Most Of Us Aren't Professional Athletes

We at Marathon Coaching Consultants want our clients/athletes to know that although running may be an important part of their lives, it shouldn't be the end all and be all, especially when stacking it up against family, friends, and your career.

You say, "of course Dave, don't be silly!", but I'll let you know, that many people I meet in Ahwatukee, Tempe, Chandler, and Phoenix areas are just so hard on themselves.

"I have to make Boston!"

"I have to make it to Kona!"

"I have to break 4 hours for the marathon!"

"I need to workout 7 days a week!"

Stop the insanity, people! Unless you're single, your kids are out of the house and all grown up, or your spouse is just as much as an endurance nut as you, you need to put life into a bit of perspective.

I'm living proof of this. When I first moved out here in Ahwatukee, I was trying to make the Olympic Trials in the marathon, which at the time was a time of 2:22 for the "B Standard". My best is and was 2:27, and so to cut off 5 minutes was going to be a large feat. Did I mention my son was just 1 year old, we had just bought our 1st home, and I was working at nights. Yep, not a great recipe for success. I was running 80-100 mi/wks, and my wife was annoyed at me, for good reason, because I was a walking zombie...And for what?! So, I could say I made it to the Olympic Trials. There wasn't a chance in hell I was going to make the Olympics. True, it would have been awesome to achieve that goal, but at what cost?

Now that I'm nearing 40 in less than 3 months, I more than ever know the need to have balance between my love for running and the rest of my life...

I of course, wish to be as competitive as I can, but not to the detriment of quality time with my family, friends, and career.

It's hard to keep this balance, but remind yourself, that for most of us running should be something we enjoy. And although it's great having personal goals, unless we are making a living to reach these goals, they shouldn't take precedence over other facets of our daily lives.

Run hard, play hard, love hard...

We here at Marathon Coaching Consultants believe in balance, and will help any runner, of any ability reach his/her goal safely, effectively, and sanely...

"Human Kindess Through Running".

Welcome to Marathon Coaching Consultants

This is my first post for my business, Marathon Coaching Consultants. I am a 39 year old owner of this coaching business in Phoenix, AZ. What we do is coach everyday people to finish anything from 5ks to marathons. I also personally coach some up and coming high school runners in all distances. Lastly, I am the co-head men's and women's cross country coach at Mountain Pointe High School, as well as the distance coach there on the track and field side. I am USATF level I certified, and will most likely become level II certified either this year or in 2011.

I have been running for nearly my whole life, since the age of 5 years old. I ran for Irvington High School back in the mid to late 80s, where I still hold the school record for the 2-mile run (9:20), the 1000 yard indoor run (2:33.1), and was part of the school record 4x400 relay team (3:23). From there I ran for the University of Pennsylvania, where, to be frank, I didn't truly run to my full potential, but still managed to run a 3:51 1500m.

Post-college running has been pretty good for me. In my late 20s I was able to run a 2:27.17 marathon. In my 30s I have been able to maintain a pretty competitive running form by running sub-16 minute 5ks, sub-32 minute 10Ks, sub 4:30 miles, and sub-2 minute 800 meter races.

Now, as I close in on 40 (birthday in May), and with two young ones (5 and 1), I find that I get more joy from coaching people than attaining my personal running aspirations. I will always be competitive, and I think I have one more serious push in me at maintaining some fast speeds at distances from the 800m to the marathon...

I will always be fit and I will always run, because that's one of the love's of my life, but I see in the near future my sub-elite level training coming to a close and focusing on raising my family and continuing to help people fulfill their personal goals out there on the roads and track...

So, to change gears, I will use this blog, to give training advice, perspectives on certain running issues or training philosophies, my core running beliefs, editorial comments on anything related to running/endurance sports, useful information that I find may interest you regarding my business and overall fitness information...

I am by no means what I would call a "running geek" - not that there is anything wrong with that, it's just not who I am. I enjoy running, am great at motivating people, and am knowledgeable in the sport of running; but if you want me to quote you times from the 1994 Boston Marathon from the top of my head, I'm not that guy (but kind of in a peculiar way, wish I were).

I will post about 2-3 times per week, so hopefully we can get a good exchange of ideas and comments in the weeks and months ahead.

I believe in "Human Kindness through Running" and that's what I will try to bring forth on this blog on a consistent basis.

Good night.