If you’ve been in the running or strength training world long enough, you’ve probably come across a lot of black-and-white thinking. Things like:
- "You have to run high mileage to be fast."
- "Strength training will make you bulky."
- "If you're not getting faster, you're not working hard enough."
But here’s the truth: coaching—good coaching—is rarely about absolutes. It’s about nuance.
The Problem with One-Size-Fits-All Advice
Every athlete brings a unique history, physiology, and mindset to their training. What works for one person won’t necessarily work for another. Take running volume, for example. Some athletes thrive on high mileage. Others break down with too much. Strength training? It can be a game-changer for runners, but it has to be tailored to their goals and recovery needs. And the idea that "hard work always equals progress"? That ignores the role of recovery, stress, hormones, and individual capacity.
When coaches ignore nuance, they risk giving advice that doesn’t fit the athlete in front of them. Worse, they can push people into training plans that lead to burnout, injury, or frustration.
Coaching with Context
Nuance means looking beyond the numbers. It means asking questions. It means recognizing that:
- A menopausal athlete might need different recovery strategies than a younger runner.
- Someone coming back from injury doesn’t just need a plan—they need confidence in their body again.
- Life stress impacts training, and sometimes, the best workout adjustment isn’t more intensity but more rest.
That’s why I don’t believe in cookie-cutter programming. I coach with context. Whether you’re a competitive athlete or someone trying to rediscover joy in movement, your training should fit you—not the other way around.
Work With a Coach Who Gets It
If you’re tired of generic plans that don’t take your reality into account, let’s talk. I coach with nuance because I know training is more than just hitting paces and checking boxes. It’s about understanding your body, your goals, and what actually works for you.
Ready to train smarter? Reach out and let’s get started.