Alan S.

Early in life, I knew that coaching was my passion. Ever since I was 17 years old, I have been helping individuals with their running. Therefore, when an opportunity to coach someone comes along, I can't pass it up. I have helped coach after-school track programs for children aged 7-11 and even went back to my former high school to coach the distance runners for a track season while their coach was ill. Throughout my college education, I began to mold myself into what I would hope to be a successful coach by choosing specific classes and disciplines to focus on. I even became a personal trainer at the university where I focused on those wanting to compete in local races, join a running club, or simply get in shape. However, throughout all of these experiences, I knew that I wanted coaching to be my profession.
I began coaching, at the collegiate level, within a year of graduating college. At the University of Southern Indiana (my alma mater) I became an assistant coach for the cross country and track teams. While there, as USI always is, we were tremendously successful, qualifying for multiple National Championships and honoring numerous Conference Champions, National Qualifiers, and All-Americans.
After two short years, I left USI for a much different opportunity. A small university in nearby Kentucky (Brescia University) wanted to begin a cross country program and I then became their assistant coach for two years until I took over as head cross country and track & field coach for the men's and women's teams. In just a short amount of time I was able to put together a program that qualified for 7 National Championships in cross country and track, 25 conference champions, 59 All-Conference performances.
As you can see, no matter what you age, experience, talent, or shape you are in; if you have the determination, you WILL get better.

After high school I attended the University of Southern Indiana and competed for the cross country team as well as indoor and outdoor track. While there, our cross country teams won 4 GLVC conference titles. However, my focus was primarily on the track; specifically middle distances.
On the track I ran events ranging from 800m to 5,000m; but found most of my success came from the 1,500m to 3,000m range. As my times continued to progress, I found that had he capability to compete post-collegiatly and was even lucky enough to have sponsors help me to do so.
I am very blessed to have been able to travel this great country solely because I could run 4 laps around a track faster than some others.

I believe that a session must begin with me getting to know the athlete. Due to the fact that I train each athlete differently, I would need to know their goals, previous injury/health history, former training plans, etc. Without this knowledge I cannot aid the athlete to reach their maximum potential.
Then, based off of that information, I would devise a season (or race-specific) plan. Most importantly, this information HAS to be shared with the athlete. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I knew my athletes didn't know what my plan was for them. In my opinion, the worst thing a coach can do is to call a practice without the athletes knowing what they are about to do (and more importantly - WHY).

After all of this, a specific workout session would begin with a warm up period consisting of light running, dynamic and static stretching, and mental preparation. This is also a time to communicate the focus points, paces, and purpose of the days agenda.
During the actual workout period, I believe the item an athlete needs most is feedback. Sometimes, this is instruction, but is usually either checking on paces or motivation.
Once the workout is complete, a cool down session of light running and stretching is complete. At this time, I would also get feedback from the athlete on the workout, and also discuss further plans.

I also know that sometimes an individual simply needs to know WHAT to do. I will gladly compile daily/weekly/season plans for anyone, as well.

What I can/will provide would be:
- weekly/daily training plan
- race strategy
- supplemental exercise information