What Training for a Half-Marathon Taught Me About Coaching and Growth

Over the past month, I’ve been training for a half-marathon—13.1 miles. You might ask me, why? Why would I willingly put myself through that? Honestly, I don’t have a profound answer other than: I wanted to get in shape and challenge myself.

I’ve been running and walking casually for years, but training for a half-marathon is on a whole different level. I knew I couldn’t just wing it—I needed help if I was going to succeed.

After some research, I downloaded the Runna app—a running coach app that builds a personalized training plan based on my current fitness level and goals.

As I’ve been using this app to coach me toward the finish line, I’ve been reminded of something deeper: we all need a coach when we’re trying to tackle hard things. Whether it’s physical, emotional, professional, or spiritual growth, going further requires guidance. Here’s what I’ve learned so far

A Personalized Plan Makes All the Difference
When I started, the app built a plan just for me—not a generic one, but one that took into account my pace, experience, and training availability. Without that roadmap, I would’ve either overtrained and burned out or undertrained and never been ready.

That’s what coaching does—it gives you a custom path forward. A good coach helps you see the steps between where you are and where you want to go. They provide structure when the goal feels overwhelming.

Personalized Feedback Fuels Progress
After each run, I get feedback on how I did. I know it’s AI-generated—there’s not an actual coach reviewing my data—but even still, the insights help:

  • What did I do well?

  • What should I adjust next time?

  • How’s my pacing?

Without feedback, I’d keep running the same way, not knowing if I’m improving or making mistakes that could slow me down—or worse, lead to injury. In life, we all need feedback. Without it, we drift. With it, we grow.

Real-Time Encouragement Makes a Big Impact
One of the app's favorite features is the live pacing cues. If I run too slow or fast, I get immediate encouragement or correction (typically, I’m told to speed up!). That real-time guidance helps me stay on track in the moment, not just after I’m done.

This is what great coaches do: they encourage and challenge you as you go—not just when you’ve finished. Having someone speak into your journey while you’re in it makes a huge difference. It’s the difference between quitting and pushing through.

Progress Check: Where I Am Now
So far, I’ve worked my way up to running 9 miles. That’s the farthest I’ve gone so far in preparing for this 13.1-mile race. I still have a way to go, but I’m making progress. My goal is to run my half-marathon in mid-September and finish it in under three hours. This plan and feedback are helping me achieve that target, one run at a time.

The Bigger Lesson
My half-marathon training shows me that having a digital or human coach can help you do things you never thought possible. That applies to every area of life:

  • Leadership: You need someone to help you navigate challenges and grow in confidence.

  • Personal Development: A coach helps you clarify your strengths and weaknesses.

  • Spiritual Growth: We all need guidance to grow deeper in our faith and relationship with God.

  • Health: Like my half-marathon, a coach can help you set realistic goals and stay accountable.

You don’t have to do it alone. Having someone in your corner to guide, encourage, and challenge you can be the difference between stagnation and breakthrough.

Want to Grow with a Coach?
If you’re feeling stuck, uncertain, or simply want to grow in an area of life, coaching might be your next step. As a Certified CliftonStrengths Coach and Leadership Coach, I’d love to help you clarify your path and move forward with confidence.

👉 Let’s start with a free 30-minute conversation. Schedule your session here: calendly.com/zmimboden
Photo by Isaac Wendland on Unsplash 

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