been thinking of getting a coach....

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Permalink Reply by Justin Bristol on February 6, 2011 at 4:20am

Cycle-Smart! They've recently added a few coaches, including Shaun Adamson who is spending the winter racing in Europe. Adam and his guys really know what's up. They're super felxible and will help you work toward whatever cycling goal you have, on whatever schedule you need.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Mayhew on February 6, 2011 at 5:36am

I am a coach, would be happy to talk here or off list.

 

chris @ jbvcoaching . com

 

I would say the difference between hiring a coach and riding like hell is how much difficulty you're having in achieving your goals. People usually don't hire a coach when they're flying or winning with ease. They hire a coach when some obstacle gets thrown into the mix (trying to break thru to the next level, a job, kids) and need help in overcoming that.

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Permalink Reply by John Mansell on February 6, 2011 at 8:39am

Keep in mind, because a guy races fast doesn't make him a coach. I am not saying it can't happen but you would be better off IMO looking at a guy that coaches full time and makes a living at it.  I think Chris Mayhew really understands cross and how to get fast.

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Permalink Reply by lagomorph on October 16, 2012 at 2:29am

I hired a coach for two seasons, and saw no improvement in my results.

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Permalink Reply by Patrick Shank on October 16, 2012 at 7:02am

two seasons or two years?  my big takeaway from coaching is that fitness is cumulative and consistency matters.  i could see using a coach for a few months to lay a foundation, get through a plateau, or help structure a training program -  but I wouldn't expect a step function improvement in fitness or results in a short amount of time, especially during the actual race season when recovery is a key element.  coaches aren't magic - real improvement takes a lot of time and work, some trial and error too, and I see the the coach's role as making that time and work as efficient as possible based on one's goals. 

the best thing I did for my fitness *this year* was to have some physiological testing done at the end of my 'cross season (December) *last year* - my coach took that data, so he knew exactly what he was working with.  i laid out my goals for the year.  he built a plan.  we started training for real in mid-January with an eye on the Fall.  I gave lots of feedback.  we communicated often.  I learned a ton along the way, including how to be patient.  real noticeable improvement came in May/June and progress continued through the summer.  health issues have kept me from racing cx year - really bummed about that, but i have a new level of fitness to build on for next year. 

bottom line: don't get a coach and expect miracles.  be methodical, have patience and give your coach a chance to find the right recipe for results.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Mayhew on October 16, 2012 at 7:59am

You didn't have a good coach.

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Permalink Reply by Patrick McEnaney on October 17, 2012 at 10:15am

I suggest Russel Cree from Upper Echelon Fitness out of Portland, OR. I've done clinics with him and he works with a staff of very strong local talent. I think Adam Myerson also provides coaching services, and he's regularly among the stronger Cat A/Pro race finishers nationally.

If nothing else, a coach can advise you *how* to best train with the available time and resources, addressing workouts, diet, rest, etc.

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