Training Planning Part 3: Icing on the Cake

In this article I am going to outline some components to training that are important adjuncts to a written training plan. Once you get that written plan you are not a hermit who goes to do the workouts on a deserted island. A training plan is important; but so is this stuff:

TRAINING GROUP: A training group can be something structured like a masters swim, STtrainer group, or spin class. Or it can be as informal as one or more friends that you like to train with. The important thing is the camaraderie that the group provides.

Training partners will push you when you need it, and if they are good they will hold you back when you are "champing at the bit." They also provide the emotional support it takes to get through the tough times, and the fun of socializing on a normal basis.

Comfort in numbers: Group open water swim.

You walk through the ring of fire together. Some of your most memorable friendships can arise from training partners.

TECHNIQUE INSTRUCTION: If you are going to reach your potential, developing good technique is essential. While simply putting in the time--following your training plan--will lead to improvements, there is always more to be gleaned from technique. Rarely does one develop ideal technique on accident, by figuring it out on your own.

A coach with a trained eye, or a training partner with experience, can point out flaws in your form. There is a controversy that some people develop their own unique style, that one-size-fits-all is a mistake. To be sure individual differences occur, but most of us--myself included--benefit greatly from the watchful eye and tutelage of an expert.
Seeing is believing: Run form videotape analysis.

Changes in form do not happen automatically or overnight. They take time and persistence to form into a habit. This is where your coach will devise a series of drills to ingrain the muscle memory, to make the new movements automatic. As a coach I will even start in the gym, using strength, flexibility, and posture training to build improved technique from fundamental movements.

And a coach will remind you when you slip back into old habits. You may not want to hear it from your friends.

PERSONAL CONNECTION WITH COACH: Anyone who has had a coach personally touch their life knows what I am talking about. A coach can carefully stoke that spark of desire in you until it becomes the flames of driven commitment to your goal. A coach inspires through what is said and what is not said; you hate to disappoint your coach and you love to impress them.

I cheered Bill P. on while he completed his first half irondistance.

When I coach someone I seek to understand their personality. This way I can know what their strengths and drivers are, but also what their "blind spots" are. This way I can give them specific advice that will help them avoid the mistakes that their personality is inclined towards. Competitive people need to learn patience. Methodical people need to learn pain tolerance.

And together we grow in our wisdom.

CONCLUSION
In parts 1 and 2 I've outlined some of the qualities that I think make a training plan effective. You may not agree and that is why there are many different effective styles of coaching. In any case, I hope you will take into consideration the adjunct ingredients described in this article. I would say they are at least as important as the written plan itself.