'I Believe in Myself!' - Why Peres Jepchirchir Intentionally Trains Without a Coach

Reigning  Marathon World Champion Peres Jepchirchir has opened up on the reason she has never employed a coach to help her achieve her objectives amid a glowing career that has seen her win several accolades.

Jepchirchir, who is a mother of one, has managed to shatter records while winning marathon majors over the course of her career, and none of them have come under the tutelage of a coach

 The 32-year-old has won Olympic gold (Tokyo 2020), the World Half Marathon title (2020), and major marathons including New York, Boston, and London. Known for her humility and quiet determination, she has become a symbol of self-belief and perseverance in Kenyan athletics.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

“I have no coach. I train myself and believe in competition,” Jepchirchir said on NTV’s Sport On show.

“I am not one to lie to myself because whenever I go to bed, I know I am up against trained athletes, which motivates me to work even harder on my own.”

Jepchirchir, who finished 20th at the Paris Olympic games, explained that the  decision to train independently was initially met with resistance — even from her manager.Gianni Demadonna, who also manages other renowned athletes like Benson Kipruto and Tigst Asefa.

“It was very difficult for my manager to come to terms with the fact that I wanted to self-train,” she said.

“I am the one competing, so I know what I am capable of. I would tell him to just let the results speak for me.”

Jepchirchir revealed that she still follows the same routine she used at the beginning of her career, regardless of the conditions or event.

“I follow the program I used to follow now and then. I never change anything, even when informed I am going to a highly humid or very cold place,” she explained.

“They doubted me for a while, but now I do. I am a human being, not an animal. No one can control me. I gave it a go to see if it would work — and thank God it did.”

The 2024 World Marathon champion added that she listens to her body above all else. “Sometimes, the body lets you down, but I have to accept the situation upon listening to it. If it works, it works; if it does not, it does not.”

Even during her earlier days on the road-racing circuit, Jepchirchir says she refused to bow to pressure to adopt a coach.

“When I was still road racing and taking part in half marathons, I refused to accept coaching,” she said. “It had to take a lot of convincing to make him accept my preferences.”

Calm and confident in her choices, Jepchirchir concluded,  “I personally avoid a lot of confrontation and being under pressure to follow certain orders from coaches even in situations where the body just lets you down.”