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Kevin Beck, like Pete a senior writer for Running Times, competed sparingly in college, recording bests of 15:51 for 5K and 32:56 for 10K. A few years after graduating he made the marathon his event of long-term focus, running 2:39:37 in his initial attempt at the distance in 1994. Since then, the New Hampshire native has steadily carved his personal best down to 2:24:17 - good for seventh among Americans and 28th overall at the 2001 Boston Marathon. That his development as a runner occurred almost entirely on the roads as a post-collegiate athlete gives him a world of insight when it comes to advising motivated marathoners with relatively limited or non-existent high-school or NCAA running backgrounds. Kevin's earliest experience with coaching young runners was at Bishop Brady High School in New Hampshire. In 1998, the year before Kevin arrived, the boys' team finished 18th in the State Meet, only a few slots out of the cellar. Kevin's knowledge and enthusiasm breathed life into a moribund program, and in 2000, the team took 4th, qualifying them for the NH Meet of Champions for the first time in anyone's memory. Kevin also coached the girls' team, which also enjoyed significant improvement. Nearly coincident with Kevin's taking the reins at Bishop Brady was his Running Times article, "How To Run Your Best Marathon -- Really." This thorough treatment of contemporary marathon training -- which invoked not only his own experience but that of world-class, regional-class and recreational marathoners from around the globe -- demonstrated the value of alloting ample training energy to running at marathon pace; since the article's appearance, Kevin has guided numerous marathoners to personal bests using the principles underscored in this still-popular piece. Since then, Kevin has produced numerous training-related articles for Running Times on a variety of subjects, including hill training, tempo runs, progression runs, multi-pace training, and preparing for a range of road distances simultaneously. All throughout, he has had the good fortune to meet and speak with renowned athletes and coaches such as Bob Hodge, Bill Squires, and others, opportunities he naturally has used to further his own knowledge of the sport. Since joining the DistanceCoach.com team, Kevin has coached athletes of various ages and abilities, ranging from runners seeking to qualify for Boston for the first time to age-group world record holders. His chief focus has become career- and family-oriented marathoners for whom running -- while a driving passion -- is only one of several meaningful, time- and energy-consuming life facets. In 2003, Kevin was seventh at the USATF-New England 13.1M Championships and ran 1:49 to win the Eastern States 20M, but was hampered by adverse weather and injuries in his efforts to qualify for Olympic Marathon Trials. But he began 2004 with a series of personal bests: 13.1M (1:08:22), 10M (51:33), and 5,000 meters both on the track (14:58.2) and on the road (15:16). In November, he placed 2nd at the USATF National 50K Championship, averaging a shade under 6:00 pace on a gently rolling course. He began 2005 by placing second in the Disney World Marathon, fighting off 97% humidity to run 2:28:31. Kevin, who is the editor of Run Strong, a training book published in April 2005, is also the DistanceCoach.com webmaster and the site's creator. He and Pete -- who share not only very similar training philosophies but a sweeping passion for helping runners of all abilities -- have enjoyed a successful collaboration on many levels, and Kevin is pleased to be a part of the DistanceCoach.com coaching staff. Kevin offers three distinct services for distance runners: training consultations for runners seeking input to improve their existing training programs, personalized training schedules for runners not in need of ongoing support, and personalized coaching for runners who would like ongoing, in-depth coaching to help them achieve their racing goals. These services are described in more detail below. Training Consultations Kevin offers consulting by e-mail or telephone if you have developed your own training program and would like input on how to improve it, or would like advice on how to improve any aspect of your running. This service is particularly useful if you are confident in your own general training schedule, but would like suggestions on how to make your training maximally effective. Additional running-related topics include setting challenging yet realistic goals, advice for returning to training after an injury, tapering for major races, improving diet for training or competition, cross-training during an injury, and more. Reviewing and providing recommendations to improve a three- to four-month training program generally requires one hour. Cost: $90 for the first hour and $60 for each additional hour (you can set the time limit in advance). Personalized Training Schedules Kevin also offers customized training plans geared toward helping you peak for a race within the coming year. This service includes a phone consultation plus a three- to four-month training schedule created using the information you provide by e-mail and telephone. Cost: $199 for the consult and training schedule, plus e-mail feedback during the initial two weeks of your build-up in order to ensure the assignment of proper target paces. If you are interested in a training consultation or a personalized training schedule, please fill out the form below. Payment for these services may be made by check or through PayPal. Personalized Coaching This is a complete support service to help guide you to your running goals. This service includes:
Methods and Expectations In order to design optimal training programs and facilitate relationships with athletes, Kevin asks runners to do the following:
PLEASE READ: Disclaimer: DistanceCoach.com requires that you consult with your physician before following any training instructions you receive through DistanceCoach.com or the coaching services provided by Pete Pfitzinger or Kevin Beck, known hencefoth as "Staff." DistanceCoach.com and Staff are not licensed medical care providers and represent that they have no expertise in diagnosing, examining, or treating medical conditions of any kind or in determining the effect of any specific exercise on a medical condition. DistanceCoach.com and Staff are not prescription systems and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should understand that when participating in any exercise or exercise program, there is the possibility of physical injury and or death. You should never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the DistanceCoach.com Web site. DistanceCoach.com and Staff are not responsible for any health problems that may result from training programs you receive from Staff. If you engage in any training program you receive through DistanceCoach.com, you agree that you do so at your own risk, are voluntarily participating in these activities, assume all risk of injury to yourself, and agree to release and discharge DistanceCoach.com and Staff from any and all claims or causes of action, known or unknown, arising out of the negligence of DistanceCoach.com and Staff. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless these parties for any loss, liability, claim, damage, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) brought by you, anyone acting on your behalf, or any third party, in any way arising from or in connection with your use of the information or services you receive through DistanceCoach.com and Staff. DistanceCoach.com and Staff are not responsible for the accuracy, reliability, effectiveness, or correct use of information you receive through the DistanceCoach.com web site, or for any health problems that may result from training programs, products, or events you learn about through DistanceCoach.com or associated coaching services. DistanceCoach.com and Staff do not certify content or endorse any information supplied by other companies for our Web site. PLEASE NOTE: Not all exercises are suitable for everyone. Before you begin following any training instructions you receive from Staff you should have permission from your physician to participate in vigorous training. If you ever feel discomfort or pain, do not continue. The instructions and advice presented by DistanceCoach.com and Staff are in no way intended as a substitute for medical counseling. Limitation of Liability: DistanceCoach.com, Staff and their affiliates and sponsors are neither responsible nor liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, punitive or other damages arising out of or relating in any way to the DistanceCoach.com Web site or the coaching services provided by Staff, and/or content, or information contained within the Web site, and/or content or information contained in e-mails from Staff in furtherance of such coaching services. Your sole remedy for dissatisfaction with the services provided is to stop using those services. Waiver and Indemnity: Your use of any services and information obtained through DistanceCoach.com, including but not limited to the coaching services of Staff, certifies that you have read this Agreement and hereby for yourself, your heirs executors and assigns, waive, release and hold harmless DistanceCoach.com and Staff from any and all claims, demands, liabilities, rights or causes of action arising out of or in connection with participation in activities proscribed by the aforementioned parties. You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold DistanceCoach.com and Staff and their officers, directors, employees, agents, licensors, and suppliers, harmless from and against any claims, actions or demands, liabilities and settlements including without limitation, reasonable legal and accounting fees, resulting from, or alleged to result from, your violation of the terms and conditions of this Agreement. In submitting my training and racing information, I certify that I have read the above statements and that I understand and agree to the terms and conditions thereof. Payment for these services may be made by check or PayPal in accordance with instructions we will provide after reviewing the information in your completed contact form. |
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