Max Burgin and his coach
RunBlogRun, #1. Max, your father trains you. How has that type worked over the years?
Max BurginWhen I was very young, just starting athletics, my grandfather ran at the local club. He trained me. And then I began to excel in all the training groups of the club. When I was about 14 or 15, my dad took over my personal training and we haven’t really looked back. I think especially in recent years it’s been a huge benefit. Having my dad in that coaching role, someone who has the patience to overcome all the setbacks; someone who is bound to stay there and stay with me. I can’t put it better than someone you can’t get away from someone who is a constant in your life and keeps you accountable. So he’s certainly been involved in sports throughout his life. So yeah, I’d say it has a good level of experience. Probably not like me, I guess. We both kind of experience this international level as something new.
RunBlogRun, #2. Has he coached athletes before?
Max Burgin. No, just me. And frankly, I’d be surprised if anyone could convince him to coach anyone else. He stresses enough about me. He won’t like working with other people, I think… But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have the necessary knowledge or experience to do more coaching. He used to be a pretty decent 800 meter runner when he was an athlete back in the 1980s, I think he ran 1:48. He also learned a lot from my grandfather as well before he retired. It’s a shame in a way that he doesn’t want to take it on, but it’s not my choice.
RunBlogRun, #3. Do you feel it?Are you under pressure to join a famous coach and not your dad?
Max Burgin. I guess if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That’s the approach we both take. We’re still having success, so there’s no need to change it.
RunBlogRun, #4. Your father has previously described your workout routine as old school. What does it involve?
Max Burgin. Yeah, I remember that quote when it first came out. He said he was misquoted! I think a lot of his influences were from my grandfather and reading the coaching books of Peter Coe and the top 800m coaches of that era. But I think a lot of it also comes from his own experience of what he created, or what suited him when he was a runner. He also learned a bit when he gave up running and took up other sports, he also did a lot of cycling. Obviously, he’s never been on the same level as me, but I think he’s basically taking a lot on himself. So what kind of session can get him to work out really fast? Even if it wasn’t at the same kind of performance level as me. So yeah, I think he learned a lot from his own experiences as well.
RunBlogRun, #5. Just on a practical level, what does it involve? Does it involve a lot of hills and such?
Max Burgin. Yes! Well, hills are a big part of my training program. And obviously it’s very useful to be in Halifax because it’s quite a hilly place. You have monster hills, my house. But also like the training focus, I think. We emphasize intensity and short recovery, top speed and things like that. So it’s kind of adjusting sessions to those kinds of settings.
RunBlogRun, #6. Do you train with someone else or alone?
Max Burgin. Yes, usually on its own. For trailer sessions of course. But then for longer runs and gym work and all that, it’s nice to have a bit more of a group environment. That’s why I enjoy participating in training camps so much because I get to mix with the other athletes a lot more. I guess I’m a bit on my own in Halifax and obviously it’s a bit different when I’m in Leeds, but I still do most of my sessions on my own. I think it actually helps me, especially with my running style. It gets you used to it by practicing on your own. So I think it has been helpful for me.
