Why pay for a running coach when you can find a plan online? Coaches can personalize, customize, adjust, and encourage you. They also help you set a realistic race goal when you’re starting out or give you the inspiration to reach for a new time if you’ve run a distance before.

Running coaches can cost anywhere from $70-$125 a month, depending on what they offer. Some coach year-round while others will work with you for several months as you train for a big race. When picking a coach, ask how they provide your training (an app? spreadsheet?), how often you’ll communicate with them, if they include strength or nutrition with their coaching, and what their coaching style is like.