Why the animosity toward Coaching and Coaches? (Page 2)

x200

Nobody in the other thread said anything bad about coaches, just that they were a luxury most don't need and can't afford.   Coaches are definitely a luxury for a recreational athletes.   If you have the cash, why not.  If you don't, you'll get by just fine. 

 To the original question.  I don't have animosity towards coach I personally don't know why some people would have them.  I understand people trying to place or KQ or something but for most people there is alot of information available to use.  Know I also know I come from a background of playing sports and training most of my young life (even though I slacked for a few years) so I know a few things and did not need to pay a coach at the beginning.  Not everyone is like that and there are people that literally sat on a couch from birth to 50yr old and never trained for anything.  Well they might need help.  I don't understand paying $300 a month when you can get it for under $100.  If you have the $ and need the motivation go for it, it is your money.

I didn't say anything about "shouldn't."

If you want a coach and can afford it, then by all means go for it. I gave some pretty specific examples, based on the OP of the other thread. If you're a novice and simply want to get better, you don't *need* a coach. All you *need* to do is train consistently, and you can do that just fine on your own (again, especially given the resources on this site).

I feel the same way about coaching as I do about $5K bikes or $2K wheelsets. No one "needs" any of that. But if your goals and finances are such that the marginal benefit derived is greater than the marginal cost, then by all means go for it.

Considering no one needs to even do a triathlon, then you don't really need a coach.

It is a luxury. 

Sheesh, what kind of triathlons are you doing? I've done dozens of races and never seen " lots of people lying on the side of the road, or getting carted off in an ambulance." One or two maybe...

Again, plenty of info "on nutrition and hydration on race day in the heat" available in the literature. The vast majority of people wouldn't "need" a coach to prepare.

Again, it's marginal benefit versus marginal cost. The people you describe derive more benefit per dollar by purchasing their equipment. Does it help them more than coaching? Possibly. But it adds more to their enjoyment of the sport.

Bikes, wheels and most of the equipment lasts longer than a year. Try dividing it by 60 months to get a more realistic analysis. And don't forget re-sale value. Resale value on used coaching isn't very much.

OK...I qualify my statement and say *generally speaking*, all a novice needs to improve is to train consistently. But, like you say, there are special circumstances.

Some of us have fun and "put some work in and get better," they're not mutually exclusive. And you don't have to have coaching or the best equipment to do both.

Some people like to make it way too complicated.

You either are interested in a coach and the services he or she can provide, or you aren't.  Pretty simple.

Like Jim said, some people are DIYers, and some aren't.  I like to do things on my own.  That's all.  Some people will NEVER be interested in a coach.  They don't see a benefit of it. 

x2.  I have to say a lot of the fun of this journey for me is learning a lot on my own about the sport, how to train, etc.  My learning curve might have been shorter with a coach, but I feel that the experiences in doing things right and wrong (again, for me) are what keeps it fun.  It is ok to see humor in bonks and using pull buoys wrong if yer laughing at yourself.  AND I have been getting better while having fun.

Who are the "many here" that are saying what you quoted?

I personally am not against coaches but have found more than a few of the folks who are coaches here on BT to be, well, less than friendly. (There are one or two exceptions)

Granted, I am a bit of a rule breaker when it comes to the way that I train, but I quickly grew tired of getting bagged on by the professionals here. I don't post much in the tri forum any more and even less so in the Ironman Forum simply because this is where they tend to post the most.

Life is just too short and I would rather focus on my training.

I have more than a few folks that I have come to know and trust both online and IRL who are more way experienced than me; and when I need advice about training, I ask them. All are more than willing to help and give of their time for fun and for free.

Given my goals, there will come a time when I will probably find myself wanting/needing a coach. I think I know where to look and it probably won't be here.

Sorry if this offends you, but you asked the question. No response is necessary.

Note to the Moderator: This is not an indictment of the BT Community or the Management Staff. I have found this to be a very cool place and truely appreciate everyone who makes BT Possible.