Picking a Triathlon Coach
Choosing the right triathlon coach is one of the most important decisions that you can make in becoming a better multisport athlete. I would like to offer a couple of points to assist you in making the most of your investment.
1. Make sure you are receiving an individualized training plan. There are multiple companies out there that offer "coaching"; however, some coaches are marketing generic training plans or using Training Peaks TM in virtual coach mode. I call these generic programs that are far from individualized "12-weeek to a miracle training plans". I don't think any athlete is looking for one of these programs if they are looking for a coach. Make sure your coach offers individualized coaching based on your time to train, goals, and abilities. Ask the coach how they write send off intervals for their swim workouts. How do they prescribe run and bike intensity that is individualized to you?
Here are two examples of the individualized coaching at Petersen Performance Lab. Notice how the key workouts have swim intervals, run paces, and specific target HRs. The intensity is based on continual feedback from the athlete as well physiological testing. The extra bike and run workouts listed with no workout details are do are to the athlete uploading Power Tap and Garmin files for coach Brett to analyze.
Below is an example of a generic training program. Notice how there are no suggested run or swim paces. This is most likely due to the virtual coach being turned on and the "coach" simply added a few sentences to add a touch of individuality. None of the workouts are individualized, they are all pre-loaded workouts from Training Peaks TM
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2. Ask the coach who is writing your training plan. Many coaching companies have one head coach with multiple coaches working for that head coach. There is nothing wrong with this, as long as you are aware of who your coach is and you are OK with the corresponding experience and education of that coach.
3. This relates to point number 2. What is the education and experience of the potential coach? Do they have a degree in exercise science? How do they acquire continuing education? There are many fast triathletes out there that have chosen to become coaches. Many of them are fantastic coaches; however, being a fast athlete does not necessarily correspond to being a great coach. One needs to acquire an education in order to know the physiological principles required to be a great coach and how to access the newest information (via seminars and peer reviewed journals). The easiest way to find out if the coach meets this requirement is to ask if they have a Masters degree in an exercise science related field and if they have publications and/or presentations.
4. Think of the coach-athlete relationship as a partnership. Do you have good rapport with the coach? There are many great athletes and many great coaches, but they do not always bond well. Interview several coaches before choosing one.
5. Does the coach have testimonials and referrals? Talk to the people that have been trained by the potential coach.
