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Coach, Run, Win
Coach, Run, Win is a comprehensive guide to coaching high school cross country, running fast as a distance runner and achieving success in both. Written by Ken Sayles, a coach with over thirty years of success at a high level in California it presents an entire season of high school cross country in a thorough and systematic fashion. Included are daily workout details for an entire season that can be used easily by coaches or runners of any age and ability who want to improve. Coach, Run, Win also shares Coach Sayles insights into cross training, injury prevention, race tactics and the mental approaches to racing necessary to achieving a runners best. In the Foreward, George Varvas, director of the world's largest cross country meet, the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic, says, "this book should be as valuable an aid to the coach as the stopwatch itself."
214 pages, Paperback
First published January 18, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 14, 2022
Ken Sayles served as the head girls’ coach at Capistrano Valley High School (CVHS) in Mission Viejo, California, for about three decades. His vast experience in coaching cross-country earned him incredible skills, which he has shared in his book, “Coach, Run, Win”. The book is a product of methods that have stood the test of time, which Ken used in his coaching and subsequently helped his trainees to win races, even where they had poor beginnings as athletes. The book is written in an easy-to-read style anyone can follow. There are sections where the author starts with a story and then explains the concepts behind the example presented. This book is a highly readable guide for all runners seeking to improve their performance. It addresses three concepts: "Coaching" (how to train effectively), "Running" (how to do it correctly and avoid injuries), and "Winning" (sporting psychology).
The book is a holistic compilation of coaching methods and best practices for sports coaches. The author describes the need for a new paradigm in coaching education. Specifically, he believes that stress avoidance should be paramount in developing athletes and teaching life skills. Stress management is introduced as the foundation of this approach. Ken covers general principles related to creating a healthy environment and focusing on athletes' insides (mentality). He also suggests practical methods for handling high-stress situations such as tournaments, big games, etc.
Coach, Run, Win is an evidence-based book that explains how to train for running races effectively and efficiently. Covering topics such as training schedules and programs, warm-up and cool-down periods and principles, nutrition during training and racing, injury prevention and recovery, Sayles backs up his suggestions with peer-reviewed scientific studies in endurance sports. The author uses references to scientific works that give credit to his claims. He has included examples of successful applications of the principles listed in his book and case studies of athletes who have used them to achieve personal records.
Coach, Run, Win presents a refreshing and modern take on fitness training. It is not easy to see past a person's physique or relative age from the outside looking in to determine which race is meant for them. Herein lies one of the many reasons Ken's book is so valuable: he explains his strategies in language that both beginners and experienced athletes and coaches alike easily understand—particularly those who have tried other systems before and found that they don't work well for them.
In the book, Ken uses his experiences as a head coach to inform readers about all aspects of coaching. He discusses training strategies for runners, from beginners to pros, through weekly schedules broken down into beginner and advanced running workouts and one's devotion exclusively to different kinds of cross-country athletes. Sayles uses this book to help coaches understand how to utilize all aspects of their athletes' abilities to produce better results for the team or individual. Moreover, Ken takes the reader through a practical way of breathing through their stomach instead of their upper chest, an aspect that makes the book interactive.
The title of each chapter serves as a focal point for ideas covered in the chapter. For example, Chapter 10 discusses program support systems and is titled "BOOSTER CLUB AND PARENT INVOLVEMENT". Booster clubs provide financial support used for activities like hiring assistant coaches and providing other technical aids to teams, and so the author uses the subtitle "Your Program Support System" to describe that concept. However, Ken advises that people would need to lay down laws governing the club's operations to prevent issues like fund embezzlement.
There is nothing I disliked about this book. It is professionally edited with zero glaring errors, which guarantees the reader an uninterrupted reading experience. I wholeheartedly rate “Coach, Run, Win” the maximum rating of five out of five stars and recommend it to coaches that seek to demystify the practice. Athletes would also benefit from the author’s insight, which they may borrow and incorporate into their training.
The book is a holistic compilation of coaching methods and best practices for sports coaches. The author describes the need for a new paradigm in coaching education. Specifically, he believes that stress avoidance should be paramount in developing athletes and teaching life skills. Stress management is introduced as the foundation of this approach. Ken covers general principles related to creating a healthy environment and focusing on athletes' insides (mentality). He also suggests practical methods for handling high-stress situations such as tournaments, big games, etc.
Coach, Run, Win is an evidence-based book that explains how to train for running races effectively and efficiently. Covering topics such as training schedules and programs, warm-up and cool-down periods and principles, nutrition during training and racing, injury prevention and recovery, Sayles backs up his suggestions with peer-reviewed scientific studies in endurance sports. The author uses references to scientific works that give credit to his claims. He has included examples of successful applications of the principles listed in his book and case studies of athletes who have used them to achieve personal records.
Coach, Run, Win presents a refreshing and modern take on fitness training. It is not easy to see past a person's physique or relative age from the outside looking in to determine which race is meant for them. Herein lies one of the many reasons Ken's book is so valuable: he explains his strategies in language that both beginners and experienced athletes and coaches alike easily understand—particularly those who have tried other systems before and found that they don't work well for them.
In the book, Ken uses his experiences as a head coach to inform readers about all aspects of coaching. He discusses training strategies for runners, from beginners to pros, through weekly schedules broken down into beginner and advanced running workouts and one's devotion exclusively to different kinds of cross-country athletes. Sayles uses this book to help coaches understand how to utilize all aspects of their athletes' abilities to produce better results for the team or individual. Moreover, Ken takes the reader through a practical way of breathing through their stomach instead of their upper chest, an aspect that makes the book interactive.
The title of each chapter serves as a focal point for ideas covered in the chapter. For example, Chapter 10 discusses program support systems and is titled "BOOSTER CLUB AND PARENT INVOLVEMENT". Booster clubs provide financial support used for activities like hiring assistant coaches and providing other technical aids to teams, and so the author uses the subtitle "Your Program Support System" to describe that concept. However, Ken advises that people would need to lay down laws governing the club's operations to prevent issues like fund embezzlement.
There is nothing I disliked about this book. It is professionally edited with zero glaring errors, which guarantees the reader an uninterrupted reading experience. I wholeheartedly rate “Coach, Run, Win” the maximum rating of five out of five stars and recommend it to coaches that seek to demystify the practice. Athletes would also benefit from the author’s insight, which they may borrow and incorporate into their training.
May 11, 2022
Ready, set, go! An excellent guide for athletes and coaches
California author Ken Sayles has served as Head Girls Cross Country Coach, Track and Field Coach, and has been honored as Coach of the Year for Southern California by the California Coaches Association, Coach of the Year by the Orange County Register, along with other high profile rankings. He is the first cross country and track coach to be honored with the Coaching With Character Award, representing his ‘Victory with Honor’ approach to coaching throughout his career. In addition he has taught Social Sciences and was awarded Teacher of the Year multiple times. COACH, RUN, WIN is his debut publication.
Sayles states his purpose in writing his book - ‘When I began Coach, Run, Win, my original goal was to create a roadmap for coaches to navigate an entire high school cross-country season from start to finish…the book has much more to offer than just a guide for coaches…The first part of the book is focused on how to run fast…the information can be used by any runner, regardless of age, gender or school affiliation. The advice about cross training, weightlifting, injury prevention, and the mental approaches to better racing are essential for success in running for everyone…The second part…takes coaches through the details of organization and implementation of a championship program for a school or organization…’
These clearly stated goals offered by Sayles are met with aplomb: all of his information is easily comprehensible and accessible to both athletes and coaches, delivered in a near one-on-one conversational style of writing. He provides appendices that underscore his advice, providing solid information to accompany his ‘victory with honor’ approach to coaching. From all the steps in workouts and training to preparation – both physical an mental - for major meets, Sayles shares his excellent experience and knowledge for all athletes and coaches This book is a well written and valuable guide about competition and more: the concepts discussed can apply to us all. Recommended
California author Ken Sayles has served as Head Girls Cross Country Coach, Track and Field Coach, and has been honored as Coach of the Year for Southern California by the California Coaches Association, Coach of the Year by the Orange County Register, along with other high profile rankings. He is the first cross country and track coach to be honored with the Coaching With Character Award, representing his ‘Victory with Honor’ approach to coaching throughout his career. In addition he has taught Social Sciences and was awarded Teacher of the Year multiple times. COACH, RUN, WIN is his debut publication.
Sayles states his purpose in writing his book - ‘When I began Coach, Run, Win, my original goal was to create a roadmap for coaches to navigate an entire high school cross-country season from start to finish…the book has much more to offer than just a guide for coaches…The first part of the book is focused on how to run fast…the information can be used by any runner, regardless of age, gender or school affiliation. The advice about cross training, weightlifting, injury prevention, and the mental approaches to better racing are essential for success in running for everyone…The second part…takes coaches through the details of organization and implementation of a championship program for a school or organization…’
These clearly stated goals offered by Sayles are met with aplomb: all of his information is easily comprehensible and accessible to both athletes and coaches, delivered in a near one-on-one conversational style of writing. He provides appendices that underscore his advice, providing solid information to accompany his ‘victory with honor’ approach to coaching. From all the steps in workouts and training to preparation – both physical an mental - for major meets, Sayles shares his excellent experience and knowledge for all athletes and coaches This book is a well written and valuable guide about competition and more: the concepts discussed can apply to us all. Recommended
May 7, 2023
Probably the best cross country book that I've read. I appreciate that a lot of the advice was practical and not overly scientific, like most of these books tend to be
June 20, 2022
Inside Coach, Run, Win author Ken Sayles shares his experience and knowledge to help those who are interested in the coaching field. The book shows not just how to prepare physically but also mentally both athletes and coaches for what lies ahead on the path to success. From breathing exercises, schedules, financial sponsorship and so much more, I found this book ticked many boxes I wanted information on but there was so much additional content I hadn’t even considered. If you have tried other approaches that haven’t worked you then I suggest you give this book a read, but even if you’re curious about what other advice could be available I still think this would be a rewarding investment of your time. I found it to be very informative and written by an author who knows his stuff. Recommended.
November 5, 2022
This seems like a great book for a school in an affluent district. But for me, I got a good laugh at several parts… $150 donation for summer training, $300 for 5 days in Mammoth, $200 for the season. My kids can’t even afford decent shoes. I was hoping for more explanation of drills and more ideas for things I could do with my kids at practice, but there were only a few listed. This book definitely left me knowing that my kids will never be able to compete with kids from schools like these, where 9th grade girls come in running a sub 20 5K!?! My guys don’t even start near this pace. I’m lucky if a girl is sub 30!
December 8, 2022
Ken Sayles has written a gem for any Coach, experienced or new! His practical insights to every phase of coaching is succinct and invaluable. It’s the kind of book that can be your handbook to reference over and over. From Summer running to post season banquet, tremendous!
December 21, 2022
Helped me coach a championship XC team in our 2nd season of existence.
October 2, 2024
easy to read. very helpful.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews