Today we’d like to introduce you to Adolfo Salgueiro.
Adolfo, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My running story has been tied to my dad since its very beginning, probably in the mid-to-late 1970s, when we lived in Caracas, Venezuela. He would run starting from our home and my mom would go pick him up after a predetermined time while making sure she noted the odometer reading. I remember many times being in charge of either spotting my dad or being in charge of the odometer read. I could have been as young as 10 or 11.
Soon after, my mom was not only picking up just my dad but also myself and my twin brother, Jose. Maybe we ran one kilometer, maybe two, who is to know? Tough to recall 40+ years later. But somehow, we became a running family. Living in Venezuela in the mid-70s, I knew no other road runner than my dad. This was at the time when nobody ran. When people would stop to ask if we were escaping from the police or would throw their cars at us just for the fun of seeing our reactions.
One day in mid-1982, my dad came back from his weekend run and stated: “I am going to run the New York City Marathon”. We all thought he finally lost his marbles, paid not much attention, and let him enjoy his delusion. But, long story short, on October 24, he took the start at the Verrazano Narrows and finished in 4:36:37. He was the first person I ever knew to run a marathon. I couldn’t believe it. My dad ran a marathon!
A month or so later, the Caracas Marathon has held in my hometown and my dad went to the 30k mark to meet a friend and run him in (it wasn’t frowned upon then). I went, too, and was amazed by what I saw. I jumped in and ran the last 12k, where I saw first-hand the emotions, the suffering, the effort, the triumph. So, I told my dad: “One day, I will run one of these”. Seven weeks later we both were in front of the Orange Bowl Stadium in Miami lining up for the start of the 1983 Orange Bowl Marathon. Even Bill Rodgers was there. I was still a Senior in high school. I was 17.
My dad held me back when I wanted to surge, he reminded me to drink water, brought me back to focus when I got distracted by a hot girl running in front of us, etc. As planned, at 35K, each man was on his own and he left me in the dust. I struggled the last 7K, cursing my bad judgment for wanting to do this stupid thing. I limped into the stadium only to see my Dad with a big smile, cheering me up and letting me know he went sub-4. I went around the track, crossed the finish line, and collapsed in my dad’s arms. He was so proud of me. The only words I could muster were: “When are we doing the next one?”.
I kept running marathons and other distance races for several years, until one day, six weeks before my next marathon, I had a non-running injury and ended up in crutches, missing my race. It was such a blow that between the disappointment, school, girlfriends, and starting my career, my running was left behind. But in 2011, I decided it was time to get back to it and I started racewalking and competing again, finishing 3 marathons and 16 halves. Then I started running again and finishing marathons, halves, and many other distance races.
I have a curious mind. I don’t like when I don’t know something so I am always reading about the subjects I like.
Based on my experience and knowledge acquired in running, In 2018 my wife suggested I should become a coach. So I took the course and got certified by RRCA right away. Then I started a website, and a blog and little by little started establishing myself as an expert in the matter within the South Florida running community. Since then, I have helped dozens of runners achieve their running and fitness goals, from becoming runners to setting their personal best in the marathon distance. I have runners complete their first 5K and helped runners become Boston Qualifiers. I had a Top-500 finisher in the Chicago Marathon.
In 2019 I had a small cardiac event that after a series of tests and a cardiac catheterization, was diagnosed as a congenital issue in my arteries. If I didn’t fix not only I couldn’t run anymore but I would have been unable to keep my active lifestyle. So, after the pandemic, on June 2021 I underwent open heart surgery to fix the issue. It was the hardest thing I’ve physically had to overcome in my life. But since I was in good shape and I’d been exercising for a lifetime, my body knew how to repair itself and went to work on it.
Three weeks after the surgery I was walking 3 miles a day, and 5 weeks after I walked up to 7 miles. 12 weeks later I ran 30 minutes and was cleared to resume my running. Then, 207 days after my surgery, I crossed the finish line of the Houston Marathon. If it wasn’t because I did it myself, I would have not believed it.
I love running and what running can do for someone, not just as an athlete but as a person. The health and social benefits are difficult to quantify. The proverbial ‘runner’s high” is a real phenomenon that once you’ve experienced, you can’t stop.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I started my running coach business by training friends from my running groups and showing my experience through their results. Then through word of mouth, others started approaching me for counsel and training. I then started a running website to promote my experience and achievement until Covid hit us all.
Starting my running coach business was difficult because not only coincided with the pandemic but establishing yourself as an expert requires time and effort. I decided to do it through my blog. I wrote a weekly blog post on my website and promoted it heavily through social media channels. I have kept up with my blog and many runners not only comment on it but wait for the postings because, as they told me, they always learn something.
Once the pandemic was over and races restarted, many runners wanted to catch up on their activities and sports achievements so they started coming back to the sport and looking for a support system that will help them achieve their goals. That’s where I come in.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have a small running coach business. I am a one-man show. I would like to eventually make this my full-time gig but I am not ready for it quite yet. The business is growing and the referrals are coming in, so the wheel is already in motion.
If you are ready to achieve your running goals, from getting off the couch to setting a new, marathon personal best, yet you are not sure how to get there on your own; the expertise of an experienced running coach may be the missing component to set you on the path to success.
Let’s get the conversation started, today. Find out if a running coach is a good fit for you. No need to follow a generic plan downloaded from the internet when one specifically developed and adjusted for you can place your goal within your grasp.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I believe coaching is in a period of growth because people in general understand that health is a non-negotiable aspect of life. They need to do their best so they can be healthy for life. Not just to feel good but so they’re able to provide for their families, live longer, avoid illness, and excel in their lives and work.
Running is one of the most basic activities a human being can perform. It has been anthropologically proven that we were born to run. So, this is one of the easiest sports into which to get started, and hooked.
Most recreational runners are busy people that want to achieve their best and because they don’t possess either the knowledge or the time to acquire it, they look for the services of a qualified running coach. That is where I come in.
I do believe that a running coach’s success is tied to the state of the economy. Once things get tight and the biggest adjustments have to be made, disposable items such as my services may be first on the chopping block.
Pricing:
- Individualized coaching services $100/month
- Couple coaching services $170/month
- Private training sessions are $60/per hour
Contact Info:
- Website: www.foultips.run
- Instagram: @foultips.run
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Foultips.Run
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/foultips
- Other: https://www.foultips.run/
Image Credits
Coach Adolfo Salgueiro’s collection
