In an attempt at making my running my not so obvious weak leg in triathlon I'm putting in a bit of effort on it this winter. My plan is to work from all the theory I already have (but have never got around to implementing) during winter adn the duathlon season. Then assess where I'm at at the start of the triathlon season.

The next step, if I'm unhappy with where I'm at, is likely to be joining a club with access to a coach. What I'm wondering is whether a running club and coach would be best given the focus is on running (I already train with a swim squad and a bike group), or with a tri club where the caoch will be able to help with running as it pertains to triathlon. Anyone out there got experience with both?

Slowdave, my advice would be find a coach now. Don't wait until the start of next season to see if things are working or not, if they are not then most coaches can't do much for you in the season. Where as if you get a coach now you have a solid period of time to work on building a proper training regime that will help you run better whether it is fresh or off the bike.
As for whether it should be a run specific coach or a tri coach. I think that a tri coach would be better as the balance of your program needs to be corrct to attain the most benefit from it. Running coaches tend to build slightly to much work load into the run aspect and the bike needs to stay on the improve or you will still run below your best. Having said that try and find a coach who understands your goals and other committments and then whether they are run or tri they will be able to help you.
Also find out where your potential coaches experience has been and what they charge as these things will also allow you to choose somebody who has experience inthe areas you need to work on.

I think most tri coaches will place a greater emphasis on the discipline from which they came to triathlon. If they were swim coaches first you may be swimming 5 times a week all year, If they were cyclists then you will be doing a long ride every week, and if they were runners then you will run alot. As someone with a running background I can tell you that I think that the run leg is the most important leg in triathlon because it has the greatest variance in times between different athletes and that it comes at the Business end of the race.

I think winter is a good time to focus on running or cycling and drop back in the other two disciplines doing token training while trying to really improve one discipline. When it comes to finding a coach either go to a tri coach wioth a running background or find a run caoch to direct your training while doing no more than two swims and two cycles a week of limited duration. This is unlikely to have much effect on these disciplines come tri season but you will be running much better.

If you are an adequate Swimmer/Cyclist then I would recommend trying to find a running coach. Firstly because I am a running coach(and biased) and secondly if it is only your running that needs improvement than that would seem to be the most logical step.
There are many Tri coaches out there as mentioned previously that come from different disciplines and may not give you the grounding that your run leg needs.
Also I agree that you should not wait too long

If you haven't been doing a variety of run sessions, then a running coach is going to be your best bet, IMHO.

If you've been doing a variety of different run sessions (not just easy distance) and have been practising running immediately after riding, but you're still not happy with your run times, maybe it's a technique thing. An unfortunate truth is that some running and triathlon coaches just don't coach your technique - just like some swim squads never tell you any stroke correction tips. But there is a lot of technique in running. I got my tips from a Brisbane podiatrist who is also a runner (but, surprisingly, is not Steve 'The Footman', though I'm sure he would've done the same).

It's not about running the right way - there's a lot of discussion on here about foot strike and stride length and this and that. He showed me things like how to push off better, how to balance better, how to get stronger feet. He showed me some drills that have made me a faster runner and less injury prone, without adding heaps of extra sessions.

I'm sure you could also get this information from any coach or trainer who has done some comprehensive study in biomechanics, or any physio or podiatrist who has a genuine interest in running. Or someone you know who has gone through this process

Yes good point Tam. Sessions include LSD, sprint intervals, and tempo intervals, plus depending on the stage of the season some BRIC sessions. But after all that my ability to run further improves but not much improvement in pace so I suspect it is a technique thing.

Sorry, a bit out of the topic, but what is a BRIC session?

Bike, run in combination. Running after cycling feels a little different than just running...

All,


There seems to be a number of people who offer coaching services online. I'm not sure about using this. I suppose I'm still a bit from the old school of wanting to meet face to face (or at least speak on the phone) in a much more interactive manner than an online service provides. Then again I can only assume I am going to have to pay a lot more for the more personalised interactive service.

What is people's experience with the online services - are they tailored to individuals or do you just get a generic training plan, how much feedback can you provide and what sort of response do you get, what advice on race planning do you get, etc.

Any advice would be much appreciated.