Coaching

[Elvish Legion]

Would it be a good idea to hire a coach to help me get my trainning all squared away?

[barleyrocket]

coaching isn't for everyone, it depends on your goals as well as your personality. I just signed up with a coach and will be receiving workouts staring next monday. I don't have much structure in my previous training so need the help from a professional. alot of people don't need/want that. if you have the money it might help to try it for a few months (alot require 3 month minimum) and see if you like it.

[TriBob]

coaching isn't for everyone, it depends on your goals as well as your personality. I just signed up with a coach and will be receiving workouts staring next monday. I don't have much structure in my previous training so need the help from a professional. alot of people don't need/want that. if you have the money it might help to try it for a few months (alot require 3 month minimum) and see if you like it.

1

Shop around. I have been using a coach for 2.5 years, online. it has been great. I knew I wanted to do an IM when I started looking for a coach. I completed IM Lake Placid this year. If you have any specific questions about looking for a coach let me know.

[RugbyToTri]

I don't see much of a benefit of an on-line coach provided you 1) have a minimum amount of self-motivation and 2) can read. The internet and tri books offer numerous training schedules. Just start reading, take notes and develop a program that fits your goals. The program you come up with will only be a slight variation on something that is already in print.

When it comes to a coach who can actually see you train/race, that's a different story. The value of an expert who can analyze your form and provide quality feedback on training tactics cannot be overestimated. I haven't been able to find a non-virtual tri coach--most coaches concentrate on one discipline. My swim coach has been great but he doesn't bike or run so I am still searching for the guy who can help me put it all together.

[zakk]

i love the bike, and do a bit of bike racing, so I went with a Cycling coach that has done du's and Tri's.

IMO, find a coach you can talk to, ride occassionally with, get feedback from. Some people can do the on-line thing, but I knew I couldn't.

[park]

I signed up with Michael McCormack, www.triathloncoach.com, because I needed the wisdom and experience of someone who has been doing this for awhile. You can read and study as I have done but it helps to have that objective perspective. I could never force myself to do periodic testing as I am doing now and that I think will take much of the guesswork out of the equation.

[racergirl]

The money spent on coaching will get benefit you far more than any money spent on high end gear. A couple of years ago, I would have laughed at the possibility that I would ever race at my current level. Many triathletes are type A and need someone to reign them in more than someone to motivate them. Having someone tell you when to work hard and when to recover is crucial. The team I race and train with is spectacularly competitive and I believe that it has as much or more to do with careful coaching than with talent.

The key is to have a coach who will create a realistic training plan that fits YOUR life and your commitments in the real world.

Until the last year, I mostly trained short course, but my coach is a long course specialist with somewhere around 20 Ironmans under his belt and 6 or 7 trips to Kona. I have seen amazing improvement in short course over the last couple of years and had a smooth tranisition to long course this year. He trains both elite and age group athletes and all of us are everyday people balancing school, work and families (I am a medical student). He is San Diego based but has online programs as well. PM me if you are interested.

Lets be honest, while all of this training is fun regardless, who doesn't want to see results for all their hard work.

[jennings780]

I have a swim coach who also is a triathlete that has really helped improve my swimming.

I sort of have a bike coach - the guy I ride with a lot is a Cat 3 racer who now does tri's. I have picked up a lot of good cylcing training tips and racing tips. He has helped my cornering and has really helped my hills. One tip he gave me that has helped is when riding rolling hills when you reach the crest of a hill pedal pretty hard and work to build up speed down the hill. Then, don't kill yourself going up the hill. Many bikers hammer up hills, are tired at the top and then coast down or only lightly pedal. The last olympic distance tri I did was very hilly and I tried this technique and passed a ton of people and was really happy that I averaged over 20mph on a very hilly course.

I don't have a running coach, but could probably benefit from one.

So, I do think coaches can help. You can get a lot of the info and workouts from books but having someone watch you and point out things you can do better is beneficial.