As Head of Coaching and Development at Vale of York Athletic Community, I oversee coach and athlete development, along with all junior and senior training programs. I hold England Athletics Event Group Endurance Specialist accreditation and have been an EA Athletics Coach for over ten years. I also serve as the Head Track and Field Coach for the University of York.

My nearly fifty years in endurance sport began as an 11-year-old schoolboy cross country runner who ran middle distance on the track. I stepped away from competitive running as a teenager to pursue my love of music, but my sporting passions resurfaced in my early twenties when I took up competitive road cycling, inspired by watching ANC Halfords’ 1987 Tour de France debut on Channel 4. I soon found my niche in cyclocross, a demanding sport akin to cross-country running for cyclists, where my running background gave me an edge.

I continued to run socially in various events around Manchester in the 1990s including the 56-mile Bullock Smithy Hike and various tough local road and trail races. We had a good group of lunchtime runners at my workplace in Cheshire and organised handicap races kept me fit for playing football twice a week and provided a much-needed work-life balance. The same was true in Milton Keynes. Workplace running clubs have been important to me throughout my life.

In 2011, a life-changing diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes spurred me to return to serious competitive running to manage my condition and to see if I could ‘beat the disease’. This challenge rekindled my competitive spirit, leading me to connect with an incredibly supportive online community of Type 1 athletes and join their online Zwift bike racing team.

I was still a better runner than cyclist though, so I joined a local running club, Selby Striders, in 2012, and then founded Vale of York Athletic Community in 2020 to create more opportunities for my daughter and other young people to take part in athletics after COVID.

Now, at 58, I feel I am fitter than ever and I enjoy competing regionally and internationally as a Masters athlete for the camaraderie as much as the competition.

Coaching Philosophy

As a former academic, my coaching approach attempts to fuse evidence-based science with extensive practical experience. My primary goal is to foster an athlete’s holistic growth and cultivate a lifelong appreciation for sport. I firmly believe a “one-size-fits-all” approach limits potential. Consequently, my training plans are flexible guides, not rigid prescriptions, underpinned by a fundamentally ‘soul-based’ coaching ethos that respects individual needs and aspirations.

My coaching philosophy is built upon four pillars:

Consistency: This forms the bedrock of all athletic progress, emphasising showing up for training and competition. I design training plans with a gradual and progressive increase in load, both intensity and duration, ensuring effective adaptation and minimising injury risk. For instance, a runner might meticulously build their base of distance and speed over several months to peak for a goal race.

Variation: To stimulate continuous physiological adaptation and prevent plateaus, training must be dynamic, engaging, and enjoyable. This extends beyond altering running distances; it involves strategically integrating running at varying intensities and across diverse terrains. I also strongly advocate for cross-training to cultivate well-rounded fitness.

Athleticism: Developing fundamental athletic qualities—agility, balance, coordination, speed, strength, and power—is paramount at Vale of York. Sustainable endurance performance relies on a strong foundation of well-rounded athleticism. My coaching often incorporates tailored strength and conditioning components, specifically designed for endurance sports. Examples include plyometrics for enhanced running economy, targeted core work for improved stability, and mobility drills to increase range of motion and reduce injury risk. I run a weekly circuit class covering these elements and more.

Community: The transformative power of a supportive training and competitive community is essential. It provides invaluable encouragement, fosters accountability, and cultivates a strong sense of belonging. At Vale of York, I actively nurture a culture of camaraderie and mutual support through organized group sessions and opportunities for athletes to connect. Our community ethos celebrates both participation and individual personal growth, valuing these more than competitive outcomes. This embodies teamwork, persistence, and giving back to your club and fellow teammates.

Broader Community Commitment

Beyond direct athlete coaching, I am deeply committed to the broader development and well-being of the athletics community. My roles with UK Athletics as a Safeguarding Educator and with England Athletics as the Regional Chair for Yorkshire and Humberside underscore my dedication to creating a safe, ethical, and inclusive environment for athletes of all ages. Furthermore, as a Trustee and Chair of the Athletics Committee at Vale of York, I contribute to the strategic direction of our club, ensuring we effectively serve our community’s diverse needs.

My overriding goal is to empower athletes to achieve their individual aspirations while nurturing a lasting love for athletics and running. I am deeply passionate about helping athletes discover their full potential, not just as runners, but as well-rounded individuals. I utilize various online planning and analysis tools, including VDOT, Intervals.icu, and Runalyze, to help athletes structure and learn from their training.

Connect with Ian

I hold endurance coach clinics on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM at Selby Leisure Centre, before the Community Training Run. Drop me an email at ian@valeofyork.org to book a slot to discuss anything related to your training for events from 800 metres to ultramarathons. Zoom calls are also available during the day if you can’t make Wednesdays.