Coaches are a key component of any running club. We are responsible for setting the junior and senior training sessions as well as supporting the leaders to deliver quality sessions and develop their run leader skills.
All Tyne Bridge Harriers coaches hold the UK Athletics Coaching in Running Fitness (CIRF) qualification, and some have additional qualifications. We offer one to one coaching and some group coaching for specific events. One to one coaching requests can be submitted via the following page:
https://www.tynebridgeharriers.com/one-to-one-coaching/
Our aim is to support our members to get the most out of their running journey. Find out about our coaches below:
Yamuna Thiru (Senior Head Coach)
My running journey:
I’ve been running for a long time. I came on in leaps and bounds after joining a club; starting
at Gosforth and then Elswick, before moving to TBH in 2014.
As time has gone on, I wanted to give back and moved to leading and coaching. I’ve had
great advice and a decent amount of experience over the years and want to share that with
other runners.
It’s quite a responsibility setting the club sessions and/or writing a training plan, but the
rewards are great.
Favourite run/races:
10km has always been my favourite. A flat road race is my idea of heaven.
I’ve done one marathon, and that year it said on the T-shirt – one thing less to do in life. That
sums up marathons for me!
Top tips:
1. Get the most that you can from the time that you have. Life is busy and it’s all about using
training opportunities wisely.
2. Rest and recovery are very important, even more so as you get older.
3. If you miss a session/run, let it go. Don’t try and play catch up and do back to back hard
training sessions. It’s a recipe for injury.
4. Agility, balance and coordination are key components of running. Work on these when you
can. Single leg gym work etc.
5. Come to each run, session etc with an aim. Could be as simple as ‘focus on my posture’.
Paul O’Mara (Over 12s Head Coach)
My running journey:
I started running at school doing XC on the recommendation of my science teacher, and then progressed into club running. At 21, I picked up an injury and lost all motivation to run, which resulted in me not running for over 4 years.
I decided to run again as an unattached runner for a few years before being inspired to join Tyne Bridge Harriers after my wife had joined them first. I started to progress with the club and set new PB times across all distances, even winning a few local races.
Around 6 years ago I decided to get involved in the junior section of the club to give something back. I took my leadership in running fitness course and started leading seniors and junior training sessions. Over the last year I have progressed and took my coaching in running fitness qualification too.
I currently coach some of the most promising junior athletes, which involves setting them mesocycle plans to achieve personal running goals and working on technical aspects of their running.
My biggest achievement in running was getting to wear the England masters vest at the mid Cheshire 5km recently, which was a very proud moment for me.
Favourite run/races:
Personally, I Iove running on the track in the summer and XC in the winter. Very old school, which helps me plan my training accordingly.
Top tips:
1. I have been running for a long time now and my advice for new runners would be just embrace it and run races that make you happy.
2. If you are new to running, my advice would be to join a running club. Take part in everything on offer, such as club relays, XC, track and field, and decide what you are good at and enjoy. But give everything a go first!
3. Invest in a good pair of trainers. We are in a world of super shoes now, and there are so many options out there. I would recommend getting a pair for the road if you are very keen at racing and looking for those marginal gains.
4. I highly recommend strength and conditioning sessions – I think they can be a game changer. There are lots of classes and people around who specialise in running related strength and conditioning.
5. Staying fit and healthy is vitality important when you get older (like myself!). Also, regular sports massage to prevent injuries has allowed me to run my best in my 30s.
Russell Dickinson-Deane
My running journey:
My inspiration was watching the 2002 Great North Run from the central motorway and realising runners come in all shapes, ages and sizes. I got a charity place for 2003, a training plan from a friend, and the rest is history.
Favourite run/races:
I’ve run everything from 100m on the track to a 38-mile ultra, but my go-to distance is half-marathon – a nice steady start and build into my tempo, unlike 5km which is just brutal!
Top tips:
1. Watch your arms – holding them too high or swinging them in front of your body just wastes energy.
2. Do a proper warm-up – the best 5k runners do a 2-mile warm up before a Parkrun, and a few plyometrics to prime the muscles. We are all guilty of skipping this, but it ends up with injuries and disappointment
Matt Walker
My running journey:
I started running after having my arm twisted into signing up for the 2013 Edinburgh marathon by some work mates. I joined TBH in January 2013 to get some training tips and you might say things escalated.
A few years later, I combined my love of running, cross country, and being in the hills to take on fell running. Fells became multi day mountain marathon events, and in recent years that has become multi day ultras. Each step has felt like a natural progression as it became less driven by times and more by the experience. Maybe one day I’ll get back to chasing the clock.
Favourite run/races:
Despite spending the last few years getting longer, my favourite races are simple country show fell races. There are no frills and cheap to enter. They are just pure running for the joy of it, often relatively short and sharp, running over varied terrain, with chips, a beer tent and some prize livestock to look at after the race.
Top tips:
1. Nothing new on race day. New shoes rub, new shorts have the pockets in the wrong place, t-shirts can be surprisingly abrasive on the nipples. Worn in, not worn out is the sweet spot.
2. If you can’t decide what to wear for a run, imagine the weather was 10°C warmer and you were going to spend the time sat in a beer garden. If you would have short sleeves on, then run in a t-shirt or vest. If you would be wearing a jumper, then run in a long sleeve top. It’s not foolproof, but I’ve found it useful over the years.
3. You only regret the runs you don’t do.
4. If you aren’t feeling up to a run but know you should go out, make a deal with yourself to do the warm up before you quit on the session. You’ll be surprised how often you do the full thing!
4. Nothing beats a chocolate milkshake for the all important post run recovery fuel.
5. Enjoy what you’re doing. We aren’t going to the Olympics anytime soon so enjoyment and fulfillment should be the primary goals.
Lucas Riley
My running journey:
I started running in my mid 30s to try and lose weight & get some fitness and ran my first half marathon aged 38.
Favourite run/races:
I guess half marathon is my favourite race, preferably hilly and scenic to take my mind off how far is left to go!
Top tips:
1. Pick a goal race and keep a journal of training progress.
2. Don’t forget or skip rest days!
Michael Nemeth
My running journey:
I started running because I wanted to be healthier than my parents as they don’t have the healthiest lifestyle. I also knew from the age of around 16 that I had a congenital heart condition, so keeping my heart healthy just made sense. I’ve been a member of Tyne Bridge Harriers since April 2013 and was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to do my LiRF (Leader in Running Fitness) in 2014.
After a brief hiatus in 2015 to have open heart surgery to correct my condition I returned to running where I regained my fitness.
After 3 years as a Run Leader, I qualified as a CiRF (Coach in Running Fitness) in 2017. Regular members will know me as part of the furniture with Group 3 or 4 where I’ve seen many members progress through the ranks over the years. As a runner, I have very respectable PB’s over a range of distances and have completed distances from 5K, right through to ultramarathon, with my biggest achievement being the completion of The Wall (Carlisle to Newcastle within a day).
Finally, I can create and develop training plans for those just starting out or for those looking to improve or chase times at a specific distance. My training plans will always take in the needs of the athlete and adapt as necessary, and I am more than happy to help athletes with any additional needs to overcome injuries or conditions which might hinder a traditional running plan.
Favourite run/races:
I’m a big fan of the longer distances including marathon and beyond. It always feels great to say you can run from x to y, or for example, around your entire home city (Sunderland Urban Ultra). I do like taking part in the Cross-Country races too, however they are very much not enjoyable at the time.
Top tips:
1. Never try anything new on race day. Trust the process! Believe in your training and tap into your potential. Finally, make sure you enjoy your running. If you don’t enjoy it, then it’s much harder to improve and the motivation wanes.
Gemma Finnie
My running journey:
My running journey started in 2017 when I gained a place in the Great North Run general ballot and realised I couldn’t even run for the bus! I spent the next few months doing my own style of couch to 5k, where I’d run when I could around shift work, I’d run as far as I could and gradually increased my distance – running with friends along the way. After I ran the GNR, I realised this was a sociable and friendly sport, and I wanted to improve my running fitness, therefore I researched running clubs and found Tyne Bridge Harriers looked like they catered for all abilities.
In October 2017, I joined in the beginners group on a Wednesday night before braving group 5 and then into group 4. I then completed my leadership in running fitness (LiRF) course in September 2019 and primarily led group 4. I am now a regular leader of group 3 and have recently completed my coach in running fitness (CiRF) course and I am looking forward to using my knowledge and experience running from 5km to ultramarathons (71 miles) to help TBH members to achieve their own goals.
Becky Blain
My running journey:
My running journey started when I joined the club back in 2012 in preparation for my first ever Great North Run. I absolutely loved the race and have not looked back since. From then I have competed for the club in a variety of distances including 5k, 10k & lots of half marathons, finally achieving the sub 90 minute dream in 2021. I also participate in many club events including cross country, track and field, northern and national championship races.
My usual running group within the club is group 2 or 3 but I believe that my experience and knowledge, especially after completing my Coach in Running Fitness course, enables me to help coach a variety of abilities within the club and I cannot wait to push members further than they thought they could go with their running goals!
