I remember the first time I tried to become a runner. I was a sophomore in high school, and after a week of failing miserably at every track practice, I gave it up and convinced myself I was physically incapable.
It wasn’t until college when I discovered my love and passion for health and fitness. I joined a gym, started taking group fitness classes and eventually, I started running. I wasn’t super fast, but I didn’t care because I was running. Since then I’ve completed three half marathons, several 5ks, 10ks and obstacle course runs. What I once thought was impossible, became a reality.
Although I exercised throughout my entire pregnancy, I didn’t keep up with running. It just didn’t feel right. So trying to get back into it after my daughter was born wasn’t easy for me. I found the extra weight I was carrying and the fact that I hadn’t run in over a year to be a huge set back. It made me realize the only thing that truly keeps you in running shape is running. By about six months postpartum I finally started making a comeback. I ran two 5ks with my daughter in tow last fall, and this spring I feel like my running feet are on fire.
When the Head of Community at Learnivore, a social network that helps people share their interests and connect them to instructors and classes in a large variety of fields, asked me to do a review for them, I instantly knew that my #1 interest was to work with a running coach. I’ve learned a lot from my own successes and failures, but I’ve never had the chance to work with a professional.
I found the website to be self explanatory. It was easy to sign up, create a profile and request a class. Actually, I requested classes in three different fields – running, yoga and nutrition. Within 12 hours I started receiving emails from instructors in my area. They explained their credentials and how they could help me reach my goals. I loved being able to sift through emails from different instructors, all with different personalities, and choose who I thought would be best suitable for me.
Because running was my first choice, I hired Barbara Oskwarek, a fitness, running and nutrition coach in the Boston area. So far we have met once, and I am pleased to say that during my one hour session with her, I learned some great new techniques that I cannot wait to start incorporating into my weekly training. I was even able to take my daughter with me and as I sprinted around the track, her and Barbara were my mini cheering squad. I left the session on a runners high, and Barbara emailed me with a rundown of everything we had covered and what to work on for our next session. She assured me that I will get faster, stronger and achieve my goals.
The Learnivore platform is designed to help support both instructors and students. It allows instructors to make a living teaching what they love, and students have the ability to compare a set of instructors’ and choose who they want to work with. It’s free to sign up, create a profile and request a class. Learnivore made finding the right running coach easy. The hardest part was simply finding the time in our very busy schedules to meet!
Now for my moment of truth – would I use Learnivore again, and do recommend it? Definitely! I have actually asked myself, “Where was Learnivore when I was in middle school?!” Because seriously people, I could have used this social network to help me find a Math tutor back in the day! Their concept is brilliant, and now that I have gone through the entire process and met with the coach I chose, I am confident in recommending their platform to my family, friends and readers.
Whether you’re an adult looking to learn about something new, or you have a child that needs tutoring in a specific subject, Learnivore is a great resource and platform that will help connect you with the appropriate instructor. Now’s your chance to learn more with Learnivore!
You can follow Learnivore on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
Here are a few snapshots from my first session with my new running coach! Thank you, Learnivore, for connecting me and Barbara!
*Please note this post is sponsored by Learnivore. All opinions are honest and my own.
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