Chapter 1: My Journey in Sports

For a decade, I have immersed myself in the world of sports. At the age of 13, I dedicated myself to dance, crafting my training regimen largely on my own. My fascination with training methodologies, structure, and the intricate balance of various elements required in a sport has been a constant in my life.

In dance, the weekly training routine encompassed numerous components, including balance, stability, explosiveness, endurance, flexibility, technique, and choreography — all vital to a dancer’s development. Unfortunately, I often focused more on the physical aspects like endurance and strength, neglecting the technical components such as routines and techniques. In essence, I was an endurance athlete participating in dance rather than an artist in the field.

By the time I turned 19, I decided to conclude my competitive dance career. Reflecting on my 10-year journey, I achieved far more than I had aspired to as a novice at age nine.

Then, I transitioned to running.

Initially, I used running as a means to escape an eating disorder. It proved to be a healing process, yet it also inflicted some harm. This relationship with running has been complex, to say the least. Fast forward a few years, and I now find myself in a position where I can pursue this sport in a healthy, sustainable, and fulfilling manner — and I genuinely enjoy it.

Throughout my time as a runner, I have gained extensive knowledge through both theoretical and practical experiences. When I first began running, my understanding was minimal. I would embark on 30-40 minute runs, primarily focusing on beating my previous times daily. I was essentially a master of what’s known as the "grey zone" of training, reveling in the feeling of pushing my limits during each session.

Eventually, I discovered that this approach was not optimal for improving my running (surprising, right?). Thankfully, my father, Stephen Seiler, a knowledgeable figure in endurance training, introduced me to the principles of his “polarized training” philosophy.

The core idea? Most of your runs should be at an easy pace, with one hard workout each week.

From this simple foundation, my exploration began. How could I effectively train to enhance my running speed and endurance? I imagine you’re curious about that too.

While I wouldn't classify myself as an elite runner just yet, my understanding of effective training methods has grown significantly. My running and competition journey has spanned just under three years (2019–2021), with 2021 being a year of non-competition for me. If you’ve read my article “Implementing Polarized Training,” you’ll know how I inadvertently derailed my training from January to March, leading to a stress reaction in my femur that sidelined me for two months. And as many runners know, returning to the sport after an injury can lead to further complications if done too eagerly — which resulted in a couple of setbacks including a stress reaction, some sprained SI ligaments, and knee tendonitis. Thankfully, I’m back to running injury-free and feeling motivated!

Despite facing obstacles in various aspects of life, I have opened new doors in others, particularly in my education. After completing my Bachelor’s degree in English literature last year, I decided to finally pursue my passion for sports science. This fall, I commenced my studies in sports performance at the Norwegian School of Sports Sciences.

I've fully returned to polarized training, steering clear of ineffective threshold interval sessions. Remarkably, after just three weeks of adhering to a 9-day training cycle and implementing polarized methods, I've noticed significant improvements in my fitness. The simplicity of this approach is striking; you may not realize how much you’re progressing because the training is enjoyable, characterized by consistent effort and gradual advancements.

With a few years of running experience now under my belt, I didn't indulge in any extravagant strategies when I began distance running. My early training involved minimal interval work, never more than one session per week, which allowed me to achieve a 10k time of around 36 minutes. From there, I experimented with varying volume and intensity, facing both failures and successes, ultimately learning invaluable lessons along the way. I aspire to share these insights with others.

Based on my experiences and the theories I’ve explored, I am now offering personal coaching. I will analyze your training, provide feedback on your current regimen, and create or adjust a training plan tailored to your fitness level and objectives. If you're interested, feel free to reach out via email for pricing and additional details.

My email is: [email protected]

Chapter 2: The Fundamentals of Coaching

Understanding the essence of coaching is vital for both athletes and trainers. Coaching is more than just directing athletes; it involves fostering growth, enhancing performance, and creating a supportive environment for improvement.

The first video titled "What is Coaching? A Practical Definition for Managers" offers insights into the fundamental principles of effective coaching, focusing on its practical applications in various settings.

Chapter 3: Coaching for New Coaches

For those venturing into coaching, grasping the basics can be crucial. The second video titled "What Is Coaching? The ABC's For New Coaches" is a great resource for understanding foundational coaching concepts that can lead to successful athlete development.