To all the triathlete’s out there who have ever switched coaches: What is the number one problem you have in looking for a coach? What influenced your decision to choose your coach?
I wrote up a blog post on this a little while back… dusted it off, you can check it out here…
http://run-raf-run.blogspot.com/2011/04/triathlon-coaches-part-ii-choosing.html
- I found many coaches did not even ask me my goals when I was inquiring about coaching. This was a huge turnoff for me.
- Very important to make sure that expectations between coach and athlete (both ways) are clearly defined upfront. It is often difficult to establish this upfront without a long repore between athlete coach and can be a problem if the expectations are misunderstood.
My current coach (i) asked me my goals within the first 5 minutes of our initial conversation, and (ii) made his expectations very clear and also made it very clear that he understood my expectations.
My improvement since switching to the new coach has been drastic.
- I found many coaches did not even ask me my goals when I was inquiring about coaching. This was a huge turnoff for me.
- Very important to make sure that expectations between coach and athlete (both ways) are clearly defined upfront. It is often difficult to establish this upfront without a long repore between athlete coach and can be a problem if the expectations are misunderstood.
My current coach (i) asked me my goals within the first 5 minutes of our initial conversation, and (ii) made his expectations very clear and also made it very clear that he understood my expectations.
My improvement since switching to the new coach has been drastic.
Just picked up a coach for the first time for next season and this was big for me. I talked to a lot but they all seemed to want to talk about how great they were. I found one who was all about me and my goals. She is also big on communication which I think it great b/c most coaches I talked to had a limit on the amount of times you could contact them a month.
I had talked with another forum member that does coaching on various subjects, and I respect his knowledge. He recommended me to my current coach (Francois), who has some slots open. Apropos of nothing, of course. 
John
b/c most coaches I talked to had a limit on the amount of times you could contact them a month.
funny, i wouldnt call them coaches then
.
Frannie’s a coach? ;0)
Had a coach for an “A” race, who motivated me, until I caught him exaggerating his athletic abilities. I lost faith and found a new program. www.multisports.com. Paul Huddle, Heather Fuhr, etc. – very knowledgeable group!
Also, note, a good coach doesn’t need to be a triathlete, too.
Frannie’s a coach? ;0)
In a manner of speaking. From early May to mid Sep, brought my avg 40k TT pace from 20 to 23 mph. Run speed also got considerably faster, and any failings in the swim were my own lazy fault 
John
Coach? Do the research, make your own program. Holding hands can be sweaty.
Great thread! I"m so interested to hear others’ responses. As both a coach and an athlete, I look for a mish mash of strong relationship, coaching expertise, leadership from the coach and compliance on the part of the athlete.
Not to sound too much like a chick, but I agree with this New York Times relationship that ultimately it can boil down to the relationship. : )
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/18/health/nutrition/18best.html
b/c most coaches I talked to had a limit on the amount of times you could contact them a month.
funny, i wouldnt call them coaches then
Glad you say that mark. That’s exactly why I don’t have multiple ‘levels’. Ah no sorry mate, I already answered your allowed emails a month. Htfu until next month. That is not coaching.
Get off this fucking forum and go swim slacker. I know where to find you.
Get off this fucking forum and go swim slacker. I know where to find you.
That’s coaching right there.
Get off this fucking forum and go swim slacker. I know where to find you.
You’ve just about sold me for 2012…
Thanks very much for this post, I’ve been thinking about changing coach for the last month or so and have been wondering if it’s the right thing to do. I answered the questions in your blog as how I feel my current coach views them and I’ve come to the conclusion I wouldn’t hire based on those answers.
#1 problem is the fact that 99.9% of coaches in the sport of triathlon are not just unqualified, they are what I’d call “negatively qualified.” I.e., you will likely be WORSE off as a result if you take their advice.
The two coaches that I’ve selected - Joel Filliol, my first real coach, and Michael Kruger, my current coach - I chose because they had an understanding of what it takes to perform at the elite level, backed up by a strong track record.
Obviously, as an elite athlete, it’s harder to find a qualified coach than as an age group athlete, but the basic principles are the same. Look for someone who is GENUINELY QUALIFIED. Hint - the USAT certification doesn’t make someone qualified. Evaluating qualifications is hard. But a strong track record of success - and an ability to clearly and logically explain how that success was achieved - is what I’d look for.
I am SHOCKED you can’t spell your coach’s name… SHOCKED!!!
I don’t quite know the back story and don’t mean to bring up any negative vibes, but what is a reason someone would change coaches or you would change coaches? I come from a musical background and getting a different approach on an instrument and another look by another instructor helps with technique and sometimes realizing those “a-ha” moments. Does this happen in triathlon? I would assume so but to what extent?
Also, to what point do you not need a coach? Musical instructors usually start their own studios as they progress and hold orchestra positions and will sometimes take lessons every so often with their old instructors, but usually do all of their work on their own and understand what needs to take place in order to get a “better” tone or other work in technical ares. Music can be considered subjective since you can hear the same concerto performed by multiple artists with multiple interpretations. For instance the Mozart clarinet concerto in A minor is highly controversial. You can hear Benny Goodman play it with a bit more of a jazz tone and feel, whereas Jon Manasse has a more round, darker tone with a romantic feel to it. But what about performing in a race or a specific course like IMC? It seems you need to be fast in order to win but is there subjectivity along the way?
Thanks in advanced,
~trevor
Always the possibility the coach could leave the athlete. The coach could get a package to say coach a country like GBs elite ITU team in the lead up to say the olympics. Part of the deal may mean that the coach has to focus solely on those athletes. So then the athlete has to go alone or find a new coach as you suggest.