How a Running Coach Eases the Transition to Life from College Sports
As a recent grad, hiring a running coach probably isn’t front of mind. However, it could be the perfect post-college move, especially for former college athletes.
Photo Courtesy of LMU Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field. Credit: Christian Gutierrez
Transitions are hard, and graduating from college/university can be one of life’s biggest transition points. Entering the “real world”, without the structured academic and athletic schedule you had grown accustomed to as a college athlete, can be disorienting at best…and downright panic-inducing for some. Whether your primary sport was running (cross country or track), incorporated a lot of running (e.g., soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, etc), or focused on a different athletic skillset (e.g., swimming, rowing, football, etc.), you can find value and fulfillment in starting a new running-focused fitness plan with a 1-on-1 coach.
5 Reasons Why Recent Grads Should Consider a Running Coach:
1. Infuse more structure into your post-grad life
Having specific training blocks, goals, and benchmarks can provide the comfort of the organized life you became familiar with in college. A running coach will use their expertise to build you a structured plan that keeps you motivated, engaged, and building confidence the whole way through.
2. Motivation
Perhaps you feel burnt out after years in your sport and are struggling to start on a new fitness routine. Or maybe you find a full day of work draining your energy in a whole new way. We know staying active is important, but if you don’t know where to go from there, a running coach can help. Coaches care about you as a complete person and want you to succeed. They can talk through all of the mental blocks and scheduling challenges standing in your way, crafting a super individualized plan for you. Entering this new phase of adulthood, perspective from someone who has been in similar shoes can help a lot.
3. Maintain an athletic identity that is compatible with real life
While athletes who ran in high school or college will find familiarity in the training plans and philosophies of personal running coaches, I encourage you to give running a shot regardless of your sporting background. If you have been a lifelong athlete, it’s likely that you consider being an athlete to be a big part of your identity. As a recent grad, working with a running coach will provide you with a way to maintain that athlete mentality. Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your athletic career!
One of the best things about running is the flexibility it allows for. A coach helps you fit training around your life, rather than being tied down to set practice times. Enjoy running most anywhere and anytime. You don’t need to coordinate with other people, book field or court space, or adhere to the schedule of a recreational league. With running, you avoid a lot of the logistical challenges that plague other activities.
4. Personalization of a plan tailored to your goals only
Especially if your collegiate athletic experience was on a large team, completely individualized, one-on-one attention from your new run coach feels amazing! Instead of prioritizing the needs of a team, your coach can help define goals that will be personally fulfilling for you. You can choose what races you want to enter (if any), what distances you want to run, etc. Above all, your coach focuses solely on you and wants you to be happy!
5. A training plan to follow: knowing what to do, when, and why
For many college athletes, designing or deciding on a training plan on your own is a foreign concept. You’ve likely worked out under the direction and supervision of your coaches for years. A “one size fits all” plan or “more is better” approach is probably not right for you. Therefore, embarking on a training plan on your own can be risky, not to mention unnerving when you’re used to following prescribed workouts from coaches. Figuring out a new movement plan by yourself can take a lot of mental energy, energy that you may not have as you’re navigating a time of change in your life. Many former college athletes end up pushing too hard when there isn’t oversight from a coach. If you unintentionally overdo it, you could find yourself sidelined by an injury, burnout, or exhaustion. No one wants that!
Photo Courtesy of LMU Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field. Credit: Christian Gutierrez
Finding the Right Running Coach for Recent Grads
I know money may be tight as a recent college grad just at the start of your professional career. I want you to know that there are awesome coaches available at every price point. Fortunately, you will be able to find a coach who is a great fit for you!
Congratulations to all of the student-athletes who will be graduating this month! If you are interested in learning more about online running coaching, I encourage you to consider Team RunRun! We pride ourselves on having a coach for every runner, starting as low as $45/month. I recommend chatting with different coaches before committing to find one that you gel with best. We hope to hear from you!
Amanda Hamilton is a coach with Team RunRun based in California. She is a former sprinter turned marathoner, who specializes in coaching post-collegiate athletes and postpartum moms. In addition to coaching individual athletes through Team RunRun, Amanda is the assistant coach for a Women’s NCAA Division 1 Cross Country/Track team.