What do you enjoy most about coaching?

Like all coaches I think the thrill an athlete gets from mastering a new skill or achieving a new PB is the best possible reward and motivation a coach gets.  Anyone who achieves something new grows in confidence and self-belief and playing a part in that growth is very satisfying from the coaching perspective.

How do you motivate people to do better?

Motivation must always come first from the athlete.  When they decide to train they will have a goal in mind and it is an important task of the coach to break this goal down into achievable segments.  Setting smaller milestones along the way to the ultimate goal shows the athlete they are improving and their target is attainable.  Progress is always a great motivator and people often underestimate their abilities.  Of course keeping the training varied and fun also makes it easier to get back out there for the next session!

What else, apart from running, do you enjoy doing?

One of the things I enjoy currently is landscaping our property.  Earthquake repairs fixed the house but ruined the garden so re-working the design and building new spaces is an enjoyable use of my spare time.  The fresh produce from a more substantial vegetable garden and maturing fruit trees is just great.  I also play golf and tinker away in the shed when I get the chance.

What is your ideal after run way of relaxing?

The best post run relaxing I find is after our Sunday morning run, usually on the hills, often the day after a race when the legs are tired and the body a bit sore.  Finishing by the sea allows us to take a dip (sometimes this works like an ice bath and is hugely refreshing), and then coffee at a local café to catch up on life with running buddies.  Sometimes the coffee takes longer than the run. J  I also do yoga once a week and find it is an excellent stretch and balance regime as well as being a great de-stressor.