Any non-frequent posters out there?

whittimd

 Not sure where to post this... 



So frequent posters seem to realize the biggest gains.....do we have data on non-posters? 



This is my 3rd attempt at EN. I'm just not a poster and eventually I end up bailing. I dont post so I dont have any feedback. Then end up feeling like I might as well be on my own. 



Anybody out there like me? 



Thanks

Coach Rich

Posted By john whittington on 17 Oct 2010 09:01 AM

 Not sure where to post this... 



So frequent posters seem to realize the biggest gains.....do we have data on non-posters? 



This is my 3rd attempt at EN. I'm just not a poster and eventually I end up bailing. I dont post so I dont have any feedback. Then end up feeling like I might as well be on my own. 



Anybody out there like me? 



Thanks

 

John, no, we don't have data, it's just an overall observation. This is what I see:

• Training: a members joins, gets set up with their plan and either doesn't read/watch/listen to the stuff that accompanies the plan and/or doesn't ask us and the team for feedback on to adjust the plan to fit them. They end up not training as effectively, or learning as much, as the peer who simply uses more of the resources they are paying for.
• Racing: same doode wakes up 3wks out from his race and realizes...he doesn't know how to race, doesn't know where to find our stuff on racing, and basically raises his hand in class to ask questions that he should have been asking months ago.

In my opinion it's your money and your responsibility to get the most value out of it. It's 0730 on a Sunday, you've asked a question and I'm answering. We and the team are here to give you any feedback you need, but you gotta ask for it. We have a ton of very good resources in the wiki...but you gotta read it. We have hours and hours of very good podcasts...but you gotta listen to them.

Any coaching relationship shouldn't be an "attempt" at making it work. It either fits you or it doesn't.

Coach Patrick

But odds are the other non-posters....aren't going to post. I am done with my hour of .9 on the trainer, now off to a Team EN NE BBQ at Steve Ford's house....gonna be a great day!

jburbatt

At the beginning I didn't post very much because I was so busy with other stuff, especially a new job, that I had pretty limited time, and spent most of my time on EN just trying to grab info that I needed for that day. While it was good, it's a lot different when you make an effort to actually post. You get involved in the conversations, it makes you think critically about your training, and it's a great motivator. These days I find that my training noticeably benefits because of conversations I've been a part of. Ultimately though, it's on you as a self-coached athlete to get yourself involved EN is truly a place where the more you put in the more you're likely to get out of it.

Re: your statement that posters seem to realize the biggest gains. There's a lot of talk in the haus about how to adjust your training plan based on life events, fatigue, illness, injury, etc. You know, the stuff that happens. Making smart choices and tapping into the knowledge base of 400 other triathletes that are trying to give thoughtful answers based on their own experiences can be the difference maker between someone who follows a plan into the ground and someone who realizes that nothing is one size fits all and makes adjustments using a lot of tried-and-true and smart techniques.

You don't have to set aside hours a day, or even a week, to reap the benefits of the haus. Finding the happy medium between too much that it takes over your life and too little that you end up leaving is definitely attainable, IMO.

Hope that helps!

Gordon Cherwoniak

John,

I'm not a non-frequent poster but I'd agree the feedback and group discussion helps to keep you motivated.

Here's what I would suggest:

1) Get in an OS groups - Join through communinty tabs and groups.  This will get you in an active groups of people who are doing what you are and are starting workouts at the same time.   

2) Post your workouts in the dashboard and when you come on you can click on your OS groups and see the action even if this is only every 2-3 days.  Try to make 5 minutes to come on every day just to post your workout and questions.  As people reply to your dashboard questions you get an email notification so you will know someone has responded if you check that regularly.

3) I'm not sure that this would be an option but if it's a challenge with finding information on the forum perhaps you could get linked up with a mentor although I don't that there are many as we have had a ton of new memebers.  If you have a question send me a personal message and I will try to answer it.

4) Find other ways to get that 5 minutes on the fourm if you are not in an OS for some time, January, get in on a few of the weekly threads.  John Stark has a thursday weekly running thread, I have a weigh in Wednesday thread, and Nemo has started a 100 push up thread in the challenge forum.  Even if something has started like the 100 push up challenge don't worry about joining.

There are other challenges throughout the year or perhaps start your own. 

I'd say just getting yourself active on a regular basis with what ever works for your lifestyle.

See you around.

Gordon

Mike Hedman

While, like Gordon I'm probably not considered a non-poster, I AM guilty of not listening to the podcasts...and I realize I've been missing a lot of good info and motivation.  My problem is that I don't train with headphones.  But I do commute.  So I set up my iPhone to grab the podcasts, and I went out and bought a hands free bluetooth speakerphone deelio - and I'm listening, learning, and getting jazzed for the outseason.

So John, ask yourself - why don't you post?  Shy?  Overworked?  No time?  Feel like your question is dumb...but everyone else's isn't?!?  I looked at why I wasn't listening to the podcasts, and I worked it out.  For you, let's start with the 'why', and I bet you'll find you are not alone.

And if you need proof things can change, we once had a lurker....named Nemo.  And I think you see that things have changed on that score!

Mike 

Spokane_Al

As someone who does the majority of my training alone, I know how easy it is to stay in my cave, not ask for help and/or feedback and slowly crumble under the load of an intense OS during the darkest days of winter.

However that is the very time one needs to reach out and if not comment, at least follow the many posts by fellow (and fellowette) ENers as they face many of the same issues.

And although it seems as if everyone is succeeding and hitting new levels of fitness, strength and FTP, there are numbers of other ENers who are experiencing the same issues as you. The only way to connect with them is to connect and post on the forum.

So I would encourage you to post, especially when you find yourself heading into a difficult hole - that is where much of the value of EN comes through. And as you find help, perhaps you will, in turn, in the future, return the favor to others.

This really is a community, and one that is interested in each other and cares about the success of others. And as a community, the value we receive from the interconnectiveness is magnified by what we put back into that same community.

I highly suggest you give it a try. If you don't then you will remain as a voice that no one hears.

whittimd

Thanks for the input.

DanJacquemin

I have to say, I'm not a frequent poster but I do enjoy playing along with the 'home' game. Don't like chiming in with a lot of 'me too' posts and usually some really smart peeps have chimed in before I manage to get to a thread.

BUT, the group thing will help keep you motivated and sort of adds a layer of accountably to your training. That is a huge help.

So, ummm, 'me too' on what @Al, @Mike, @Gordon, @Jenn and @RnP ;said...

Nemo Brauch

we once had a lurker....named Nemo

Are trying to start a new limerick?

What everyone else said. I especially like Jennifer's comments about how reading the threads and posting your own questions or responses helps you become a more critical thinker when it comes to your own personal training. It's really not much more different than any class you have ever taken. The kids who ask questions and try to answer the questions of others are the ones who learn the most.

phaedrus

I've been around a little over a year and you can see by my numbers I'm a bit of a non-poster. I read a ton of the threads that have some question and answer or race debrief and stay away from the daily chatter. I keep myself sufficiently accountable and don't have the free time to play in the more social space. All that said, I was thrilled to be part of a team come race day in wi this year. It was such a great mental boost to see all these familiar names and other en kits on the course, not to mention the additional group of spectators covering the course and cheering you on. It seemed every time I needed a pick me up someone was yelling go en. Im not going to put myself up as a role model, There are a lot of faster folks in the haus than me and lots who probably get more out of this than me, but I love access to the collective knowledge and feel like I get good value for my $, which is really all you can ask for. I have yet to not get a response to a question because of my non poster status.

Fergus Whelan

I'm not a frequent poster mostly because I tend not to have anything additional to add but I do read nearly everything that is posted. I'm glad there are others out there who love to post!

Nemo Brauch

I'm not a frequent poster mostly because I tend not to have anything additional to add but I do read nearly everything that is posted.

I found out when we went to the IMWI Rally last year that there are a LOT of folks like you (fellow grateful lurkers) out there. I met folks in Madison I didn't know existed, but who knew a whole lot about me! It was pretty cool to find out that there are even more folks we help here that we don't even know.