How many of you have a coach? Do you feel it makes a difference from when you didn’t have one? What do you pay per month/year for a coach? What are some of the key things that you looked for when getting one?
I have been looking at getting a coach to up my performance and was looking for any input and experiences that people have had.
Cheers
Of all the monetary investments that I have made, the coaching is the only one that I NEVER question. And I waste a lot of money on multi sport. But, it is a highly personal thing. I need the motivation of having a schedule, you may not.
The pros are too many to count for me. I don’t overtrain. I have a set schedule to follow that works around my work/personal life (HAHAHAHA like I have either). Most importantly, adjustments can be made to fit your schedule so that you dont lose fitness. ALso, you are less likely to get injured if you train with a coach and a good plan. You can work out less and gain more.
His weight in gold…at least to me.
The $150/month I pay my coach is, without a doubt, the best triathlon investment I make.
For my money, I get a training schedule designed to maximize my time and ability, an objective look at my potential and goals, and the invaluable feeling of knowing that I have someone in my corner with the knowledge and experience to help get me where I want to go.
Definitely the smartest money I spend.
G
More questions:
1] Do you meet w/ your coach in person vs. online only coaching.
2] What training tools do you use to facilitate training e.g. polar watch & email, power tap
1] Do you meet w/ your coach in person vs. online only coaching.
That’s what I was wondering. How would 10 different individuals know if they all got the exact same program sent to them with the explanantion of “this program is tailored specifically for you”? They wouldn’t. Seems like it would be very easy to scam/dupe internet clients.
It wouldn’t be too hard for an “internet coach” to use a program like PC Coach to come up with “unique” training schedules for their clients.
I would be interested in getting a coach also, but only if it’s personal (i.e., we meet at least once a week and talk about performance, schedule, diet, recovery, etc). If it’s not “in person coaching”, one might as well pay the $10 and join a club and just do “what everyone else is doing”, or ask them “how did you train when you were at my level?” and do that.
In looking for a coach, I would look for someone that has taken people in my current situation and gotten them to the level that I want to be. Being a good triathlete does not always qualify one for being a good triathlon coach.
Sorry … I posted in this thread w/o having a coach.
Speed costs. How fast do you want to go?
K.
1] Do you meet w/ your coach in person vs. online only coaching.
That’s what I was wondering. How would 10 different individuals know if they all got the exact same program sent to them with the explanantion of “this program is tailored specifically for you”? They wouldn’t. Seems like it would be very easy to scam/dupe internet clients.
It wouldn’t be too hard for an “internet coach” to use a program like PC Coach to come up with “unique” training schedules for their clients.
I would be interested in getting a coach also, but only if it’s personal (i.e., we meet at least once a week and talk about performance, schedule, diet, recovery, etc). If it’s not “in person coaching”, one might as well pay the $10 and join a club and just do “what everyone else is doing”, or ask them “how did you train when you were at my level?” and do that.
In looking for a coach, I would look for someone that has taken people in my current situation and gotten them to the level that I want to be. Being a good triathlete does not always qualify one for being a good triathlon coach.
Sorry … I posted in this thread w/o having a coach.
FWIW, advertising individualized schedules and then sending a mass produced one wouldn’t work as virtually every person has a different set of weekly constraints and seasonal goals. Any coach that tried it won’t be in the business long.
OTOH, creating a generalized schedule for upcoming IMs is a viable and affordable option for some athletes.
as part of the coaching process you have conversations about key limiters, strengths/weaknesses, etc. the plan you get from your coach should be designed to address your weaknesses and overcome your limiters. an informed buyer should be able to discern whether the plan that they are getting on a week in and week out basis is tailored to them and their needs. i think you are unnecessarily skeptical, it’s not that hard to pickup on. a good coach will take the time up front to give you the confidence that your plan is going to be tailored to your needs and help you meet your goals.
i used a coach for the first time this year with good success. i get bi-weekly plans and those plans are tailored based on information i give to my coach in the days leading up to the plan development process. as my schedule changes we tweak the plan. my coach lives 3000 miles away but the process works because i trust the plan we built and she communicates with me when i need my questions answered. some weeks we don’t talk other weeks daily emails. it varies.
I am a coach and I have a coach. What is my coach worth to me? Let’s see - what is worth to you to go faster then you ever have? I would say you can’t put a price on speed or a PR. I went under 1:30 for the first time this year on a 1/2 IM run - it was a hilly bike and legit course run course too. I don’t know if I could have done without the guidance of a coach. I create all my own workouts, which is the easy part, but having someone to bounce things off of, is well worth the price IMO.
In terms of the duping internet clients, I am sure there are some that do this, but it’s about integrity - and if you don’t have that, you shouldn’t be coaching to begin with. When creating custom programs, I find it hard to duplicate workouts when athletes have different HRs and limiters.
My $0.02
Like I said, “Speed costs…how fast do you want to go?” 
K.
Unless the coach meets with me, watches me training, gives me feedback on my technique and form, shows up to some of races and watches my execution and even meets informally to discuss with them how the ‘plan’ is fitting into the rest of life (we triathletes will even lie to coaches about the time available for training), then a coach to me is totally useless. I can download a program from the net or get free advice from countless coaches that I know.
I grew up in team sports and track and field. My coaches were always present. They knew me like the back of their hand. This is what I would seek in a coach. Other than that, I never have motivation issues cause I only do workouts that are fun and conveniently fit into my life. Then again, performance is not what I seek from triathlon. The race is the destination, but each workout is part of the journey. I like enjoying the journey and choosing to do whatever I feel like.
Ask your self, do you train to race, or race because you happen to train ? If you are in the latter camp and just enjoy training, you actually may not like to have a coach and a set plan. The rest of my life is quite 'planned out". I have to be at work at a certain hour, deliver stuff to my customers and collegues, do stuff for my family etc etc etc. The last thing I need is structure added to tri training. I have enough structure in my life :-).
I have no beefs with coaches. They provide a valuable service, but it may or may not be for you. Just think what you can do with $150x12 months. Sounds like a nice 10 day trip to the French Alpes to ride some mega miles. In my book a much more valuable outcome
My coach is “worth” $1000 a year because that is what he charges. His value I feel is much higher because I can rely on the coaching needed as you traverse the ups and downs of the season. I e-mail him once a week year round and have a few inperson meetings a year to plan my summer triathlon and winter nordic efforts. The periodization and sport specific advise has been invaluable. Today I start a 12 week, 2 days a week nordic ski conditioning class that includes specific strength, plyometrics, speed elements, etc; he’s a national level ski coach (same guy)so this is extra coaching for an additional $75. I also receive monthly workout info through a member forum and can participate with the elite team on their weekly workouts if I want more coaching. I’m planning on attending a fall on-snow camp with lots of personal attention and clinics in the evenings for $250. His wife is a sports physiologist at the local college and we do our VO2 testing there. I know this isn’t your run of the mill tri-specific coaching opportunity, but for around $100 a month I thought you might like to know what is possible.
I used a coach (Mike Plumb, Tripower.org) to get ready for my first Ironman this year. Mike provides a very cost effective training program at $75 per month. Ironman is a pretty expensive proposition with travel, a bunch of worn out shoes and tires, boxes or nutritional products and on and on so I new a high dollar coach was not in my budget. For me, I was looking for the motivation of getting a weekly schedule and having to report what I did. I did not want to log in goose eggs. You can also blame long training days on the coach. “Honey, I really don’t want to go ride all day but Mike said I have to.”
Mike’s program is primarily by email to clients all over but I live in San Diego so I’d see him at Tri-club meetings and races and bend his ear a bit. He was always willing to talk and answer my questions. His long distance clients would have to reley on email or even an occasional phone call. I wasn’t looking for and didn’t expect an elaboratly detailed program and personal training sessions for $75 a month.
I highly recommend using a coach. I’m just another middle aged, pack filler but even though I’m no threat to win the race I want to do the best I can and Mike was the best investment I made to that end. I made my way through a few 1/2 IM’s myself but wouldn’t think of self training for IM.
Mike was great before the race, sending a detailed race plan and even calling me the day before to see how I was doing. He called my wife during the race and asked her if I was smiling when I got off the bike. (I was!) I had a blast out there, exceding my expectations. I did the work but coach Mike was a huge help!
Unless the coach meets with me, watches me training, gives me feedback on my technique and form, shows up to some of races and watches my execution and even meets informally to discuss with them how the ‘plan’ is fitting into the rest of life, then a coach to me is totally useless. I can download a program from the net or get free advice from countless coaches that I know.
I could not agree more. I have been coached in person during college and on-line (part of a Marine Corps running program). The former taught me quite a bit, the latter I found to be completely useless. If I had enough control over my schedule to follow a set plan of workouts, I’m sure I would be a better triathlete. As it is, my training philosophy is to sustain the highest amount of volume for which I have time. I have a sufficient knowledge of training philosophies to provide some minimal structure throughout the season and so far it is serving me well.
There is so much information out there on the web, in this forum and from friends (if you have triathlete friends) that many people could benefit from before paying out money to a coach.
However, some people come to triathlon without an endurance sports background of any kind and for them a coach might be useful.
Chad
My perfect Coach:
Has the Gatorade mixed and iced.
Brings clean, fresh-smelling towels for wiping sweat.
Cleans the bikes and pumps up the tires.
Brings the Gu.
Swims/bikes/runs alongside shouting “Pick it up”, “c’mon, get going”, “what’s your heart rate”, etc.
Keeps detailed records of my workouts and displays them with computer graphics.
Purchases the food for and prepares balanced meals.
Washes and puts away the workout clothing.
Schedules the workouts.
Lays out my exercise clothing.
Knocks on the door and shouts “Let’s go, you slacker!”
What else?
Dude Thats my WIFE…How do you know her…Actually I am kidding,but my best investment in training,make sure she feels appreciated and happy, and she supports me whole heartedly. I love to train and racing is cake,I take that money for a coach and spend it on her…In the long run,its better than race wheels.
To your
"Ask your self, do you train to race, or race because you happen to train ?
Gosh thats he best way to explain…Also the answer to that answers a lot of questions. I race because I train, I perfer humility than pride. Now if I was 20,I take the pride and go for the win.
Kenney, let’s just say that long after I have done my last tri in my life, I still hope to be biking running, lifting weights and XC skiing. For those who only train because they race, I bet that once they stop racing, the training stops too (I have many friends in this category). They can’t understand the concept of training as the end only. For many, training is just a means to an end (racing). That’s OK and if one falls into that group, a coach is ideal, perhaps even essential since the worth of the training investment is measured by the performance achieved on race day, not the excitement of feeling the wind blow through your helmet as you whip down a hill at 70 kph or run a pristine trail at sunrise with only you and the local deer family for no other reason than “it is there and you can do it”.
Yep Its all about priorities. I hope you saw my previous post abot spending the money on my wife. I hold no disrespect for those that only race,in fact I tip my hat to them. With starting all this late in life…To finish an IM at 442nd to 475th,its all about the journey,and you know what…I found when I decided to take that attitude,I was then invited to dinner at peoples houses who were better than me and built some great freindships compared to just plain alpha male respect. I want to run, bike, and swim for a long time(did not John Collin’s wife say something on a special that these things were all the the things of being a kid)and enjoy the people that go with it,both kinds,because we were all both one time or another…You rock Dude
I have also known many that quit running/biking/swimming if there is no race to compete in. I think the sport would be much more enjoyable if you just get out there and have more unstructured training and enjoy your run or bike. It may not be effective if you are trying to qualify or win a race but for the vast majority, it would be a healthier approach to exercise.