Once the coach gets to know the athlete, he will develop a sense when to push and when to pull in the reins. Last and perhaps most important, chances of running injury free are greatly enhanced when training with a coach. He can spot training mistakes to which most runners are blind. Having said all this, I understand that not every runner wants or can afford a private coach. An athlete really has to be motivated to hire a private coach.
Many athletes spend even more on personal trainers.
For some runners, however, hiring a coach represents a commitment to a goal and gives them motivation to follow through with their training program. If an aspiring athlete cannot afford a private coach, there are other resources available provided by local running clubs. Many other clubs in the area offer similar programs. While these club programs are different from having a private coach, there are many knowledgeable runners in these clubs and their advice and insights can often be invaluable. Coach West offers private coaching for motivated individuals.