Furman Institute of Running
& Scientific Training

FIRST Coaching

FIRST is gratified that runners have found our training program useful and appreciates the opportunity to share its research and programs.  We have been over-whelmed with requests for coaching.  Because FIRST exists primarily for education, research and community service, our capacity for coaching is limited and has been reached for Jan. through April 2006.  Please e-mail FIRST@furman.edu to check on available spots for e-FIRST coaching.

Runners can benefit from having a coach provide guidance for training and racing. These benefits include having a structured plan for achieving the runner's specific goals. The coach can provide training advice that helps the runner incorporate workouts that will stimulate the physiological adaptations associated with improved running performances. Also, the coach can provide feedback that will motivate and increase the confidence of the runner.

FIRST seeks to assist runners of all ages and abilities achieve their goals and potential. With coaching by e-mail, FIRST assists runners by developing individually tailored training programs designed around a runner's current level of fitness level and available training time. The FIRST training programs are customized programs.

Initially, FIRST members will provide some specific information about their current training, available time for training, training preferences (if the member likes to do a long run on a Saturday with training partners), tentative race schedule for the year, and other details that will help make the training program more personalized.

Electronic coaching offers training plans designed with the runner's goals in mind and tailored to runner's current fitness. FIRST believes that a training program needs to be followed for a minimum of 12 weeks (3 months) to prepare for a race. FIRST training programs typically range from 12 weeks to 18 weeks. The training programs define three Key Run workouts (distance and pace) each week to develop the primary physiological processes that influence running performance. Runners are encouraged to keep records of their workouts and submit weekly reports via e-mail to FIRST. The FIRST coach can usually adjust the training schedule to accommodate any changes in the runner's status or training availability.

e-FIRST runners need access to a 400m / 440 yard measured track.

If you are interested in e-FIRST, follow the 4 Step Process:

STEP 1. Go to the FIRST website and click on the "Sign Up" link. There are two links on this page: one for FIRST testing and one for e-FIRST coaching. Click on the link for e-FIRST coaching (http://www.furman.edu/first/coaching.pdf)

STEP 2. Download (print) the 5 page document.

STEP 3. In order to provide an individually tailored training program with appropriate training paces, we need to know about your current running abilities. If you have run a 5K or 10K race in the past month, indicate your race time. If you have not run a 5K race in the past month, you need to run 2 miles for time on a measured track. We will need your mile split times and your cumulative run time.

STEP 4. Mail in the completed "Lifestyle and Training History" questionnaire to FIRST, Department of Health and Exercise Science, Furman University, 3300 Poinsett Highway, Greenville, SC 29613

FIRST is gratified that runners have found our training program useful and appreciates the opportunity to share its research and programs.  We have been over-whelmed with requests for coaching.  Because FIRST exists primarily for education, research and community service, our capacity for coaching is limited and has been reached for Jan. through April 2006.  Please e-mail FIRST@furman.edu to check on available spots for e-FIRST coaching.

Because FIRST exists primarily for education, research and community service, its capacity for coaching is limited. Applications are evaluated to determine runners who may benefit from e-FIRST coaching. The e-FIRST coaching program is available on a quarterly basis ($200 for 3 months). e-FIRST coaching is quarterly because effective coaching can only occur with short-term and long-term planning in mind. After the initial 3 months, e-FIRST may be continued for $60 per continuous month. An 18 week training program specifically for the marathon is available for $300. FIRST training programs are developed with the intention of helping runners accomplish their running goals which will likely be three to twelve months down the road.