Potential value of coaching for a non-competitive cyclist (me)?

[pll]

There isn't much point in hiring a coach to write up a plan for you if you can't stick to it reasonably well and that might be an issue given your other commitments. I'd ask the coach about expectations in terms of total hours riding per week, how many workouts per week and the length of the longest workout on the weekend.

Having time to do the workouts is important, but, if you are willing to put in the time, a good coach understands that (a) you might work full time; (b) that you ride for pleasure and, ultimately, a training routine should not be a source of stress. A good coach should be able to create a schedule that works for you, as well as adjust future workouts to account for unforeseen events (e.g., a meeting that ran too late and you couldn't ride that day). Two rehearsals per week might be your rest days. Whether it works for you or not might depend on the level of coaching you get. Perhaps, a program that prescribes your workouts on a monthly basis and gives you feedback once per month is not a good one. That was a consideration for me.

[Helene2013]

Wahine and PLL have good points. I have a trainer (she's a PT and Kinesi) and she built my plan according to a specific goal, and the time I had to workout in a week. At 1st we did not know how to go about the whole program (reality in training time, type of training on bike/treadmill, my real fitness status, etc.) Sometimes, we really want to work our butt off but daily activties, and unforeseen events may change that plan and we need to "re-adjust". So 1st visit, we planned on a 4 week one and we adjusted on how the reality of my schedule and fitness fitted in after that month. What was my reality then? It is much easier to work with her rather on my own. And it "forces" me to focus on a plan and target date. Every action/result is also logged in a software program and I type my own stats in an excel spreadsheet. It is amazing when you go back and check your first workout sessions.

If I did not have a "coach" I am sure I would not be where I am today. She is pushing me, but always respecting my abilities. I still have a long way to go. I'll never be a "Fromme". lol And that is just fine with me. At 51, I don't plan that far ahead. Working one goal at a time. I was stalled for almost a month with a bad cold, turned into bronchitis. My training was back a week ago but coughing and all is stalling me some (harder to breath). So she adjusted my plan so I can still enjoy my training, even if we are running behind schedule.

[azfiddle]

Thanks for the continued input. Still weighing the cost / benefit but tomorrow the coach is offering a free climbing workshop for anyone on my "team" for about 30 minutes and a core exercise class later in the day. Since I'm still on spring break, I'll get a chance to talk with her more and see about making up my mind.

[azfiddle]

I think I will go ahead and try it. I rode with the coach and one other gal today for an hour. We focused on climbing skills on a road with a lot of ups and downs but no really long climbs. So it was almost one on one- she was able to give me some specific feedback about my pedaling and how to use gears, sitting and standing more effectively.