Working With A Triathlon Coach
Do you need a triathlon coach? Anyone can definitely benefit from working with a coach whether they are new to the sport or are experienced. You as the athlete have to decide what your coaching needs are and what you want out of your races. A coach can help you to provide structure to your triathlon season so that you can make the most of the time you have to train. The most important thing to remember when choosing a coach is to make sure that they are certified by USA Triathlon (or USAT), the sport's governing body. This is important because USAT has an extensive application process along with a criminal background check. After the applicant has been screened they attend a class given by USAT at various sites throughout the country (7 classes this year). There are approximately 1500 coaches that have been certified by USAT. The classes last for 3 or more days depending on the certification level and are taught by some of the best minds the sport has to offer. Many people train for their races using training plans from the web, books or magazines. This isn't necessarily a bad thing so long as it's understood that the plan is a generic one and may not be a good fit for them in the end. A good triathlon coach will interview the perspective triathlete and get a good feel for their goals, abilities and available time to train. You as an athlete should interview the coach as well. You should get a feel for the coaches style & experience. It would also be good to know how many athletes he or she is currently working with. You don't want to be lost in the crowd when you are spending a good chunk of change on a coach.
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