One might think, "Wow, so many coaches and coaching programs or methods!
Can't an athlete just train on their own, do they really need a coach to tell them what and when to do things?"
The answer is Yes and No, as always, it depends.
ViF - Victory is Finishing is about finishing...but you define "Finishing".
Are you at the stage of your journey where "Finishing" to you is now more than reaching and crossing the finish line?
Has "Finishing" become defined more by how quickly you reach that finish line? Do you have a certain finish time or goal you want to achieve this season?
Could a tri or running club, strong training partner, or a coach help you reach your goals?
might help you answer that question with his recent article -
What's the Point of a Coach?
"I truly love coaching, and I believe it is important for everyone, even coaches, to work with a coach. I believe in this so strongly that I work with two coaches: one for swimming, and one for overall triathlon training. Yes, I am a certified coach and experienced athlete in all types of endurance sports, and yet I still utilize coaches.
Why?
1. Often, people can become so focused on moving in a particular direction that they do not even realize that they are headed the wrong way. Needless to say, I have done this and, as a result, I have run myself into the ground, even though I knew better. A coach can stand back, look at things from a fresh perspective, and help the athlete to realize that a different direction is needed. This is the same reason why many corporations hire consultants -- to help them run their companies better.
2. I love to read about top performers in all different areas, from business to sports. Most top performers employ coaches and or mentors, even though they already have a great deal of knowledge. Tiger Woods, for example, is very knowledgeable on golf, yet he still has many people around him who assist him with all areas of his game.
3. I once read that the two things that will have the most impact on a person's life are the books a person reads and the people with whom he or she chooses to associate with. If a person wishes to develop more strength in a particular area, it is a good idea to surround oneself with knowledgeable and experienced people. That is why many top athletes have coaches, nutritionists, strength and conditioning coaches, and strong training partners.
4. One of the biggest mistakes I see with athletes is that they mix training philosophies and programs that they have read or heard from various sources. This is often a disaster. A good coach will not do this and will make sure the athlete stays focused.
5. Coaches hold their athletes accountable. Coaches are paid to create a training program for their athletes, and most athletes will take these programs seriously, as they do not want to waste time or money by not utilizing them. In addition, many athletes feel guilty if they miss workouts, and prefer not to have to tell their coach. Therefore, this accountability of an athlete to his or her coach reduces the likelihood of missing a workout.
6. I have stated before, half-ass training equals half-ass results. Training with a coach is a way of taking an athlete's performance to the next level. A good coach will assist in developing a plan to maximize training to get the most favorable results.
7. A coach removes the guesswork from training. Heart rate zones, power zones, training phases -- a coach can handle all this. It is a relief not to have to worry about what to focus on during the next workout, or when to do what. For busy people, this saves time and reduces stress. Having a coach allows athletes to focus on rocking out their training and giving their best performance."
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