Coach, or not?...

hopper1
hopper1 Posts: 4,389
edited February 2010 in Training, fitness and health
I sometimes suffer from that 'can't be a*sed' feeling, during my training.
So, I wondered if having a coach (to answer to, so to speak) would help with motivation.
Who uses a coach, and how do you rate their effectiveness? Name drop, if you wish to recommend one, from personal knowledge, not hearsay.
This is not to encourage a personal dig at your coach!

Editted: I thought I'd created a poll!?
Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
«13

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    I had one for free for a month. Brilliant!!

    But he wanted 150 notes a month to continue :shock:
  • freehub
    freehub Posts: 4,257
    NapoleonD wrote:
    I had one for free for a month. Brilliant!!

    But he wanted 150 notes a month to continue :shock:

    Just think tho, he might of made you pro then you'd possibly get rich :lol:
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    edited February 2010
    freehub wrote:
    NapoleonD wrote:
    I had one for free for a month. Brilliant!!

    But he wanted 150 notes a month to continue :shock:

    Just think tho, he might of made you pro then you'd possibly get rich :lol:

    NapD is a Pro Policeman. Get more money doing that, than a journeyman cyclist.
    I like bikes...

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  • Percy Vera
    Percy Vera Posts: 1,103
    NapoleonD wrote:
    I had one for free for a month. Brilliant!!

    But he wanted 150 notes a month to continue :shock:

    How did you swing that?
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    NapoleonD wrote:
    I had one for free for a month. Brilliant!!

    But he wanted 150 notes a month to continue :shock:

    Youre blowing a similar figure, or more throughout the year on bike bling. :shock:
    I know it's not cheap, but if it made you significantly faster on your blingy bike....
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • freehub
    freehub Posts: 4,257
    I voted yes, it really motivates me to do more cycling.
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    freehub wrote:
    I voted yes, it really motivates me to do more cycling.

    I'm ok with cycling... It's putting the effort in, when it doesn't feel pleasant, etc... That's what I'm looking at addressing.
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    Just pay someone to shout at you :wink:
  • rvokes
    rvokes Posts: 36
    Had a number of them, first the team i rode on then private, been with my current coach for 4 years now, worth every penny. I'd much prefer to have a bike with rival/105 and a coach than one with dura-ace/red and be lost in the wilderness(and I race elite in spain)
    my 2 cents...
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    rvokes wrote:
    Had a number of them, first the team i rode on then private, been with my current coach for 4 years now, worth every penny. I'd much prefer to have a bike with rival/105 and a coach than one with dura-ace/red and be lost in the wilderness(and I race elite in spain)
    my 2 cents...

    Love it....Never even mentioned Campag! :shock: :wink:

    Thanks, that's how I'm trying to justify the spending. Although I'm way beyond competing in anything other than loal Cat 4's, etc...
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • rvokes
    rvokes Posts: 36
    edited February 2010
    hopper1 wrote:
    rvokes wrote:
    Had a number of them, first the team i rode on then private, been with my current coach for 4 years now, worth every penny. I'd much prefer to have a bike with rival/105 and a coach than one with dura-ace/red and be lost in the wilderness(and I race elite in spain)
    my 2 cents...

    Love it....Never even mentioned Campag! :shock: :wink:

    Thanks, that's how I'm trying to justify the spending. Although I'm way beyond competing in anything other than loal Cat 4's, etc...

    HEHEHEHE!!!
    2yrs ago i had chorus/record bianchi 928, and it ended my campag love....due to spare wheel issues in spain(shimano neutral, hardly has campag) you cant beat sram :lol: javascript:emoticon(':lol:')

    but my view point is that a coach will give you info¨/pointers and tell you stuff that will/may/ought to work for you, rather than just trying what you have read on a forum... ie mine has medoing shorter races and not going past 172bpm untill march :-S
  • freehub
    freehub Posts: 4,257
    hopper1 wrote:
    freehub wrote:
    I voted yes, it really motivates me to do more cycling.

    I'm ok with cycling... It's putting the effort in, when it doesn't feel pleasant, etc... That's what I'm looking at addressing.

    I think most people are ok with cycling.....
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    rvokes wrote:
    I'd much prefer to have a bike with rival/105 and a coach than one with dura-ace/red and be lost in the wilderness(and I race elite in spain)
    my 2 cents...

    Nail, head hit iiiiit.

    A good coach is worth their weight in gold.
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
    456 lefty
    Pompino
    White Inbred
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Percy Vera wrote:
    NapoleonD wrote:
    I had one for free for a month. Brilliant!!

    But he wanted 150 notes a month to continue :shock:

    How did you swing that?

    When I bought my powertap...
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    hopper1 wrote:
    NapoleonD wrote:
    I had one for free for a month. Brilliant!!

    But he wanted 150 notes a month to continue :shock:

    Youre blowing a similar figure, or more throughout the year on bike bling. :shock:
    I know it's not cheap, but if it made you significantly faster on your blingy bike....

    I'd do it but I can't hide a 150 quid a month direct debit from the Mrs!!
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    NapoleonD wrote:
    hopper1 wrote:
    NapoleonD wrote:
    I had one for free for a month. Brilliant!!

    But he wanted 150 notes a month to continue :shock:

    Youre blowing a similar figure, or more throughout the year on bike bling. :shock:
    I know it's not cheap, but if it made you significantly faster on your blingy bike....

    I'd do it but I can't hide a 150 quid a month direct debit from the Mrs!!

    Pay your coach in kind! :shock: :shock: :oops:
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • Eddy S
    Eddy S Posts: 1,013
    Your motivation should be coming from aiming for and achieving a set of goals and targets.

    A coach will structure your training to help you to hit those goals. A good coach may also help you define those goals.

    You've still got to want to get out on the bike or to gym to do the sessions. Maybe the guilt of paying or someone watch over your shoulder is enough motivation for some but don't expect to be chased or shouted at from a distance to see if you've been bothered to do today's training set - that has to come from within.

    If you don't have goals, what are you aiming and training for?

    BTW, you don't have to pay £150 per month for good coaching but for that kind of money I'd be expecting a pretty personalised package.

    Apologies for repeating myself from previous posts but working with my coach has taken me from average cyclist to race and championship winner. But, I still have to get on the bike and do the hard work! And I do it because I want to. 8)
    I’m a sprinter – I warmed up yesterday.
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    I agree with what you are saying Eddy.
    My motivation is fine, but sometimes my mind wanders...
    I also question whether I'm doing the right type of training sometimes.... :?
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • rvokes
    rvokes Posts: 36
    hopper1 wrote:
    I also question whether I'm doing the right type of training sometimes.... :?

    hmmm.... +1 there.... don't know a cyclist who doesn't question that at some point in their career!!! hence the need for a coach, who 'generally' knows best. finding THE one who works well for you is a total different ball game, bit like finding the perfect woman ;-)
  • jibberjim
    jibberjim Posts: 2,810
    rvokes wrote:
    ie mine has medoing shorter races and not going past 172bpm untill march :-S

    So just as you're bridging up to the winning break you notice that your HR is 173 so you stop?
    Jibbering Sports Stuff: http://jibbering.com/sports/
  • incog24
    incog24 Posts: 549
    We've had free coaching at Uni this year (well, £56 for the year including all testing and physio) and personally I've found it great. Just takes away the time/psychological pressure of sorting out your own training. You know what there is to do so you get out and do it. Getting good gains this year so hopefully it'll pay off.
    Racing for Fluid Fin Race Team in 2012 - www.fluidfin.co.uk
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    I could probably get away with 50 quid a month...

    Any recommendations at this price?

    I've even considered actually doing an ACBB coach course!
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    NapoleonD wrote:
    I could probably get away with 50 quid a month...

    Any recommendations at this price?

    I've even considered actually doing an ACBB coach course!

    I'll do it for that :shock:

    I'll copy/paste my plan for you.... You'll just have to adopt the same goals. :wink:

    Wow! Two more punters and I'll be breaking even!.... May even make a profit out of this :wink:
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • rvokes
    rvokes Posts: 36
    jibberjim wrote:
    rvokes wrote:
    ie mine has medoing shorter races and not going past 172bpm untill march :-S

    So just as you're bridging up to the winning break you notice that your HR is 173 so you stop?
    yes.. thats the idea, but, since when i bridge up there always seems some wheel sucking git stuck to the back wheel, i just let him do a pull... it take a lot of commitment to ease off the gas pedal when you know you can get a good result, but im(and my coach) aren't fussed about my results until march... plus racing is more fun than intervals :-D
  • freehub
    freehub Posts: 4,257
    You must be joking? If you'd have a chance of winning you'd give up that chance cause your HR is 173? I'd have my HR go sky high if I was in that situation, doing that would not cause problems with training.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    freehub wrote:
    You must be joking? If you'd have a chance of winning you'd give up that chance cause your HR is 173? I'd have my HR go sky high if I was in that situation, doing that would not cause problems with training.

    Errrr.

    Don't wish to pi55 on your chips Will but I'm sure both he and his coach know what they are doing.
  • rvokes
    rvokes Posts: 36
    NapoleonD wrote:
    freehub wrote:
    You must be joking? If you'd have a chance of winning you'd give up that chance cause your HR is 173? I'd have my HR go sky high if I was in that situation, doing that would not cause problems with training.

    Errrr.

    Don't wish to pi55 on your chips Will but I'm sure both he and his coach know what they are doing.

    hehehehe.. +1, it's a pain, but you have to view it as reaping the rewards later in the year, the spanish national cup (copa de españa) is a lot more important to do well in than a chippers event. Napd, if your spanish is up to much you can have a look at my coaches training regime... some days im sure he's the marquis de sade!
  • ballspondroad
    ballspondroad Posts: 181
    I'm curious about the HR 173 thing - what would happen if you went over 173 ? Would you melt ?
  • rvokes
    rvokes Posts: 36
    ballspondroad wrote:
    I'm curious about the HR 173 thing - what would happen if you went over 173 ? Would you melt ?
    My head would suddenly swell in size, then explode.. THEN id melt... hehehe..

    no, really, its my Anaerobic Threshold, im not supposed to go past it untill march... it sounds screwy but his training really works for me. the guy also coaches a master30 world chamipon, a couple of pro mtbers, a vuelta a españa champion. so he does know his stuff (and he is cheap as chips)
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    rvokes wrote:
    NapoleonD wrote:
    freehub wrote:
    You must be joking? If you'd have a chance of winning you'd give up that chance cause your HR is 173? I'd have my HR go sky high if I was in that situation, doing that would not cause problems with training.

    Errrr.

    Don't wish to pi55 on your chips Will but I'm sure both he and his coach know what they are doing.

    hehehehe.. +1, it's a pain, but you have to view it as reaping the rewards later in the year, the spanish national cup (copa de españa) is a lot more important to do well in than a chippers event. Napd, if your spanish is up to much you can have a look at my coaches training regime... some days im sure he's the marquis de sade!

    Heh heh, I'm sure I can translate!

    Although having read M d S I am quite worried!

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