Even the best of them find that once they graduate from school, they are set adrift to compete as teamless individuals. They must take control of their own training. Some gravitate to clubs where they continue under the guidance of a coach. Others hire personal trainers. Many just flounder, not making the best of their running ability.
Coaches can provide inspiration and information, analysis and applause, support and sympathy.
They can design daily workouts and stand beside the track holding a stopwatch. You get to be a smarter runner faster. Bob Glover heads the New York Road Runners Club's coaching program. Along with his wife and exercise physiologist, Shelley Glover, he coaches 100 coaches. At the beginner level, people benefit from being enrolled in a fitness program, because they tend to do too much too soon.