Posted: January 16, 2004

Athletics: Road Runners Club of America Offers Coaching Certification

A RRCA coaching certification class will be offered February 18-20, 2004 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in conjunction with Myrtle Beach Marathon. The class will be held at the Yachtsman Hotel all 3 days. The certification is designed for coaching adult endurance runners for road running.

The afternoon and evening of Feb 18 will be The Basis of Training. The curriculum will include the Rules of Training, Physiology, Psychology, Injury prevention and Nutrition.

Feb 19 will be the American Sport Education Program Coaching Principles class with their book, video and test. This class will be taught by an ASEP certified instructor and cover coaching philosophy, communication, motivation, teaching skills, sports physiology and sports management. Besides being a good introduction to coaching principles, ASEP certification is required in many states for coaches in their school systems.

Feb 20 will be devoted to the Techniques of Training. It will cover developing training plans, cycles, and progressions, speed work and other related topics. Group exercises will teach how to apply the topics covered.

Feb 21 is the Myrtle Beach Marathon and Half Marathon. For details, see www.mbmarathon.com.

The certification will be conducted by Patti & Warren Finke, RRCA certified coaches. Patti, an exercise physiologist, is the Chairperson of the RRCA Coaching Committee. Warren is a long-time coach and distance runner. Both are founders and directors of the Portland Marathon Training Clinic, now in its 19th year. They have co-authored "Marathoning Start To Finish" and numerous articles on training for local, regional, national and international magazines.

Cost for the three-day certification class is $260. You must register for the certification class by February 4 or until it is filled (limited to 30). For additional information and to register visit www.rrca.org.