We have had a really strong response to our 5km series we have decided to add in one final lap. This week we speak to former U.C. Berkeley Long Distance Runner, Robyn Berry, who has PBs of 34:15 over 10km and 16:23 over 5km. She is the Current Head Coach of the Boys Cross Country and Track and Field Teams of Sir Francis Drake High School in Marin County, Northern California.

Robyn has won various coaching awards and her coaching philosophy is to foster an atmosphere where every athlete is respected in a low stress high intensity environment that values fun and rewards athletic ambition.

In this episode we discuss:

• What philosophy on what makes a great coach
• How she collaborates with her students to map out the season ahead
• Her coaching journey including major successes and lessons learnt along the way
• Being coached by her father and the influence that has played on her journey as both an athlete and coach
• Meeting her future husband, (28:59 10km runner Rod Berry) at the cOuples Relay in Maine and his influence on her running and coaching
• Key training sessions
• Other training considerations to help unlock your potential over the 5km

Unlocking Athletic Potential proudly partners with Red Dot Running Company, who specialise in sports nutrition and running kit and are based in Singapore. You can find them at rdrc.com

Photo Credit to Kevin Lozaw Photography & Joakim Arnesson

Additional information from Robyn:

Favourite Watch: Timex Ironman or Garmin Forerunner 35 GPS Running Watch.

Must haves for the athlete bag:

• PerformBettter Mini Bands - for core training with resistance
• The Stick Marathon - Yellow Grips 20 inch (The original rolling stick) or Triggerpoint STK Grip

Other helpful things:

• 2Toms Blistershield powder. Prevents blisters before they start
• Roll Recovery R8 - deep tissue massage roller (spring activated). Either tickles or hurts, depending on the athlete

Recovery drinks:

• Chocolate Milk
• Body Armor Orange Mango

Pre-race:

• Two cups of water every morning
• Eggs or Oatmeal
• Turkey Sandwich

("no apples or Chicken Tikka Masala!")

Other than that, it’s running - all you need is a good pair of shoes and some shorts!