Obviously helping athletes attain Personal Bests (which are certainly amazing, thanks Yvonne for the latest marathon moment below!), they are just the tip of the iceberg really. When it comes to why I’m still as passionate about coaching now, as I was when I first started helping out my friends with their training.
Sydney Marathon 2024
"I first reached out to Kate in 2022 after running my first marathon in Sydney with a time of 4:47. Since then, thanks to your personalised weekly training plans, I’ve taken an hour off my time—finishing Sydney this year in 3:47!” ~ Yvonne
There are inevitable lows and highs but here are some of the many reasons I continue to love my work;
I love figuring out patterns, looking for patterns in people's behaviour, testing and adapting to what helps get the best out of them as an athlete. I get to know who loves fartleks, long runs, easy runs, hills, speed. Oh, and what they need to work on. Every athlete has their profile and I enjoy getting to know what makes them tick and what they need to improve and become a better athlete.
I love taking the juggle out of busy people's lives, so they don’t have to think, removing the over-thinking and doubt from their training. Give me your availability and I’ll work with what you have. Week on/week off with the kids, FIFO, long hours, no problems.
I love realigning someone's training and schedule when there is a hiccup in their week, making sure they get back on track and continue to move forward. Let that run go, let’s move on, or let me adjust the rest of the week for you.
I love being the voice of reason. Seeing the bigger picture. Putting things in perspective for athletes. One crappy run, it’s ok, let’s keep showing up.
I love the unexpected gains that happen when you see someone showing up consistently over time, sometimes it’s a genuine surprise and sometimes I see it coming. A sudden parkrun breakthrough. A comment that shows running has become a joy with effortless easy running.
When I’m programming my athletes training plans I get right into the zone and I can concentrate on this, and this only, for some reason it is like art for me, the only time my brain doesn’t think about ten things at once! It’s never felt like a chore, or like “work” in the traditional sense. I often feel so proud of my work and honestly, it gives me great satisfaction to this day.