that many IMs sounds expensive

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maybe she's born with it, maybe it's chlorine
If you're injured and need some sympathy, PM me and I'm very happy to write back.
disclaimer: PhD not MD

I would tell him to knock it off.

Maybe two Ironman distance races per year for the next three years and see how he holds up to the training.

And stupid

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We've got a young lady in our area that's on the "12 as fast as possible" trip and always hurt. Wonder why.

I would hope at the minimum the coach-athlete had this conversation before starting to work together. If so, then no there isn't any obligation. Their agreement was predicated on the understanding. Or the coach could totally suck and just want to collect a check and plans on just training him long all the time.

From a training perspective (while I would NEVER recommend it) I've worked with several athletes that this wouldn't negatively impact in a major way. I'd be concerned about their long term durability but depending on the stress it takes for them to finish a 15 hour IM, it might not be that big of a deal.

For example, say the athlete is a 1:20/7:00/6:30 for an IM. He swims masters 3x a week, loves to ride his bike and really never stands a chance to be a good runner. You could theoretically train him all year to do an IM swim, ride a long steady 112 miles and never have him train more than 2 hours for a run since he will run walk it anyway.

Last year I worked with a 58 year old who did 4 different IM races. I wasn't thrilled with his choices (we'd worked together for a few years). I basically laid out the plan and gave him the green light. I explained that our ability to work on certain things will be limited because we have to keep the volume high. He didn't care. He wanted to go out, have fun and if got a pr, then great. I worked with what he gave me and he had a good first race and mediocre other races. But he was happy. At the end of the day, I always view my job as helping the athlete meet their goals. As long as that isn't a moving target, I don't have a problem supporting different goals.

Someone comes to me wanting to do 12 IM's to make KQ, I'm making that last as long as I can from a business standpoint...1 a year and I'll see you in Kona in 2028.

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

It is pretty hard to make a judgement with these facts. While I don't think "racing" an incredible number of Ironmans is good for your health, I also think that if you bang out the swim / bike (at an super easy pace, maybe even 2-3 breaks on the bike) and then jog / walk, power walk, or just plain, walk the run. You will be out there for a good 8 hours but it isn't the same as racing. As I see it, I truly believe a lot of endurance athletes could benefit from a therapist, often times, coaches sort of play that role without certification. Regardless we all don't really know the discussion that have taken place regarding the coaching agreement, training, and race execution plan.

Now to some extent the coach should have duty to properly explain the risks of such a schedule, but again, maybe those risks have been made and the athlete chooses to go forward regardless.

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That's what I was thinking. The athlete is an adult, and let's just say the athlete had the idea first THEN talked to the coach. The coach might think, well this isn't the best idea but it seems like he is going to do it, so maybe I can help him along and do it in a less-bad way.

The funny thing is I was discussing this guys schedule this on Facebook and someone from a different part of the country pm’d me and said “sounds like he’s coached by X,” and nailed it.

sounds like he has a "lifestyle" coach

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Yes, the coach has a responsibility to not hurt an athlete. If he takes the athlete's money whether he/she endorses the plan or not, he needs to tell the athlete this isn't a good idea and if the athlete doesn't listen then the coach needs to walk away. But this gets right at the heart of the problem in triathlon coaching right now, everyone is certified but very few are qualified.

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I met a women during one of my IMFLs who was pregnant maybe 5-6 months and doing her 6th or 7th IM of the year. Her fiance did some 6-10 IMs a year. She joined his lifestyle to do the same races he did. She ended up pregnant and when IM only offered a small refund she decided to do all the races she signed up for with him. She did the swim and bike and then walked the run. I believe IMFL was her last one of the year.

Some people are crazy....like what are they thinking. Wonder how much he will spend in the year and in the goal to get 12 IMs done?

 Chris, I don't yet know who this is (athlete or coach) but since we live in the same hood....I suspect I'll know soon. Initially this was a tough call for me; if a client contacts me and says "I need to get to Kona via this path in one year, it's all I care about." I'm probably try and talk them down from what seems like a VERY risky plan. If they resist and say "either you help me or I'll find someone who will" well then I'm probably taking on the athlete and I'm going to do my best to help guide this process and avoid the anticipated pitfalls. That "initially" part passed with your note later in the thread relating to the out-of-towner who predicted the party at the helm. That makes me worry that this type of thing is....what?....common? Could that possibly be true!

BTW, this doesn't just happen at the AG/Mdot arena. I know a coach in Boulder with no education beyond their own elite athlete experience (funny how I can give all that away and because it's Boulder we still have 3-5 names that come to mind) and they are stringing along an elite athlete who's just hanging on to a pro-card by the skin of their teeth. That too is a very difficult call to make - should the coach say "look, we've been in development mode for 5 years and it's clear we have to make a change - either goals or coach 'cause we haven't seen the improvements needed"...or....some other acknowledgement.

To some extent the coach-athlete relationship is a bit like a marriage; nobody, beyond those two people involved, know the truth of what is going on within the relationship. So just as you prefaced your OP - I can't judge and it's not any of my business until the coach calls me saying "hey, I'm struggling with an athlete and I'd like some advice".

Ian

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Ian Murray
http://www.TriathlonTrainingSeries.com
I like the pursuit of mastery
Twitter - @TriCoachIan

  
12 will get him in the Legacy program but not the starting line. If I remember correctly, at about this point in time, it takes about 14 to 15 finishes to get to the start at Kona.

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Once, I was fast. But I got over it.

Would be cheaper to buy an auctioned one almost wouldn't it? Also don't get the drive to do Kona. I can understand someone who has done it for so many years and never got close earning their right to go but someone off the bat deciding do enough IMs in two years cheapens what the legacy program to me stands for in my eyes.

Wow. They are upping their game in 2018. Definitely a bit crazier than the 3x in 6 weeks or so that he did in 2017. Agree that this seems like a recipe for disaster. I think this coach and athlete are enabling each other. Athlete is looking to get to Kona quickly and coach loves the exposure of having athlete complete a whole bunch of them. Neither can say no to each other. I sort of get the Kona thing but the UM is a new development. There is no way he is going to make the time cut offs. Also, don't you have to apply for UM?

Let me know when you want to stage and intervention...only half pink