As I start to plan for next year’s events I’m trying to work out my training plan. Not only do I want to complete the challenges I’ve set for myself, but I want to do them as we’ll as I can. So I’m going to train and I’m going to ask for advice and tips. However, I’m not going to employ a coach.
In the lake I trained in this summer I would hear a lot of the triathletes talk about their coaches and every time I heard it it sounded strange.
“My coach thinks that…”
“I’ve entered this event because my coach…”
“The training plan my coach has me on…”
The reason it sounded so strange is because it felt like they were abdicating responsibility for their own training. Don’t get me wrong, nearly all of them were faster than me – and I’m sure the coaches had a hand in that. But it still felt wrong.
If I was a potential Olympian it would be different. But at my age (nearly 40) and ability (not very good) having a coach feels wrong.
One of the things that gives me the most satisfaction about my swims this year is that I did them and I did it all. I worked out a training programme. I motivated myself. I planned which events to enter. And I made the decisions.
Could I have done it all quicker – almost certainly. Could I have done it better – no way. It was because I was doing it all that it was so special.
Do any of you have a coach? Let me know if you think I’m wrong.
1000kmstowindermere 
I have to agree. It makes all the sense if you are a pro, but there is so much information available on web sites, in books, on blogs and discussion forums. Once you are and age grouper you should get it together on your own. maybe the exception allowed is for the newbie swimmer.
If you have the money for carbon wheels and a power meter, then you have the wherewithal to research your own training plan.
I’ve got a coach. I have a coach for many reasons though. Part of the reason I have a coach is because if I didn’t, my OCD would kick in and I would do the same workout every day, 7 days a week. Why? Because that’s all I know. Yet, if I did that, it would cause injury. I don’t know how to make myself better. My coach knows what it takes to finish an Ironman, I don’t. So, that’s why I have a coach. I think it’s all personal preference as to whether a person needs a coach or not. I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all if you choose to not have a coach. Either way, we have the same satisfaction that you do when you finish a race, and that’s all that matters.
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