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Do you need to break up with your coach?

Here's how to know if it's time to swipe left on your coaching relationship

track coach

Breaking up with your running coach can feel as awkward as an untied shoe in the middle of a race, but it’s your running journey, and you deserve the right guide. Here’s how to determine if it’s time to leave your coaching partnership in the dust.

running coach

You’re stuck in the running friend zone

Remember when you signed up for a coach to crush your PBs or master that race-day confidence? If those goals now feel like pipe dreams, it might be because your coach isn’t delivering the goods. A great coach should constantly tweak your training, celebrate your wins and help you bounce back from any setbacks. If your runs feel like the same old routine and you’re stagnating instead of soaring, it’s time to ask: is this coach holding me back?

track coach

You’re feeling ghosted

Coaches are supposed to be your guide, your motivator and occasionally even your reality check. But if your messages get left unread, your questions go unanswered or you’re wondering if they’re even alive, something is off. Good coaching is about more than dictating workouts; it’s about creating a partnership where you feel heard, supported and in sync. If your coach disappears faster than your energy on mile 20, it might be time to look elsewhere.

runners competing

Their coaching style isn’t your running jam

Not every coaching relationship is a match made in heaven, and that’s OK. Maybe their tough-love vibe leaves you dreading workouts or their overly relaxed style makes you feel unmotivated. You deserve a coach whose approach meshes with your personality and goals. If working with them feels more like a chore than a boost, it’s probably time to hit the split with your coach.

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