Self trained or coached?

self trained. No coach can understand me like I do myself.

velomanct said:

self trained. No coach can understand me like I do myself.

Was coached by CTS. I was moderately satisfied for the 1st 6 months, then growingly displeased over the last 6 months as the cracks in their approach became more visible.

The key is to have a coach that genuinely knows what he/she is doing rather than come inexperienced cog in a large machine prescribing standard programs. IMHO, you don't need tons of contact (other than perhaps in the beginning and toward any peaking). For example, 10 mins of Ric's time per month is worth way more than 2 hours wirth of a 'resident coach' at CTS.

I couldn't agree more with the last post. I used CTS for about 15 months. I lost 20 pounds, stopped smoking and became a much more disciplined rider. However, after my fourth coaching change, I expressed displeasure with having to re-educate the coaching staff. It would take weeks to get back in sync. CTS suggested "upgrading" from their $22 monthly base to a "more serious" $100 monthly coaching effort that offered me "more stability." They also stated that I would need to spend about two more hours per week on the bike. I already log 10-12 as is. Whatever. It's a shame they couldn't offer something more inbetween. I truly appreciated their input but I've maintained just fine this past summer without them. I've managed over 4,200 miles on the road and I'm climbing better than I ever have. Realistically, I'm 36 years old with three kids and a wife that doesn't work. I'm in sales and any time on the bike is keeping me from generating revenue. I just don't see how CTS can justify the costs and time demands they try to pin on you to get "more serious."

chrispopovic said:

They also stated that I would need to spend about two more hours per week on the bike. I already log 10-12 as is. Whatever. It's a shame they couldn't offer something more inbetween.

riding 10 - 12 hours per week is fine for most people in your situation (e.g., work, family commitments). in fact, a lot of people i coach don't have anymore time than this and this sort of volume is fine for even being (e.g.) a 2nd category road racer. I've coached elites, that due to work and family commitments could only manage 8 - 10 hrs/wk in the off season.

It's important for any coach to fit the training around the persons lifestyle, and to make life easy for them (i don't mean no intervals! i mean not to hassle them wanting more training time etc!).

Of course, there may be odd weeks where it may be beneficial to do more than you usually would, but these shouldn't be the norm and should be agreed with the rider in advance.

ric

Aztec said:

For example, 10 mins of Ric's time per month is worth way more than 2 hours wirth of a 'resident coach' at CTS.

Thanks Aztec

G'day,

I have a coach & am very happy with the results, having just achieved my 'A' goal for the year. It's very impotatnt that the coach & pupil understand each others needs & objectives properly & that feedback is a 2 way stream. For me, it is important to have another objective view of my progress & goals....but coaches aren't for everyone,

cheers,

Hitchy

Yes I wish I could afford Ric's time. The free info from your posts here Ric are very valuable, thank you. I think your expertise shines through.

KakenBetaal said:

Yes I wish I could afford Ric's time. The free info from your posts here Ric are very valuable, thank you. I think your expertise shines through.

Glad you find my posts useful. thanks. For your info, if you have any general type queries myself, and/or Michael will quite happily answer them here. If you have a specific query you're more than welcome to schedule some time with me by either phone/in person/email/IM depending on your location, etc. Please contact me for rates.

Additionally, at RST we've just developed a new coaching package "Espoirs", which as yet isn't listed on the website. Please contact myself or Michael for further details.

Ric

How much does Rick charge?

g8000 said:

How much does Rick charge?

Our coaching packages start at US$100/UK£60 per month (not currently listed on web site), with other coaching packages listed here http://www.cyclecoach.com/?pageID=training and other services listed here http://www.cyclecoach.com/?pageID=pricing. Please note that the other RST coaches have slightly different fees.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me
Ric

N_laplaca said:

Just curious if those who race are self trained or use a coach to plan your training year. Nick

I self train. Nearly always have. Early on I relied on other coaches heavily, and read lots. Then I became a coach myself (level one triathlon) to improve my knowledge and abilities. And I keep up to date - reading lots and comparing notes with other coaches.

Its not hard, its just a matter of learning as you train yourself. Read everything you can, discard anything without scientific basis and don't trust other people's interpretations of studies until you are confident that they do not have bias.

ric_stern/RST said:

Our coaching packages start at US$100/UK£60 per month (not currently listed on web site), with other coaching packages listed here http://www.cyclecoach.com/?pageID=training and other services listed here http://www.cyclecoach.com/?pageID=pricing. Please note that the other RST coaches have slightly different fees.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me
Ric

The qustion i have is how does a coaching work when its by email and phone only. I have noticed that this seems to be the norm for a lot of the services that are offered and i cant come to grips with this manner of coaching.

The VAST majority of USCF coaches don't know [censored] about track racing. Those that think they do, usually don't.

A handful, like Gil Hatton and Jame Carney are great.

Carmichael wrote a book about road training. A good one. But he doesn't know squat about track racing. Witness our dismal results on the track in Athens at Worlds the past few years.

Your best bet is to get an HRM, a power meter, read Winning Cycling by Jack Simes and a few other books (including Carmichaels) and train yourself. I was at elite nationals in Frisco this year. Our track riders were pretty pathetic when I compare them to the Aussies I saw at Dunc Gray and the Brits at Manchester.

Sad. Very sad.🙁

jcjordan said:

The qustion i have is how does a coaching work when its by email and phone only. I have noticed that this seems to be the norm for a lot of the services that are offered and i cant come to grips with this manner of coaching.

It's ok for recreational and cat 3-5. But compared to professional coaches as they have in Australia, our coaching 'system' is pathetic. Carmichael latched onto a one in four billion in Lance and has ridden him to the top. Not that Carmichael and CTS are bad. Sadly, they're the best in America. But Lance could make any coach look good. We have no cohesive training and development system here in the USA to uncover and nurture talent, and build enthusiasm and participation in general.
Much of it comes down to money. Australian cycling development has a budget thrice that of USA cycling.

Coaching by phone & email can provide a 'little' objective feedback. Very equally little informed direction.

I certainly wish I had a coach. Unfortunately, I don't have the money., I don't have the money. I have read a lot of books, but for some reason feel I don't know enough. How does one train to be coach? I would love to try and do the same things they do in order to better develop my own knowledge base, and possibly help my buddies.

ric_stern/RST said:

riding 10 - 12 hours per week is fine for most people in your situation (e.g., work, family commitments). in fact, a lot of people i coach don't have anymore time than this and this sort of volume is fine for even being (e.g.) a 2nd category road racer. I've coached elites, that due to work and family commitments could only manage 8 - 10 hrs/wk in the off season.

It's important for any coach to fit the training around the persons lifestyle, and to make life easy for them (i don't mean no intervals! i mean not to hassle them wanting more training time etc!).

Of course, there may be odd weeks where it may be beneficial to do more than you usually would, but these shouldn't be the norm and should be agreed with the rider in advance.

ric

hi there rick, some advise please.
I am mtb'er and my season has drawn to a close.peopl have advised me to go to gym and do strength work and others say I should do base workouts with increasing duration,why??
Thanks

fr3d said:

hi there rick, some advise please.
I am mtb'er and my season has drawn to a close.peopl have advised me to go to gym and do strength work and others say I should do base workouts with increasing duration,why??
Thanks

i don't believe and nor is there evidence otherwise, to show that the forces involved in MTB events are limiting, and thus most/all people can generate the forces required (although they may not be able to do complete the technical aspect along with it e.g., trying to stay upright in a muddy steep climb).

thus, as pointed out in the numerous gym and weight threads i don't feel that weights and strength training will improve performance in e.g., MTB XC.

On the other hand i don't believe that a pure base programme with increasing volume is the way to go either for the whole winter/off-season -- it's imperative that after an easy recovery period (e.g., 1 - 3+ weeks of reduced training) you start to include some moderate and higher intensity workloads to at least maintain your fitness.

ric

ric_stern/RST said:

i don't believe and nor is there evidence otherwise, to show that the forces involved in MTB events are limiting, and thus most/all people can generate the forces required (although they may not be able to do complete the technical aspect along with it e.g., trying to stay upright in a muddy steep climb).

thus, as pointed out in the numerous gym and weight threads i don't feel that weights and strength training will improve performance in e.g., MTB XC.

On the other hand i don't believe that a pure base programme with increasing volume is the way to go either for the whole winter/off-season -- it's imperative that after an easy recovery period (e.g., 1 - 3+ weeks of reduced training) you start to include some moderate and higher intensity workloads to at least maintain your fitness.

ric

thanks for the speady reply
then what is the best way that one would be able to sustain pushing yourself for a sustained period of time, and what about core training

fr3d said:

thanks for the speady reply
then what is the best way that one would be able to sustain pushing yourself for a sustained period of time, and what about core training

i'm not sure i understand specifically what you're asking? when you talk about pushing do you mean mentally, physically, what? and core training do you core strength (e.g., abs/back) or core endurance training?

cheers
ric