In this weeks episode, we have a #teamrun2pb coach and athlete interview. Meet Cecylia Garcia who joined Run2PB in 2022, having a background as a soccer player who started running during COVID-19 to maintain fitness. Initially, she aimed for a sub-40 minute 10k and a 90-minute half marathon. Her interest grew with Strava segments in 2020 and listening to podcasts like "Inside Running" in 2021. However, by 2022, she experienced a plateau and even regressed due to conflicting online information, prompting her to seek professional coaching.

Under the guidance of coach Guy Walters, Cecylia has achieved significant personal bests across various distances. Her 5K time improved from 20:18 to 17:55 , and her 10K time dropped from 41:32 to 36:55. In the half marathon, she saw a remarkable improvement from 1:35 to 1:24. Cecylia's favorite personal best is her 1500m time of 4:36, a goal Guy set that she initially found challenging to believe she could achieve. Her success highlights the effectiveness of structured coaching in overcoming plateaus and achieving ambitious goals.

Guy's coaching philosophy emphasizes consistent, long-term development and avoiding overtraining, a lesson he learned from his own coach, Scotty Westcott. Cecylia's weekly training typically includes long runs of 28-30km and threshold sessions, with her total weekly mileage usually between 90-95km, adhering to a strict under-100km rule. Guy quickly identifies when Cecylia attempts to "overdo" her training, providing guidance to prevent injury or burnout. Cecylia highly values her coach, stating that obtaining a coach was "the best money I ever spent" and advising others against relying on unverified online advice.

Running has profoundly impacted Cecylia's life beyond performance. It has become a significant part of her lifestyle, with her partner also engaging in the sport and their holidays often revolving around races. She has expanded her social circle, with many of her close friends now coming from running. For Cecylia, running also serves as a mental outlet, helping her to switch off from work. Looking ahead, Cecylia plans to compete in the National Cross event and run the Gold Coast Half and Sunny Coast Half marathons, with a long-term goal of completing a marathon. She also has a 10K race scheduled in Prague during her honeymoon.

With thanks to our partner Oat Running Socks, Cecylia will be kitted out in some new socks, check out their range at https://www.oatrunning.com.au/