I’m thinking about getting a coach, but I’ve got a problem with internet/phone coaches. I’m pretty sure that I need to put some serious work into my running form but I don’t see how a long distance coach is going to be able to help me with that. Has anyone else tackled this problem? The good news is that I don’t need to put serious work into my swim so that removes a big problem.
I’d also like to hear if anyone has new recomendations for coaches. I live in the Houston area if anyone knows of local coaches. My budget is a max of $100/month, obviously I’d prefer it was cheaper.
“I’m pretty sure that I need to put some serious work into my running form but I don’t see how a long distance coach is going to be able to help me with that.”
The only way I can see an internet coach helping with running form is if you can send a video. I think mostly these coaches setup and monitor training schedules.
I finally had a coach evaluate my running form yesterday. I had some concerns as to whether I had form problems since I changed to Pose type running last year. The coach is also a Pose runner and said my footstrike and leg motion were very good. I need to work on my arm movement and head angle. It was a good session and after I make the recommended adjustments I will have another evaluation. Incidently, now that I have a year of Pose running under my feet, my times are improving and I’m setting PRs again.
I’m doing CTS on line coaching and have been very satisfied. Your concern ie running form is valid but there are things an online coach can help with ie drills etc. A knowledgable coach can help more than you may thing without being physically present. There is a very strong tri community in Houston which could give recommendations and perhaps help with their observations. CTS has several levels of coaching some under $100 the lowest I would recommend is Performance I am doing Expert level and am very happy with a very positive knowledgable coach. We talk 2x/wk and anyother time I need. My coach has helped me reach significant levels in training and racing. One such level was a 7th place age group finish at tri worlds championship Madeira this last week. Good luck in your dicision for it is a very personal one. Mike
Local coaches are ideal but only if you can afford several 1-on-1 sessions or they have some group sessions. Otherwise you get no extra benefit from them being local. You’d be hard pressed to find many coaches under $100 and still get some 1-on-1 time. Maybe. It’s worth looking around since Houston probably has gobs of coaches. Good Luck!
As a coach who does a significant amount of coaching over the 'net I have had to come up with ways to deal with this. One way is that many of the technical areas are common amoung most athletes (such as dropping elbows during swimming, cadence selection cycling and running, as well as basic running form), so prescribing specific drills as part of the program can help, although it doesn’t take the place of a technical analysis with a good coach. Another way is to do remote video analysis (not the easiest, but possible), as well as collecting resourses such as instructrional videos, and articles on technical topics to discuss with my athletes.
Although triathlon is certainly growing, there just aren’t that many good coaches around in every community, so working with a coach remotely and supplementing that with camps, workshops/clinics and a local technical coach can be a good solution.