It’s the security of a plan: not only what I do day by day and week by week - that gives me structure; I like going to bed knowing what training I will do in the morning - but the long term, patterned training which has its phases adding variety but also getting me ready for each race, and making sure I don’t over-train.

My coach is the lovely, ever-attentive Ben. I’ve only met him once face to face when he ran a running camp my kids were on, and I speak to him if I need to but I choose to communicate by email. His messages are cheerful and encouraging, and his plans detailed and with just the right amount of context. But it’s the individual responses, the ‘Hey Adam, that was really great the way you knew to ease off last week’ or ‘That’s some great running; you don’t need to worry about x ...’.

Touch wood, but I’ve had no injuries and not needed to take any breaks from training. It’s worked for me and I’m a complete convert to long distance running now. I like the fact that Ben encourages me to do other races and to get outside my comfort zone. Efficient, encouraging, respectful, professional service.