Off Season Training - I want to hear from you

October 9, 2015 Dave Burgess

Over the past few months I've written about a number of topics:

All great topics (at least I think so!) But as we near the end of the current season, and enter the dreaded "off-season" I want to write about topics that matter to you.

So, what do you want to know? What challenges do you face during the off-season that I can help address? What questions do you want answered? Add a comment - ask a question, and over the next couple of weeks I'll respond to them all in my next blog post.

So, hit me with your best shot.

Coaching Athletes & Training

July 10, 2015 Dave Burgess

On occasion, my US Masters swim club will have a light turnout at practice. It happens now and again, and is usually tied to people traveling for work or getting away for a few days - especially now during the summer. On those mornings when there's a smaller crew in the water, I'm inevitably asked "...where's your suit? You should get in and work out with us!"

No can do.

It doesn't matter if there are two people at practice, or 22. If I'm coaching, I need to be on deck. And I'm not speaking from a safety standpoint - but rather from a coaching standpoint. How can I make stroke corrections? How would I ensure drills are being done as they should be by each individual? How can I provide feedback to everyone? Those athletes are there to be coached, and I'd be remiss if I wasn't paying attention to each an every one of them.

I've had local athletes invite me to join in on one of their training rides - ".....to see if there's anything in the bike fit, or pedal stroke, or body position that might be off and in need of correction." Well, that's what bike fits are for. If I go on a ride with an athlete, I won't be paying 100% attention to the athlete. I'll be watching the road, or trail. Those kind of corrections are best done one on one, with the athlete on a bike trainer, and with me (the coach) 100% engaged.

As a coach, our training has to take a back seat. It has to be done at odd times of the day when you have the ability to sneak in a swim, bike, or run. Or a day may come and go when you simply can't get in your planned workout.

Being a coach is all about coaching your athletes.

Aging, Training, and Recovery

June 1, 2015 Dave Burgess

As we get older, the body stops being as resilient as it used to be. Intensity may have to change in our training. Recovery becomes even more important than it already is. As a coach, this is a reminder that understanding how an athlete recovers is massively important. Knowing what they can recover from is the key. How much intensity that can be incorporated into a workout, with proper recovery, and a correctly built out week (with easy days, and recovery days placed appropriately) are all things that need to be taken into consideration.

In Injury and Health

March 5, 2015 Dave Burgess

Triathletes have a hard training regimen to manage: Swimming, biking, running, & strength training. Not that other athletes don't work hard - I'm certainly not saying that at all - but a lot of triathletes find it hard to maintain training, life, and work. It means early mornings, long days, and in the end it can be hard not only physically, but mentally.

And mentally, when injuries occur, things can become even more difficult.

Training and Nutrition

February 13, 2015 Dave Burgess

As individuals are now deep into base-building, moving on to race specific training, or in some cases are already beginning their racing season, nutrition is an important topic that shouldn't be overlooked in regards to successful triathlon training. Not just race-day nutrition. But your overall nutritional plan.

I'm talking about properly fueling your body to train, recover, and race. Triathlon training is not a diet. Don't cut carbs. Don't eat fewer calories that you're expending.