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Do I Need a Coach? 
By Cherie Gruenfeld, Master Amino Acid Pattern (MAP) Team Member and Ironman Age Group World Champion.
On the surface, the benefit of using a coach seems fairly obvious: If you are serious about competing, then having someone with a lot of experience to help you achieve your race goals is a no-brainer, assuming you can afford it.
But there are other less obvious reasons to seek professional guidance.
- Let's say you've raced successfully for years. You probably think you've got a working formula, and why mess with success? However, as we age and the body racks up more wear and tear, the workouts that served us so well in the past may need some modification in order to keep us in the game and performing well. Whereas you might be loath to change that intense Wednesday brick that has been a standard for years, a savvy coach might be able to make subtle changes that will get you just as fast and strong, but with somewhat less damage than the old "tried and true".
- Another reason is to help you come back from an injury, which can be a risky and unfamiliar journey. Putting yourself in the hands of a coach who is knowledgeable in this area relieves you of trying to figure out…"Am I doing enough? Am I doing too much? Will I be ready for the big race?" Using a coach you trust and following his advice in your comeback will let you focus all your energy on the workouts he gives you rather than on second guessing yourself.
- Your personal style is a consideration as well, especially if you're driven toward a competitive goal but are a bit of a follower. By "follower" I mean that you tend to fall into other people's workouts, maybe doing a hard 80-mile ride with the group when what you really needed was a 40-mile recovery ride. If this is you, a coach can help you resist outside influence and stick to a plan that you know is the right one to follow.
- Another good reason to use a coach is if you find you're getting stale. You know the workouts you need, you know how to "plan the work and work the plan", but it's become routine, and you're having trouble getting inspired enough to have a breakthrough race. Get a coach, let him shake up the routine a bit and present you with some new training challenges, and watch your performances improve.
On the other hand, is there a time when coaching is not necessarily the right option for you? Probably.
Some athletes like to do well at races, but, if they're honest with themselves, realize that they are more interested in having a good time during training than in getting serious about a PR performance. After all, the 80-mile group ride is probably going to be more fun than a recovery ride. There's nothing wrong with this attitude, but paying a coach for a workout schedule that you find burdensome and won't follow is a waste of money (and will not foster an enjoyable relationship with the coach).
Another time for passing on a coach might be when you have a personal situation or particular type of injury that will keep your schedule erratic for a while. When you don't have the ability to set reasonable, achievable training goals, investing in coaching doesn't make much sense.
If you do decide to get some professional assistance, keep in mind that there are a couple of options in coaching available. Personalized coaching will get you your own coach, who will work on your specific goals and design a program tailored to your individual needs. Online coaching programs are another option that is becoming increasingly popular. These are less expensive than a personal coach, and are especially well-suited to preparation for a specific race or type of race (i.e., a sprint or half Ironman).
If you decide to use a coach, be sure to select one who will:
- Ensure that your goals are reasonable and tailored to your specific skills and capabilities
- Create a structured program that you can easily work into your life
- Carefully monitor your progress and make adjustments
Good luck!
Cherie
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Through all the training and intense racing, I managed to stay healthy, fit, and strong — all things I can attribute to the MAP and BodyHealth Complete."