Marvarnett's Group - Full (Page 11)

Hey Cash

Its too bad about the wipeout. I've been lucky so far, but we all go through it. My day will come. Hopefully its not too serious. Still rootin for you if you race. The experience will do you good. Let us know how you feel tomorrow.

Cash - sorry to hear about the wreck.  Hope you're doing alright and will recover quickly.

 Hope you can still race on Sunday!

 Bob

Cash - glad to hear your injuries are nothing serious.  I know this happens to all of us and I'm sure my day will come when I will be in the same boat. 

As far as infection, that is a good question.  How long does it take before a cut starts to heal over and form a scab?  I think once it gets to that point you might be ok, but then again I'm not a doc. 

Anybody have a cartoon of a Mummy riding a bike. We could make that Cash's Avatar.

Sorry guy, but we gotta start having some fun on here

Road rash is hot.

Sorry about your fall.  Welcome to the club.

Dan - I have a question regarding coaching.  I think I've lost it and my wife would kill support me for even contemplating this, but I want to be competitive and while I could get by as a self-coached athlete, I want more. 

What should a beginner look for to identify a good coach that would help one become competitive?

I checked out USAT's website and found some local coaches in my area and checked out some of their websites.  Monthly rates vary as do the level of personal contact depending on the service "package" you select.   

I just want to do my homework before considering such an investment. 

How to find a good coach.  Here is the first thing you have to ask yourself:  What kind of determinatin do you have?  If you're the type that commits to a schedule and a process, then go ahead with getting a coach.  If you will not be willing to commit to a "philosophy" then keep being self coached.

Now that I've gotten that out of the way.  What kind of contact do you want with a coach?  Do you have to physically see them or just e-mail/talk with them on the phone?

Interview, Interview, Interview!  Ask lots of questions.  See if the coach is personable and compatiable with you.  Just because they can spout all the answers doesn't mean you will be able to work well together.  How willing are they to change your plan according to life changes.  Some coaches are more strict than others.  Again... philosophy.

For instance, for my athletes, I work with HR and RPE.  If someone wanted me to work with them and develop a plan based on power, I couldn't help them.  But at the same time, I have to have some kind of commitment from them that they are not going to "flake" out on me.  Because then it's just a waste of everyone's time.  I'm still new to coaching, so I would feel bad about taking someone's money knowing that they weren't doing the work.  Some coach's wouldn't have that problem. 

Final thing is cost.  Generally, the more well known the more you will pay.  The more detailed, the more you will pay.  Also, some coach's have a pre-arranged amount of 'time' they will devote to you.  I haven't come across a coach yet that will cut you off after your 15' consultation is done.  But I'm sure they are out there.

Things to take to a coach:  Specific goals (not, I want to be faster at Triathloning), Time to commit, planned vacations and trips, ideally your 'A' race, what you want from them.  Don't forget that YOU are paying THEM.  And be blunt about asking how willing they are to work with you.  How detailed will the plans be, etc.

Does that help?

This helps Dan.  It answers some questions I have had but opens up others.  

I don't have a problem with committing to a plan and I have an open mind when it comes to a philosophy.  I haven't been exposed to tri training & racing long enough to experience any philosophies really.  So I'm willing to accept a philosophy and give it a good try before I say "this isn't for me".   But I do know that I need detail and structure along with the intended purpose of each training session. 

What types of philosophies have you encountered? 

Contact with a coach has been one of the questions at the top of my list.  I don't need to physically see a coach.  I think email and talking on the phone are sufficient to answer any questions I may have.  However is it realistic that an athlete may become competitive with only email/phone contact?  This question is just from my inexperience in this sport and the answer may lie in your first question "What kind of determination do you have". 

I've been following plans here on BT and it has gotten me through my first tri, but in the back of my mind I'm wondering if all I do is follow a "canned" plan then I'm destined to be a BOP.   Maybe I need to give it more time and train under my own guidance.  I don't honestly know the answer and experience may be the only thing that provides the answer.   I've rambled on enough.  Thanks for your input. 

A coach worth his/her salt will give you a detailed workout.  Case in point, I give my athletes what the purpose of the week is and designate a key workout or two each week.  Depends on the training cycle and session.

The general philosophies are: HR training, RPE training, Power Training, 3 vs 4 week cycles, rest vs active recovery days.  You should always ask why they think X or Y philosophy works. 

Actually, I would venture to say that 90% of coaching is not physical.  People are just too spread out in today's world.  I see my coach at races and that's about it.  Our communication is e-mail and phone.  If I really wanted him to critique something, I can send him a video and we can talk about it.  But generally, he sends me my workouts, I ask questions and follow them as closely as I can.  If something happens, I tell him and he may alter it or just say, Don't worry about it. 

FWIW, I used the HIM plan on BT and it got me my Team USA spot.  Any plan is better than no plan and a specific plan is better than a canned plan.

You're not rambling at all.  Ask away.  That's what I'm here for.

First off, good luck at your race.  And don't forget to do a race report!

In regards to clipless pedals.  They allow you to transfer more of your power into the pedals and therefore the bike.  With 'conventional' pedals, you can only transfer power on the down stroke.  With clipless pedals, you can also transfer pedals on the up-stroke.  Plus it promotes a more balanced pedal stroke and improves efficiency.  There are more advantages too, but that's the basic jist.