Don’t Follow Patchwork Coaching or Training Plans
Sean Burke
2004-06-09
I was here at the San Diego Velodrome chatting with another coach and a couple of riders that were preparing for the master’s state championships. One of the riders noticed that different coaches were preparing some of their athletes quite differently. So the athlete asked if he should follow part of this coach’s plan, and part of that coach’s plan. The answer was a definite no. First of all each training plan is made individually for each athlete, and each athlete has different goals, talents, and outside commitments. Secondly, different coaches may prepare athletes very differently, but either way the rider may be properly prepared. You see, a training plan is like a map and there is more than one way to get somewhere. I could give you directions to my house, my wife could give you directions, and my neighbor could give you directions. The directions could all be a little different but they could all get you there in the same amount of time. However, if you tried to follow part of one set of directions, a part of another you would end up lost! The same holds true to training plans. So don’t be afraid to ask your coach questions, but stick with his plan whenever possible.
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