Posted by Bruce Coldsmith on January 30, 2008 at 12:48:57:
There are many benefits to having a coach, and I often think those who never had a good coach cannot understand what the benefits are. A good coach will be able to help you look at your running world more rationally than you can yourself, and then to act on your world more rationally. (This is similar to why the average investor returns 3.7% in a market that returns 12%! )
But I believe that the best thing a coach does is make you believe you can do something greater than you would ever expect of yourself. One of the great experiences in my life is to have associated with several coaches who set a bar very high and then helped me clear it. I believe that is a great gift, and has extended to all other areas of my life.
So, it is true that no one needs a coach, but what a treat to have a good one!
Another way to look at it is the coaches corollary to the Nike Slogan.
Nike says "Just Do it" the coach says, "Shut up and Run!"