A Few Tips to Go Faster Without Investing More Time into Your Training
by USAT Level II Coach Mike Ricci
As the end of the season nears, it's important to look back at the season and see what you did correctly in terms of training and what you can improve. Most all athletes can train smarter in some capacity. It can be something as simple as stretching more often, getting better recovery immediately after a tough workout, or just being aware of a much needed day off. In this article we'll discuss a few points that will help you improve without adding more time to your training.
Goal Setting:
Yes, we all set goals at the beginning of each season. We even set monthly volume goals to swim 'x' number of yards or miles run. How about setting weekly goals or even more importantly goals for each workout? There should be goals for each workout in terms of the intensity you will bring to the workout and the focus you must have to get the benefit of each session. Let's talk about intensity first: We all knowabout going hard or at race pace in a workout and that in order to get better we need to step up the level of intensity in order to break through. That is pretty easy for most athletes; we either have that killer instinct or we don't. On the other end of the spectrum is the easy training day. For example, on an easy training day, you may bike with some other athletes who are less disciplined and they ride harder then they should all the time. You need to know going into that workout that you are setting your HR to go no higher then 'x' or your power meter not to hit 'y' watts. This takes focus. Remember your goal for the workout. Check the ego at the door and do what you should do, not what your training partners are doing. Discipline yourself. Your training partners don't care what you do. Remember, they want to beat you on race day. Train smarter and have a plan for each workout. More...
Benefits of Hiring a Coach
What You Should Look For, and What to Expect
by USAT Level II Coach Mike Ricci
One effective way to stay motivated and to develop a solid
training plan is to have a coach. A coach will hold you
accountable for your workouts. All of the Olympic Medallists
have coaches, as do the top pro triathletes. Is it just a
coincidence that they all have coaches? Of course
not, they need guidance, support, and direction.
They want to know when to go hard, when to go
easy and when to take time off. Why should age
g roup triathletes be any diff e rent? Having a
coach can benefit all of us. I hear many
triathletes say, “I don't want someone telling me
what to do” or “What if I don't like the
workouts?” or “What if we don't get along?”
These are important questions to ask as you
interview your coach. Each coach has his/her own
style, his/her own philosophy and motivational
techniques. You communicate with your coach,
which workouts you like, which workouts you
don't like. You explain to them your time
constraints and goals. It's their job to take all the
pieces of the puzzle and
make them fit together.
Instead of blowing off
that important bike workout because
you made another commitment, your
coach should re-adjust your schedule so
you won't miss the important workouts.
Your coach will know what workouts to
emphasize, when to push you, when to
back you off. You should be able to
build a good rapport with your coach.
He/She should be trusted and come
with a solid endorsement from other
triathletes. Make sure your coach isn't
just churning out programs to athletes
of all abilities. You want your
program tailored to you. More...
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