PR After PR | Endure Strong Review
Disclaimer: I received coaching from Team Endure Strong in exchange for my review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a
BibRave Pro (ambassador) and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!
I have always been a self-coached runner but have wondered how a coach could help me out, especially in my running weaknesses. Over the past couple months, I have had the opportunity to be coached by Jared Ward and Andrew Webb with their Team Endure Strong. As a BibRave Pro, I received this coaching opportunity as I train for my half marathon at the end of June.
When I began working with Jared and Andrew, I was already about 15 weeks (of 18) into training for the Fargo Marathon and nearly to the taper. I didn't expect to use the coaching services much at that point, since I was already so far in to the Hansons Marathon Method plan, but Jared and Andrew prescribed a couple key workouts that I believe made a big difference on race day.
Through the Final Surge online coaching platform, Team Endure Strong gave me a training calendar to track my workouts, enter workout details and also message them with any questions that come up.
We have had monthly coaching calls with Jared (he's an Olympian, by the way!!) and, rather than just sitting back and watching, he actually answers the questions that we type up. I was so surprised by how personalized his coaching program feels, even in a group setting like this!
As I prepared for my full marathon in May, the coaches were able to push me in the hard efforts that I wouldn't have had confidence to hit on my own. Let's just say running a 20-miler at a 7:36/mile average pace just in training is something I NEVER thought I could do! Jared and Andrew threw some race-paced efforts into that long run and it pushed me to a new level.
Along with pushing my limits, they also were great encouragers! The week following those extra hard efforts, I could tell I needed a little extra rest time in the taper. I ran that by the coaches and I felt like they gave me "permission" to take that extra rest. I'm not sure I would have done that on my own! It's so tempting to do more in taper, but they said the work is done. Rest up and it will pay off on race day.
And it did! Finally I was able to blow that old 3:22:05 PR out of the water with a 3:16:34! I know the Endure Strong coaching in those final weeks helped me hit that goal.
But that's not all! After recovering from the marathon and honestly feeling a little unmotivated, Coach Andrew gave me advice to take my workouts easy for that first week back and then to work into the hard workouts when I was more mentally/physically ready.
I knew I wanted to hit a new PR at our local 5k in town, ideally a sub-20 minute 5k, and I just wasn't sure I could do it after feeling so "doggy" post-marathon. My legs just didn't want to go fast. I didn't even want to wake up early in the morning to run anymore!
This coaching call link showed up in my email at the perfect time (race day, actually) and Jared had some solid advice for pace strategy in the 5k distance. I applied his thoughts to my evening 5k race and ended up with a PR there, too. My first mile was a 5:59, which is an unheard of pace for me. Chalk that up as another PR with Team Endure Strong!
Next comes the Wonder Woman Half Marathon on June 29th. I've set my sights on hitting another new PR but we'll see what race day brings with weather, health and life in general :) Though I am stepping away from my position as a BibRave Pro at the end of the month, I will definitely give you an update on my coaching experience with Team Endure Strong and the results of my half marathon!
Overall, I will say I am totally, 100% impressed with Team Endure Strong's coaching program. Jared and Andrew are awesome and they really care about their runners.
I was a little skeptical going into a coaching group like this. How could one coach give personalize attention to 20 different athletes? Would this be just a cookie cutter plan with minimal interaction?
Not one bit!
I have been able to email Coach Andrew many times with questions regarding training, nutrition and rest. He is very knowledgable, timely with responses and relays recommendations from Jared as well. When I have been super tired after a hard workout or nervous about an upcoming race, they have had the exact words I've needed to hear. Team members have been able to ask Jared questions during the coaching call and he answers them on the spot! This is far from a cookie cutter program and I have enjoyed working with the coaches and the team very much.
I highly recommend Team Endure Strong to someone who is looking to take their training to the next level while not breaking the bank! Great program, helpful resources, awesome value.
I have always been a self-coached runner but have wondered how a coach could help me out, especially in my running weaknesses. Over the past couple months, I have had the opportunity to be coached by Jared Ward and Andrew Webb with their Team Endure Strong. As a BibRave Pro, I received this coaching opportunity as I train for my half marathon at the end of June.
When I began working with Jared and Andrew, I was already about 15 weeks (of 18) into training for the Fargo Marathon and nearly to the taper. I didn't expect to use the coaching services much at that point, since I was already so far in to the Hansons Marathon Method plan, but Jared and Andrew prescribed a couple key workouts that I believe made a big difference on race day.
Through the Final Surge online coaching platform, Team Endure Strong gave me a training calendar to track my workouts, enter workout details and also message them with any questions that come up.
 |
| My calendar looks a little messy due to how my Garmin data imported! |
We have had monthly coaching calls with Jared (he's an Olympian, by the way!!) and, rather than just sitting back and watching, he actually answers the questions that we type up. I was so surprised by how personalized his coaching program feels, even in a group setting like this!
As I prepared for my full marathon in May, the coaches were able to push me in the hard efforts that I wouldn't have had confidence to hit on my own. Let's just say running a 20-miler at a 7:36/mile average pace just in training is something I NEVER thought I could do! Jared and Andrew threw some race-paced efforts into that long run and it pushed me to a new level.
Along with pushing my limits, they also were great encouragers! The week following those extra hard efforts, I could tell I needed a little extra rest time in the taper. I ran that by the coaches and I felt like they gave me "permission" to take that extra rest. I'm not sure I would have done that on my own! It's so tempting to do more in taper, but they said the work is done. Rest up and it will pay off on race day.
And it did! Finally I was able to blow that old 3:22:05 PR out of the water with a 3:16:34! I know the Endure Strong coaching in those final weeks helped me hit that goal.
But that's not all! After recovering from the marathon and honestly feeling a little unmotivated, Coach Andrew gave me advice to take my workouts easy for that first week back and then to work into the hard workouts when I was more mentally/physically ready.
I knew I wanted to hit a new PR at our local 5k in town, ideally a sub-20 minute 5k, and I just wasn't sure I could do it after feeling so "doggy" post-marathon. My legs just didn't want to go fast. I didn't even want to wake up early in the morning to run anymore!
This coaching call link showed up in my email at the perfect time (race day, actually) and Jared had some solid advice for pace strategy in the 5k distance. I applied his thoughts to my evening 5k race and ended up with a PR there, too. My first mile was a 5:59, which is an unheard of pace for me. Chalk that up as another PR with Team Endure Strong!
Next comes the Wonder Woman Half Marathon on June 29th. I've set my sights on hitting another new PR but we'll see what race day brings with weather, health and life in general :) Though I am stepping away from my position as a BibRave Pro at the end of the month, I will definitely give you an update on my coaching experience with Team Endure Strong and the results of my half marathon!
Overall, I will say I am totally, 100% impressed with Team Endure Strong's coaching program. Jared and Andrew are awesome and they really care about their runners.
I was a little skeptical going into a coaching group like this. How could one coach give personalize attention to 20 different athletes? Would this be just a cookie cutter plan with minimal interaction?
Not one bit!
I have been able to email Coach Andrew many times with questions regarding training, nutrition and rest. He is very knowledgable, timely with responses and relays recommendations from Jared as well. When I have been super tired after a hard workout or nervous about an upcoming race, they have had the exact words I've needed to hear. Team members have been able to ask Jared questions during the coaching call and he answers them on the spot! This is far from a cookie cutter program and I have enjoyed working with the coaches and the team very much.
I highly recommend Team Endure Strong to someone who is looking to take their training to the next level while not breaking the bank! Great program, helpful resources, awesome value.
Team Endure Strong Details:
- Customized Final Surge Training Plans
- Final Surge Access to Resources (past coaching calls, strength training, etc)
- Live Coaching Calls with Jared Ward
- Team Wall Engagement and Accountability
- Easy Access to Coach Andrew for specific training questions
- $39.99/Month - An excellent value for this personalized program
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