Need advise - to have a coach or not

Triathlon Forum
1

Hello ST

I’m considering getting a pure triathlon coach, but would like to hear some thoughts about it.
This season I have been racing draft legal sprint races at elite level in my home country, combined with som 1/4 distance non draft.
My best perfomances and results has been in the non draft races, I think due to not quite swimming fast enough to reach the front pack in draft races.
In the 1/4 distance non draft races I’ve (as a surprise to my self) beaten some Pros and biked very fast (which also came as a surprise).
So I’ve decided to try and race a 1/2 distance later this year in the Pro field, to see where I’m at compared to the really fast guys.
That was a little background - now the question.
My current situation coach-wise is;
I’m swimming at the local swim club, so here I have a swim trainer on deck at every training.
I get my run training/programs from a former elite runner (13.45 on 5k).
But I’m on my own with the biking. I’ve read a few books, and I’m trying to fit it in with the two other programs. I’m biking pretty fast, with pretty bad and very little bike training. Maybe I could bike very very fast, with the right training and coaching.
Also I don’t have an overview of the accumulated workload.

My question is, would I benefit from having a pure triathlon coach? Or should I just continue as it now, as it seems to work okay.
I’ve also considered getting a person to make my bike training - but I think that 3 different persons would be too much.

2

If you were to get a triathlon coach, then the question for me would be how they would fit with the swim/run training you’re doing. I guess some coaches would dovetail quite nicely with your existing programme and would be happy to just focus on bringing it together and making some tweaks, some would want to take over your whole programme. So figuring out what you want would be key.

Other option is to go with a Trainerroad programme for your bike training, instead of a person. Designed for indoor riding, but no reason you can’t adapt it to outdoors if you prefer. That way you keep your existing coaches but get more structure and quality into your cycling. Probably a fair bit cheaper as well. And there is enough guidance on the Trainerroad site to help you adjust the plan as needed to manage your overall workload. Cycling is also the simplest of the 3 disciplines in terms of training - minimal technique involved, and less need to be as careful with speed work as there is in running. Optimising your equipment and position involves more expertise, but you can get a lot of that here and from a good fitter without needing a coach.