Seaon Doesn't Work Out How You Hope?

Two things: 1) this is my first tri season and I've been dreadfully disappointed with it.  I got hurt after not training up enough for a 150 mile bike ride, kept going back for more and reinjuring myself as a consequence, and as a result I've only participated in one of 4 planned races and there's a good chance I have to skip out on at least one of my last two. 

2) Before I dove head-first into triathlons I lifted like it was my job...loved it, ate, slept and breathed bodybuilding.  But I always, ALWAYS, found myself injured.  Back, neck, shoulder, quad, elbow...you name it and I hurt it. Aside from it being the nature of the beast I also know I overtrained all the damn time.  I went too hard, too heavy and didn't give myself body the proper rest it needed.  All the proper nutrition, perfect form and diligent logkeeping meant nothing if I didn't listen to my body and rest. 

Aside from personal things getting in the way, the getting sick and injured portion is something that can be avoid--or at least curtailed--with a solid plan, listening to your body and taking time off when it's necessary.  A coach is certainly a great start, someone who can look at your training history and current physical shape and determine how best to go about training to avoid all those roadblocks that keep you from races.

I know one thing: if I had the money to throw down on a coach, even an on-line coach, I'd be all over it.  Good luck, if you do it I hope it works out!

What are online plans like?

Injuries - life happens. Can't do much about it, as long as you are training properly.

Sickness -  Somewhat avoidable, but no always.

Life - If you want to do these races you need to make them a priority and schedule them as such.  So far you've changed races to accommodate your schedule, now it's time to accommodate your schedule around a race.

$$$ is a big motivator for me.  I don't have an extra $75 or so to sign up for a race and not do it.  If I sign up in advance for a race, I'm doing it!  I don't know if you're registering in advance or not, but it may be a little extra motivator for you.

This is season one and I experienced it also.  I had trained through the winter and had 4 races scheduled.  I got a stress fracture early in the summer after race #1, had to skip #2.  I swam and biked hard with race #3, but then only jogged the run (after not having run for over 6 weeks due to the sfx).  Also need to skip race #4.  Work, family etc. all seem to have the potential to interfere with the "perfect" sesason.  I still really like the training and the goal of doing races, so I've lowered my expectations.  I figure I'll keep at it, and get really excited for the races where everything comes together.