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I’ve been mulling over the idea of getting a running coach for a few weeks now. I’ve seen progress in my running over the past year but I know that’s due in part to my inexperience- every race is a PR or close to it. So I thought I’d ask, to improve, should I get a coach?

1. 

   Hannah McGoldrick@FitHappyGirl

   To get a running coach or not get a running coach, that is the question. Thoughts?

   Tue, Jun 18 2013 14:23:57

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2. Tons of people were pro-coach…
3. 

   leticia ana@LAMhookem

   @FitHappyGirl Get one. Improvements and accountability :)

   Tue, Jun 18 2013 14:26:31

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4. 

   FitChickinTheCity@FitChickNYC

   @FitHappyGirl well, I of course say get one!

   Tue, Jun 18 2013 14:36:26

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5. 

   Shannon @MulcahyShannon

   @FitHappyGirl get one! I love having one and have improved tremendously. Ex 2:03 half from oct 12 to 1:49 this April

   Tue, Jun 18 2013 15:13:58

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6. 

   Megan Hetzel@megrunnergirl

   @FitHappyGirl YES YES YES

   Tue, Jun 18 2013 17:12:33

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7. 

   Holly@fashionablemile

   @megrunnergirl @fithappygirl agree, YES! Money well spent. :)

   Tue, Jun 18 2013 17:34:48

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8. Some people said it depends on your goals and finding the right coach (but were mainly pro-coach)…
9. 

   Lora@LVrunsNYC

   @FitHappyGirl So important to find one who’s the right fit, philosophically and personality-wise. Otherwise you lose a lot of benefits, imo.

   Tue, Jun 18 2013 14:28:42

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10. 

    Lora@LVrunsNYC

    @FitHappyGirl But great to have someone monitor your performance, give advice, and adjust personalized training as you progress!

    Tue, Jun 18 2013 14:29:32

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11. 

    Brian Martin@BrianRunCoach

    @FitHappyGirl Absolutely, but a running coach should help you as much with what not to do as pushing the envelope at the right time.

    Tue, Jun 18 2013 14:32:15

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12. 

    Abby@Abby_NYC

    @FitHappyGirl If you haven’t met your goals on your own, try a coach. Make sure he/she works FOR YOU. Then take a leap.

    Tue, Jun 18 2013 15:01:44

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13. 

    Erin Strout@erinstrout

    @FitHappyGirl If you have the right coach you’ll love running even more!

    Tue, Jun 18 2013 17:12:10

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14. 

    Michelle Roos@elleroos

    @FitHappyGirl i hired @SpeedySasquatch for speed work! so mainly on my own but needed guidance for certain aspect! #justathought

    Tue, Jun 18 2013 17:19:02

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15. Then there was this…
16. 

    Preach@RVAgreenrev

    @FitHappyGirl can’t you just get your boss to be your running coach? @runnersworld @BartYasso

    Tue, Jun 18 2013 15:52:58

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17. 

    Bart Yasso@BartYasso

    @FitHappyGirl I want Hannah to be my coach @RVAgreenrev @runnersworld

    Wed, Jun 19 2013 06:42:48

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18. 

    Hannah McGoldrick@FitHappyGirl

    @BartYasso Ha! That’d be the day! @RVAgreenrev @runnersworld

    Wed, Jun 19 2013 06:50:22

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19. And you can count on Jason to be the odd man out (just kidding!)…
20. 

    Jason@JaseFace1

    @FitHappyGirl nah.

    Tue, Jun 18 2013 16:58:12

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Luckily I work at Runner’s World so I have plenty of resources here but it might be good to have an objective person (who I don’t work with every day) as a coach instead. I’m nervous it might be too closing to the start of MCM training to get a coach now but maybe not. I’m also wondering about in-person coaching vs. online. I know plenty of people have had success with online coaching but the main reason I want a coach is to have someone push me, especially when I tend to sell myself short. I’m going to keep doing some research into it and see what I come up with.

Tell me, have you hired a running coach? Was it in-person or online and did you see improvements?