on-line coaching

widespread

Hi Guys

I starting doing triathlon a couple of years ago, I'm not bad have set a few good times(by my standards). Really enjoying it. Was going to give it a good go this year and working out training is a bit of a stumbling block.

Was thinking of giving a few of these on-line coaching crowds a go but not sure who is the best.

Would like to support local with tri-planet, pb3 etc. There are so many I'm not sure. I don't want to go and tri one and realise after that they're not what I expected.

Anyone here try any of these, interested to know how you got on.

elvis jones

widespread wrote: »

Hi Guys

I starting doing triathlon a couple of years ago, I'm not bad have set a few good times(by my standards). Really enjoying it. Was going to give it a good go this year and working out training is a bit of a stumbling block.

Was thinking of giving a few of these on-line coaching crowds a go but not sure who is the best.

Would like to support local with tri-planet, pb3 etc. There are so many I'm not sure. I don't want to go and tri one and realise after that they're not what I expected.

Anyone here try any of these, interested to know how you got on.

Why not join a local club, the amout of knowledge and help you get from other members is amazing !

tunney

elvis jones wrote: »

Why not join a local club, the amout of knowledge and help you get from other members is amazing !

Clubs are massively over rated in terms of what you get from them I think. Newbies and beginners yes but after that.

tunney

widespread wrote: »

Hi Guys

I starting doing triathlon a couple of years ago, I'm not bad have set a few good times(by my standards). Really enjoying it. Was going to give it a good go this year and working out training is a bit of a stumbling block.

Was thinking of giving a few of these on-line coaching crowds a go but not sure who is the best.

Would like to support local with tri-planet, pb3 etc. There are so many I'm not sure. I don't want to go and tri one and realise after that they're not what I expected.

Anyone here try any of these, interested to know how you got on.

Personality and experience and knowledge are important.

Tri-Monkey (UK based Rich Brady) would be another one to consider. Low volume clients, fantastic experience and great attitude to life and sport.

widespread

Hey Tunney,

Thanks for that, just check out his site. Looks good. Seems to get good results in Kilkee aswell.

Have you any experience of any of the Irish one's. Could be a chance of organising a meet up session periodically.

Fazz

I've been down this road so my experience may help.

I think the whole coaching approach is an individual one, online suits some, flexible suits others, club works too and coached group sessions then also.

Looking at success ratio, you'd have to lean towards a good coach in a good group system, however, there are absolutely good online options too.

I have attended my clubs coached sessions and its what started the whole process for most of us. Enjoyable and rewarding but I ultimately wanted a tailored approach for myself so looked at other options.

BMC is with TBUK online system and clearly that works very well for him.
Note most online coaching models come with phone contact be it weekly/frequently/Skype etc.

I also tried Training Bible UK, many things suited me like the Training Peaks interface, flexibility etc but ultimately I ended up over thinking and over analysing it.

Fortunately, a local coached group slot came up and I jumped at the chance and haven't looked back.
This works best for me as I don't do the thinking now, just the training. Ironically, I still do a good bit of research etc but this is just to increase my knowledge base.
When it comes to the actual training sessions, what to do, when, etc, that's all given to me and closely monitored.
This has proven to work well for me and I love the group training model. It has heightened my enjoyment factor a lot.

Very much a location based option only for some though. And takes a certain level of dedication and sacrifice to work also.
I used to be dying to see my training peaks account populated with the next 1,2,3 even 4 weeks sessions. Ironically, this actually worked against me as I then second guessed and over thought things too much.
Now I know between 1-6 days in advance at most. Often I don't know what I'm doing the next 2-3 days. I know I'll be training, I may not know if I've a morning or evening free and I'm absolutely fine with that.
Some sessions are regular as clockwork, and ill have an idea overall though.
The only thing that matters is that I enjoy my training, aim to be healthy and consistent and then the rest will take care of itself.

I only know of a few groups going but I'm sure there are more - Base2Race, PB3, GoTri, Planet Tri? are prob the main ones I'm aware of but no doubt many more around and working well.
Similarly some Clubs would have similar type approaches especially the smaller ones where the same athletes are at regular sessions. It sounds as if Huff N Puff operates a similar type policy/good club coaching system for Nenagh.


Group training is not for everyone though, and dedication levels much match the coaches expectations/requirements for it to work for both parties.

So perhaps I'd summarise as follows:

Online plan :
- suits those requiring the most flexibility in work/life/training balance.
- perhaps limits technique improvements unless married up with coached classes

Club Sessions :
- great for all In my opinion
- easiest access to regular coached sessions
- enjoyable way to train and socialise
- regular times usually for each session
- usually very cost effective as enjoyable

Group System:
- Perhaps offers best way to improve both technically and physically as usually small groups with same coach closely monitoring progress and adapting
- Schedule not suitable to all - locations/times etc so less flexibility
- location dependant and availability dependant
- perhaps most costly approach



There's really only one or two criteria that matter though.
1 - try an option that suits your work/life/training balance as it must fit and not be an inconvenience or burden work/family etc

2 - make sure you are enjoying yourself as that's probably the real goal for all of us


Best of luck.

elvis jones

tunney wrote: »

Clubs are massively over rated in terms of what you get from them I think. Newbies and beginners yes but after that.

Maybe just haven't found the right one for you;)

It all depends on what your goals are, they are little use for someone going long it think but for up to Olympic distance they can be helpful.

tunney

widespread wrote: »

Hi Guys

I starting doing triathlon a couple of years ago, I'm not bad have set a few good times(by my standards). Really enjoying it. Was going to give it a good go this year and working out training is a bit of a stumbling block.

Was thinking of giving a few of these on-line coaching crowds a go but not sure who is the best.

Would like to support local with tri-planet, pb3 etc. There are so many I'm not sure. I don't want to go and tri one and realise after that they're not what I expected.

Anyone here try any of these, interested to know how you got on.

If looking at local (assuming Dublin) there is pb3. It may not be obvious from our online exchanges but myself and Peter are actually friendly and I would hold him in high regard as a coach.

Ceepo

widespread wrote: »

Would like to support local with tri-planet, pb3 etc. There are so many I'm not sure. I don't want to go and tri one and realise after that they're not what I expected.
.

There are also about 20 Triathlon Ireland level 2 coaches dotted around the country as well as the ones you mentioned, there is even 1 in your County,

Maybe something to consider

tunney

Ceepo wrote: »

There are also about 20 Triathlon Ireland level 2 coaches dotted around the country as well as the ones you mentioned, there is even 1 in your County,

Maybe something to consider

Level 2 coaches aren't qualified to do one on one coaching as far as I know

longshank

tunney wrote: »

Level 2 coaches aren't qualified to do one on one coaching as far as I know

AFAIK Level 1 qualified as assistant and Level 2 to coach on their own, I think that is the international standard for Level 1,2 coaching tickets.

tunney

longshank wrote: »

AFAIK Level 1 qualified as assistant and Level 2 to coach on their own, I think that is the international standard for Level 1,2 coaching tickets.

Yes level 1 is assistant and level 2 its on their own. But they can only do groups pig athletes.

One on one coaching requires level 3 for which TI have no syllabus.

Waylander79

Hi Widespread, I'm living in Nenagh and training with GoTri, just started this year, going great so far, definitely a lot more structured and technically sound training than I would have been able to devise for myself and I go to one group session a week for turbo and it's a great session, I can push myself a lot harder in it than I would be able to if I was doing it on my own. It is fairly costly but the quality of the training is excellent so for me I'm getting a return on investment but for someone else the cost might not be justified.

Ceepo

tunney wrote: »

Level 2 coaches aren't qualified to do one on one coaching as far as I know

Well that you rule out a lot then, including most if not all mentioned above, as i think there is only a hand full 3/4 of Level 3 Coaches in Ireland, (could be wrong),