Thinking about on-line coaching using markallenonline. i’m a 47 yo moper/boper who just wants to improve my 1/2 and full im. Anyone have any experience with this service both positive and negative.
thanks in advance
Let me preface this by saying I have no personal or vicarious expereince with Mark Allen’s coaching services on line. Having said that, I never let not knowing about a topic stand in the way of having an opinion 
My attitudes on online coaching have softened somewhat from my total Jihad against online coaching to a more Reaganesque posture of “Trust, but verify” (Remember the SALT 2 Treaty?). Resources such as online coaching appear to offer value ranging from dubious to exceptional and everything in between. The key thing to remember is to take personal responsibility for learning the sport on your own through using your coach as a resource. Ask questions, read as much about the sport as you can: Read Joe Friel’s book “The Triathlon Training Bible”, “Serious Training for Serious Athletes” by Rob Sleamaker, Phil Maffetone’s books (if you can find them), “Going Long” is another good read. When you hear conflicting information investigate the reasons behind why there are different views. Own the knowledge, then you will also be able to take credit for your performances instead of just saying “I did what my coach e-mailed me and it seemed to work… I think”. Trust your coach once they have established their credibility as a coach (different than as an athlete) but verify the principles behind what they are asking you to do. Never be afraid to ask questions. “Be a Student of the Sport”, a popular saying of the Late Michael R. Rabe and the Late Mike Walden, U.S. Cycling Hall of Fame Coach.
I’ve had both positive and negative experiences with an on-line coach. Several things I would recommend.
1: Contact the coach and ask a zillion questions.
2: If you’re interested in a particular coach, ask to get the email addresses of former or current clients. Contact them and grill ''em.
3: Make sure you’re receiving a customized program, not some template. Most coaches should be available for unlimited email access as well and return emails within 24hrs.
I love having an on-line coach. It takes the guesswork out of my training. Although I have no experience with markallenonline I seem to remember someone having a terrible experience and writing about it in a previous post. Search the archives.
Good luck.
Just wondering which online coach you currently use?
No experience with this service but used an on-line coach over the last year. I’d recommend you decide on which races you want to pr and break down the splits as your goals. Then interview a varieity of on-line coaches giving them an accurate picture of where you are and where you want to be a year from now. I’d want to know, exactly, what it would take to get from A-B. You may get even better information from a list of satisfied customers. My year was worth every $$ and I don’t part with the greenbacks easily.
I am currently using Don Fink (www.donfink.com). One look at his homepage will tell you the success he’s had with age groupers and pros as well as himself, a current masters triathlete.
I have also used Michael McCormack (triathloncoach.com) and Dave Cracknell (tritrainer.com) in past years, but I’m sticking with Don. If you have any more questions, please feel to contact me privately at justin.baum@jayadvertising.com
Thanks for the imput. I respect the opinions of each of the responders (having lurked here for years, I have a pretty good idea of credible posters). I have The Triath Bible, Going Long and others and I have been self coached so far. I enjoy the long races (1/2 and full) and am pretty slow, but want to meet whatever potential I might have and still have fun doing it. With no local coaching thought I would see what the thoughts were and go from there. Thanks again to alll who responded or will respond.
I know you asked for MarkAllenOnline,come…but if I’d recommend one of two guys:
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Mike Plumb. He is my current coach, and is without question the best bang for the buck coach out there. Even if you take away the fact that he is inexpensive, I still think he is one of the best coaches out there…which makes his price even BETTER!! Great guy, TONS of experience (both coaching and training). You will get better and be 100% satisfied.
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Mike Ricci. Met him and he is another great, great guy. Solid training programs, and is 100% concerned that his athletes are successful.
Email me off line if you’d like more info. He’s been my coach for over a year, and I’ve seen BIG improvements.
I used an online coach last year, and found it to be a positive experience. I had read enough to be dangerous, and I train with a group of experienced people, but I decided I needed help with the rest:intensity problem. I knew of the guy I selected (Sonni Dyer at TriMyCoach.com) and e-mailed him a few times over a period of several months before signing on. Once on board, I had e-mail contact almost daily, and that was where I really learned.