explain the need for a coach for the run-of-the-mill age grouper... (Page 3)

For the people continuing to say "I just don't get it" or they think it's a waste of money - even if you wouldn't do it YOURSELF, I have a hard time believing you literally can't see how it would be useful to someone else. Who, as many have pointed out, don't want to mess with guess work and have the money to do it. 

There are a lot of things I would never purchase or get involved with myself, but I can certainly understand why someone else would, and have a discussion about it without insulting them.

My point is that $100/mo. does certainly matter to us, but it's worth it because of the reasons I mentioned.  Obviously, it's not worth it to everyone, or everyone would have a coach.  Someone else will put those same tri dollars toward a bike, or some wheels, or do some more races, whatever, because that would be worth it to them, and having someone write their training/help plan their season/etc. would be the last thing they would spend their $ on.

So maybe the short answer to the original question "explain the need for a coach for the run-of-the-mill age grouper..." is simply because someone wants a coach and it's worth it to them. 

It's been beaten to death i'm sure, however for me it was the structure based on what I am trying to achieve. I've done it solo the past couple of years, but stepping up to an IM distance event I wanted to have the knowledge behind my training that fit my goals as well as me individually. Sure, you can get a generic training plan to suit your needs and that may work well for you, but might not for me. Can a canned plan tell me what I need to adjust in terms of training based on travel/work/family, etc? Or do you wing it? Considering the overall investment that i'm making (time more than money) this is a small piece of the puzzle that is worth it for me.  There are a number of ancillary benefits that come with the coach/group I train with but when it's all said and done, it works for me and that is all that matters. Not a pro, never going to be one.. but I like the results i'm seeing.

As to the $ impact, I look at the amount of money that people spend on going out to lunch at work and that more than trumps what i'm spending on my coaching.. so i'll take the trade off..

Maybe substituting "personal trainer" for "coach" will make it easier to understand. why do people use personal trainers at the local gym? Whether its weight loss, getting back in shape or prepping to run a 10k, people use personal trainers for all sorts of reasons, mostly to improve themselves in one way or another.

Another good example. I was asked for lessons just this past Saturday night by a guy. He's already a decent player but he feels he's hit a plateau and is looking for a little help to get to the next level.  He's not looking to be good enough to back John Mayer on tour, he just wants to get all that he can out of playing.  It's the same with hiring a coach.

Perfect example!  My goals may not be to become pro, but I do want to qualify for a Vegas 70.3 championship.  After trying it on my own for a year, I realized I needed some help!  I don't go telling people I'm "cool" because I have a coach.  Most people don't even know I have one.    If you want something bad enough and are willing to admit you can't do it on your own.  You hire a coach.

That's awesome! Congrats!

And a good tip for anyone struggling with any technique or confidence. You can read all you want, but when you're actually out there with someone who knows what they are doing and knows how to teach you, you can gain A LOT in a small amount of time. You won't be a pro, but you can gain the skills you need to build upon.

This VERY MUCH applies to swimming - but also applies to cycling, running, strength training, etc.

Did coach suggest changes in your bike fit?  That big a gain in cycling speed is huge, especially for those who've been biking seriously for few years.

Lisa nailed it. That is why people are willing to pay good money for a coach. Enough said.

I think a coach would be beneficial to most, but may not return the value to some.  However, everyone seems to refer to a "coach" as a constant - which it isn't.  There are great coaches, and some not-so-great coaches.  Some coaches can coach BOP beginners well, but don't do as well with MOP, experienced athletes.  Some coaches have better communication skills and organization skills, as well as technical knowledge - others have more BS and repeat what they read on the internet without understanding.

If you get a great coach that works for your goals and where you are, then I think they are definitely of value!

Having said that, I have only gotten skills coaching (primarily swimming form), and design my plans myself (I like to read books and do research as I like to understand why I'm doing something).  I don't have a problem with accountability as I use my BT logs to track my training and motivation and that's all I need.  I continue to be satisfied with my progress but will likely get some help with my swimming again and perhaps having someone review my Dec-Apr plan in preparation for 4th season starting in April 2013.

So the coaching slowed you down??  Sounds like a bad ROI 

I'm a BOP AGer who has worked with a coach on some level for 3 years.  The clubs programs vary from 1 day a week speed workouts at $66 per session (about 3.5 months each) to $350 for a full year including winter plyometrics, spring training with 2 speed workouts with the group each week, summer training/speed and fall plyometrics along with personalize training plans with unlimited adjustments, communication etc.  

This year I did just the 1 day a week speed because life has just been too crazy to commit to a full racing plan and I had to miss so many workouts due to work so this gave me flexibility.  But, it keeps me accountable and I push far harder in workouts with the group than I would on my own.  I've take 2+ minutes per mile off my easy runs.  

And I've managed to stay major injury free which I think is because when I start having issues I have someone to bounce it off of and look at what I'm doing and suggest form changes. For example, I was having significant tibialis anterior pain earlier this year. I asked Coach to watch my gait and give me some thoughts.  She watched me at various effort levels and realized that at easier effort levels I was keep my foot flexed way too long.  The solution?  I had to speed up.  Yep, we went to a theory of running at a bit higher intensity effort (say just under tempo level) and it not only solved the pain issue but I very quickly took about 45 seconds/mile off my easy run pace.  I would have never guessed that speeding up would solve a muscular pain issue. 

ditto. I am very busy, have a demanding career and ot a ton of time.  I can afford it and it takes the planning off my plate and in general makes the whole expereince a lot more fun for me.  If I didn't do ironman distance I would probably not use one and did not until I started my ironman journey.  If I did nothave a coach I would probably weither grossly undertrain or overtrain too.  It just makes the triathlon expereince easier access and more fun for me without pobsessing over everything I do.  I know for some people that is the fun of it but not me.

because some of us have very busy lives outside of triathlon and don't want to deal with planning and obsessing over every detail of of training.  Every single person I know who wanted a local coach so they couldhave face to face interaction etc etc etc...saw that person maybe once a year.  There is a difference between havinga swim coach at a masters program or a track coach helping you with your form and a tri coach helping with your training plan.  usually those people can to the in person stuff too but they typcally are 2 different things.

Have you used a satellite coach?

I have used coaches since 2005.  One was local but I saw him a couple times a year at most and the other coaches lived quite a distance away from me. The difference between following a generic training plan and a remote coach is vast.  The plan is made for you, and adjusted for you.  They check your progress, your workouts, discuss race strategy, and much more than a generic plan doesn't do.

Having an in person coach is not economically feasible for most of us plus it limits possible coaches. Trainer at the gym charge how much an hour?  Only folks I know here on BT that use local coach have hired personal trainers who have added tri coaching to their business. I would suggest that they are probably in general the most qualified coaches.

Wow 4 pages...  I have to admit I didn't read it all.  I'm considering hiring a coach to read through these long posts and then just tell me the important bits.

Seriously though since 4 pages of people have thrown their opinions at this one whats one more right?  So here we go!

I really think its just another thing to add to the training and racing arsenal for the uber committed.  If you dont really care much about triathlon but figure why not give it a shot, then you probably are going to go in to your race with the equipment you have and no coach.  Take your road bike, no wetsuit, you know, just the basics.  If your getting a bit more into it and this is getting to be a real hobby then maybe you start looking at tri bikes wetsuits, tri suits, winter training plans, and the like.  Hiring a coach is just one more tool to add, but being reasonably expensive in both time and monetary commitment it is  probably one that is utilized by the most serious triathletes.

Don't misunderstand my meaning of "serious" or "committed" I don't mean elite, you can be a solid BOP racer and still be very serious about doing the best you can.

I don't pay for any coaching (ok I went to one total immersion seminar) but if/when I do, it will be online because as far as I know, that is my only option. I live in the middle of nowhere. Tri club? Masters swimming? Neither exist near me. Oh sure, if I want to drive over an hour each way for a swim workout, I suppose there are options. 

I'm sure that's not the main reason for many clients of online coaching, but it would be #1 for me. 

I learned the hard way that having a local coach isn't always a great deal either - especially if he's a mediocre coach with poor communication skills.

If I ever take the plunge again, it will likely be with an established online coach where I can verify their credentials & experience and be able to check references.

Mark