Erin Babin – Raleigh Running Coach
$70.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee
Wanting to get faster at distances from the 5k through the marathon? As a UESCA certified coach, I can help you reach your goals!
Description
Raleigh running coach Erin Babin is both a UESCA certified run coach and an AFPA certified sports nutrition coach, with a specialty in helping beginners run their first 5k to marathon, or helping others aim for the BQ. She can also incorporate strength training, injury prevention, and nutrition into your training.
LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate
TYPES: Road, Track
DISTANCES: 5k/10k/Half Marathon, Marathon
TRAINING PLATFORM: Final Surge
TRAINING PLAN: Individual, customized training plan
COMMUNICATION: Unlimited email, unlimited text
RESPONSE TIME: Within 24 hours
LOCATION: Raleigh, NC
IN-PERSON SESSIONS: Yes, session instructions and Q&A are dependent on your individual needs as a runner. Options include, but are not limited to: instruction and demonstration of drills, dynamic warm-up, stretching, strides, form analysis, myofascial release, runs together, nutrition coaching. Q&A can include but not limited to: race day fueling, strength training, cross training, gear, pacing, race strategy, and mental training. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re interested!
SPECIALTIES
I work with adults training for road race distances from the 5k to the marathon. So whether you are new to running and want to run your first 5k, coming back after an injury, or chasing that elusive BQ, I want to help you get there.
I am a UESCA certified run coach and an AFPA certified sports nutrition coach. I want to help you become a well-rounded runner by incorporating strength training, injury prevention, and nutrition into your training. I can also analyze your running form (via video) to help you be a more efficient runner.
PHILOSOPHY
My philosophy as a coach is creating individualized training plans for each runner based on their current fitness level, goals, and their lives outside of running. I help runners perform at their best while balancing their passion for running and their real world responsibilities, such as work and family.
While it is important to incorporate strength training, mobility, and flexibility to be a well-rounded runner and prevent injury, it can be difficult to find the time. I can help you maximize your benefits while minimizing the time spent on these activities.
As a certified sports nutrition coach, I want to help you fuel your body so you can perform at your best. There is a lot of misinformation out there, and it is my job to help you understand the facts.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
I saw the value in running coaches from my own coach helping me achieve several PRs. I found comfort in having a specific and individualized plan to follow versus downloading a generic plan from the internet. I also found enjoyment in the knowledge I gained from my coach which motivated me to obtain my own certifications.
Once I became certified, I started creating individualized plans for family and friends. Since then, I have worked with numerous runners wanting to set a new 5k or 10k PR or wanting to run their first half or full marathon. I am here to help my runners learn how to achieve their running goals and meet their full potential as a runner while balancing their busy adult lives.
ABOUT ME
I live in North Carolina with my husband. I started running in high school where I competed in cross country and track. While I didn’t run collegiately, I continued to run throughout college and graduation for enjoyment and stress relief. I completed several 5k and 10ks. In 2008, I had a bucket list goal of completing a marathon. In the beginning, I just wanted to do this one marathon – just to say I did it. After the race, I realized one marathon wouldn’t do; I wanted to run a marathon in all 50 states. Since 2008, I have completed 8 marathons and 6 half-marathons.
While I have enjoyed a long running career, it has had some setbacks. In 2018, I was training for my 8th marathon, when one day I did not have the energy to run a quarter-mile. When it continued for almost a week, I knew something was wrong and made an appointment with my physician. After several months and seeing numerous specialists, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. I thought my fatigue would improve after several iron infusions, but it didn’t. I barely had the energy to make it through an 8-hour work day, much less train for a marathon. In January 2021, I decided that I was going to take control of my life. I found a nutrition coach that specialized in autoimmune diseases. With her assistance, I was able to heal my body through nutrition, gain energy, and start running again. In January 2022, I ran my first marathon since the diagnosis of my autoimmune disease. It had been 4.5 years since I ran a marathon, and I PR’d.
BIG INFLUENCES
I am a big fan of Matt Fitzgerald and the 80/20 rule of running – 80% of your training should be done at an easy pace and 20% done at a challenging pace. This is to prevent injury and burnout.
I am also a huge fan of Dr. Stacy Sims. Although it makes complete sense, I never thought of how physiologically different women are compared to men. I cannot wait to take her “Women are Not Small Men Course.”
RACING HISTORY
I will never forget the Pittsburgh Marathon. I learned valuable fueling lessons during that race. In the 5 marathons that I completed before Pittsburgh, I would always struggle the last 3-4 miles. I would cross the finish line at a shuffling pace with a look of anguish on my face. However, at mile 25 during the Pittsburgh Marathon, I saw my husband step out of the crowd of people to cheer me on. I don’t know what possessed me or where the energy came from, but I jumped straight into the air, gave him a huge high five, and let a loud “Whoo!” I crossed the finish line with a 7 minute PR.
Although I love running fast, I feel like not every race has to be about setting a PR. In 2017, I ran the Lake Tahoe Marathon as part of a vacation with my husband. I knew this race would not be a PR; there was 1000 feet of elevation change. Although it was a challenging race, it was very scenic with spectacular views of Lake Tahoe.
CERTIFICATIONS
- UESCA certified run coach
- AFPA certified sports nutrition coach
PRs
- Marathon: 4:14:16 (11/6/2022) Bass Pro in Springfield, Missouri
- 10k: 49:26 (12/10/2022) Frosty Run in Wake Forest, NC
- Half Marathon: 1:58:18 (4/9/2022) Chapel Hill Double Down Challenge
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
I have won second in my age group in several 10k races and in the Bass Pro Marathon.
CONTACT ERIN
Finding a coach who is a great fit for you is really important. We encourage you to email your coach prior to signing up so you can connect, communicate, and ensure a good athlete/coach fit.
PUBLICATIONS
SOCIAL
Christina Demos –
Erin is exactly the coach I needed to get running back into my life. Her training plans and feedback have been instrumental in meeting my goals and making new ones! She is so knowledgeable and easy to communicate with. My runs are so much more meaningful and intentional now, knowing I am following her plan and guidance. Thank you Erin for being such an awesome coach!
Anonymous –
I love having Erin Babin-Reliegh as my coach. She has made it much easier for me to train for my half-marathon at the beginning of December. She knows how Motivate and push you, but not too much too quickly. She meets you where you at and provides feedback quickly!!