The Unconventional Running Coach

If you’re an athlete trying to improve, you’ve probably seen all kinds of training online — complex periodisation charts, colour‑coded spreadsheets, elite‑level routines that look like they belong in a lab. It’s easy to think that the more complicated the training looks, the better it must be. But here’s the truth I want you to hear clearly: Great coaching isn’t about making training complicated. It’s about making training work for you . That’s exactly what modern coaching principles — including those used in UK Athletics — reinforce. Why your training might look simple — and why that’s a good thing When you’re still developing (as we all are) — physically, technically, and mentally — the most powerful thing you can do is repeat the right skills consistently. That’s how your body learns. That’s how your technique becomes automatic. That’s how you build confidence. This is why I often rotate just one, two, or three core sessions across a training block. It’s not because I’...

I am covering January a little early because we have just had the last parkrun of January so it is a good time to asses my progress against my time based goals, even if the progress goals could be better judged at the end of the month. parkrun times are all I have to go with regards to outcome goals and I have progressed my post illness PB from 17:35 to 17:21. I should also note that the 17:21 was run with the start as my 1k and then 1 mile PBs and just hanging on... yeah not great to do the first km in 16 minute flat pace according to Strava. There has also been much more consistency with my parkrun times, they are trending downwards with my times getting consistently quicker. I really feel I have a big PB in my legs and just need the competition, weather and pacing to be right.  The above times set me up nicely for my target Half Marathon and mean my predicted finish time, in comparable conditions, would be sub 80.... something for me to wrap my head around as my current PB (on a...

As much as I love carnivore and taking the evolutionary approach to live sometimes you have to conceded defeat and ask a doctor for advice, modern medicine can do some things right after all. So I have recently had a few little issues that warranted a blood test and I came back as having a massive folate deficiency. I haven't been eating as much liver as I used to but it could also be through malabsorption as whilst my IBS is better it is far from perfect. With the amount I have been running I have tried to up fat and that ups the IBS and things might have spiralled from there.  Not content with that I was also scheduled in for some minor surgery, nothing related to running or carnivore and just one of those things.  You’ll be seen in the morning they told me…. well come 3:30 I was finally seen having not eaten since 3pm the day before (due to running at 7 with my club and IF) and not having drunk since 6am (as instructed). They wheeled me into the room to perform the general ...

  Score - 9/10 Very Dated) Coverage : Training, mental (some), strength, elites Summary : I heard about Percy Cerutty in one of my other books and he sounded like a coach with a difference and someone whose training approach was broadly similar to mine, minus the low carb bit, but then this was years ago just as fats were getting ripped to shreds and he was work with pros, and he also did more intensity than I would generally suggest. Overall though it is a really interesting, if somewhat outdated read.  Full Review:  I recently heard of the coach Percy Cerutty and after some digging ended up with one of his books, “How to become a champion”, as a present for a birthday. The book is interesting and goes into a lot of his philosophies as a coach. The book is outdated in a lot of respects however it was a really interesting read and overall I feel my approach has a lot in common with what Cerutty was doing so many years ago. The book is well worth a read for the dedicated c...

  My Score : 7/10 Coverage : Training and schedules  Aspiring to shave minutes off your marathon time and reach peak performance? Look no further than "Advanced Marathoning" by Pete Pfitzinger and Scott Douglas. This comprehensive guide, now in its third edition, equips serious runners with the knowledge and tools to train smarter, avoid injuries, and conquer their next marathon. This is not a book for beginners (advanced is in the title) nor is it for those that would follow the freedom and listen to your body approach I would suggest. What to Expect: Science-backed training:  The book delves into the latest sports science,  providing effective methods like marathon-pace runs and tempo workouts. Personalised plans:  Choose from various training schedules tailored to your weekly mileage (55+ miles) and desired race timeframe (12 or 18 weeks). Holistic approach:  It goes beyond running,  incorporating strength,  core,  flexibility,  ...

My Score 7 /10 (starts really slow) Key points: Cross Country, Training, Coaching Marc Bloom's "Amazing Racers" isn't just a sports book; it's a human triumph story set against the backdrop of the running world. It delves into the incredible journey of the Fayetteville-Manlius cross-country team, led by the eccentric and unorthodox coach Bill Aris, and their rise to dominance on the national stage. Highlights: The Team and the Coach: The book's central strength lies in its compelling characters. Aris, with his unconventional training methods and Zen-like philosophy, is a fascinating figure. The young athletes, their dedication and struggles, become relatable and inspiring. Beyond Cross-Country: Bloom tackles more than just running. He explores themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the power of community. The book delves into the impact Aris has on his athletes' lives beyond the track. Grit and Glory: The narrative ...

 So on Saturday, oh wait hang on it was a parkrun special, on Monday1st Jan I set a new parkrun PB of 17:31. Obviously I am self coached and things have been going really well recently. I am finding my stride, if we could just get good conditions at parkrun who knows what I might do. With some more consistent training I am hoping to get into 17:1x before we hit the summer course again and things slow down due to the grass, turns and the heat. Then next winter I want that 16:59!  This is my run over Christmas, on the morning of 11th / 11 my PB was 17:53 so I have knocked off 22 seconds in the last 6 weeks! I am the one on the left, this is at around 4.2k and it was feeling hard!

After all how often do you hear, "it isn't on Strava so it didn't happen"? Strava is automatically journaling, especially if you add extra notes but what about everything else you do? Journaling can be a powerful tool for athletes seeking to improve their performance. When used strategically, it can enhance self-awareness, boost motivation, and optimize your training routine. Here's a science-based approach to journaling for athletic success: 1. Track Progress and Performance: Log workouts: Record details like exercise type, duration, intensity, and perceived exertion. This allows you to track progress, identify weaknesses, and adjust your training accordingly. Monitor sleep and recovery: Log sleep duration and quality, along with recovery practices like stretching or meditation. This helps you optimize your recovery routine and identify potential factors impacting performance. Performance insights: Reflect on how you felt duri...

My Score : 8/10 Key things covered : Ethiopian Running culture  TLDR : A great look at one of the most successful long distance running nations, I prefer this to running with the Kenyans as I feel it has less bias towards any type of training or nutrition before the research starts.  Book Review :  This is a really interesting book that highlights the training methods used by Ethiopian runners. It makes a great read, you learn a lot about their culture as well as the training. Obviously there are many factors that make great runners, many of which Ethiopians share with Kenyans, some include and that are covered in the book:  Training at Altitude : Ethiopia's unique geography, with its vast highlands averaging 2,000 meters above sea level, plays a crucial role. The thin air forces runners to develop incredible lung capacity and red blood cell count, boosting their endurance and oxygen efficiency. B arefoot or Minimalist Running : Many Ethiopian runners train, c...

Dr. Alia Crum, a Stanford University psychology professor, explores the fascinating intersection of our "minds over matter" concept and its real-world effects on things like health, performance, and even the food we eat. Her research delves into the power of our beliefs and mindsets to influence our physiological responses and ultimately shape our outcomes. Here are some key areas of Dr. Crum's work: Mindset and Food Choice s: Dr. Crum's research has shown that our beliefs about food can significantly impact how our bodies react to it. For example, in one study, participants who were told they were eating a "healthy" milkshake (even though it had the same calorie content as a "indulgent" one) experienced lower levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin and felt more satisfied afterward. This suggests that simply believing something is healthy can trigger positive physiological changes. Mindset and Stress : Dr. Crum has also studied how our mindsets can i...

My Score : 9/10 Key Area's Covered : Confidence and Race preparation TLDR : Cracking book on confidence and how to build it with lots of practical applications to lots of sports. Can be used by all abilities for a better mindset and to improve race day performance.  The Confident Mind: A Battle-Tested Guide to Unshakable Performance by Dr. Nate Zinsser - A Review Pros: Actionable insights: Dr. Zinsser's background working with high-performance individuals in the military and sports world shines through. The book is packed with practical exercises, tools, and techniques that readers can readily apply to their own lives, regardless of their field or background. Easy to relisten / read to. I have the book on audio and paper and have been through it multiple times to pick up  extra info and actions to take.  Science-backed foundation: The book is grounded in research on psychology, neuroscience, and physiology, providing a credible and solid foundation for the prese...