Frequently Asked Questions
Taking on an endurance challenge can feel exciting, overwhelming and slightly intimidating all at once, especially if you’re balancing work, family and everything else life throws at you. I work with women training for ultras, hybrid events, obstacle course races, Ironman-distance events and personal endurance challenges, helping them build confidence and prepare properly without endurance training taking over their entire lives.
Below are some of the questions I’m asked most often about endurance coaching, training plans and working together.
1
Do I need to be fit already to work with you?
Absolutely not.
Many of the women I coach are starting from a place of uncertainty rather than peak fitness. Some are completely new to endurance events, while others are returning to training after time away, burnout, injury, motherhood or simply life getting in the way.
My coaching is designed to meet you where you are and build sustainable progress over time.
You do not need to “look like an athlete” before starting endurance coaching. In fact, one of the biggest parts of my role is helping women build confidence alongside physical fitness.
2
Can I train for an endurance event around a full-time job?
Yes.
This is actually one of the main reasons women come to me for coaching.
Most of my clients are balancing demanding careers, families, businesses and busy schedules alongside endurance training.
My coaching is designed specifically for real life. Rather than following unrealistic training plans designed for professional athletes, I create an approach that works around your actual lifestyle, energy levels and commitments.
Consistency is far more important than perfection when it comes to endurance training.
3
Do you coach women specifically?
Yes, although I do occasionally coach men too.
A large part of my coaching focuses on supporting women who want to train for endurance events in a more sustainable, supportive and holistic way.
Many women I work with have felt intimidated by traditional endurance culture or struggled with generic training plans that don’t account for stress, recovery, confidence, hormones, work-life balance or mental load.
My coaching approach is practical, encouraging and designed around the realities of everyday life.
4
What endurance events do you coach for?
I coach women training for a wide range of endurance and adventure events that I have experience in, including:
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Ultra marathons
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Trail running events
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Obstacle course races (OCR)
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Hybrid fitness events
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Ironman and long-distance triathlon
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Marathon training
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Adventure races
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Multi-day endurance events
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Personal endurance challenges
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Endurance horse riding races
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Mountain climbing and hiking
If you’re unsure whether your event fits within my coaching, feel free to get in touch.
5
Do you provide personalised endurance training plans?
Yes.
All coaching includes a personalised endurance training plan tailored to your goals, experience level, schedule and lifestyle.
I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all training or AI-generated plans.
Your plan will evolve based on:
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recovery
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work stress
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confidence
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fitness progress
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injuries or niggles
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life commitments
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race goals
The aim is always sustainable progress rather than burnout.
6
Do you help with nutrition and fuelling?
Yes.
Proper fuelling is one of the most overlooked parts of endurance training, especially for women.
I help clients understand:
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endurance fuelling
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hydration
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race nutrition
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recovery nutrition
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energy management during training
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practical fuelling strategies for long events
This is always approached in a realistic and supportive way rather than through restrictive dieting or extreme approaches.
7
Do you help with kit and equipment?
Definitely.
One of the biggest sources of overwhelm for endurance athletes is trying to figure out what gear they actually need.
I help clients simplify this process by advising on:
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race kit
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hydration packs
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shoes
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layering systems
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mandatory kit lists
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practical race preparation
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gear testing before events
You do not need to spend thousands of pounds on equipment to get started.
8
Is your coaching suitable for beginners?
Yes, beginners are very welcome and encouraged!
Many women assume they need to already be “good at endurance” before working with a coach, but that simply isn’t true.
Some of my favourite coaching journeys are helping women go from:
“I could never do that” to “I actually did it!"
Whether your goal is your first ultra marathon, a 5km race or simply becoming more resilient and confident, coaching can help remove uncertainty and provide structure and support.
9
Do you offer online endurance coaching?
Yes.
I work with clients online across the UK and beyond.
Online coaching allows flexibility while still providing personalised support, accountability and communication throughout your training journey.
Depending on your coaching package, support may include:
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personalised training plans
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regular check-ins
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accountability support
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Race Preparation Guidance
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mindset coaching
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feedback and adjustments
My primary offering is 1-1 bespoke in-person offerings to ensure you truly are going to be ready for your event. However, for more experienced athletes, other packages are available.
10
What makes your coaching different?
Ah yes in a world of Instagram coaches and hobby runners, how do you know I am not just another one?!
I combine real-world endurance experience with a holistic coaching approach designed for normal people with full lives.
I’m not interested in “all or nothing” endurance culture or unrealistic training expectations seen on social media.
My coaching focuses on helping women build:
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confidence
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resilience
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sustainable fitness
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mental strength
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consistency
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enjoyment
alongside preparing properly for endurance events.
I understand the practical realities of balancing endurance goals with careers, families and everyday life because I’ve lived it myself. I am also a qualified L4 PT and L3 sports masseur to run alongside over a decade of endurance experience.
11
Do I need a specific race booked before starting coaching?
Not at all.
Some clients come to me with a specific ultra marathon or endurance race in mind, while others simply know they want a challenge but aren’t sure where to begin.
Part of the coaching process can include helping you choose an event that fits your goals, experience and lifestyle.
12
How much time do I need to train for an endurance event?
This depends on the event, your background and your goals.
One of the biggest misconceptions about endurance training is that you need endless hours available every week, and one of my biggest dislikes in the industry is thinking that everyone should follow a "couch to Kili in 2 months" plan.
Everyone is different, everyone's training should therefore be treated so.
For most busy women, smart and consistent training is far more effective than trying to train like a professional athlete.
I help clients build realistic training schedules that fit around real life while still preparing properly for their chosen event. We sit down at the start and time block your diary and analyse your life to figure out how long you can commit to training each week, from here I work out how many months you are going to need to build up the fitness required
13
Can endurance coaching help with confidence and mindset?
Absolutely.
Endurance challenges are never purely physical and having something else to focus on other than shrinking means that your journey is so much deeper and so much more is gained.
Many women come to coaching feeling:
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intimidated
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overwhelmed
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inconsistent
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self-doubting
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unsure whether they’re “capable enough”
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Building confidence, resilience and self-belief is a huge part of the process.
My role is not just to help you cross a finish line, but to help you become the kind of person who believes they belong there in the first place. Do not train to shrink and get thin, train to do something amazing and realise how amazing you and your body are!
14
Do you only coach elite athletes?
Not at all.
Most of my clients are ordinary women doing extraordinary things alongside busy lives.
You do not need to be fast, experienced or naturally athletic to benefit from endurance coaching.
You simply need a willingness to begin.
15
Do you chase me and bark orders at me?
Nope! That’s definitely not my coaching style!
I believe successful endurance coaching should feel supportive, collaborative and realistic rather than intimidating or overly aggressive. That said, accountability is still incredibly important. Part of taking on an endurance challenge is learning to take ownership of your training, recovery and preparation. I can guide, support, structure and encourage you, but ultimately the work still has to come from you.
My role is to help make the process feel less overwhelming and more achievable by providing:
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regular check-inssupport and guidance
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personalised endurance training plans
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honest feedback
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accountability
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race preparation support
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practical advice when things feel difficult
At the start of coaching, I also carry out an initial assessment process to understand your current fitness, experience, mindset and readiness for the challenge ahead. This helps ensure:
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your goals are realistic
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your training is appropriate
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you’re approaching endurance training safely and sustainably
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we create the right level of challenge without tipping into burnout or injury
I work best with women who want guidance, structure and encouragement, not someone shouting at them from the sidelines. Endurance coaching should build confidence, resilience and self-trust, not fear. You need to enjoy the process!
16
Will you come to events and support me in person?
In some cases, yes.
Depending on the event, location and level of support needed, I can sometimes provide in-person race support or even take part in the challenge alongside clients.
This is always arranged on a bespoke basis and subject to availability, but options may include:
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race weekend support
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event preparation assistance
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crew support during endurance events
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pacing support
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pre-race planning and logistics
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attending events for accountability and encouragement
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participating in certain challenges alongside clients
For many women, knowing they have someone familiar supporting them through the event itself can make a huge difference to confidence and overall experience. We also appreciate that not everyone has the support systems in their personal life that are looked for whilst taking on an endurance event.
Because every challenge is different, in-person support is priced separately and available on a POA (Price on Application) basis.
If this is something you’d be interested in, we can discuss it during your consultation call.
17
How do I get started?
The best place to start is by getting in touch for an initial conversation via the online form below.
We can talk through:
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your goals
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current fitness
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lifestyle
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previous experience
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fears or concerns
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the type of support you’re looking for
From there, we can decide whether coaching together feels like the right fit.
"Through every challenge, Emmelia has always brought the same energy: determination, positivity, and an incredible ability to bring out the very best in those around her".
Jasim D’Elkarim (UK)