There is No YOU in Coach
It’s that time of year again when triathlon coaches begin to push for new athletes. They publish top ten lists, three part blog series, dismiss genetic advantages to success and hype up the end of year results.
But at the end of the day YOU the athlete are the key factor in a successful coaching relationship. Before you get lost in comparison charts or how many minutes you get to talk to your coach a week on her platinum plan, here are a few key questions you need to answer:
- Are you really coachable?
- What do you need (vs want)?
- How do you define success?
- What is your personal timeline for achieving that success?
All the PhDs and World Championship titles in the world mean nothing if the student isn’t directly involved in the coaching process.
Do you need to race better? You can get amazing advice here (dvd) or free (on race weekend). Want someone to train with? Join a team. Looking for advice on equipment or races? Visit a free community like this one, this one or this one.
At the end of the day, hiring a coach to move your workouts around is like paying your lawyer to drive with you and advise you on lane changes, right turns on red, yielding, etc. Helpful? Maybe. Expensive? Absolutely. Best bang for your dollar? Definitely not.
If you are going to hire a professional, make sure you know what you need and that this person can deliver.
Believe me, you’ll both be much happier.
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