I saw something today and was wondering for those people being coached how much weight did you put into what your coach’s finishing times have been for races, into making your decision to go with them.
In other words (since the above was an ugly senetence), did you see a great result and say, this person knows what they are doing or did that not factor into your decision at all?
you know, some peeps make better coaches than racers and some coaches are better racers…thats why i confuse myself all the time! And I argue with myself alot! But at least I have someone to talk too! OPPS,time for my meds again!
times were not important in my mind.
I am the same way. At least in my mind. I knew some AWESOME hockey coaches who could barely pass the puck, however they were fantastic coaches. And I have known just the opposite as well.
Not at all. My coach found me – after seeing me run every day, she asked what I was training for… I told her a marathon, someday, and she kind of adopted me.
I think that a coach’s racing times reflect on how they are as an athlete. If you are looking for a good coach you should find out how the athletes are doing that he is already coaching. That may give you an indicator of how good of a coach they are. Once you get a coach you have to listen to what they say and do what they tell you.
I’m not sure what area you live in, but I want to suggest going to www.midatlanticmultisport.com. Bill Hauser is a great coach and I think Todd Wiley coaches for them as well.
I am not looking for a coach, this is more a curiosity sort of thing.
The thing that got me thinking about it was that I saw on the net a tri-coach advertised for a good amount of money but the athlete’s personal accomplishments weren’t all that sh!t hot. So I got to wondering how much that factor’s into a decision to go with them or someone else.
my coach is a PhD in phys, which is very important. but he’s also an incredible athlete and has been on more national teams than i can count - it’s nice that he can actually relate to the ridiculous workouts he’s giving me, and is especially knowledgeable about racing tactics and dynamics from the front. that is, he knows what it’s like (and how bad it hurts) up there.
most importantly, though, he’s an old friend.
-mike
My coach is fast, but that’s not why I hired him. Maybe it would be different if it were one of those email type arrangements where you don’t really know who you are hiring (unless its a legend like say Molina). Its an interesting question though. There is a personal trainer at they gym where I work out who is at least 50 lbs over weight. I’m still baffled that people pay her to get them in shape…kj
it kinda makes a difference.
If your coach can’t help you at all with tactics, ideas, etc. it would suck. I agree with others that the athlete’s they are training should be happy with their performance (not ‘fast’ but much faster then they were, better recovery, less injury, etc.)
In the end, its if your comfortable with them, or they get you the results to put up with them.
I picked my coach mainly because I think we clicked in terms of personality and after talking to him I got a good feeling about his training methods but I like that he has been very sucessful on the ironman scene which shows me that he knows what it takes. I think you can be a successful coach without having ever raced but I think there is an advantage/understanding that comes from someone who has experienced racing and has had success.
A good coach needs certain skills which are different and not mutually inclusive or exclusive to a top performer. The results of there coaching methods is more relavent than there achievments.
There are plenty of top coaches who were poor athletes and there are plenty of top coaches who were top performers. I guess there are advantages and disadvantages to, both. If you were a top performer there is a good chance that you were privy to good coaching yourself, which may be usefuly in your own coaching career. However not all top athletes are students of their sport and unfortunaly talent is not a virus, so you carn’t catchi it from them.
I have more experience with cricket coaching having spent longer playing cricket than I have doing endurance sports. I had a number of people who helped me develop as a player. Some where just good club players whilst other had played professionaly, & some internationally.
I do find all the tri coaching advice arround a little confussing and it is difficult to avoid the “grass is greener” fever and give one plan long enough, before changing to another.
I guess exercise sceince is like all science there are many different ideas and theories arround all backed up by different studies, which may be totally conflicting. Even within one magazine you will be offered conflicting advice. In the 220 magazine you have articles by Joe Beer who recommends lots of easy paced training topped off by high quality work as the season looms. Whilst Julian Goater thinks that at least in running fast sessions are important all year round.
I picked my coach mainly because I think we clicked in terms of personality<<
Exactly.
clm
no weight in finish time.
Important to me: did he return my telephone calls promptly, personal referrals, local, availabitily for questions. In other words, does the coaching stop once you pay the $$ and you get a e-mail with the monthly workouts, or can you call him/her and ask a question about technique.
Babe Ruth was probably the best baseball player in history and one of the worst coaches and managers in history. He was certainly a far, far better baseball player than guys that barely stayed on major league rosters like Tommy Lasorda and Billy Martin, let alone the numerous fairly good baseball managers that never played a day in the majors. I tend to think that being a very good athlete means that it is less likely that you would be a good coach.
Charlie Weiss is another good example. The dude never played college or pro football, but developed NE’s nearly unbeatable offense, and has turned ND around in a single year. He’s one of the most respected coaches in college football…after about half a season!
For me, my coach is fast, but I also like him a lot too. I knew him before I signed up with him from ST and TNO. Great guy…always giving out his advice, etc. Plus, he’s cool. I think you definitely need to see if you get along with the coach…personality conflicts can kill that relationship!