Coaching

[madisongrrl]

A few questions.....How many of you receive coaching? What kind of coaching package did you purchase (amount of contact, training log review, price etc)? What level do you race at and what types of races do you participate in? What is your coach's background (knowledge base, sports competed in, level raced at, type of athletes coached)?

I'm looking into coaching for 2008. The coach I wanted to work with is booked solid and not currently taking on clients. This coach recommended another great coach to work with. My only concern is that this other coach is a professional triathlete and I am only interested in XC racing. Thoughts?

[Eden]

A few questions.....How many of you receive coaching? What kind of coaching package did you purchase (amount of contact, training log review, price etc)? What level do you race at and what types of races do you participate in? What is your coach's background (knowledge base, sports competed in, level raced at, type of athletes coached)?

I'm looking into coaching for 2008. The coach I wanted to work with is booked solid and not currently taking on clients. This coach recommended another great coach to work with. My only concern is that this other coach is a professional triathlete and I am only interested in XC racing. Thoughts?

I have a coach
My cost is $75/month
I get daily workouts, which I log and she reviews. I can ask questions when ever I want. My coach is also on my team so I see her and ride with her fairly often. We have several formal meetings/year to hash out race schedule and evaluate winter training. I can also get testing like V02 done through her - its discounted to coached clients, but still extra.
I'm a road racer, that's pretty much all I do. I'll be a cat 3 on the road this year. I dabbled a bit with cross in the fall, but I doubt I'll ever do more than dabble.
My coach's background is in pysical therapy (that is her main business) and she has a USAC expert coach certification. I started with her last year as one of her first group of clients. We both started road racing 2 years ago and she is also a cat 3. She's also raced track.

[han-grrl]

I have had coaching with mtb coach as well as one that was more "roadie". Personally i think it is important to have the coach in the sport you are doing and here's why:

while someone who does tri or road can help get you fit, a very very important aspect of mtb (or any endurance sport), mtb has a great deal of technical aspects and different strategies for racing than road.

I ended up plateauing with my roadie coach. He helped to improve my fitness, but when it came to mtb racing, i wasn't improving any more. my mtb coach has make small tweaks in my training with huge benefits.

good luck
H

[dirtygirl1]

I agree with han-grrl.

I've gone both routes. I started out with a 'fitness specific' coach who was great in terms of getting my zones where I wanted them to be but when it came to the races it seemed I just could not perform.

Then I moved to a coach who knew me well and knew my sport very well. The training became very specific to the race length and type that I wanted to excel in ... and it paid off. I moved from 11th to 7th in the Pro field ranking in Ontario in one year.

I now have a mix of the two and it's the best of both worlds. I definately think that too much racing can burn you out ... but also that the best way to learn to race ... is to race! Just remember that not every ride can be a race.

My 2 cents!

I pay $110/month but it includes 4 VO2/Zone tests per year. Pricing varies but the most impt thing is to get the one who meets your needs.

[SheFly]

Just remember that not every ride can be a race.


WHA?!?!?!?!?! :D

You apparently haven't met my DH.

SheFly

[Starfish]

I started with a cycling coach for the first time on December 1st. I have been coached in other sports in the past, and I do life coaching myself, so for me, getting a coach to help with my goals is a no-brainer...a very natural direction.

I don't race. I have a goal event in August that will be the hardest thing I've ever ridden. My thing right now is long climbing rides. This year it will be 135 miles with 16,500' climbing.

Last year, I coached myself to a personal best for the same type of event...but it was largely a matter of endurance building for that. It was shorter, with less climbing. This year, I will also really need to add some speed over some pretty big elevation gains, and I don't have any experience with that. I know that adding speed is a different animal, so I decided to get a coach.

The coach I found (on TE, by the way) has a ton of experience both DOING the kinds of rides I will be doing, and also is experienced in coaching others to do the same. She is also certified.

I get a once/month written, daily workout schedule. Weekly, I submit my spreadsheet with all my data, and I get feedback, via email. And, we talk on the phone once or twice a month. As I am also losing weight, sometimes I will email a daily food log, which just helps me with accountability.

So far I am very happy. For me, having the accountability, the reassurance that this person has done this before, and the availability of a great sounding board, has been wonderful.

I have a private arrangement with this person, so will not quote prices. You would have to set up your own arrangement with her. But, if you want more info, PM me.

[madisongrrl]

Ok, I finally pulled the trigger on getting some coaching....

http://www.wholeathlete.com/

http://www.wholeathlete.com/coach_rachel.htm

Hopefully 2008 will be my comeback year!

[NJ Jess]

Good for you, hope to see you on the trails!

[writers2]

Not sure where you live in NJ, but you might try calling Mike Kuhn at Cadence Cycling in Philly. A coach, and a superb mtb'er, you can do most of it online or if you aren't too far, come in.
Hope that helps as a resource.
Rhonda