cloy wrote:
I've been racing for seven years. I've seen moderate progression through being self coached (with Trainerroad and Barry P "plans"). My swim is atrocious and is keeping me out of contention for a lot of the races I do. Since I just finished my last race of the season and it's "post-season," and I'm driven to make big improvements this year: Is $200/mo worth paying for a coach for a moderately fast self-coached athlete (4:20 half iron) or can I get the same results by buying a few books (Swim Speed Secrets, Jack Daniels's book, etc.) and really digesting the material and implementing it?
I have a 35 min non-wetsuit swim, and it's my biggest downfall. My run is moderately okay (6:45/mi off the bike) and my bike is definitely good enough (2:12 this past weekend), but to hang with the guys up front, I'll need to take off significant time from my swim and lower my run a bit.
Wow hi there me from 3 years ago! Very similar times, but my bike was more in the 2:16 range. I was plateauing by myself it turns out. I thought I was working hard.. learned a new meaning. Bike and run both improved dramatically with better periodization and single sport focus periods.
And even though my coach is remote, sending some video and really ramping up my volume has helped me. I'm still not great in the water.. playing catch-up by the bike.. but :35 half 1:15 full down to :30/1:02 and aiming at a 59:59 in IMSR means I'm at least in striking distance.
It's verry nice not having to think about "is this the right workout" and just focusing on doing it. I have to disagree with the guy above. My bike is a bit better than 2:12 for a half now and my run is below 1:20, and personally I couldn't have done it without good coaching.
Too old to go pro but doing it anyway
http://instagram.com/tgarvey4