Who needs a coach anyway?

[pe3nguin]

do you really think that's what a coach does ? Punch in your FTP and some magic systems works out a plan ?? Stop fooling yourself man.

Excessive punctuation aside - this man is right. Your head has been up your butt for so long I could probably convince you its a hat. And since everyone is out to scam you, I would try and make you pay for your nice hat as well.

[Rudi Pollard]

I started training with a coach at the start of September with the ultimate goal of pushing for a top 100 at the Epic next year.

 

From personal experience over the last 5 weeks I can say the following:

• For my midweek sessions which can be 2 hours max, I get the absolute most out of them. There is no such thing as a wasted ride.
• My rest is a lot more structured and thus more effective. This directly contributes to better results on the big effort days usually over weekends.
• My numbers have already showed improvement over the last 5-6 weeks.

 

I have all the software and I have read all the articles on training peaks on how to interpret my power data. But do I know how to put together a structured plan to get the most benefit out of my training sessions... The simple answer is No...

 

The only secret to training with a power meter under a coach is to stick to the plan and do the sessions as prescribed. It takes a lot of commitment, and if you do that you will definitely see improvement. I doubt that you will go from a back of the bunch rider to a podium finisher but your personal performances will improve!

Edited October 11, 2016 by Rudi Pollard

[Stricker]

Would like to thank everyone for there contribution in making me understand what coaching is all about. 

Much appreciated

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Slowbee]

Stricker, please take the time to answer.

 

Where are you now in your cycling and where would you like to be ?

[andydude]

lol.. me understand that 100%

 

Let me get to the point:

 

What ownness is on the Coach?

 

So basically from what I read here, I can start a coaching comp tomorrow , to a FTP test with clients, punch that numbers into a program and boom, I take your money.

If you don't make any gains sorry , but I will still take your money .

 

Surley the coach must be held accountable to something?

You raise interesting points. Two thoughts from me:

 

(a) The accountability is a relevant question. To everyone: Is there a national body coaches belong to with certain guidelines and minimum requirements/qualifications? Or can anyone be a coach? Is there a type of ombudsman for complaints?

 

(b) On uncertain outcomes; say for example you have a chronic sickness and there is this new medicine that you can take to help. It costs R2000 per month and you have to take it for 12 months. A study showed that for every 100 people, 5 are cured completely, the health of 90 is better, but not perfect, and for 5 there is no direct effect. Would you take it?

 

(*) Just another note on expectations. You are right, there might be a small chance you don't increase specific performance, but remember there are lots of proof that exercise will improve your general health and wellbeing.

[Stricker]

Stricker, please take the time to answer.

 

Where are you now in your cycling and where would you like to be ?

Personally , I have no idea how deep the rabbit hole goes? and probably need direction (Coach) to show me how to reach it

 

Currently , I think( probably wrong) I'm at 75-80% full potential

Would like to get to 100% ,

[Veebee]

Personally , I have no idea how deep the rabbit hole goes? and probably need direction (Coach) to show me how to reach it

 

Currently , I think( probably wrong) I'm at 75-80% full potential

Would like to get to 100% ,

 

So are you able to get to 100% on your own ?

[Slowbee]

Personally , I have no idea how deep the rabbit hole goes? and probably need direction (Coach) to show me how to reach it

 

Currently , I think( probably wrong) I'm at 75-80% full potential

Would like to get to 100% ,

so in terms that I can understand, you are at the back of A bunch and want to move to the middle of A bunch in terms of results ?

[Underachiever]

Personally , I have no idea how deep the rabbit hole goes? and probably need direction (Coach) to show me how to reach it

 

Currently , I think( probably wrong) I'm at 75-80% full potential

Would like to get to 100% ,

At 7-8 hrs per week with average quality training you should be able to cope in the A bunch. But not top 10. 

 

For 100%: Add intervals and go ride Vissershok/Tiekiedraai, often (puke a few times due to the hard efforts). Try a pass or two over weekends. Also drop 4kg.  Learn how to ride gutters.  Buy funky socks and deep section wheels.  

 

Will send the invoice via pm.

[shaper]

so in terms that I can understand, you are at the back of A bunch and want to move to the middle of A bunch in terms of results ?

To answer your question, he is the guy who gets dropped and has an issue about it https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/163093-getting-dropped/?hl=killarney

[Underachiever]

To answer your question, he is the guy who gets dropped and has an issue about it https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/163093-getting-dropped/?hl=killarney

Seems my suggested training plan will give Stricker a (marginal) boost after a month or so!!

[Veebee]

Seems my suggested training plan will give Stricker a (marginal) boost after a month or so!!

 

can he pay you after he see's a 10% improvement ?

['Dale]

At 7-8 hrs per week with average quality training you should be able to cope in the A bunch. But not top 10.

 

For 100%: Add intervals and go ride Vissershok/Tiekiedraai, often (puke a few times due to the hard efforts). Try a pass or two over weekends. Also drop 4kg. Learn how to ride gutters. Buy funky socks and deep section wheels.

 

Will send the invoice via pm.

Hehehehe

Brilliant

Especially the sokkies and deeeeep 50mm hoops

[Veebee]

Hehehehe

Brilliant

Especially the sokkies and deeeeep 50mm hoops

 

hey well banana watts give you extra 5w so have to use it

[Patchelicious]

Hehehehe

Brilliant

Especially the sokkies and deeeeep 50mm hoops

Medium..... Always go Full Deep Sections!!

 

This is what you need at Killarney in the South Easter, the "spinnaker effect" will have you winning in no time at all!

 

http://www.speedercycling.com/js/htmledit/kindeditor-en/attached/20151028/20151028012222_90769.jpg

[Slowbee]

OK, my last comment on this.

 

The way I see it then is that the OP has big expectations. Under the guidance of a coach these might be reachable. I dont know about sustainable. SO maybe the expectations are realistic.

 

However, the issue is really money. Welcome to the real world. You spend it you might win, you spend it you might loose. But whatever the hell you do, dont spend what you dont have (ie debt)