Coaching FAQs - F4L Triathlon Coaching

I’m a complete beginner – do I need a coach?

No matter how fast you are or what goals you set yourself, F4L Triathlon Coaching can really help you achieve them.

Am I too old?

Nope! One of my best achievements has been helping a 70 year old lady complete her first ever IRONMAN Triathlon. So in short, you are not too old!

I'm training for my first Ironman - can you help?

F4L Triathlon Coaching has been working with IRONMAN Triathletes for twenty years. I have coached many many athletes to IRONMAN success, including racing at the IRONMAN World Championships, but many more to achieving their own IRONMAN goals.

How will a coach help me, I’ve been training for years?

I see so many athletes chasing performance and trying to achieve their goals but wondering why they underperform at their big race, get sick leading into the event, or acquire an injury in training.

Any training program should be the athlete's individual program.

For many age-group athletes training is just part of their lifestyle. Many other key, and often more important, factors have to be incorporated into the athlete's program. Coaches need to be able to adapt the plan to the challenges of work, family and life.

What works for one athlete, will not work for another athlete!

Isn’t triathlon coaching only for elite or advanced triathletes?

No. Coaching is very much for anyone who is looking to achieve their sporting goals. Anyone looking to improve their performance can really benefit from having a coach in their corner.

Your expert, experienced coach will offer:

Expertise - a professional coach will have spent years learning their craft and developing their skills, experience, philosophies and knowledge. I have been doing this nearly 20 years and I am learning on a daily basis!

Enable clear goal setting - working with your coach will enable you to specify your goals and work specifically towards them with manageable interim targets.

Competitive advantage - an experienced coach will have worked with many athletes and have the experiences of their achievements and failures to work off.

Best use of your time - many athletes come to F4L Triathlon Coaching and actually end up training less hours and racing faster.

Can we include group sessions into my program?

Training should be fun! Your coach will include group sessions into your programs as social interaction is incredibly important to our lifestyles. Your coach will balance group sessions with sessions specifically written for you, to help you achieve your goals.

My availability changes week to week as I work shifts.

I have coached nurses, midwives, FIFO workers, fireman and various other shift workers to achieve their goals. Your coach will work around your availability to create a training program specific to you.

Do I need a power meter or heart rate monitor?

Your coach will work with the equipment you have available. Your coach can set sessions based on Heart Rate, Power, Pace or Rate of Perceived Effort. You don’t need to go and buy any specific equipment.

How long do I have to commit for?

There is no fixed period of time. However, F4L Triathlon Coaching do require a one month notice period to cancel coaching.

Many F4L athletes have been with the organisation for years. It takes time to develop performance and achieve your goals. The coach / athlete relationship takes time to develop and takes a commitment from both the coach and the athlete.

I am following a plan, what is so much better about having a coach?

What works for one athlete won’t work for another! Your coach will design a program which is specific for you, your goals and your lifestyle.

Training plans off the internet are not specific to you, they won’t take into account of your current fitness level, your lifestyle, work patterns, family commitments.

However, the big difference is your coach will give you constant advice, support and encouragement.

What if I pick up an injury or get sick?

Your coach will work with you to either manage the injury, following the advice of any medical experts (e.g. physio)

It may be we can switch disciplines around a bit, e.g. if you cannot run, then perhaps we can do more cycling & swimming.

However, if your injury or sickness is longer term, we can suspend your coaching package with one months notice for a period of time.

Which race(s) should I target?

Your coach will work with you to identify which races you should target. Whether it is your first sprint Triathlon or first-time stepping up to an Olympic distance event or an IRONMAN 70.3 or perhaps that is trying to qualify to represent an Age-Group Team, or which IRONMAN would be most suited.

How much coach support will I have?

This really depends on which package you’re on.

However, your coach will offer constant support via WhatsApp and Email. Some of the more engaging packages include more coach contact. You can find out more info at Training Packages.