I found I had a passion for teaching and helping others. When I became an avid runner, I bought many books on training and also asked a lot of question of more experienced runners. There was a void in my running club: we did not have any formal coaches. I filled this void because out of interest in the science behind training to maximize their running performance and enjoyment.”
Encouraging others In 2009 Ghiorse became a Road Runners Club of America certified running coach. His services are available to anyone in the club (and beyond) at no charge. He says he is “most passionate about the mid- and back-of-the-pack runners. I shamelessly promote running to anyone that even thinks they might like it.” He actively coaches about 25 runners in the club and is easily able to coach every type of runner from “newbies” who can barely run a step to highly competitive runners. “People approach me because they want to improve their performance or have lost their mojo for running. Most have goals they want to reach but don’t know how, and feel they need some help. The goal can be anything from running their first 5k to a completing a Marathon. Everyone wants to get faster. A lot just want to learn how to enjoy the activity more.” Ghiorse refers to coaching as a practice. “I often don’t know how to help the person at first meeting. My first action for any of my runners is to have them tell me their story and gather information”. The best way do this is by running and talking with them, often several times. “Conversation flows when you run with other people, this I how I get to know my runners. Details about health status, their likes, their dislikes, goals, motivation level, life situations. “I constantly monitor how the person is feeling, and adjust training loads and expectations along the way to get the best out of individual. Always my primary responsibility is to keep the athlete from getting injured. Running is a relentless sport and will exploit any weak spot in your body. At the level of a recreational running, a coach can protect the runner from himself; more is not always better. A wonderful example of one of Ghiorse’s mentees is Alison. They met almost 5 years ago; she ran a few races each year – what Ghiorse refers to as a seasonal runner. She ran the Hingham 4th of July race, and a
Thanksgiving race in Weymouth. She liked to run, but had a history of injury (knee problems). She ran regularly a few times a week, and would never run longer than 7 miles. When Ghiorse became friendly with Alison and two of her friends they ran together at least once a week. As time went on Alison became interested in improving her race times. Ghiorse suggested she concentrate on being consistent (year round) with her running, setting aside 3 days a week to run and make all the runs easy pace. “We were able to structure her runs so that she could improve and not re-injure her knee. We worked on the most basic principles of running: hard days followed by easy days, making the runs different distances: 3 mi , 5 mi, and 7 mi with days off between. She also did a lot of XT with yoga. Her times improved dramatically over the period of four months.”
303 State Road n Westport, MA
Reasonable goals Like so many people in training, Alison responds well to structure. She continues to set goals, and Ghiorse says he is able to help coach her to reach those goals. “I know now she can take training plans in 4-6 week doses. It takes 16 weeks to train up for a HM (half marathon), but she would be overwhelmed if all 16 weeks were thrown at her at once, so I adapt her training along the way without having her worry about a missed run or setbacks due to sickness. She could care less about why we do certain workouts certain ways, she trusts my guidance.” Ghiorse still loves to run and likes swimming and golfing. He would “like to like” biking but is “afraid of getting whacked by a car.” He and his wife are into kayaking and he still skies too fast. “My least favorite thing is injury, or to have any of my athletes get injured. Oh, and my new favorite thing is REST! We are only as good as our rest.” Good advice for any level athlete, at any age.
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Lighthouse Promotions New Year’s Day
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Show & Sale Tuesday, January 1, 2013 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Venus de Milo Restaurant Route 6 - Swansea, Mass. — Upcoming Show —
CARA CONNELLY PIMENTAL, a freelance writer who recently completed her first children’s book, has published in several New England magazines, the Standard Times and whatitcosts.com. She lives in Dartmouth with her three sons, Keegan, Colin and Cole.
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Patriot’s Day, Monday April 15, 2013
Early buyer’s preview – 10 A.M. $10.00 each Admission $6.00 each With this ad, admit 2 at $5.00 each
N ov ember / D ecember 2012
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