"Having a coach and a training plan keeps me accountable. I get great satisfaction from ticking things off a to-do list and I also like knowing what’s coming up. I also like to understand the purpose of each workout. I have no doubt that the absence of a coach is the main reason my early years of running were so sporadic. Conversely, my newfound consistency is a direct result of effective coaching. Of course, plans have to be adaptable because life can get in the way but I’m pretty good at making sure I get everything done each week. Reflection and feedback - both giving and receiving - are critical aspects of the coaching partnership so that it can be tailored to the individual. And it’s important to me to have a coach that walks the walk (or runs the run) and understands the specific challenges that face a working mum of a certain age training for a marathon (or six). Support, encouragement and congratulations from friends and family are important, but getting all that from Jules, who really knows how hard it is, is invaluable."

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