A couple of years ago I did my first multisport event, a 1k swim/10k run, and won third prize--a big fish! Just like that fish, I was hooked, and couldn't wait to do my next race. I trained in a haphazard kind of way, picking up a bit of plantar fascitis here and a touch of achilles tendonitis there, but basically had a lot of fun. With the season winding down, I started thinking about how to have an even better one the following year, and the words "training plan" sprang into my mind. "Now, how hard could that be?" I thought. "I have my masters (okay it's in language education, but so what; it means I have half a brain at least). I've got all the right bibles in my library--'SERIOUS Training for Endurance Athletes,' 'Swim, Bike, Run,' 'Triathlons for Women,' and many others. I'll just sit down one afternoon and knock together a plan." Three months and many number-crunching afternoons later I had a semblance of a plan for the year, and proceeded to put it in place.

Things went well for a while, until I thought I'd throw marathon training into the mix. This hadn't been part of the original plan, based on yearly hours and periodization, but what the heck, it just might work itself out. It didn't. But ITB syndrome worked itself into my life as my hopes of doing a spring marathon faded. It was then that I started thinking about getting a coach. This was appealing on several levels: someone else could be responsible for all that initial calculating of yearly, weekly, daily hours and intensities: Someone else could tell me what I needed to do on which day to get myself in race shape; someone else could analyze my training log to see whether I was over (or, more likely, under) training, and make the necessary adjustments; someone else could make me breakfast, scrub the bathroom, and vacuum the living room. Well, as it turns out, most triathlon coaches don't think too much of that last little chore but excel at the first three.

After canvassing tri-friends who had gone the e-mail coaching route, I decided to approach a particular coach to see if she would take me on as one of her athletes. It wasn't without some trepidation and soul-searching that I did this. After all, who was I that someone of her reputation in the sport would want to bother with me? I was a mere age-grouper--yes, doing fairly well in a big fish/small pond kind of way, but that was primarily because of the inevitable process of aging-up. I would not be setting the triathlon world on fire with any of my performances (unless I happened to spontaneously combust at the start-line one day, but then everyone would just jump in the water and my 15 seconds of fame would be used up). I would not be bringing her any kind of glory through association with me. Was I even worthy of having a coach? Wasn't it just real athletes who got to have coaches?

As it turns out, she was interested in coaching me. After a few initial emails that established what we were each looking for and willing to offer, we got down to business. I would say that those first few weeks, when we were sussing each other out, were of utmost importance; anyone thinking of hiring a coach should make sure that they use this time wisely--explain what drives you as an athlete, what you hope to accomplish, and how you want to make that happen; ask the coach some specific questions about his or her philosophy and approach to training and racing, find out why this coach coaches and how much time the coach will devote to your cause. This is especially important if you are thinking of hiring someone to coach you by email; you might never meet this person, so if you want someone to get you out of bed in the morning, drive you to the pool, spit in your goggles, and swim your laps for you, be honest with yourself and look elsewhere. If you think the email coaching experience is for you, ask yourself what you're adding to the mix. Can you communicate well in writing? I don't mean that you're a Pulitzer Prize winner for literature, but that you can explain all the essential details with a minimum of fuss and confusion. Your coach will appreciate it if you can. Are you willing to do the workouts, or do you just want the opportunity to wow your tri-friends by saying "My coach, so-and-so, says..." ? Don't waste your coach's time if you really aren't going to apply the services your coach has to offer.

Once you find a coach that matches your style, get ready for results! I started training with my new coach in February 1999, and I couldn't be happier with my season. I didn't have the opportunity to race often, but I was able to complete my first 160km cycling road race (finishing first woman), take 8 minutes off a sprint (5/28/5km) duathlon time (placing 2nd in my age group, 35+), take 20 minutes off a 2.4/28.5km swim/run (placing 6th overall), finish my first 1/2 IM (winning my age group, 40-49), and finish Ironman Canada very comfortably, just over my goal of 13 hours.

The bi-weekly training program my coach sent me gave detailed descriptions of my daily workouts, supplemented by her prompt and efficient responses to my emailed questions and weekly training reports. Even though I didn't have someone to critique my technical skills, or lack of them, in person, the focus points that she gave for key workouts ensured that my efficiency improved in all three sports. She conveyed a sense of respect for my abilities and limitations that motivated me to perform as well as I could, when I could, but to know that I could lie back a bit when life got in the way of training. Because of this, I trained and raced injury-free for the first time since beginning triathlon training. And she never gave me heck if I missed a workout! It might sound naive that I was delighted to discover that, but most of my previous experiences of coaching had been with those from the "suck it up, slimeball" school of encouragement.

In addition to the training plan she designed for me, her knowledge and experience was extremely valuable in two other areas: outlining nutrition and hydration planning; and helping me develop mental toughness and a positive attitude in training and racing. Our email discussions on these points were instrumental in the success I had throughout my season, not only in races, but also in completing some of the long, lonely workouts leading up to Ironman Canada.