Great Lakes - What to expect from a cycling coach?

Can anyone tell me what is a reasonable expectation for me from a cycling coach? I'm new to this coaching thing and want to see what others think before I talk to him about continuing

Here's my story: I met w/my coach, he interviewed me, we talked about my goals. He set up a plan for me, that consists of 2 strength workouts, 2 interval workouts on the bike and his recommendation on the lenght of one other long ride.

I've seen some progress, but I have been doing at least 2-3 times as much cycling as he recommends, probably even more. If I do just the workouts he recommends, my fitness would suffer.

My hunch is he underestimates my ability and potential.

Anyone have any thoughts? advice?

Colleen

I don't think it would be wrong to train more than coach want's you to, just as long as you're able to do your programmed workouts at 110%. What you do on your 'free time' is up to you. Make sure coach knows your whole routine though. Perhaps you need loftier goals? Care to share?

. Make sure coach knows your whole routine though. Perhaps you need loftier goals? Care to share?

ok, thanks for that. He knows what I am up to as I log it all for him straight from my garmin.

My goals are to be able to hang in the 18-20 mph range on club rides. Improve my bike handling. Improve my climbing and get over my fear of descending.

He schedules the workouts and long rides to coordinate w/my planned rides, like TOSRV, for instance, which is great.

I think it's important to talk to your coach ... full disclosure really is necessary. He may be wanting you to get full recovery to get stronger ... thus the reduced workouts ... I don't know but you have to feel free to communicate ... or get a new coach.

ok, thanks for that. He knows what I am up to as I log it all for him straight from my garmin.

My goals are to be able to hang in the 18-20 mph range on club rides. Improve my bike handling. Improve my climbing and get over my fear of descending.

He schedules the workouts and long rides to coordinate w/my planned rides, like TOSRV, for instance, which is great.

These seem too 'general' to me.

- to be able to hang in the 18-20 mph range on club rides by completing a 5 hour century.
- to improve my bike handling by finishing 20 group rides in a group of 6 or more riders.
- to Improve my climbing by reducing my heart rate by 5% on such and such climb.
- to get over my fear of descending by staying off my brakes on all downhills on group rides.


See what I'm getting at? :D

These seem too 'general' to me.

- to be able to hang in the 18-20 mph range on club rides by completing a 5 hour century.
- to improve my bike handling by finishing 20 group rides in a group of 6 or more riders.
- to Improve my climbing by reducing my heart rate by 5% on such and such climb.
- to get over my fear of descending by staying off my brakes on all downhills on group rides.


See what I'm getting at? :D

I clearly see what you are getting at....which is why I wanted to have a coach in the first place.! I don't know these things. I'm trying to learn, and improve.

I'm feeling a little bit hung out to dry :o I just want to make sure I don't have unrealistic expectations

Something is wrong with this picture. It kind of defeats the purpose of having a coach if you're not doing the prescribed workouts. Especially if you're doing something drastically different, which it sounds like you are. One of the following is probably the case:


You ride too much. You could improve your fitness by resting more like your coach says.
Your coach is underestimating you like you say. In this case the coaching isn't worth much unless you can calibrate with him/her. Fitness test?
Your coach is full of crap and doesn't know what they are talking about. This is probably unlikely, but I'm throwing it in.


One thing that's clear is it's a waste of both of your time to continue the way you're currently going. In the long run, if you don't trust your coach, there's no point in having one. So in the short term, I would work to resolve the difference of understanding between the two of you.

I always tell my coach when a workout doesn't seem right. (although in my case they're always too hard :) ) I also do regular fitness tests that keep the system calibrated.

Colleen,

I have hired a coach this year. The workouts and schedule have helped me to reach my goals immensly.

A little bio about me becuase I think we have some things in common. (not a pickup line):D
I'm 56, have ridden road bikes since 1994, averaged around 3,000 to 3500 miles/year, mostly rode solo until three years ago, began riding group rides in 2007, decided to begin racing in 2008, took my riding and training to the next level in 2008, beginning in May overtrained, didn't rest, came back too soon and destroyed my season big time, fitness finally came back in late summer and fall, began training for 2009 in November with my own program, in January realized that I couldn't create my own program, hired a coach in Feb, and since then fitness and confidence have prospered. So far this year I've moved up to Cat 4 and started to ride in Master's races and have even placed in those races. I've reached my 2010 goals already and am really looking forward to next year already.

I thought that I could coach my self since I was a college athlete and coached HS track and field for many years. I know running but not riding. One of the things that I had to agree to when ineterviewing the coach is that both of us need to be on the same page, all the time. If there are any concerns or issues they need to be addressed ASAP.

You need to follow your coach's advice to reach your peak. If you think the workouts are too easy then contact him/her about your concerns. The first thing my coach had me do, after looking at my training log, was to take a week totally off the bike. From there we began a progressive program to get ready for the racing season that included the three major races I plan to compete in. The first big race is a 77 mile race with 6,400' of climbing in mid-May, another is in July and the last is the State Road Race 55+ championship in August. I still get to race in other races but the plan will have me peaking for those events.

The biggest change to my riding is that the "hard rides are really hard and the easy rides are really easy" There is hardly anything in the middle so riding on group rides for me doesn't fit in anymore. In your case the group rides are your goal just like my races are. I still do some rides with buddies and they are very considerate by doing my workout with me because they benefit also. i.e. when I have to do a Z-2 ride we go to a cemetery and do Crit Race practice, when I do long SS Z-3 rides they sit-in behind me and get a hard long ride in and some have even done the hill climb repeats that tear our lungs and legs apart.

Good luck, remember that you can always get another coach if you two can't get on the same page.

Colleen,

.

A little bio about me becuase I think we have some things in common. (not a pickup line):D
.


dang here I thought this was going to be my lucky day ;)

I read your post w/interest, I think a few days back you mentioned something about feeling like "I'm 56 its now or never".....I'm 47 but I feel exactly the same way...the time is now, which is why I hired a coach.

Your progress is amazing, you gotta be happy about that.

I have emailed him. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt and get things out in the open.

dang here I thought this was going to be my lucky day ;)

I read your post w/interest, I think a few days back you mentioned something about feeling like "I'm 56 its now or never".....I'm 47 but I feel exactly the same way...the time is now, which is why I hired a coach.

Your progress is amazing, you gotta be happy about that.

I have emailed him. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt and get things out in the open.

At my advanced age I figure there is no more room for a mistake that could take a year away from something important to me. I wish I would have taken the same track, as today's, when I was 47 yrs old. However back then, my oldest would be going to college the next year and the 2nd following up in two years. Now, the chicks are hatched and my wife and I have more "play money" and a lot more free time.:D

my oldest would be going to college the next year and the 2nd following up in two years. Now, the chicks are hatched and my wife and I have more "play money" and a lot more free time.:D

we're in the same boat paying college tuition now, and of course the money is part of it. I can justify this expense, though, for my health and fitness *if* it's really working for me. I want to make sure I'm making the most of the coaching expense.

Colleen,

It sounds like if you give the coach's method a full chance, you'll have more free time to spend with your kids before they fly the nest. If the method works. If it doesn't, tell the coach you want to do more and ask for more "homework." I'd think that will precipitate any discussion that is needed.

If you don't mind, how much $$ is the coach? I've been thinking of doing this.

Wish I had something to add Colleen. Have you spoken to Tina about her experiences with her coach?

I talked w/the coach today and we worked things out. I told him I was worried if I just did what he prescribed that I would fall back and lose fitness and he kind of chuckled and said a lot of people have that same concern.

But he's looking at my long-term goals w/my short term goals in mind. He says it's OK to keep doing more as long as I feel good, which I have felt really good. He started me conservatively to avoid injury and see how I adapt. It all makes sense.

Also, I PR'd recently on a solo ride and if nothing else, that proves it's all working.

All is well.:thumb: I feel much better about things now and I'm just sorry I didn't bring my concerns to him sooner instead of fretting about it...my fault.:o

Good to hear. :)

Colleen, if you're interested, there is going to be an elite women's cycling team in NE OH, complete with sponsors and everything.