The First Question I Ask Every New Athlete (And Why It's Not About Your Goal Time)

When someone reaches out about coaching, they usually lead with something like: "I want to run a 1:45 half" or "I'm training for my first marathon." Goal times and race distances matter, but the most important question is "Why does this goal matter to you?"

Not "How fast do you want to run?" Not "What's your PR?" Just: Why?

Purpose First, Paces Second

Running is a sport that requires a ton of mental exercise. If your purpose is tied to something so incredibly important to you, you’re going to be more dialed in to want to work towards that and LISTEN to your body. That means taking a rest day when your brain and legs are telling you no, because that will progress you closer to that goal than forcing a run. It's the difference between a training plan you follow and a training plan that actually meets your life.

Don't get me wrong—I love helping athletes PR. Watching someone cross a finish line and realize what they're capable of never gets old. But the times that stick with me most are the ones where an athlete discovers something about themselves in the process.

The parent who learned they could prioritize themselves without guilt. The entrepreneur who found their best ideas while on a run. The first-time marathoner who proved to herself that "not a natural runner" was just a story she'd been telling herself (me!).

These transformations don't happen because of a perfectly periodized training plan. They happen when training aligns with purpose.

Inaugural Nike 2025 After Dark Half Marathon in Los Angeles

The Questions You Should Be Asking Your Coach

Taking the steps to explore finding a run coach reminds me of finding a therapist, you want to make sure they’re the right fit for YOU. And yes, run coaches have their own coaches, just like therapists have their own therapists! That initial conversation is super important to trust your intuition and whether you jive with how they talk about running, balance, and training. These are the questions I’ve asked when I’ve looked for a run coach:

1. "What's your coaching philosophy?" You want to understand their approach. What’s their take on speed sessions or a certain threshold of miles you HAVE to hit per week? How do they balance hard work with rest and recovery? Make sure their values align with yours.

2. "How do you handle setbacks and missed workouts?" Life happens. Jobs get busy, kids get sick, motivation wanes. A good coach should have a clear approach to adapting plans and supporting you through the messy, imperfect reality of training.

3. "How will we communicate, and how often?" Some coaches offer daily check-ins. Others provide weekly plans with occasional touchpoints. Know what level of support you'll receive and whether it matches what you need.

4. "Can you tell me about an athlete whose goal changed mid-training?" This reveals flexibility and client-centered thinking. The best coaches understand that goals evolve, and they should be able to pivot without making you feel like you've failed.

5. "What do you need from me to be successful?" Coaching is a partnership. Understanding expectations upfront, whether it's logging workouts, communicating about fatigue, or being honest about struggles, sets everyone up for success.

6. "Why do you coach?" Yes, turn the question around. A coach's "why" matters just as much as yours. Their answer will tell you if they're in it for the right reasons and whether you'll connect on a deeper level.

7. “How do you prioritize your athletes’ training when you’re in a build yourself?” Make sure they’re committed to being there for YOU. Will they prioritize your pre-race chats vs. let you be a second thought? Trust me, you want to feel confident in this answer.

Finding Your Why

If you're thinking about working with a coach, or even if you're training solo, I’d encourage you to sit with that question for a moment: Why does this goal matter to you?

Not the surface-level answer. The real one.

Because once you know your "why," everything else, the early mornings, the speed work, the long runs, suddenly has context. It's not just about getting faster or going farther. It's about showing up for your purpose.

And that's where endurance really begins.