As a running coach, one of the most common questions I hear is, “Why don’t you write weight lifting or nutrition plans to go along with my training plan?” It’s a great question, and the answer has to do with expertise, ethics, and legal boundaries. Let’s break it down.

Weight Lifting Plans: Staying in Our Lane
Running coaches, myself included, are trained to focus on running and endurance performance. While strength training is a critical component of overall fitness and injury prevention, crafting a detailed weight lifting plan requires specialized knowledge.
Some coaches may choose to write these plans, but it’s a slippery slope. Imagine a situation where an athlete gets injured while following a lifting plan provided by a coach who lacks proper certification. That scenario could lead to serious consequences—not just for the athlete, but for the coach as well.
For me, the risk isn’t worth it. While I’m happy to tell my athletes that strength training is essential and help integrate those workouts into their schedule, I won’t dictate specific exercises or techniques. I’m simply not certified in weight lifting (yet!), and I believe in leaving that expertise to certified strength coaches and personal trainers.
By staying within my scope of practice, I ensure that my athletes are safe and that I’m coaching responsibly.

Nutrition Plans: Legal Limits and Best Practices
Nutrition is another area where the boundaries can get blurry. I hold a certification in nutrition from NASM, which gives me a strong understanding of fueling strategies for endurance performance. However, in my home state of Illinois, only registered dietitians and licensed nutritionists are legally allowed to provide specific nutrition advice.
With $10,000 fines per incident for stepping over that legal line, I choose to respect the rules. That means I won’t create personalized meal plans or provide specific dietary prescriptions.
Here’s what I can do:
Share general population guidelines for calorie race needs.
Offer advice on staying hydrated and managing electrolytes.
Teach athletes how to fuel effectively during races—a skill we work on throughout training blocks.
Eating on the run is an art and a science. Together, we’ll practice techniques for consuming fuel during long runs without causing stomach upset. By race day, my athletes have a clear plan for staying fueled and hydrated to perform their best.

What About Injuries?
When it comes to injuries, I always defer to the experts. I’m not a doctor, and I don’t play one on social media. If an athlete gets injured, I rely on their feedback and encourage them to follow the advice of their medical team.
While I can help adjust training plans during recovery and provide guidance on easing back into running, I never override medical advice. The athlete’s health and safety always come first.

Why These Boundaries Matter
At first glance, it might seem like coaches should do more—after all, a lifting plan or detailed meal guidance could complement a running plan. But here’s the reality: staying in our lane as coaches protects both our athletes and ourselves.
Imagine a coach crafting a lifting plan without proper certification or giving specific dietary advice without a dietitian’s license. All it takes is one injury or health issue to result in legal and financial consequences—not to mention a loss of trust.
I’m proud to coach responsibly, and I stand up for other coaches who do the same. By respecting these boundaries, we ensure that our athletes receive the best care from qualified experts in every area.

The Takeaway
As a coach, my role is to help my athletes succeed safely and responsibly. That means:
I’ll encourage strength training and help schedule it into your plan, but for technique and programming, I recommend working with a certified strength coach.
I’ll provide general nutrition guidelines, hydration strategies, and race-day fueling techniques, but for personalized meal plans, a registered dietitian is your best resource.
I’ll always defer to your medical team for injury management, while supporting you in adjusting your training as needed.
At the end of the day, my priority is your success—and doing things the right way ensures we both reach the finish line safely.