For many people, spring means new goals. With the weather getting more beautiful and the temperature increasing, it's time to come out of winter hibernation. And this often includes setting new goals. 

Whether you are a new runner or a seasoned runner looking to shake up your old routine, there are a lot of reasons to hire a running coach. Here are some of the reasons that you may find that a running coach can help you work towards your goals. 

1. Your Running Coach will help with injury prevention

You have been injured and want to get back to running. Or you are just starting and are afraid of not knowing enough and going out and hurting yourself. A coach can help start running again safely or help you get started in a way that works for your experience level.

2. Your Running Coach will keep you motivated

If you aren't excited to hit the road every day, a new perspective can help. Having someone in your corner to talk to in these times that has the experience and knowledge to give you practical advice can help turn things around. A coach can provide a different view of your training plan and help rekindle your love of hitting the road or trail daily.

3. Your Running Coach is built in Accounability

Sometimes all it takes is knowing you have to tell someone else why you decided not to do a workout as planned to get you out there executing. Whether it is running your workouts harder, making sure the easy days stay easy, go all the way on long runs. When you have to tell your coach why you deviated from the plan, it is a lot less likely that you will go rogue.Sometimes all it takes is knowing you have to tell someone else why you decided not to do a workout as planned to get you out there executing. Whether it is running your workouts harder, making sure the easy days stay easy, go all the way on long runs. When you have to tell your coach why you deviated from the plan, it is a lot less likely that you will go rogue.

4. Your Running Coach will Helped you break down the unknown

The unknown can be intimidating, whether you have signed up for your first 5k or your first marathon. A coach can break down a daunting goal into weekly and daily tasks to make the end game more manageable.

This takes all that worry about the future away. So and all you have to focus on is completing what is in your schedule for that day. 

5. Your Running Coach will keep you focused on the big Picture

 A coach can help you see beyond the daily grind to how your regular schedule is contributing to your running goals. It is easy to lose focus when you are doing the same thing daily; your coach can help you keep focus and remind you how everything ties into your long term running goals.

6. Your Running coach will keep you form overtraining

A lot of people don't need help getting out the door; they need someone to reel it in. It is easier sometimes to think that doing more and working harder all the time is the path to success. But the truth is, going out hard and long all the time is not sustainable. If you don't keep your effort in check, you can end up with overtraining symptoms including but not limited to:

• Lack of motivation

• Lack of energy

• Increased risk for injury

• Prolonged healing time from injuries

• Increased irritability

• Stuck in fight or flight response mode (tending to overreact to every situation even if things are not a big deal)

A coach can help focus you and keep pushing hard, and they know when its time for you to back off and recharge the batteries. 

7. You running coach has an unbiased perspective

You have some idea of your training and your abilities, but they may not be grounded entirely in reality. Your ego and your emotions often cause a biased view of your strengths. It is common to get burnt out by thinking you can handle more than you are capable of. While at other times, you aren't aggressive enough because you are too cautious. Having a coach in your corner that you trust and that understands you helps you toe the line of your limits sustainably.