Over the few years I’ve been coaching triathletes, over half of the athletes who come to me have never done a triathlon before—but they’re eager for guidance.
But what can you expect from a triathlon coach as a beginner?
I recently gathered feedback from these athletes, and over 90% said they approached me because they’d signed up for an event and needed guidance. But that’s just the beginning! Think of a coach as a friend who not only guides you but also motivates, listens, and holds you accountable.
The Guidance
When you’re new to triathlon and preparing for your first event, you’ll have many questions, reservations, and the occasional confidence crisis. For example:
- “How do I set up my transition?”
- “I don’t think I can run 5k after getting off the bike.”
- “Swimming is so hard—I might drown!”
A confident, experienced coach will answer your questions and design a plan that gives you the confidence to achieve more than you ever thought possible. They’ll tailor your training around your daily life, abilities, and goals.
The Motivation
Different coaches motivate in different ways. Most will offer motivational talks, challenges, and a progressive plan. From my experience, athletes—even first-time triathletes—have unique needs.
- You might need a boost in confidence, so your coach could assign a challenging yet achievable session to prove to yourself that you can run a 5k off the bike.
- Or, if you’re a seasoned duathlete needing technical coaching in the water, your coach will adjust the focus accordingly.
In my program, I find the two best motivators are:
- Seeing improvements in your performance. Coaches help you clearly track your progress.
- Healthy competition. I challenge my athletes weekly in a community setting—it’s fun, varied, and competitive without being based solely on ability.
Listening and Accountability
Sometimes, your training might leave you frustrated or unmotivated. We all have days when we just don’t feel like getting out there, even when we know it’s good for us. Having someone to talk to during those moments makes a big difference.
From my own experience, telling someone about your training plans makes you more likely to stick to them. If you’re struggling, a coach will listen and guide you in the right direction. They’re flexible while remaining focused on helping you reach your end goal.
The Added Extras
Many coaches use online training apps like TrainingPeaks or Final Surge. These tools help you plan your training, track your progress, and integrate with wearables like smartwatches. Coaches might also assist with developing nutrition strategies or even meal plans if you’re interested—if you have secondary goals like weight loss or building muscle, ask your coach about it!
Most triathlon coaches include strength training as part of their program. Although it might seem unnecessary at first, strength work is vital for sustaining intensity over long durations and across all three disciplines, plus it plays a crucial role in injury prevention. After all, when you’re training multiple times a week, stronger muscles help reduce fatigue and lower injury risk.
What You Get from a Coach
A coach is more than someone who just writes a plan. They teach, motivate, and keep you accountable. They’re not simply there to tell you what to do—they work with you to help you achieve your aspirations.
Although 90% of my athletes come to me because of an upcoming event, 55% tell me they enjoy the coaching experience for reasons beyond just training—it’s about enjoying the journey as much as the destination.
I consider everyone I work with not only my athletes but also my friends.
If you would like to have a chat about our triathlon coaching services and join our community book a call with us on our calendly.
