Would welcome any reviews of Rick as a coach for an experienced IM distance athlete.
Can’t speak personally for his coaching, but if the performances of Gail Kattouf are any indication, I would guess he’s decent. Certainly a nice guy from my limited interactions with him.
Rick has coached me for 4 years now - the same # of years of been training for IM’s. I’ve seen steady improvement from 10:51 to 10:27 while he’s coached me. I like the fact that he combines an far better understanding of human physiology than most coaches I’ve spoken to (I believe that he has undergraduate degrees in nutrition and zoology, and is a Dr. of Optometry), together with his own athletic experience - which is as a pretty damn fast age-grouper. He’s responsive (you always get him within 24 hours, and immediately to within 2 hours is more the norm), supportive (he’s a great cheerleader - almost too much for my own tastes - I can sometimes use the “tougher” coach ;-), and just a downright great guy. You can say that I’m a fan.
I’m not racing an IM this year and “self-coached” myself through the Winter on the Daniels plan to try to break 3 hours in a marathon. I started using him again about 6 weeks ago for the season (previously I’ve used Rick year-round). To make a long story short, I had a bad taper for the marathon (everything hurt more than normal), and got an 88-degree weather day 2 weeks ago for my A-race. I decided to make the A-race-day a 23 mile training run and give it another go today. I was a headcase after training so hard for 6 months, and not getting to try my legs out on race day. Rick helped work me through the “double-taper”, helped me get my head screwed on straight and I gave it a go today - and came away with a new 2:58 PR.
PM me if you want any more details. I think you’ll be happy with a decision to go with Rick, but any more questions…fire away.
Robert,
I’ll shoot you a more detailed email tomorrow about RK. I’m a pretty experienced long course racer. This is the first year I’ve worked with Rick, but it has been great. I’ve learned a ton.
Shoot over any specific questions you may have as well. I’d be happy to answer them. As far as IM training, RK’s vast knowledge of nutrition and physiology will be extremely beneficial. He really knows his stuff.
Chris