Run to Win

Interested in hiring a coach for the winter to get you through to the Boston Marathon?

I’ve just opened up my coaching program. Head over here for a quick 4 minute video that explains how the program is going to work:

http://www.runtowin.com/coaching/signup.html

Last week, I released 5 videos about how to choose your next (or first) marathon and all of the considerations that you need to take into account.

As I mentioned at the end of the videos, I am going to be offering personal, 1 on 1 coaching for the Boston Marathon 2010. I’ll only be taking a few people, and registration opens at noon this Thursday (November 12^th, so be sure to register early.

Here’s a video that explains exactly what is going to be offered:

To recap, the program will consist of a personalized training plan that will provide you with workouts every week from December through April to prepare for the Boston Marathon. This training plan will be created to your individual needs, goals and experience and will be updated as we go along between now and Patriot’s Day to make sure that you stay on the right path.

I’m also offering a few bonuses for signing up with my coaching program.

First, everyone who joins the program will receive a digital copy of my book, Marathons Don’t Have to Hurt, which you can purchase online for $27.

Second, everyone who joins the program will receive weekly video lessons covering every step from start to finish to train for, prepare for, run your marathon and to recover from your race.

Third, for the first 3 people to register, I will be mailing you a copy of Duel in the Sun: Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley, and America’s Greatest Marathon. This is a great book detailing the 1982 Boston Marathon, a great way to get yourself pumped up and motivated in the weeks leading up to race day.

Remember – registration will open promption on November 12^th at noon Eastern Time. If you want to make sure you are one of the first to register so you can get a free copy of the book, then you’ll want to be on the Early Bird Notification List – everybody on that list will get a 30 minute head start to sign up and will be notified of the sign up page at 11:30 am EST.

You can sign up here:

I’m looking forward to working with you!

Last night I sat down and recorded a video explaining all of the questions you need to ask yourself before choosing your next (or first!) marathon. It wound up being a bit too long, though, so I’m going to separate it out into multiple videos that I’ll release throughout the week.

The first video in a series is now available, and here’s the link:
http://www.runtowin.com/coaching/choosing-a-marathon-1.html

The video details the first few questions you need to ask yourself before choosing a marathon.

Let me know what you think, and I’ll explain the other questions you need to ask yourself and discuss more details about the coaching program as I put each video out this week. Be sure to sign up for the early bird notification list if you want to know as soon as each video is available.

Here’s that link again:
http://www.runtowin.com/coaching/choosing-a-marathon-1.html

There’s one thing that I keep getting asked over and over again for the past 2 years:

“Do you offer private coaching?”

Until now, the answer has always been, “I will, but not at the moment.”

For those local to Southern Maine, I help out with the coaching at Maine Running Company for those that don’t mind being in a group, but other than a couple of close friends I haven’t offered private 1 on 1 attention up to this point.

Well, this week I’ve finally gotten the biggest hassle out of the way (insurance) and will be offering a program at the beginning of November.

Now, this opportunity is only going to be open to a small number of people. I’ll have some more details and a video available for you on Monday (November 2nd) that should answer any questions that you have.

If you are interested in private coaching, then enter your name and email address to sign up for the early bird notification list:

Once you click on the submit button above you’ll receive a confirmation email. Click the link in the confirmation email, and you will be notified first when the coaching program opens!

In the meantime, run safe and stay healthy!

Regards,
– Blaine

P.S. If you have any specific questions about what you’d want in a private coach, just leave a comment below and let me know and I’ll try to address your question on Monday.

It is official. I am now an RRCA Certified Running Coach. As described on the website:

The Road Runners Club of America is the national association of running clubs, running events, and runners dedicated to promoting long distance running as a competitive sport and as healthful exercise. RRCA’s mission is to represent and promote the common interest of its member clubs, events, and individual runners through education, leadership, programs and other services.

My immediate plans and goals for this Summer are to assist in the coaching programs through the Maine Running Company in Portland, Maine. Once we determine what role I am going to play and how many people I will be coaching, I will decide how many private clients I can take on and will set up some online coaching options for the Summer and leading into the Autumn marathon season. If you have any interest in personal coaching from myself, then send me an email and let me know.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in coaching yourself and are interested in taking a class through the RRCA, they have released their Summer and Autumn schedule for courses. The instructors for my class were Janet Hamilton and Mike Broderick of Running Strong, and they will be offering courses in Orangeburg, South Carolina on July 19-20, in New Orleans, Louisiana on August 22-23, and in Arlington, Virginia on October 24-25. Patti and Warren Finke will also be teaching a class in Portland, Oregon on October 3-4.

The class takes 16 hours spread over 2 days. You can read more about the upcoming options in their latest press release: http://www.rrca.org/news/index.php?article=2282

If you are going to be in town for the 50th Anniversary RRCA National Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio on May 2^nd or May 3^rd of this year, then you may want to consider ponying up a few extra dollars. The RRCA Coaching Program has two new classes that they are offering, both of which are worth 4 continuing education credits and will cost an additional $50 on top of the normal convention fees. The classes will also count towards the new advanced coaching certification after the RRCA has finalized it.

The first class is an introduction to sports psychology, and is on the 2^nd from 2:00 to 4:00.

The second class is on the 3^rd from 9:00 until noon is about the science of lactate.

For More Information:

• RRCA News Notice
• RRCA Convention Home Page
• Active.com Class Registration Page