TriAptitude Coaching

Finding the right coach to help you reach your goals is an important aspect of your journey in sport. Whether you are a team athlete, an Ironman distance triathlete, an open water swimmer or a tennis player, you trust a coach to hold you accountable for your training and to get you to your goals in a safe and effective manner. The key word in that last sentence is TRUST. There are a lot of incredibly talented coaches who will fit your criteria when interviewing for that special position. It all starts with understanding your personal goals and what specifically it will take to get you there successfully.

#1 Identify Your Personal Goals in a Specific Way

It’s important for you to know what you are looking for in a coach and why these traits are important for your personal success. So, take a moment to sit down and think about that. Be specific. Write down your personal goals for your season. What is it you want to accomplish and what do you need from a coach to do so? Clarify your “why” for your participation in your sport so you can relay that on to your potential coaching candidates and see if their coaching philosophy aligns with yours. Once you have decided on the specifics for yourself then it’s time to find a coach who can support you in the way which you need to thrive.

#2 What is your Candidate’s Coaching Philosophy?

When talking with potential coaches, ask them what their coaching philosophy is and how they incorporate that throughout their training with athletes. A coach should have a clear idea as to his/her coaching objectives, the core values by which he/she will be defined as a coach and also the specific approach he/she will take while coaching athletes. For example, as a coach, I value respect, responsibility, good communication and trust in my coaching relationship with my athletes. I emphasize those personal values throughout my coaching philosophy and life in general. As an athlete looking for a coach, be sure that you can relate to the candidate’s coaching philosophy. Make sure that it is one which will motivate you toward your goals. If you do not personally relate to the philosophy of a certain coach, then it most likely will not be comfortable fit for either of you.

#3 Do Not Decide on Reputation Alone

There are a lot of incredible coaches out there from which to choose. Many have a resume filled with high ranking amateur and professional athletes who have accomplished amazing things. Then, there are also an equal number who choose to coach beginner age groupers or youth athletes to their first race finishes. As a coach, I work with athletes of all ages, in different sports and with very different goals. I have coached athletes to strong Ironman finishes and I have coached 4th graders to the finish line of their first 5K race. If you look at my athlete testimonials, I have a wonderful variety of men, women and youth athletes who have accomplished outstanding things for themselves. Of course you will be drawn to a coach who has a strong resume and a great reputation in the sport community. That is important. Just make sure that you are looking for the right coach for YOU. Remember- that relationship is hugely important in your success. Make the decision that is best for you and not based on reputation alone. It has to feel right.

#4 Experience, Education, Credentials

Yes, experience. We learn so much from direct experience and sometimes it takes time to gain the self-confidence and knowledge we need to best serve our clients. Experience can never be underrated. And, certifications and education in a specific field is also very important. At the least, a degree or a certification requires a specific level of understanding in a field. That minimum level of experience is a great thing. Coaches build upon that base to become more knowledgeable in more areas and learn through more experience. That is to your benefit obviously. However, there must be a good balance between the education and the coaching experience. So, ask your coaching candidates about their past coaching and how they feel this has made them a stronger coach today. It’s great to have the certifications, but if a coach is not utilizing that information outside of a classroom and actively applying it in the field, then that is not the highest caliber coach you can find for yourself.

#5 Be Realistic About Cost

A good coach knows what he/she is worth and will charge for it. There are definitely coaches out there who will try to overcharge you, so be on the lookout. Do your research and see what the going price is for coaching in your area. But, be ready to invest in yourself. A good coach with experience, credentials and dedication will be worth it. And, pricing will depend on what type of coaching you are looking for- personal training and one on one sessions will be pricier than group training or even an online coach who writes you a triathlon plan. Pricing should be all clearly outlined from the beginning by the coach. Good coaches value their time and their expertise.

#6 Listen to Your Intuition

I mentioned this above. Your coaching relationship will be one of the most important components to your success both physically and mentally in sport. TRUST in this relationship is absolutely vital to performance success. You should feel comfortable with your coach and you should feel motivated to do your best with the support and guidance he/she gives you. Let’s be honest- your coach is going to make you do some really uncomfortable things all in the name of success. It’s best that you have a good rapport going on from the beginning so you can remind yourself why you want to give 100% effort every day. This is the person who is in your corner every minute of every day leading to every finish line. Go with your gut. Find the right match for you.

Best wishes on a great training and racing season this year! Please reach out to me with any questions you might have! I’d love to connect with you!

C