpose yourself onto a goal. You cannot project yourself outwards to a goal; you have to attain the goal as part of your own experience. 

This is because you are the one who will go through the goal if you do attain it. 

Notice that sentence; it’s going through you, not the other way around. There is no goal without you. In fact, there are no goals at all without you. You are the common dominator in everything.

It’s all coming from within you; everything does. So why does life have you banging your head against the wall? 

Because it’s hoping one of those whacks will wake you up and make you realize that there is only one. 

There can only ever be one – You!

❤❤❤