Former world 10,000mm champion and Olympic silver medalist talks about her journey from athlete to parent
Former world 10,000m champion and Olympic silver medalist Liz McColgan is the coach of Daughter Willish, the Commonwealth 10,000m champion and multiple British record holder.
McColgan also serves as Director of Sports Academy Programs at the Qatar Foundation and is responsible for developing its Pathways Program, launched as part of the Foundation’s FIFA World Cup Legacy Plans, which contributes to Qatar’s 2030 vision to improve women’s sports participation and to build. welfare.
How did you get into coaching?
My coach Harry Bennett (Dundee Havil Harrier) died when I was 17, so I trained for my entire career. I probably knew a lot more about training than the other athletes around me because I was really drilled. What was the stability? I would go to people like George Gandhi and Harry Wilson and ask questions and they would be really supportive and helpful.
The first person I coached was Colette Fagan. She won the European Juniors 5000M before I retired. Working with Colette made me realize how much I enjoyed the challenge of trying around someone else knew it was something I wanted to do.
When I was going through my retirement, Exodus was coming on the scene. He was 11 or 12 when he was first asked to compete in cross country by his PE teacher. He was only four or five months old I ended up training at the club and quickly developed a really good team (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers).
I later decided to start an ‘elite’ club which I funded myself.
Liz McColgan (Bobby Gavin)
Who was your biggest coaching influence?
My main influence was Harry. When I was little, he would throw me books to read The loneliness of long-distance runningor the training and science books behind the training.
When I was training, he would say. I think the foundation of all my coaches comes from him and the trial and error that we went through when we were younger.
I need patience now. It’s only because I read about it, but because I participated in it and trained myself to a high level. It doesn’t mean that you have to be a runner to be a good trainer, but if you are a runner and you’ve done what I’ve done, I think that gives you a bit of an edge. You have a better idea of what it feels like to be absolutely stabbed and asked to do another rep , and: you think it can’t be done.” You know how to work through that mental process because you’ve been there yourself.
Liz McColgan at the London Marathon (Getty)
From a coaching perspective, what were your first impressions when you moved to Doha and how have they changed since then?
I wanted some motivational talks in international schools and quickly realized that there was a real gap in the market for kids who wanted to participate in athletics. Many kids wanted to run, but there were no opportunities for them, so I created the Doha Athletics Club.
There is a lot of talent here and now that funding is being put into place to develop the pathway program that we are in a really good position. We are creating school clubs that lead to sports academies with teams and federations to develop girls, only (elite) nodes with age-specific coaching and development is about removing obstacles.
We are also creating the region’s first elite women’s sports academy, a sports facility for women run by women, transforming the Education City Stadium (built for the 2022 World Cup). By developing the Creative Pathways Program, we are preparing athletically gifted girls 2027 for its opening.
We even enter universities. There are a bunch of women who would love to be on a program like this, but they didn’t get the chance.
You have to have a starting point, and the starting point is now. What we’re trying to do is create participation so that everyone can see the benefits that come from the sport. Not everyone can get a gold medal, but everyone can benefit benefit from being active, especially social.
To get participation levels, and we have safe and accommodating places for women to train and play sports, then what they bring to future generations, what good sports are, and what you can get out of it. Ultimately, you will have more big number and happier girls, bigger number you have more chance to find a better athlete.
For the coach who likes to watch how you look at remote coaching challenges.
It works well, although I do miss the eye contact. I like to watch an athlete like a chair, it moves like a poem, because it’s easy. You can also see if you need to change things, for example, if he is tired. Working remotely, you miss it, but the good thing that works with Elish, and it does not work with everyone – it gives me an amazing amount of information. It just clicked it is that I am also his mother, but the amount of information is constant and it works.
Eilish is also so united with her body, we know if she got it two days ago. We worked together, we see warning signs before coming. The only thing I’m missing , actually sees him run, and that’s where Michael (Michael Michael Rimmer) comes in. He sees him run, and they send a lot of videos that help a little easier.
Eilish McColgan (Getty)
Do you ever run into it, and as a parent and coach, how do you manage it?
We don’t always agree. I didn’t want him to do the Europeans (last summer) and I didn’t really think he should go to the Olympics, but he’s an adult in his mind.
Years of training is also like mentorship and you should have listened to your athlete. Eilish wanted to do four Olympics. “Why does it matter? I knew he wasn’t in PB form, and sometimes it takes races. He understood that, but it was important for him to be there.” He’ll do the time and he’ll be picked right. Now he can say he’s been to four Olympics and he’s the first Scottish track and field athlete I’m proud of.
People have different motivations and goals. Eilish is completely different from me. If I could not run and medal, I would not go, but he is more emotional, he thinks about things coach you have to support it. Let’s all go to Paris to support her. She was there too Megan (Keith) which was a nice end to her Olympics.
Eilish McColgan and Megan Keith (Getty)
How would you describe your coaching philosophy?
I don’t think you’re born an endurance runner. I’d say sprinters are born, but I think you can develop a really good distance runner over the years if they have the right mindset and desire I look at the athletes, I never look for the fastest people, I look at how they move and their headgear, because sometimes you have to be that little stubborn.
What do you enjoy most about coaching?
One of the greatest kids I’ve ever met was Graham Odney. I saw him recently and to see him as the man he is now, having worked with him for so many years, was really special.
Some athletes just have a place in your heart and you always remember them. That’s what inspires me with running, it’s not just about the training, it’s about them and the journey.
That’s what I enjoy now. You see the girls who are so happy to run, not because they’re doing it a lot. Some coaches are losing their sight. What is coaching? It’s not about winning gold medals and big races. Don’t get me wrong, it’s amazing when that happens. Coaching is about developing life skills that make a difference for people, whether it’s leading to them being an Olympic champion or running a race for life. That’s why I coach :
Liz and young Eilish McColgan
What is the best advice you would give to a new or aspiring coach?
Coach for the right reasons. Develop your skill set. Know what your event is and be very honest about what your athletes are capable of. Remember that the advice you give someone can is to change their life, so make sure it’s the right advice.
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