The Triathlon Journey

Got a recent email from an athlete asking about the benefits of coaching.  He was specifically interested in how I might be a bit different than other coaches in the area and how my history in the sport affects my coaching approach.  Thought the ideas would be worth sharing with others here...
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Thank you for contacting me.  I would be happy to chat with you about your long term goals and expectations.
I do take a longer term, more balanced approach to the sport of triathlon than many others in the community.  I did my first Ironman in 1994 so I have been in the game for a long time, seen coaches and athletes come and go.  I have athletes that I have been working with since I started coaching in 2006, many years longer than any other coach in this area.  I have athletes that I have taken through a multi-year progression, leading them from their first triathlon all the way to doing the Ironman.
I believe most people can accomplish the vast majority of their goals if they are willing to dedicate the time required, not only in the short term (this week/month/season) but in the long term, over years of training.  In my case, I had to work very hard over the course of a ten year journey to finally learn enough about myself as an athlete and about training techniques etc. to qualify for my first Ironman World Championships in Kona.  I believe that puts me in a BETTER position to coach age group athletes than others who were able to qualify for Kona at their first Ironman.  I certainly envy their athletic abilities but don't believe personal ability makes them a better coach for the average Age Group athlete.  Just as in any other sport, the best athletes aren't necessarily the best coaches.
This perspective is certainly one of the things my athletes tell me they get from my coaching and I have enjoyed watching people grow through the sport I love.
Two other benefits my athletes highlight are higher levels of personal confidence and accountability.  Ultimately they are the ones that must do the training and racing but knowing they have followed the lead of an experienced coach rather than trying to figure it all out on their own is reassuring.  Kind of like hiring a lawyer rather than trying to defend yourself in court... having objective advice is a better solution.  As for accountability, knowing that I am going to check their training log has helped my athletes do the things they know they should when motivation is perhaps lacking.  I can't force them to do the work but they know that I "know" they didn't do the session; sometimes that is enough to provide the extra push out the door :)
If you would like to discuss further or have specific questions please give me a call, happy to chat.
Thanks again for reaching out to me, best of luck with your triathlon goals!

2012 MTC Racing Team

Midwest Triathlon Coaching
2012 Racing Team

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The MTC Racing Team is an exclusive group of great athletes, but it is not exclusionary; you don’t have to be “fast” (although you may be).  It is for all current MTC coached athletes, formerly coached athletes and other members of the “MTC Family”.

MTC Racing Team members will receive:

• MTC Racing Team T-Shirt
• MTC Visor or Winter Beanie
• MTC Decal
• Invitation to Racing Team training events
• Recognition and camaraderie from your fellow Team members

You will also be eligible for Team pricing from the following:

• Garry Gribbles Running Sports
• Elite Cycling
• XTERRA Wetsuits
• Rudy Project Sunglasses & Helmets
• Zoca Performance Gear
• GU Energy
• Tri Tats
• MTC "Event Specific" coaching plans

Requirements

There is no cost to be part of the MTC Racing Team.

When you join you agree to race at least FIVE times in 2012 wearing MTC gear before, during and after the event - shirt or tri top (hat doesn’t count).  At least three of the five events coming from the following list:

• Rock the Parkway
• KC Triathlon
• Topeka Tinman
• Shawnee Msn Tri
• WIN Triathlon
• Jackson CO Tri
• Redman Triathlon
• Any 5150 Triathlon
• Any 70.3
• Any Ironman

End of Season Bonus – if you meet the requirements, or refer a client who becomes an MTC coached athlete, you will receive your choice of either a free month of coaching ($175 value) or a running jacket with MTC logo.


If you are interested in applying for the MTC Racing Team contact Ken Welsh at ken@mwtricoach.com

5th Annual Resolution Run

New Uniforms

  

Photo of the new MTC cycling jacket and running singlet.  Few pieces available now, next order will deadline end of March.  Order form available on request.

Resolution Run #4

Can't believe it but here we are once again well into December which mean January 1st is just around the corner so it's time for the 4th Annual Resolution Run. Hope to see everyone January 1st at Muddy's on the Trolley Trail at 51st Street.

Should I run a marathon?

Have recently had a couple athletes send me their race plans for 2011.  In these two specific cases they had listed the Olathe Marathon in April.  Since I have had the same conversation with other athletes in years past, I thought it might be worth a blog post.
The question is, for a triathlete doing a 70.3 or full Ironman later in the year (Aug/Sept) as their seasons' "A+" event, should they run a marathon such as Olathe in April or Lincoln in May?  An interesting article titled "Should You Run a Marathon in Preparation for an Ironman? on Active.com by Amanda McCracken was sent to me by one athlete.  In it Amanda provides some great reasons to do so - base miles and mental prep are points with which I completely agree.  Where I disagree with Amanda is with the timing - "at least three or four months out from the Ironman" is far too close.

Early on in my IM career I followed the advice Amanda is providing; I regularly did the Lincoln Marathon in early May before doing IM Canada in August.  As I progressed in my understanding of the demands of the sport and developed a stronger understanding of what works and what doesn't for myself and others I have changed my feelings.

Doing a marathon nine months out from an Ironman, as she starts the article mentioning, does make sense to me and I have had a number of athletes do a marathon in the Oct - Jan timeframe before taking a break then starting their IM prep for Canada/Louisville/Wisconsin in Jan/Feb/Mar.  So I am not opposed the running the marathon, rather I no longer agree doing it in Apr/May is the best way to prepare.

Building up running mileage out of proportion to cycling mileage early on might seem to make sense since the weather is cold and so riding isn't much fun.  But the taper before the marathon and then the 2-4 weeks that an athlete might take to be fully recovered from the demands of running 26.2 at race pace can set the athlete's IM prep back as much as six weeks.  I have also seen a mental let down after a big event like a marathon.

Best story I can share is from my '98 season.  Third IMC, had a new bike and I really wanted to do well.  Trained really hard early and I set my marathon PR (3:07) in May in Lincoln.  Thought I was doing great but then did my slowest Ironman in August...  Lots of circumstances that went into that result but after that year I never ran as fast at the marathon but set a 25 minute PR at IMC #4 (over an hour faster than #3) and another 20 minute PR at IMC #5 in 2002.

So, if you are interested in doing an Ironman then doing a marathon ubefore hand is a great idea.  (Same can be said for having successfully completed a few 70.3 events and a Century bike ride or two.)  But that marathon need to be completed in the Fall before your Ironman season so you have the Holidays to mentally and physically recover and can start your Ironman journey in the New Year.

2011 Winter Gear Order

Arch and Ken taking a break after riding "Super James" in Colorado

Interested in sporting MTC gear in 2011?  Looking for a great Christmas present for yourself, a loved one or training partner (or both)?
Now is the time to get in on the next order of the gear that has been so visible and well received by everyone in 2010.  We have triathlon tops and shorts, cycling jerseys, jackets and shorts as well as running tanks available.  It is professionally designed by Arch Fuston and all "Made in the USA" by Zoca Gear based in San Diego, CA.
In addition to the fully sublimated gear from Zoca, we also have the Saucony Kinvara training/racing shoes and running jackets, TYR swim caps, XTERRA transition backpacks and a few other miscellaneous items available.
The deadline for the next order is December 15th.  We will have that order delivered by mid-February, just in time for spring training rides and early season races.
If you have any questions or want to try items on before ordering I have sample sizes of everything available.
Order form is available on the Updates page of the MTC website.