Request for Proposal “MEET COACH” AND “Deck Coach” for Aging Age Group Triathlete
Having benefitted from some superb “Deck Coaches” – coaches who see you and help you during training sessions, I realize that in order to improve further and represent the United States at the highest levels of competition, I need a “Meet Coach.” A “Meet Coach” in my mind is a coach who actually sees you compete at Meets. That way the coach understands how the athlete performs under the stress of competition at state, regional and/or national competition. Some athletes do quite well in practice or at local races. But when they are fighting for a podium spot with top athletes and giving 100%, their form may change, mistakes may be made, and solutions may become evident to the trained eyes of an experienced multisport coach.
After taking off 6 weeks from running after last season (and noticing some knee symptoms), I was diagnosed by Dr. Tom Fleeter of Town Center Orthopedics with “chondromalacia,” which is simply wear and tear on the inside of the patella (knee cap). I have undergone 4 weeks of physical therapy, all the while continuing to bike, swim, do strength work and “run” in the deep water of the local Herndon Community Center pool.
My PT consists of mostly stability exercises, core work, stretching, one-legged balancing, and keeping my knees straight when squatting. This is quite different than other PT I have undergone for broken bones, torn muscles, plantar fascists, etc. For those maladies, there was ice, electro-stim, heat, Graston, ultrasound, massage, and whirlpool. At Town Center Orthopedics in Reston, I am doing all the work. No “passive modalities.” As they used to say when I was a grad student at Sargent College, “If it isn’t physical, it isn’t therapy !”
So back to my goals for the 2016 season. I am looking for a “Meet Coach” so that I can turn in the best performances possible. My “A” races include: USAT Sprint Duathlon (6/25/16) & Triathlon (8/14/16) National Championships; Sprint Triathlon Regional Championships (Jamestown, Va 6/12/16 ? Luray, VA – 8/20/16?); USAT Duathlon Series (Georgia – 4/17/16, Glastonbury, CT 5/22/16, Woodbine, MD – 7/17/16). My cycling speed is good, but my swimming has fallen off (from 21 min./mile to almost 30), and my top end running pace is not what it should be (7 min. miles instead of sub-6 for the 5km).
Lastly, I have had a high ham cramp at 6 championship level races. This never happens in training or other events. Figuring out the cause and cure will be critical to a successful 2016 season.
Otherwise, I am reasonably healthy, hard-working, with no vices that would derail multisport success. I do not expect to find a coach who will be at all of the “A” races, but if there is someone who could overlap on more than one, that would probably make all the difference.
So, I am looking for proposals from triathlon coaches who have worked with older age groupers in the shorter distance races. I am not at all interested in racing Iron or even Half Iron distances. I do not plan on doing another International Olympic distance championship race until 2017.
All serious inquiries will be considered, and if more data is needed as to my training regimen & race performances, I can send my Training Peaks & Polar HR information.
Let me know time, attendance, equipment/programs needed, and costs. Performance bonuses for meeting/exceeding objective metrics will be part of the package. Do not need daily, or even weekly meetings, but some “hands on” coaching will be critical to the success of this venture. Looking forward to seeing what comes of this RFP…
Please forward this to anyone who you may think would be interested. Thanks !