Today I was FIRED by my Tri Coach for breaking the TRUST bond.
I found HER on the internet and she seemed to be well qualified to coach so I signed up with her and have been for about 3 months. She is strictly an Internet coach as we do not live in the same state, she was to take me to the next level and prepare me for IM Florida. Things were going good, no complaints and I really liked her, so one day I emailed her the rest of my scheduled races that I intend to race ending with IM Florida. I dont hear otherwise so I sign up for my next race, a local sprint race, now keep in mind I am recovering from an ITB issue that seems to be licked as I only run on grass these days. About 3 weeks out she emails me and say that Im thinking that your next race can be a sprint in July, well this is a different race than the one that im signed up for, so I just blow it off, well as time goes by I get the itch to race again and this local sprint race is comming up and Im feeling really good so I race it, I view it as just another workout anyway and I was hoping on a personal best and wanted to surprise my coach, so I race and have a personal best on the swim, Im feeling good and was having a great bike when I got a flat half way, race over.
Well there was no good news to report so I waited a couple of days then told her about what I did and what happened, Im an honest guy, sometimes too honest and I dont like to lie so rather than have her find out about it someother way I tell her about it and she gets reallly pissed and fires me.
I was stunned by her reaction but accepted it and am ready to move on and not dwell on it. Her main point was that I broke the trust between us by racing the sprint race and therefore she could never trust me again, I felt that if she was willing to drop me like this at the drop of a hat then I didnt want her services either so at this point its kinda mutual.
In retrospect I guess im guilty of racing a race without my coaches blessing and for that Ill man up and accept responsibility but is this grounds for Termination, I can see an oly or half iron, but a little sprint race, I just dont get it.
Granted, I’ve never had a tri coach, but that seems harsh. It seems like an innocent “mistake” on your part. Shouldn’t she have explained that doing as you did negatively impacts her training schedule, etc., and ask that you not do it again? Then, if you did, she’d be justified in firing your ass.
How was it a violation of her trust if it was an innocent mistake – and I guess I’m not even sure if it was a mistake at all.
I find that hilarious. You choose to do a sprint race and this enrages the coach. I thought coaches gave advice not orders.Are you sure she wasn’t pissed because you didn’t fix your tire and continue racing?
I’m confused about why SHE needs to trust YOU. Generally in the coach/athlete relationship it is the athlete that has to have the trust in the coach’s knwoledge and skill.
She certailnly has the right to choose her clients and should only work with people she chooses to but this just seems a bit nutty and controlling.
Granted, I’ve never had a tri coach, but that seems harsh. It seems like an innocent “mistake” on your part. Shouldn’t she have explained that doing as you did negatively impacts her training schedule, etc., and ask that you not do it again? Then, if you did, she’d be justified in firing your ass.
How was it a violation of her trust if it was an innocent mistake – and I guess I’m not even sure if it was a mistake at all.
Are you serious? How can a paid trainer fire me? Thats so absurd. We are doing that for FUN, if its fun for me, to drink until 4 in the morning and skip training next day, I will tell my trainer and we will find a way to limit the damage.
Thats his job! But it confirms my position to online training/business/whatever, I would never work with a trainer I never met in person, too many morons out there and you found the mother of all morons.
Forget it, and find a trainer from flesh and blood whom you like and speak the same language with.
I can’t wrap my mind around this. It just seems bizarre. I have a coach (live in person, not via email), and he would never treat me or any other of his athletes like that. I pay him. He writes up a training plan. He coaches me (and a few others, including those that have not hired him) in a masters type swim work out once a week. We commuicate in person, on the phone and via email several times per week. Its my training, my racing. He gives advice but is not nazi like. I tell him what I want to do, he works it in to my training (including a week of skiing in March). You need to get a human coach. I noticed you capitalized HER. Being a woman I’m not one agree with negative stereotypes. That being said, women in general (and me specifically) tend to be a bit more emotional. Maybe she had a cheating husband and that has colored her view of every aspect of her life. Sounds like she has issues. Consider yourself lucky to be free of her…kj
You cheating, backstabbing bastard! I trusted you, and this is the thanks I get?
-did it sound anything like that??
Sounds like you broke the ‘Circle of Trust’, you Fokker
Go find another one. I think there was a thread not too too long ago about the various online coaches, many of whom are posters here. And many of whom are vouched for by other posters here who do or have used their services.
I’m sure you’ll find one who is slightly less psychotic and control freakish. Unless of course you sign on with SAC, then yer outta the frying pan, and into the fire. (just kidding SAC)
