Weblogic

Online coaching has become very popular in the sport of triathlon.  Though not ideal in every way, online coaching gives athletes access to coaches they may not otherwise be able to work with.  Finding the perfect athlete-coach combo is a difficult thing to do, and online coaching increases the chances of that happening.

I have experience being coached online and in-person, as well as being on the other end (the coach).  I have seen the challenges that face both sides of the equation, but feel both systems can be very effective.

From an athlete’s perspective, being coached online requires much more self-discipline than in-person coaching.  With no one around to supervise, it is much easier to slack off in workouts or (and don’t say it hasn’t crossed your mind!) even “fib” a little on your training log. 

The whole training log concept is an issue in itself.  Of course you should always keep a training log no matter what type of coaching you have, but with an online coach your training log is KEY.  Without detailed, accurate feedback (both objective and subjective) your coach has no idea how your body is responding/developing/recovering.  An athlete’s desire to impress his/her coach can lead to inaccurate communication.  With time, this will hugely hamper the effectiveness of the training program.  Trust me… I know from past experience!!

That leads me to my next point.  It is important for athletes to remember that their coaches are here to help overcome challenges.  We don’t expect you to be perfect and would much rather hear about how badly a workout went, then be told (falsely) that you felt great.  Coaches are often athletes (or have been) and know all about the hard days and challenges athletes face.  Coaches are not judging or criticizing your character based on how you handle the training.  We are simply doing our job - which is to solve the puzzle of how to guide you to success.

My best advice in deciding which method is best for you is to step back and ask yourself what you really need out of a coach.  Some examples of qualities coaches possess:

-          Motivator – the coach who gets you pumped up and excited to train

-          Scientific - the coach who has great knowledge in the science of training and monitors you closely utilizing biofeedback (heart rate, lactic threshold, etc)

-          Psychological- the coach who can challenge and improve your strength mentally

-          Problem Solver- the coach who can be readily available to help you deal with training glitches as they arise (due to work/family schedules, injuries, etc)

-          Technical- the coach who is able to attend your workouts and give you instant gait/stroke analysis and feedback

-          Specialized- the coach who has expert knowledge in a specific area of triathlon (swim, bike, run, transitions, nutrition, etc)

Once you have determined what you would like from your coach, it is important to do a little research before making the big decision.   Having some correspondence with, prior to hiring, a coach can give you a better feel for whether the partnership is right- or not.  From there, it should be happy and successful training!