If you follow this site, you’d think that New Years was in August! everyone is talking about the end, or being finished or I’m glad that’s over! Yes it was quite the month with Mom, TJ and Amanda finishing off their training years with their “A” races.
I was lucky enough to coach two of them (TJ and Amanda). Both I got to see at their hardest moments, on the run, when it’s the easiest time to quit. Seeing how hard they were working was a bitter sweet feeling.
There was no doubt in my mind that I knew both would finish. Each had done a lot of work when it counts most; the spring and winter.
My only jitters were nutrition as neither had gone the distance before. I could help prepare them by telling them when to eat in practice. Or recommend what to eat and drink. But it truly came down to them and their bodies. I was pumped that nutrition never was a factor!
The credit I take from their accomplishments is nil. I think any coach will tell you it comes down to the athlete. You can give them the best plan but all that matters is on the day the athlete shows up; both mentally and physically. And thankfully both did.
I definitely learned some things over the year. Coaches are suppose to be the ‘know it alls” but I will be the first to tell you, thats a crock. I think the best coaches are ones who are continually looking for information. BUT (very key) only implement it if they’ve seen it work or ideally test it on themselves. For example, I did a small run camp with Amanda and although it went well, it really didn’t progress further. Looking back on it I should have just done a normal workout.
My biggest discovery through this process was that you DON’T need to do the distance before you try an event. For an Ironman you don’t need to swim 4K, bike 180 or run a marathon. What you do need is to know you CAN do these things. I like to apply the 60% rule. This implies that in practice, you’ve gone hard for 60% of the race you intend to do. I don’t mean altogether but do each individual discipline at race intensity on separate days. This I feel gives the body an accurate feeling of what is to come.
Another thing I learned was how important it is to get your bike miles in. Ironman, 70.3, Olympic and maybe even a sprint doesn’t matter; ride the bike! Lots of miles in the legs WILL make you a faster runner at the end. Why? Having good cycling form will obviously make you less tired. Making you less tired will make you run faster. Sounds easy? Well I think a lot of people skip the bike miles because A) It takes a lot of time B) a running workout is a lot easier to get in. Don’t skip it or your run times won’t be good on race day!
Last thing, I think anyone trying to get into multi-sports whether it be triathlon, running or whatever should have a plan. Not just any plan cut out from a magazine, one that makes sense for you. Putting a plan together that fits your needs is by far the toughest part of coaching an athlete. There are so many life factors to include. So frustrating! Consistency is vital for improvement and I think a good coach knows how to restructure a program when things become unglued. From what I’ve learned (in my very short career) is this is what makes a coach good or great. When shits hitting the fan, how can they stop it from flinging on the drapes? This is a skill that really takes time to develop.
So 2009, it’s not over yet. The leaves will changes, the snow will fall, and then, another year awaits. Well done athletes. Where to now?
Good question! Frankly, I’m scrambling. Already tickling the 70.3 idea but want/need to fully recover first.
And how’s YOUR coaching year looking? Any space for another athlete??
Let’s see what the doc says.
I know “Ironman” is suppose to be the cats ass for races but you should look around at other non I dot races. Montreal has one (on a race track), Triple T would be a good challenge.
I’m thinking you’d be great at touring as well. Long days in the saddle (think long fat burning!).