I’ve reached the point where I think I’m about as good as I’m going to get without a coach. Looking for info.
And any other advice you think I need to know.
Thanks in advance!
the coach i work with is local, i get workouts a week at a time, we talk on the phone anywhere from once a week to every few weeks (the option to call/talk is always there), and email a few times a week.
As far as results go, it completly depends on what you are looking to get out of it, and thus this will influence your choice of coaches.
I am looking to have fun and take triathlon to as high a level as i can, and thus wanted a coach with more experince than someone that just coaches beginers, and that helped me in my search.
I’ve reached the point where I think I’m about as good as I’m going to get without a coach. Looking for info.
And any other advice you think I need to know.
Thanks in advance!
There are several excellent coaches on this forum. I know Paulo Sousa (Paulo) and Brian Stover (desert dude) well and would definitely recommend either of them. The answers to all of your questions are very, very personal.
There are several excellent coaches on this forum. I know Paulo Sousa (Paulo) and Brian Stover (desert dude) well and would definitely recommend either of them. The answers to all of your questions are very, very personal.
Are you recommending Paulo?? Why? Have you ever read any of his posts? He dose not seem to be the sort of person who helps others…
I am. He is an excellent coach. I’ve read a lot of his posts. I’ve also spent time on more than one occasion training with him. You don’t need to look much farther than the results of the athletes he coaches to see how good he is.
Pros and cons to online coaching.
How much should I expect to pay for either? Prices range all over the place. $100 to +$500/month
How often should I interact with my coach? Depends on the coach and the relationship you have. Spell it out in advance. I email my coach every day, but that’s how we started out and it works for us.
What kind of results should I expect? Loaded question.
How do I pick one? Do a lot of research, get recommendations and then interview (email or phone) a few that seem to have the same philosophy that you do. I think it comes down to a personality fit. There are a lot of very good coaches out there. There are a few that I know I wouldn’t work well with.
For specific names, there have been a few threads on coaches and people have listed the coaches they like or have used.
clm
If you cut through Paulos sarcasm, (which is hilarious) study what he questions, and how he questions it, you would understand how smart he is. He holds back the vital knowledge because people pay him to obtain such.
All good stuff by Cathy here. Spot on.
On the Paulo issue, he is VERY smart and knows his shit. To extract info from him, bring him to Boston, have dinner with him, get him a few diet cokes and then find him a Starbucks, he spills his guts out to you from then on.
Kurt
On the Paulo issue, he is VERY smart and knows his shit. To extract info from him, bring him to Boston, have dinner with him, get him a few diet cokes…
How smart can he be if he drinks Diet Coke? Or maybe I should ask, if he keeps drinking Diet Coke for how much longer will be remain smart?
not sure, how long does it take Diet Coke to make a PhD wear off?
I submit a vote for Kurt (trukweaz). He also knows his shit!
I second Kurt.
Although the forum may not know him to be as big of a smartass ™ as Paulo, rest assured he is up there 
Seriously though… there are some fantastic coaches on the forum. Look at their athletes, and look how long they have been with the coaches. Most successful athletes won’t last too long with a coach if they feel that their time is being waisted.
How smart can he be if he drinks Diet Coke?
I don’t, I drink classic 
I also vote for Kurt Perham!
Now can someone PLEASE point me to a Starbucks in Cambridge, MA? MIT area… thank you very much!
I third Kurt Perham for the following reasons:
*Scientific rationale for all training protocols…willing to help you understand why you’re doing something
*Understanding and flexible about the time restraints of age group athletes
*Although a total power geek he can help you use power to give you massive gains in performance without investing hours on investigating power training protocols
*Prompt response time and excellent communication / adjustment regarding key sessions and race strategy
*Kurt was my coach for two years. He has helped me get to the point where I am largely self coached…which I think is the greatest accomplishment a coach can have
If you cut through Paulos sarcasm, (which is hilarious) study what he questions, and how he questions it, you would understand how smart he is. He holds back the vital knowledge because people pay him to obtain such.
A better search of Paulo comments and insight would be under his old screen name of smartasscoach.
I would have driven you around till we found one but my 2.5 hour drive home was looming…
I have to throw a plug in for Kurt Perham also (probably because he is my wife and I’s coach). While most anyone can coach a newbie, once someone has been training hard for a few years they begin to plateau. Its here that IMO a coach become valuable. If you are looking to take your bike to another level, here is a formula that will work
KURT P + POWER METER+6 months of hard work= improvement
Personally, I know I wouldnt be able to stick with an intensive workout plan if it wasnt laid out for me.
Unless you are way out in the boondocks and can’t find anyone, make sure you give a good rundown of coaches whom you can actually train with in person and can look at you.
Otherwise, maybe you can look more carefully at literature and training.
Unless you are way out in the boondocks and can’t find anyone, make sure you give a good rundown of coaches whom you can actually train with in person and can look at you.
Otherwise, maybe you can look more carefully at literature and training.
maybe you can help him…