Who are you, what is your main goal and why did you decide to have a coach?
I am Fay Naylor; my main goal is to speed up my 5K and 10K race speeds. Having a coach helps keep me motivated when I want to fall off every wagon going. After completing a 100K in July, I didn't know what to do with myself...I needed a focus. Ali provided this. I had also lost allllll my confidence...I needed support bringing this back up and to help me believe that I could achieve things
What do you value about the coaching that you that you didn’t have before - and how is it going so far?
It doesn't take much for me to have a set back with my confidence. Ali teaches me that we all have bad days and we need to get up and move on. he is patient and positive. He makes me realise I don't need to feel guilty for things I can't achieve in one day - I can always keep moving towards the end goal. I love it. Some days I feel I have too much going on - but then I remember why I am doing this and what I get out of it. It's fantastic
What was the most difficult thing to get used to when you started the coaching process - and how do you feel about it now?
The feedback. But it has helped me be accountable. Also running alone. It's not something I have previously done, but now I feel much more confident and less of a tit!
How does the coaching fit in with your lifestyle – and do you have a lot to balance in your life?
As mentioned, some days I feel like it's a lot - but I also know that a lot of the time I can do it, I'm just tired, and it will benefit me afterwards. I do have a lot to juggle as well as funny working hours and the fatigue that UC brings, but the positives outweigh the negatives and I get so much out of it
- I love the feeling of strength it brings. Ali adapts the training plan to suit if I need to change things, but I must remember to tell him things so that he knows to change it lol
What are the main things you have learnt in you time as a coached athlete with Ali?
Not to feel guilty
Not to concentrate always on speed
Consistency is key
Everyone falters - its how you get back into it
You can do more than you think
Shit happens - don't dwell (most important)
Do you feel like you have developed as an athlete since starting the coaching process, if so, how?
Yes - much more confidence and strength. Mixing it up helps, I feel like the way that how I am looking at things is changing. Not sure if this is athlete developing, but I think so?
Why did you choose Ali to be your coach and what do you think about him?
I saw a leaflet basically! lol. I didn't even know it was a thing that I could do! lol. However, I'm so glad I did. Ali makes it all very person centred, which as a counsellor I feel is really important, and there is no judgement at all. Everyone seems to be equal and these are qualities I am on board with. I even did a Park Run on my own which I never thought in a million years I would do! So, thank you Ali, I think you're great