training/exercise and with the rest of his life. ultimately, you, as the coach, may be at fault if you instruct the athlete to do more than is physically, mentally and emotionally possible at this time in his life. Therefore, communication is essential when helping your athlete adapt to a balanced training plan. Training plans are dependent on a multitude of factors and goals
will be achieved when individual factors are taken into consideration. What works for one athlete, may not work for another. For example, if the daily diet is not balanced with essential nutrients to support current training, the body will find it difficult to positively react to the demands of training. When setting goals, it is helpful to develop an outline. First,
begin with a general idea (the goal) and follow the goal with specific examples as to how to accomplish this goal. While you are in the process of goal setting and discussing the
components in a balanced training plan, it is important to recognize the many possible variables that may affect the upcoming season. Consider the following when goal setting and planning a tentative racing schedule with your athletes:
1. Fitness level — do you have enough time to properly train for this race without risking injury? 2. Time of the year — is this a good time of the year for you to race? Are there other events in your life, during the same month as the race, which may make your training or travel or race experience, more stressful and overwhelming? 3. Terrain — does the course fit your strengths and will the course allow you to reach your upcoming goals? Athletes love to compare race times so teach your athlete how to judge a “successful” performance by results other than a finishing time. 4. Weather — are you comfortable with the expected racing conditions? What’s the temperature of the water, typical weather, wind gusts, chance for rain, etc.? 5. Support — do you have support from friends, family and/or your job? Do you feel comfortable racing alone or without their enthusiasm as you prep for the race? 6. Safety and popularity — while most races are sanctioned by a respected federation (i.e. uSA Triathlon), find out the safety of the race. There is nothing wrong with a premier event, but be mindful for a few race day kinks. For popular “bucket list” races, they often bring a large number of athletes who may overwhelm athletes racing in a new distance or hoping for a fair race. 7. Trust the plan — the easiest way to get frustrated or excited before a race is to listen to others. Thanks to social media, athletes often start a race with a lot of “last minute” anxiety, feeling the need to prove something. Always focus on yourself, trust the plan and your fitness. 8. Cost and travel — there is nothing cheap about the multisport lifestyle. keep in mind the cost for travel such as flying, food, sleeping, traveling with others, bike shipping, gas, hotels, getting around the race venue, rental cars, etc. Also, prepare your athlete for extra costs such as sports nutrition, massages, compression gear and help from other professionals (i.e. shoe specialists, physical therapists, etc.)
“The reason most people never reach their goals is that they don’t define them, or ever seriously consider them as believable or achievable. Winners can tell you where they are going, what they plan to do along the way, and who will be sharing the adventure with them.” – Denis Watley
Marni Sumbal is a Registered Dietitian and holds a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology. She is a Certified Sports Nutritionist (CISSN) and is a USA Triathlon Level I Coach. Marni works as a coach and clinical dietitian and is a five-time Ironman finisher and has competed in the 2007 and 2011 Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. Contact Marni at
trimarnicoaching@gmail.com or visit trimarni.
blogspot.com.
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