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Mark Bidwell 2019 Official Coach Thread

Here's your personal Coach Thread, as promised. This is where you'll return to post all your "coach" questions as responses; I'll see them and reply. This first post is here to guide you through your first year on EN, so you can always come back here.

As you'll see in this forum, I handle all manner of edits and changes. So post away, know that I reply here usually M/W/F each week.

Power User Tip: Click the Star icon by the Title of this thread to subscribe, and you'll get email updates when I do reply.


Coach Notes

Mark, great to have you back. I have added your plans below, and I'd like you to start with the OutSeason Plan  before your build. Your 40mpw is great, and the 5k time as well. NO WAY we want you running a 4:4x marathon at IMSR. So let's keep that rolling. We'll then really focus on the bike volume when you transition to the full plan. Until then you can "make the call" on the weekend if you want a 4th ride...but not required. We do Team rides on Zwift (GroupMe EN Zwift Chat ) so you can get fit and have fun with the Team (sign up, mute the app! 🤣).

We can talk more on the phone..please set up that call with me: https://calendly.com/pmccrann/15min  if there's no extra days this week...text me...I can call you on Friday afternoon if need me (annual summit this week).

Your Races

  • 02/02/2019 (Run) Elephant Mountian Trail Run 22K
  • Ironman Santa Rosa (2019-05-12) #IMSR_19   


Season Outline

These are your recommended training plans, including the date you should start each one (sometimes you won't complete a full plan but transition to another one). You can change your plans on Final Surge by clicking on Training Plans / My Plans. Learn more about each plan on the Training Plan Central Page.

>> Last updated by Coach on December 12, 2018

  • On 12/10/2018 Load the -- OutSeason (Run Focus) Plan, 14wks to end on 3/17/2019
  • >> Transition Early << 
  • On 2/17/2019 Load the -- EN*Full Bike Focused to end on 5/12/2019
  • On 5/13/2019 Load the Post Ironman Transition Plan, All Levels (4wks) to end on 6/9/2019

Your Notes

Past IM races; Canada/Whistler 2015, Arizona 2017 (11:59:35),

April 2018 Lake Sonoma 50m 

I've run several shorter trail races this fall; 25K, 13.1, 15K, 5m

Ran a 5k Turkey Trot as a time trial @ 21:50Currently running 40~ miles per week 

Biking, Zwift 2-3X per week,

Swimming 1-2Xwk


I used EN for both IMs. Trained at the intermediate level for Whistler, the Advanced level for Arizona. I have a similar level of fitness now , pre-Santa Rosa as i did pre-Arizona. The Arizona finish time could have easily been 30 minutes faster, except for a gear choice failure (live & learn).  

Your Homework

Tell Me Your Season Goals

  • What will make you consider 2018 a success?

  • What's your biggest limiter right now?


Contact Points

As part of your journey to becoming a Self Coached Triathlete inside TeamEN, we are prepared to give you excellent support for your first 90 days. Our goal is to transition you from live, in-person support to using our digital resources and the Team to help you continue your progress as you execute your Three Year Plan.


These are all the key points in your first year where we must talk. Please remember to include your phone number.


  • Welcome Call in Week One (set it up here)

  • Coach Call in Week Two to talk about your season (set it up here)

  • End of Trial Call -- We review your experience & Unlock Year One / Race Execution for you (set it up here)

  • End of Season Call -- We review your year & Strategize for your End of Year Gap and Year Two (TBD in this Coach Thread)


Questions

  • Coach Questions - Right here in this thread. Always reply to this same thread, it keeps a record for us as we evolve together!

  • General Questions - Simple stuff can go to the Q & A Central Forum for the Team to answer. For example, Best Bike? How to improve run cadence? How to flip turn?

  • Need Help? - Please check the EN Help Site first!

  • Admin Questions - Billing or orders or whatnot? Use the red chat button at the bottom of the Members Site (not forums) or email us here.

  • Specific Questions about a Race or Power, etc? - You can post those into the targeted forum for that topic. Power questions to the Power and Pace Forum. Race questions to your specific race forum, etc. Not sure where to post? Put it in the General Discussion forum and we will sort it out. Whatever you do, PLEASE ask your questions!!


For short or last minute questions, we recommend you use the Red Chat Icon on the main Members website.

We have also organized a complete chart of the best ways to contact us online here


Your First Month on the Team

You have quite a few things to do when you start up. There are instructions on the top of the website, but you can review them under Resources / Trial Member Welcome.


Your First Year Inside Endurance Nation

This will be unlocked after your trial expires.


Looking forward to working with you this year,


~ Coach P

Comments

  • @Mark Bidwell


    Welcome to your SECOND MONTH  inside Endurance Nation!


    To help you continue your progress, we have a few short questions for you. You can copy the questions and put your answers in your reply to this thread (no need to copy the questions, just keep the numbers the same!).


    ** Rankings **

    Please rate the following items on a Scale of 1 to 3 (1 = Unsatisfactory,  2 = Satisfactory, 3 = Great!):

    • Swim Fitness:
    • Bike Fitness:
    • Run Fitness:
    • Weight / Body Composition:

     

    ** Subjective Information **

    • What is Your Biggest Improvement So Far?
    • In What Area Do You Need Additional Support?
    • Would You Recommend Endurance Nation to a Friend?

     

    ** Additional Learning **

    Now that we are beyond the initial learning curve of Endurance Nation, it's time to give deeper into some additional resources that can really help you out.

    You have several options:


    ** Need Coach Input? **

    Don’t forget you can schedule a check in call with Coach Patrick online here: https://calendly.com/pmccrann/15min


    We are looking forward to your answers!

  • @Mark Bidwell

    Welcome to your THIRD MONTH  inside Endurance Nation!


    This month we focus on helping you become more independent as part of your growth as a Self-Coached Athlete.  Whether you are planning your season, preparing to race or transitioning to a new endurance challenge...Team Endurance Nation is ready to help!


    If you haven’t done so already, please set up your Month Three Coach Call here.



    ** Training Focus **

    We consider anytime in your season when you are more than 12 weeks away from your event to be a training focus. There are different phases of training (OutSeason®, General Prep, Sport Specific), but they are fall under the same umbrella.


    Now that you are through your first two months of Endurance Nation, You have learned a few key “rules” of how we play the game, and you are ready to take charge of your experience.


    Training Lesson Recap:

    • No single workout is more important than your health, or your season goal.
    • Prioritize your “key” workouts each week, then fill the rest of your space.
    • We can always fix over rested. We can’t fix broken, exhausted or sick.
    • Have a specific goal for each training block - what is the desired end state?


    Taking Charge:

    • You should be comfortable moving your own workouts around at this point.
    • You can change plan ability levels as needed to keep yourself on track.
    • You can use the Test Week at any time to confirm a fitness change.
    • If you want to take a different path that we suggest...do it and keep us posted!


    ** Racing Focus **

    Once you are within the final 12 week window to your event, it’s time to really focus. From key workouts to nutrition to logistics, there’s a great deal to cover. There’s a fine line between a great day and a day where you want a total do-over.


    Key components of your final push should include:


    • Simulation Workouts to replicate the mental, physical and nutritional scenario you expect on race day.
    • A tried and true nutrition plan for your event; this is your last chance to lock it in!
    • Draft and review of a Race Plan to make sure you are 100% ready to take this on.
    • Optional rest as needed, and a defined taper in the last two to three weeks as necessary.
    • 13 Weeks out from your race you should be getting a race preparation email and an invitation to GroupMe - if you haven’t gotten that yet - let us know!


    ** Additional Support **

    In addition to The Forums and other Team-related support, you still have the chance to connect with Coach Patrick across your first year. Right now it’s time for your three month call with Coach Patrick; and you can book it here.


    Tip: Find all your other call windows across your first year, please visit the EN Staff page.


    Be sure to check out our Three Year Plan in Resources / Wiki so you can see how we recommend improving from season to season.


    Coach Phone Consults

    If you are looking for support above and beyond the traditional Endurance Nation experience, you can book a consult with Coach Patrick. These are billed at $100/hour and Can be on almost any training or racing topic. Please click here to learn more / get started.



    Congratulations for moving forward with you training as you build to your race goals. We can’t wait to see what you are capable of this season!

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