In need of some running know-how, we checked in with Concord’s Amber Ferreira, a professional triathlete, local coach and physical therapist at the Center For Sports Medicine, to learn all about the sport.
Since becoming a professional athlete in 2011, Ferreira has competed in 14 full Ironmans and 20 half Ironmans, along with a bunch of marathons, too. And she plans on doing four more Ironmans this year.
What are the first things you talk about with a new client? I discuss what they want to get out of the coaching relationship, what their short term goals are and what their wild and crazy goals are! I also discuss past injury history, work schedule and diet. This helps me design an initial training program for their specific needs.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to pick up running? I would start with getting them into a decent pair of running shoes and then encourage them to start slow. Maybe the first run looks like two minutes of jogging and three minutes of walking for about 20 minutes.
What are some of your favorite spots to run in Concord? Concord has so many trails. I love running on the West End Farm Trail. Marjory Swope trail system, Oak Hill and the trails behind the hospital, which include a steep climb to the water tower. I am also the head coach of the Granite State Racing Team and so I do quite a bit of running at the Memorial Field track and around White Farm.
Do you enjoy running by yourself or with a running buddy? And do you listen to music when you run alone or are you a thinker? I have some great guy running partners who are much faster than me. So I don’t listen to music. I have to focus hard on not getting dropped by the boys!
How did you start running? And what about coaching? I started running when I was seven. I begged my mom to run to and from my soccer practices. She reluctantly said yes but followed closely behind me in our mini van. I am sure I thought I was going fast but my 7 year-old-legs were very tiny so it took quite some time. My mom was patient. I started coaching in high school and continued because I love it.
What are some ways for a runner to help either increase their speed or endurance? Increasing endurance is easy: run more! Be cautions about increasing speed and distance at once. Usually I coach my athletes by first building their mileage and durability and then we progress to leg turnover workouts. After we have developed a solid neuromuscular and endurance base we can start into hill, road and track repetitions varying in distance and pace. There is actually a science to this madness!
When did you realize you were really good at running? I am still not sure I realize it. I love it, and it makes me feel alive. That is why I run.
What’s your go-to snack/meal either before or after a big run or race? I usually like something in the way of oatmeal, banana and maybe some peanut butter if I am feeling crazy.
Is there any truth to the meal of pasta theory the day before a big race? Yes, definitely. However everyone does it wrong. Really you want to have a heavy carbohydrate meal in the morning the day before the event so the starches are absorbed but all food has passed through the gut come race morning.
What’s your proudest achievement as a runner? I have a few. I run and race a lot. Winning the Division 1 New England 10K championship, top six at the U.S. Mountain Running Championships, qualifying for the Boston Marathon during the Hawaii Ironman, and winning the National Snowshoe Championships in 2011 and 2014.
Do you have any goals still left to cross off? Qualify for the Olympic Marathon Trials, qualify for a U.S. mountain running team, win another National Snowshoe Championship.
How long would it take for someone who hasn’t run in a few years to get to the point where they could run a marathon? I could train them to run a marathon in six months. All they need is a good pair of shoes and some gumption!
Do you have a favorite Concord road race to compete in? The Rock ’N Race because it raises a tremendous amount o f money for a wonderful cause.
