Should I Hire A Coach?

Do I really need a coach? A question asked by people for a wide variety of sports. I'll give my 2 cents on whether or not you should have a coach.

For a lot of activities, a beginners clinic will be a great way to kickstart things for you. I've watched many people attend a learn to run clinic (this one was 10 weeks long) and by the end of it they were confident that they knew what to wear, how to stretch, what to eat, and best of all- they were confident that they could run! For other things like swimming you may need a coach, at least for a few sessions so they can teach you proper technique.

For people who want to take their fitness to a new level then a coach is a great idea. Having a coach can push you past what you thought your limits were. Just like having a trainer at the gym. Whether it be running, swimming, weightlifting or whatever you are pursuing having a coach can inspire, encourage, and mentor you because they have been in your shoes and they know what it takes to reach the next level.

There are a few things to look for in deciding who will be lucky enough to coach you.
1.The biggest thing is the initial interview. You have to make sure you two will get along and that your personalities don't clash.
2. Price: You have to be able to afford it and be able to justify that the services you're paying for are worth it.
3. Another thing I feel that is hugely important in choosing a coach is to make sure they are not going to give you a generic plan. Many coaches out there have cookie cutter plans that they give to the athletes they coach. Everyone is different, so should the coaching. A coach needs to learn your weaknesses and show you how to improve on them.

This is my coach and I at Ironman Canada 2011. I decided to hire a coach a few years ago when I started to pursue triathlon. I'm am SO happy I found Greg as a coach. We get along really well and he has been helping me get much faster race after race.

Greg Bradley works out of Calgary during the summer and Hawaii during the winter. He has 1000's of hours worth of training and coaching experience and has completed 18 full Ironman Triathlons. You can check him out at www.legendcoaching.com

Who doesn't pee themselves race morning? Triathlon- 5 things you might not know

Is it weird that I get super grossed out when I see a puddle under a urinal but I'm totally ok with starting a triathlon knowing I'm probably swimming (hopefully not swallowing) someones pee. I thought I'd share 5 points about triathlon that you might not know.

1. Peeing yourself in your wetsuit while in the water is normal! I know it sounds gross, but it's not so bad. Triathletes spend all morning hydrating and making bathroom stops (lineups are usually outrageous) and once you get into your wetsuit and head down to the water, a porta potty is usually not worth it if you have to go #1. If the water is cold it really does help to warm you up too! Writing this down does make me feel like us triathletes are all a little odd! At least the ones that pee ourselves.

2. Peeing yourself on the bike: I figure I might as well keep this theme going. It's not uncommon at all (especially in longer races) to see someone slow down or pull over and let the golden stream flow! It's courteous to make sure no one is behind you and easier to do if going a little faster as to not let it run down your leg into your shoe.

3. Guys shaving their legs: Pretty normal for a guy to shave his legs during a triathlon season. There are a couple reasons for this. It makes road rash not quite so bad. Having hairy legs when you crash can trap in dirt and lead to infection. Another reason is that it makes massage much easier. Triathletes usually care a lot about taking care of their legs and having no hair makes it easier for the massage therapist. Lastly and the most important reason is that it looks good! You gotta show off those legs you worked so hard for.

4. I never thought I'd be excited to try on spandex: When I took up triathlon a few years ago I tried on my first pair of spandex cycling shorts and did not dare to walk out of the changing room. I hoped wearing them around in the privacy of my house I would eventually become comfortable in them. Fast forward a few years and I'm proud to wear my spandex with my shaved legs and have peed in them multiple times (only on race mornings of course).

5. Triathletes spend thousands of dollars to save hundreds of seconds: Many triathletes will spend large amounts of money just to save anywhere from 30seconds to 10min for a race depending on how long it is. We wear funny shaped helmets that help with aerodynamics and cost usually under a few hundred dollars. I would say that is probably the cheapest thing you could buy to help save time during a race. Racing wheels is where it starts to get pretty pricey. You can be looking at anywhere from $2000-$5000 depending on which models/brand you want. The actual bike itself is where most people will spend most of their money (unless you're like me- my racing wheels are worth more than my bike) and can spend anywhere from 2-12 thousand dollars. Those are the biggest money eaters, but don't forget, sunglasses, running shoes, cycling shoes, wetsuit, spandex and energy gels!


Despite all this, triathlon is a great sport. The people are great, the lifestyle is great. I enjoy training for my races and being able to see myself getting faster and stronger and best of all smarter. Everytime I race I find out more about myself and what I'm capable of. Even training, especially during long bike rides, it's usually just me and my thoughts. I have a lot of time to think about life while I'm getting fit and faster. Triathlon has defiantly made me a better person and will continue to.

                    Team Legend Camp in Penticton preparing for Ironman Canada. Great group of people!