Tom Crossland – Reading, UK Running Coach
From: $70.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee
Description
Reading, UK running coach Tom Crossland has experience in training, nutrition and equipment for multi day ultra marathons such as Marathon des Sables and Grand 2 Grand. Whether you’re running your first 50k or first 450k, Tom specializes in this range of distances and is here to help you prepare, both mentally and physically.
LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate
TYPES: Trail
DISTANCES: Ultra
TRAINING PLATFORM: VDOT
TRAINING PLAN: Individual, customized training plan
COMMUNICATION: Unlimited email, unlimited text
RESPONSE TIME: Within 24 hours
LOCATION: Henley-on-Thames, UK
SPECIALTIES
Trail marathons and ultra of any distance, from 50k to 450k. I’m passionate about working with athletes taking on their first ultra or stepping up in distance. Maybe it’s your first 50k or your want to complete a 100k or 100 mile race, I have the experience and can help you get there. I incorporate my psychological knowledge to help you mentally prepare for the challenges of running long.
If you are looking to take on your first multi day ultra I have a large amount of experience in training, preparation, nutrition and equipment for multi day ultra marathons such as Marathon des Sables and Grand 2 Grand. With a focus on Time Crunched athletes who need to fit training around busy professional and family lives.
If you have your own project I can also help you with the training, mental techniques and the logistics associated independent multi day running projects, such as Lands End to John O’Groats, in the UK or PCT/AT in the US.
PHILOSOPHY
I strongly believe that for sustained progress in running people’s training and racing needs to be aligned with their values and fit in with the rest of their lives. I use my knowledge and experience of psychological models to help people achieve their goals. There is no one size fits all in any athletic endeavour and so any approach must be structured yet flexible and based on the best available evidence about what works. From my work as a Clinical Psychologist, I know the importance and power of relationships and I believe the success of any coaching is based on the coach-athlete relationship.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Over the past 14 years, I have coached a variety of sports. I am a UKCC qualified rowing coach and I started coaching the university rowing squad and was lead coach, coaching crews to compete against other UK universities at a national level, until I moved away and spent five years coaching on a junior rowing programme. Which included During this time, I gained my UKCC canoe and paddlesport coaching qualification and began coaching at a junior canoe club. This included white water trips and expedition paddling. I am also a qualified UK Mountain Leader and have coached and led multiple groups on expeditions across the UK.
During this time of coaching groups in a range of settings and abilities, I have developed a deep understanding of core skills needed for sports coaching. I have recently qualified as an Ultrarunning coach and am keen to put all these transferrable skills to work in a sport I am passionate about.
ABOUT ME
I was born with cerebral palsy, this never stopped me and I was always active and adventurous as a child. I took part in 5k runs whilst my dad was running half and full marathons. It took my until university and joining the rowing squad for me to start structured training and see myself as a sporty person. After university, I took up adventure racing which led me to my first ultra in 2016. Since then I have completed 20 – 30 official ultra marathons, many of them being multi-day ultras.
In the summer of 2021, I ran 2000 miles around the coast of England and Wales for Charity. During this run I came to appreciate the power of believing in yourself, aiming big and using the power of community to help you go further and faster. I love the adventure that is possible by running a long way, whether to discover a new place in the world or simply to discover a new place within yourself.
BIG INFLUENCES
I am constantly thinking about how the psychological models I know can be used to enable athletes to achieve their dreams, these include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Compassion Focused Therapy. The ideas from these models influence how I work with athletes and how we work together to make training and racing a positive impact on their lives.
Within ultra-running I am influenced by runners such as Scott Jurek, Kilian Jornet, Elisabet Barnes, John Kelly, Nicky Spinks and Damian Hall. My running and coaching philosophy has been influenced by my long term coach Rob Wilby as well as Rich Roll, Chris Hauth, Jack Daniels and Tim Noakes.
RACING HISTORY
My biggest races have all been 250 km multi day races, such as Grand 2 Grand, Deadwater and TRIBE Run for Love 3, I have also completed a large number of shorter multi day ultras ranging from 100 km to 160 km over two or three days, such as Devil’s Challenge, The Threshold Series, Pony Express. I have also completed single day races ranging from 50 km to 100km.
My biggest achievement was not a race, but a self designed project Run to Refuge. I ran roughly 2000miles over 85 days in 2021.
CERTIFICATIONS
Running certification
- UESCA ultra running coach
Non-running coaching certifications:
- UKCC Rowing Coach
- British Canoeing/UKCC Canoe Coach
- UK Mountain Leader (summer)
- Basic Expedition Leader
PRs
- 84km: 10:04:30 (10 September 2016) Thames Challenge Oxford to Henley
- 100 miles: 21:39:09 (5-7 May 2018) Devil’s Challenge
- 270km: 54:37:33 (24 – 30 September 2017) Grand 2 Grand Ultra
CONTACT TOM
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
Alice Light –
Tom has coached me since Jan / Feb this year to help me prepare for my first 100km Ultra Marathon. He is a wonderful individual you listens to you and doesn’t apply too much pressure. For me as a part-time single working mum it’s sometimes hard to fit in running. He understands this and appreciates that running has to sometimes take second place over other more important things in life. This has meant the training process for my race on 9th July 2022 has been achievable, rewarding and enjoyable without too much stress.
Tom is kind, caring and friendly, someone who is easy to get along with.
I will probably stop my subscription with him after my 100km as I am taking a pause from running however when I start my next training block, Tom will be the first person I contact.