I would say a lot, if not most of it, depends on how much feedback you think you will want or need. Some people are fine with a pre-made plan and can follow it week in and week out. Some people have a hard time nailing X workout on Y day every time in which case a real live coach is handy both in telling you what to do instead and (more importantly) teaching what
you can do next time. Most people hire a coach to have them do the heaving lifting (planning workouts, working around your life, etc). The pre-made plan take the least of that load off of you.

I usually use a pre-made plan from a coaching group such as Endurance Nation. I'm planning a 1/2 IM next year and that's what I'll do starting in January. I don't take this stuff seriously enough to justify the expense of a coach. This is just something I do for fun and to stay in shape, so spending a bit on a training plan to keep me structured is good enough. Actually, I've been very pleased with EN, so I'm not even sure if I'd get a one-on-one coach if I was serious about it.

I used EN to train for half-irons in '07 and '08 and the plans worked for me really well. And it didn't cost me an arm and a leg. Plus I could move around the workouts on Training Peaks. I suppose I could just ask Rich Strauss to customize it for the racing I'm planning on doing. But it would be fun to try something totally different.

I've discovered I need a coach. For some reason, I just can't follow a pre-made plan. I just don't see it of value for me personally. I like to know why I'm doing what I'm doing and have the plan take into consideration what makes me unique.

I worked with the same coach for 3 years and am now looking for a new one because my focus is changing to running from triathlon. Since I have really big goals in that area I don't feel confident I can get there on my own.

I really enjoy building that relationship with someone who can give me great advice and steer me in the right direction. The accountability is huge for me and since I don't have training partners for what I'll be doing it helps to have someone expecting me to get off my ass and go for a run.

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Jen

"In order to keep a true perspective on one's importance, everyone should have a dog that worships him and a cat that will ignore him." - Dereke Bruce

I hired a coach for my IM. I think my expectations were possibly a little high but also don't think she met some of them. Looking back, I could've done what I did at IM without a coach...and saved myself some $$$. It was nice to just have a schedule sent to me and not have to think about it..but you can get that online or out of a book. I personally think a coach should provide a bit more than that and work closer with you, help you through your concerns, etc. If you do hire a coach, I just think (what I would do if I did it again) you need to really outline what you're expecting from the relationship and see if they can meet your needs. FWIW, for my next IM, I'm probably just going to use a "canned" plan and tweak as necessary for me.

FYI -

I put an ad in the Jobs forum and got 5 responses of varying experices. I'm talking with one on the phone tomorrow and have email conversations with 2 others.

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...;;page=unread#unread

Turned out to be a great idea because I was super clear on expectations and who I am.

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Jen

"In order to keep a true perspective on one's importance, everyone should have a dog that worships him and a cat that will ignore him." - Dereke Bruce

Now if only that forum had been around when I was looking...

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I know I'm promiscuous, but in a classy way

Why not put that list together and then interview people over the phone? I've certainly had clients do that.

I know you already have a coach so this is directed more as a general comment.

I'm treating my looking for a coach as a job interview. I own a business, myself, and I am hiring a consultant to give the information I need to make my business successful. First I get a resume, check some references then will do a phone call. I'm spending money on this consultant and need to know I am getting the best for my business.

At the same time, they are talking to me to make sure they can work with me successfully.

I'm trying to keep myself from making the wrong decision based on whether or not this person is "cool" or "fun" but rather that they can guide me to being a better athlete. Then, I need to make sure they are cool and fun. :-)

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Jen

"In order to keep a true perspective on one's importance, everyone should have a dog that worships him and a cat that will ignore him." - Dereke Bruce

Jen: Let us know what you decide from your coach search. I love that approach! Laura

I suspect that you would do just fine without a coach but with access to some like minded athletes who have already been where you want to go.Finding motivated training partners is the hardest thing when you are trying to step it up a notch like you are.That is where your problem lies.

I'm having a "Yoda" moment,sorry. ;)
.

The advantages of working with a coach is that a good coach should be able to provide you an individualized plan based on your unique schedule, personal profile, skill level, limitations, and racing history. I say a "good coach", because there are many who will give you something straight out of a book or pre-made schedule.
Online coaching is saturated and certifications are easy to get. I have found many people jumping on this bandwagon and think they can coach just because they have done triathlons for awhile. Look into their certifications, but more importantly their degrees and feedback from athletes they have worked with. Interview them. It should work both ways. You have to know exactly what you are looking for in a coach and what your expectations are. Some athletes are more independent and don't care so much for interaction. They may just want a schedule sent to them so they don't have to worry about it. Others require quite a lot of communication and feedback. Depends on your style, motivational factors, etc.

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Jolene Wilkinson
Triathlon Coaching http://www.pacificfit.net

Maybe but I like the structure and working with the expertise of a coach. For some reason it just works better for me. At some point I'll have enough experience to go it on my own but since I'm taking on some big challenges this season I think a coach is a good investment.

If I was doing an IM I'd train myself since I've done 3 and know what I need to do. Same for a 50k.

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Jen

"In order to keep a true perspective on one's importance, everyone should have a dog that worships him and a cat that will ignore him." - Dereke Bruce

I have a question for everyone in general but I didn't want to make a new thread since it's kind of related.

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only person on the planet who's kind of serious about this sport and doesn't have a coach. Is there anyone else who doesn't have a coach and isn't really interested in getting one? And also, does anyone feel like if you want to get fast (not like go pro but be a top AGer at IM races or whatever) that you can't do it without a coach?

I only ask because I had a coach once and actually found that the structure of my plan made it harder for me to train and training stopped being fun and I actually got SLOWER that year. This year, I didn't have a coach and I just kind of made sure to get my hours/key workouts in every week but didn't really stress about anything and I got way faster and had way more fun training and racing.

Maybe it was just that the one coach I have had didn't work for me but after that I'm pretty much not interested at all in being coached. Anyone else have experiences like this?

(sorry if I'm hijacking a little, I just didn't think this warranted its own thread)

Edited to add: I also want to make sure it's understood that I'm not trying to insult anyone who wants a coach and does well with one, I just am more asking if I'm shooting myself in the foot by just doing my training how I want to do it.

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my severely neglected blog

I for one have never had a coach or payed for a training plan and I am more than happy with this approach. I actually enjoy putting together my own training plan, monitoring my progress and adjusting the plan. Each year I look at last year and adjust my plan or focus of my training to address my weak points or meet my goals & races for the coming year. I get a sense of achievement from the whole process especially when I have really good races. It really doesn't take much time to put together a plan. I do pretty good on this approach too, I am usually in the top 5-10% of AG in M-dot races and have been to Kona three times. I've been doing triathlons now for 7yrs now and am still seeing improvements and getting faster. So if you are having fun and doing well without a coach then it obviously suites you too!

I'm like you, I need someone to tell me to do something, or I'll just run every day, swim a little and not get on the bike at all. Plus I was able to see my coach on a regular basis and run with him at the track or a hill work out from time to time.

My first IM I followed the training plan from Be IronFit. It worked for me for my goals for that race, but I blew off a LOT (okay almost all) the speedwork and didn't know how to go fast or hard on the bike or run. The plan my coach had for me for IMAZ pushed me harder more often then I would have. The easy weeks were also easier than I would have had.

When you hire a coach you have to make sure they consider your goals and your life. I don't think a coach should take on every single person that comes to them.

I got 'roped' into coaching someone (just kiddinng D) and it took a while to figure out her shedule and what she wanted to get out of it. I have another person who is married with kids and full time job who has asked me to 'coach' her for an IM next summer. I'm very hesitant because I don't 'understand' her lifestyle and other commitments she has. I think I could offer some motivation and options for making the time, but I don't think I would be the best person for the job.

It's very much like a job interview. Anyone going into a job interview should be prepared to ask and answer questions. Job interviews (maybe not so much right now in hard economic times) should be an opportunity for the potential employee to see if the company is a right fit for them. I've turned down job offers based on what I learned at the job interview.

My search process this week has been really interesting. I'm close to finalizing with someone, we are talking tomorrow, and it has been tougher than I thought it would be. I got 5 responses to my ad. I talked to two on the phone. One just came in today that looked like a possibility but the coach I'm talking to tomorrow has the best balance of the qualities I'm looking for. This person has also been the most thoughful and careful about the process. I also feel bad when I don't hire someone so that won't be fun when I contact the others.

If you decide to get a coach you really need to know what you are looking for. Sometimes just an organized team will give you everything you need. Tri clubs are all over the place. Sometimes riding, running and swimming with faster people can make you faster. Simple as that. It could be a good balance between hiring a coach or doing it all yourself.

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Jen

"In order to keep a true perspective on one's importance, everyone should have a dog that worships him and a cat that will ignore him." - Dereke Bruce

I doubt I will ever have a coach either, or at least so far I'm not interested. I love figuring this stuff out for myself and reading, reading, reading. I make my own schedules based on what I know about myself and what I have learned from others. I have said before that a coach could probably get me to a place in 1 year that will take me 4 years to get to on my own, but I enjoy that part of it.

This time around I may more closely follow a "pre-set" schedule than in years past, but I also have a bit more time. (have done IMAZ the past 2 years and am doing CDA this year, so 2 months later in the season). The schedule I'm basing mine off of this time around, at least so far, is from Be Iron Fit. Of course I have already switched it all around and I'm not sure it would even be recognizable as a Be Iron Fit plan any more, but I am excited about it and think it will be a great approach this time around. If not? Oh well, I'll try something different next time around, and be 100% ok with that.

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Kathleen
http://kcwoodhead.blogspot.com/