Why I started Andy McGhee Coaching
Why I started Andy McGhee Coaching
I didn't start Andy McGhee Coaching to be another "online plan" in a crowded space. I started it because I couldn't find the kind of coaching I wanted myself: serious training, honest feedback, and a plan that actually fits around work, family and real life – not a fantasy schedule. After 14 years in the British Army, a decade running gyms, and representing Great Britain as an age group duathlete, I've seen what works and what just looks good on Instagram.
Who I coach
I work with runners who care about their performance, but who also have jobs, kids, and a life outside training.
That usually looks like:
• Busy professionals who want structure, not more noise • Parents juggling school runs, meetings and marathons • Age group athletes chasing PBs and championships without burning out
You don't need to be elite. You do need to care about doing the basics well, week after week.
How coaching with me actually works
You won't get a copy-and-paste 12-week "one-size-fits-all" plan. We start with where you are now, what your life looks like, and what you're aiming for – from a first 5K through to marathons, ultras or multisport events.
From there, I build you a simple, focused structure:
• Clear weekly plan that fits around work and family • Sessions with a purpose, not junk miles for the sake of it • Strength and conditioning built in, so you're not constantly managing niggles • Regular check-ins and honest feedback – what's working, what needs tweaking
My job is to take the thinking time off your plate so you can just show up, do the work and get better.
What I believe about training
My coaching is built on a few non-negotiables:
• Consistency beats heroics – the boring weeks done well are where most PBs are earned • Simplicity wins – fewer, better sessions you can actually hit, rather than a perfect plan you can't follow • Context matters – there's no point chasing elite volume when you're on back-to-back night shifts • Strength is not optional – if you want to run well in your 30s, 40s and beyond, you have to look after the engine and the chassis
I'd rather tell you the truth than sell you a gimmick. If something won't move the needle, we don't waste energy on it.
What you get with Andy McGhee Coaching
When you work with me, you get more than a spreadsheet. You get:
• A coach who's still in the arena – training, racing and learning alongside you[assetmanagement +1] • Bespoke running programmes that change as your life and goals change • Strength and conditioning support drawn from years working with everyone from Olympians to weekend warriors • A sounding board when life goes sideways – illness, injury, work stress, kids not sleeping – and you need to adjust without losing the plot
Whether you're chasing a marathon PB, building back from a rough patch, or just want to enjoy your running again, the aim is the same: make your training the most reliable hour of your day, not another thing to stress about.
What to do next
If this sounds like the kind of coaching you've been looking for, the next step is simple: have a look at the running coaching page and see how I work, or drop me a line through the contact form on the site. Try it for a training block, notice how it feels to have a clear plan and a coach in your corner, and then decide if it's something you want to build into your long-term routine.