TAKING A LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM MY BELOVED E.N.
Dear Team,
After almost 10 years of totally EN based training, with results above and beyond my wildest dreams (and I sincerely thank coaches, WSM’s and many team mates for those results), I have reached a very normal plateau which, in my evaluation, demands “change” if I want (as I want) to remain competitive at the front of the pack.
Being 2019 my age up year, when I will fully commit to pursue a KQ ... I feel the need for a new approach to motivate me to get faster in a new age group (60-64), where the slots become scarcer while the “old” dudes are increasingly “fitter and quicker” (and I pretend to work hard to remain one of those).
Thus, I have concluded that 1:1 coaching will be essential for me throughout my next KONA DREAM cycle and have reached an agreement with a Pros Coach to accept me as one of his few athletes until, at least, end of 2019.
That being the case, I will take a “Leave of Absence” from the team as of next month.
From the bottom of my heart, hope to remain in touch with MY EN FAMILY and very special friends within.
email: juanmvergara@yahoo.com
Instagram: @trinspired
Mobile: +55-11-98982.2419
All the best from your ETERNAL fri.EN.nd,
BRB
Juan
Comments
Don't forget the Maintenance Mode option, so you can come back at the same status....
@Juan Vergara Continue to put it out there and go after the KQ. It's been great to follow you virtually for so long as I've been kicking around EN a long time as well.
@Juan Vergara I strongly disagree that one on one coaching is "essential" for you . You are the real deal with the skill, work ethic, and discipline to pretty much go to KONA anytime you want. However, I fully support your decision to do something different to see if you can squeak anything else out. You will never know unless you try. I have come very close to trying similar, but for various reason have remained self coached . Will miss you here but I'm sure we'll cross paths again.
To add on to what Tim stated above: One on one coaching can be extremely valuable. I've been in the triathlon game for about 15 years and have used self coach, group coach, elite/expense 1:1 coaching and mid level 1:1 coaching. All have pros and cons. Well actually the elite/expensive one was all cons :). My personal experience takeaway is the the elite guys get famous by training elites and they use age groupers to pay the bills :). My coach never had time for me, was always late loading my calendar, gave me pdf stuff rather than personalized plans. My point is make sure to set expectations before you go into something like that. Are you expecting to get faster? How will you know? You should agree on goals, benchmarking, how much of their time you get with them weekly/monthly etc.
I think everyone here knows the value of group training. No better place than EN to hear from incredible amounts of people with different views on hundreds of subjects.
I've also liked the mid price one on one stuff. The coaches are smart, they have time for you, they're adaptive and can turn on a time. You are important to them. Great for coaching but not always knowing different viewpoints, keeping up with trends etc.
Anyway, I'm sure you have spent a lot of time thinking this through and are excited for a new adventure. I wish you the best in your journey ahead!
Juan - best of luck in 2019!! I sincerely hope you get that Kona slot since I'll be racing there under the Legacy program. Meanwhile, you know where to find me if I need to bring some gear to Kona for you (ha!). Also, in reference to Tom's remarks above, I think we would all like to hear about your results relative to your goals and established benchmark. All the best. r/Paul
I echo @tim cronk's sentiments above, I will be moving up to the EN elite model once i get passed a few hurdles as I re-engage on my KQ quest. I DO believe in a bit more focus from the coach, thus I support the idea, that said, the one thing that has kept me here is that P knows my history and abilities best to guide me to the next level.
Looking forward to your continued social media posts & hopefully a visit to NY again soon!
Best wishes in your pursuit, Juan! Hope you'll return soon.
Good luck to you Juan. We’ve ridden in Arizona and California and raced in South Africa together. I hope we will get to race Kona together soon.
Juan - There is great value in switching up one's routine, for sure. And there is great danger in having too many cooks trying to stir the broth. So finding a different approach, and focusing only on that path sounds like a good tactic to me.
Of course there is the camaraderie that many of us have with you, and for that I say...Facebook, Email, and other venues will work very well. Get stronger, race faster, and I WILL see you down the road.
@Leslie Knight Tks much for the heads up on MM. Done!!
@Gordon Cherwoniak keep following please. If you use Instagram check out @trinspired
@tim cronk Tks for your comments. Like you very well say “will never know unless I’ll try” .... Try I will (and report).
@Tom Glynn agree with you that “no better place than EN to hear from great people with amazing knowledge”. That’s one of the reasons I’m staying “connected” via Maintainance Mode (the main reason being that I’ll be back full time for sure)
@Paul Hough I sincerely hope to see you in Kona (and will work hard towards that goal)
@scott dinhofer I will definitely continue posting and visit you in NYC ASAP.
@Dave Tallo thank you .... I’ll be back!!
@Robert Sabo I also hope we can race Kona together. Or, better said: we WILL!!
@Al Truscott we will definitely meet down the road (many times) .... you and Cheryl have a very special place in ALL THE VERGARAS hearts.