Suzanne Cariant opens up about life as a passionate running coach

Known as @suzzyone on social media, Suzanne Cariant is a running coach with plenty of strings to her bow. At just 40, she is a runner, a mother and a coach, a bundle of energy and optimism who loves life and her trainers. Running is now central to her life, but it was not always that way. This self-confessed hyperactive only discovered sport later in life, after turning 30, with core-strength exercises at home. Running came later still, as an outlet during a difficult period. As she puts it, she was sweating her troubles out.

| In this conversation, Suzanne Cariant shares her vision of running, the values it embodies, and her advice and tips for getting out there and running.

The running boom

When we spoke to Suzanne, we asked her what was behind the growth of running. In her view, several factors played a part, including social media, lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic and a recent collective realisation of the need to keep moving.

A sport for everyone, with countless benefits

For the coach, there is nothing stopping people from taking up physical activity as long as they want to, apart from medical contraindications, of course. For Suzanne, “movement creates more movement, both physically and intellectually.” Beyond the cardiovascular benefits and energy expenditure, running does as much good for the mind as it does for the body. “Going for a run means finding solutions to problems you didn’t even think you had,” she says with a laugh.

The values of running

“Running is about resilience and self-discipline. You become aware of who you are and what lies deepest within you. It’s about running to improve, accepting difficulty and frustration, but moving forward anyway.” The AS Caluire Athlétisme athlete adds an anecdote: “When I see one of my athletes get up at 6 a.m. to do a 1,000 m session before going to work, that’s self-discipline. There’s no doubt about it.”

An individual sport, or not?

“It’s an individual sport in the way it creates a unique experience in every body, but it’s a team sport when it comes to the energy it generates. At the start of a race, for example, we’re all there with the same doubts, the same nerves, the same apprehension… It’s a real shared experience. The sense of community at that moment is immense.”

The secret to staying motivated for the long haul?

“Accept that you can’t always be motivated, but keep in mind the commitment you’ve made to running, along with the determination and promise you’ve made to yourself.”

Suzanne’s three tips for improving your running

Consistency: Run a little and often rather than doing a lot in a single session. Three 20-minute runs during the week are better than one hour-long run.
Progress gradually: Respect each stage and build up gradually rather than trying to go too fast or too hard, risking injury.
Be adaptable: Never forget that your training should fit you, your constraints, how you feel on the day and your sensations. Adapt when necessary.

“Happiness doesn’t come to those who sit around waiting for it”

A fitting conclusion, and a closing note after such a lively and insightful conversation with Suzanne, is her favourite quote. It inspires her every day and perfectly reflects the way she sees life: “Happiness doesn’t come to those who sit around waiting for it,” by Stéphanie Exbrayat.