Sharpen the blade and coaching

This last phase of training leading into Eagleman and the first big race of the season is all about sharpening up and doing a good amount of intensity. I was definitely pretty "based out" as I could see my top end speed on the bike/run front was lacking. It's tricky do get your yearly progression correct. If you start in with all the sharpening that will lead you to peaking too early then you will arrive on race day feeling flat. The same can happen if you wait and start sharpening too late. For the most part, even though we do a fair amount of intensity on the cycling front in the winter, the entire winter/spring months are base or strength oriented. This is very Lydiard-like. It does not take much to get your body to peak...usually a good 4 - 6 weeks at most. I have a ways to go still, but can tell my body is craving the higher intensity work.

Having a coach is so important in helping one figure all of this out. Most of the generic online training programs out there will work just fine if you can guarantee an uninterrupted 6 or so months of training without incorporating any races or life circumstances like illness, work, family, weather, etc. I think the number one reason to have a coach is just that, to have someone help you adjust the plan when something comes into play that interrupts that periodization. I tried the whole come up with your own training plan thing and think at times I could do it again if I had to, but why not have another person or better yet an entire team where you can go for feedback about one of the various topics of triathlon. I have been involved in triathlon for 3.5 years now and it has been the hardest sport to figure out. I played pretty much every main stream American sport out there while growing up and triathlon has taken the most effort/focus to try and master (minus golf...I'm getting frustrated just thinking about it!). With there being 3 sports to consider for triathlon you not only have to work on the 3 disciplines separately, but also how they all fit in together.

I have been very privileged to work with Janda these last couple of years. I hope I can bring the same quality to the table for the athletes I work with as he provides his athletes. There are a lot of coaches out there who charge way more than they are worth, but there are also people out there who charge a very affordable rate where you'll get what you pay for if not more. I mean seriously, the people who charge $300-$500+, what more can they possibly be providing for you besides saying you are coached by a big name person who probably coaches some big name pros? Are they doing the race for you? Paying for your race fees or something? Some of these guys/gals are legit. They've spent the time getting the proper education and experience from working with hundreds of athletes who have done well. Others, though, have no business charging what they do. At the end of the day, it comes down to how much time/effort the coach is going to spend to help you reach your goals. Finding someone who you can trust and who has similar beliefs as to how things should be done is crucial when finding the right coach. I have now recommended 3 friends to start working with Janda and I wouldn't have done so if I didn't think he was the absolute best coach for the cost out there. I've researched people all over the country and have yet to find someone doing better work.

3 weeks from Sunday until Eagleman. I'm looking forward to seeing my brother Mike, who is coming down to race with his fiance' Alaina. Mike has a bright future ahead of him in triathlon and whatever else he puts his mind.

Thanks for reading and go out and get some people in your corner to help you achieve your triathlon goals. Call it a coach if you want, or just at least get together with some training partners and share emails or meet up once in a while to share information. Email or ask questions in person to those who have had some success in the sport. I have met very few people in this sport who are too good to help someone out. Lots of nice/giving people in this sport. The learning curve for triathlon is huge...try to close that gap.