Why are you doing your next race? Do you remember?

Athletes will often ask me what races I think they should do. I completely understand why they are asking, and what type of advice they are asking for. Its probably for this reason I understand why they may be frustrated with me when I try to not answer. 

They do not let doctors operate on family members. The reason, they are emotionally involved. They want the decisions to be calculated, and precise. I know that if that if I were the patient, I would appreciate someone giving me the best advice possible based on the situation. 

Races, require a different perspective. When was the last time you were forced to race an event completely unemotional? It’s your emotion and desire that will often motivate you to pull through the hard training, and the tough times in the races. You NEED to be emotionally involved. 

I had someone tell me once, “I can only make suggestions, you have to make decisions.” 

As a coach, I am here to advice, and council. I am great at telling athletes what the consequences could be given the decisions they make, or what races may or may not be a great idea, etc. They have to decide though. 

In your next race, remember you emotions. You’re “why”. I know that the training gets tough as you start to get close. This is the exact time you need to pull out those emotions and visualize the results you want. 

Get the job done. You know you can. 

What does your training and a factory car stereo have in common?

What were your goals when you decided to start triathlon? The ones you never wanted to tell anyone about? They may still be there for you. 

When you decide on a training approach, what things are you considering?

Most people want to get faster. The only other people I have worked with want to make sure they have a positive experience. Let’s be honest, nobody takes something on and hopes to go slower, or make the experience more miserable. 

So when you chose a training approach you need to consider all the angles. FTP building sets, or Threshold sets, or any other “get fast quick” approaches need to be thought out. They can work, but where do they fit in? 

You have several training modalities. All effect certain things. I like to tell the athletes and coaches I train that its like sitting at a soundboard like a music producer. Each dial or slide does different things. 

Too often, like a teenager who gets their first car, they think they like BASS. So they turn it all the way up until the windows shake. Guess what, its sounds like shit. Most have totally maxed out the factory stereo. One that was never meant to put out such “volume” (Im loving the puns in this as I write). 

To have the best music, you need to have first the right equipment. Most people will say they were not given that. It’s an excuse. Most people are capable of playing far better music. They just do not have to the knowledge to tune the equipment. 

This is why people hire a production staff. Correct, often several people play a role in developing the best outcome. Bass in this context, while fits the pun perfectly, does not just mean “base” training. It can mean anything. Most likely its the thing you like or most attracted to. 

Whats too bad is, most people could play such better music, and their car wouldn’t rattle if they just sought out some expert advice. Which car do you want to be sitting at a red light next to? 

At SuperFly Coaching. We partner and curate industry leaders to help you maximize your potential. Not happy with how your results are going? Not sure WHY you are doing threshold intervals, beyond your training partner advised you to?  We can help. 

I talk to so many athletes out there who “price shop” coaches. Fair enough. I do it with certain things to for sure, as you should. Sometimes GREAT coaching isn’t really that much more than “GOOD, or even AVERAGE coaching”. 

www.superflycoaching.com