#99: Sifan Hassan’s Coach, Tim Rowberry Shares Training Advice for Runners of All Levels

The Extramilest Podcast

Thanks to LMNT for sponsoring this video! Head to https://DrinkLMNT.com/FLO to get your free sample pack with any purchase. Tim Rowberry is the coach of Olympic and World Champion Sifan Hassan. She won six Olympic medals. In Tokyo 2020, she earned gold in the 5k and 10k, plus a bronze in the 1,500m. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, she won gold in the marathon, bronze in the 5k, and bronze in the 10k. Absolutely mindblowing how Sifan and Tim pulled that off. She also won her first 2 marathons in London and Chicago.

Tim is a thoughtful, curious, and highly analytical coach who blends science, psychology, and intuition to bring out the best in his athletes. We dive into his coaching philosophy, his approach to developing athletes over time, and the key lessons he’s learned working at the highest level of the sport.

Watch this full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LzQK5Am2qyQ

CHAPTERS:

• 0:00 – Tim Roberry’s coaching approach and working with Sifan Hassan
• 2:51 – How Tim started coaching Sifan Hassan
• 4:57 – Life and training camp experience in Kenya
• 7:37 – Keeping training fun and interesting
• 10:56 – Intuition as a coach and building a feedback loop with athletes
• 12:38 – Understanding your range: short vs long distance performance
• 17:27 – How Tim and Sifan adapt training flexibility
• 23:26 – Adjusting speed workouts based on Sifan’s readiness
• 25:26 – Pushing vs backing off: how Tim reads the athlete
• 29:40 – Lowering intensity and building volume
• 33:36 – What data really matters in elite performance
• 36:05 – The role of food in training, racing, and everyday performance
• 38:15 – Advice Tim would give to his younger self
• 39:28 – How race day at London Marathon unfolded for Tim as a coach
• 45:13 – Tim’s behind-the-scenes view during Sifan’s marathon
• 48:15 – Tim’s perspective on Sifan’s historic win
• 51:00 – Tim’s mindset tips for first-time racers
• 52:19 – How Sifan bounced back from the 10,000m fall in Budapest
• 55:14 – Common mistakes runners make
• 57:03 – Where to find Tim
• 57:44 – Tips to become a stronger, healthier, and happier athlete

FIND TIM ROWBERRY:

► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rowberry

RUNNERS MENTIONED:

► Sifan Hassan - https://www.instagram.com/sifanhassan

► Eliud Kipchoge - https://youtu.be/7E6TNeoOC3Y

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ABOUT THE EXTRAMILEST SHOW: A podcast and YouTube channel where host Floris Gierman interviews world class athletes, coaches and health experts on the topic of how to become a stronger, healthier and happier athlete.

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