I'm trying something new this year
Well, I let the cat out of the bag earlier this week on my blog and wanted to provide a little more explanation to my teammates.
But first I need to say THANK YOU to Rich, Patrick, and everyone in EN.
In the last two and half years I have accomplished so much more than I thought I could. My goal when I joined EN was simply to get a Kona slot, finish Kona and move on to other things (as I typically have about a 3-4 year attention span). During that journey I learned so much about myself and have enjoyed it so much that I have new goals within the sport of triathlon and am not moving on to something else, at least not yet.
Almost three years of EN plans has taken me from a FTP of 209 to 290 watt, gained me 5 vdot points, given me a good jump start on learning to execute in races and more importantly introduced me to many people who are now great friends. With EN, I went from a 12:02 ironman to a 9:49. My point is, this stuff works.
During that time I’ve also learned a lot about what I am not good at.
One of many areas where I am lacking is in my self-coaching abilities. Let’s face it, I’m a goal and ego driven 30 year male that no matter how many times I run into a wall, I still try to go longer (pre-EN) or harder (with EN) the next time around (or next day). I find faster people to train with, try to beat them, and then find faster people. I have other genius ideas like a BBW a week before a 70.3 but instead of going easy, I go ride the full IMWI course with coach Rich on our road bikes in 5:07 and put up 300 + TSS on the first day, try again for two more days, and then race a few days later.
I’ve also tried to taper a few different ways and have never got it right. I dread the taper and when I was making huge gains in fitness, I could just skip tapering and still PR, but now the taper is becoming critical and I need to figure it out. There are many more reasons, but those are the big ones.
All that added to the fact that I now have more responsibility at work, a daughter and while that I like to spend time with, and some new goals, I’ve decided it’s time to work with a coach for a little bit. This will allow me to focus my time on getting the training done and have someone else with an objective point of view providing constant guidance before I do too much dumb stuff.
I value the advice and friendship of so many people within EN that I am planning to stay in the haus. This way I can keep in touch with you, talk about race execution, and some of my other favorite topics like geeky bike stuff.
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Comments
I think it's safe to say that that you are a great asset to EN and I, as I suspect most others, have somewhat of a mixed sense of pride and sorrow to see you "go". Often you inspire me, sometimes you scare the crap out of me as I read your workouts and think "*gulp*, is that what it takes??". But one thing that is for sure is that you bring a whole lot to the haus and you've definitely been testament to the philosophy that work does indeed work.
That said, I don't think anyone can remotely hold your decision against you. Your goals, much like your fitness, have clearly evolved to a whole new level that I don't believe RnP ever specifically intended to cater to with EN.
It's been great to have you here with us, I sincerely appreciate your continued involvement with EN and all I can really say is best of luck, I can't wait to see you go out there and get that pro card.
Have to agree with Trevor that you are an incredible asset to EN. Glad to hear you are "staying". I do remember you mentioning that you have different goals than the rest of us here in EN and I wish you nothing but luck in accomplishing them, I'm sure you will. All the best.
You're a class act, to come out and let all of us know what's happening. Speaking for myself, and I suspect many others, I wish you all the best as you continue to sharpen the pointy end.
Bon voyage!
Good luck this season Matt, happy to talk training over lunch anytime. Maybe not burgers anymore as I'm trying to still trying to lose the last burger
See ya at Cary?
Matt - I've had the pleasure of reading your posts, watching your amazing ascent up the FTP ladder and Vdot scale over the last few years. It's been a key motivation just imaging if I could follow the pathway you blazed. My FTP started at 209 also and that has always inspired me to go where Matt has gone. You are an amazing athlete, very dedicated and driven. I recall fondly the effort you put in to improve your swimming about two seasons ago. You asked lots of questions and did all the right things to become a very good swimmer. Whatever you do, whatever you put your mind to, I know you will be successful.
Matt,
Best of luck with your new coach. Can't wait to follow your season. It's been a pleasure training "with" you. NOSA! I'm glad that you are sticking around the forums as well.
Matt
Great news Matt! Good for you in figuring out what you need to do next and going for it! I have enjoyed getting to know you on the forum, you have helped me figure stuff out from gearing to racing and much in between. I enjoyed meeting you at IMWI rally, your congenial personality and love for the sport of triathlon is contagious! Glad you are sticking around, you have so much to give
Your decision is entirel understandable. As others have alluded to - including you - you're so far out on the edge of the bell curve that the fine tuning and sharpening you seek probably does demand the guiding hand of someone really looking at what you're doing.
We're lucky to have you stay on with us in the fora; thanks to you and your generous spirit for deciding to do that. I look forward to your words of wisdom and sense of humor and life this season.
Best of luck with your training.
William
Best of luck on your continued quest for speed! Your decision makes sense.
I have learned much from your posts and you work ethic has always been a real motivator for me. I am so pleased to hear that you will be staying in the house.
Seriously, you'll always be part of EN. Good luck with the new coach, and we'll keep in touch on FB.
Once it gets warm out lets do a ride on the Racine course.
I've only been around since Oct. I've looked forward to your posts and respect your opinion and experiences.
Glad to see you'll still be around in the forums.
Good luck with everything, sounds very exciting for ya.
What Nemo said! Pink bikinis and you will always be EN family. Matt, it sounds like you are making a very wise decision in terms of being the best athlete you can be. Looking forward to seeing you (and Theresa, and Abigail) at the races, riding in Barrington, and at EN gatherings. Will we see you at Memorial Day Camp?
Life is about learning. There's always something new to learn, and this is your next chapter in that. Learning about racing, about your particular body, and yourself in deeper ways. Glad you're sticking around, and also glad you're moving on--if that makes sense.
Wow Matt - Looking forward to following your progress and glad you'll still be around to share your knowledge and experience. We met briefly at Legal Seafoods last year before Boston and your enthusiasm was contagious! And damn you're fast! Oh, and your daughter is also quite cute - so keep pics coming on FB!
Matt - Keep your head up and the rubber side down.
This is your logical next step and I'm excited to see where it takes you. Thanks for all of the advice so far and hopefully you'll be around to keep it up.
Getting a coach and getting the life-sport-work-family balance back in order is the right decision. I'm glad you are staying in the haus and look forward to reading more of your continued success.
Best,
~ P
I wasn't quite sure about how to share this news, but it just didn't seem right not to share it with all of you. I'm glad that I did though.
Thank you everyone for the thoughtful comments and wishes. I appreciate all of them. I will try to be better at updating my blog and will continue to share my journey here within in EN.
@Hayes - those burgers sure were good but someone the half pound burger added a few pounds for me as well. We'll get together for lunch again and pick somewhere healthier. I'm not racing Cary this year because of Oceanside, but I intend to make the drive out and see you guys.
@Nemo - I'm looking forward to seeing all of you at mile 18. The question will be if I can pull of getting to you before Coach Rich does as he will have at least 10' on my out of the water even if I have the swim of my life.
@Eric - I'm glad to join you for a ride, but riding some of the roads on the Racine course once a year is enough for me! If you have a route with smooth roads, lets do that instead.
@Beth - of course I want to do the MDW camp again and think it's a great idea. As long as I get the OK from the coach I'll be there and riding the HHH course.
@Linda - totally know what you mean, it's kind of bittersweat as I am excited to be doing something new and different but sad to be moving on. For example I did my first test this morning and it was different not posting my results to the forum but instead sending it to the coach.
@Peter - there are few races in the northeast that are on my to do list... i'll be therin the area someday and we'll meet up.
@Al - your great advice just keeps coming
seriously though, thank you as I have learned so much from you advice and I now am much better at keeping my head up while training on the bike.
@Paul - thanks for the insight. While I want to earn a pro card, I have zero desire to race for a living. I simply want to earn the right to race with the best and see what I can achieve while keeping my day job and spending time with my family....lucky for me they like races and vacations to races.
@P - I'm trying to block pink speedos out of my mind. No matter what logos are on me this year or in the future I can always flash a gang sign and I bought an EN cycling kit as well. Hopefully the IMWI run this year will only be painfull for the last 8 miles instead of 24 miles and I will be in better shape to flash the gang sign.
Matt,
I have not read your blog yet but that's great that you want to earn the right to race as a pro. Given your desire to always push yourself I can see this as a next step. It's great to see this progression and setting of the new goals with perspective.
Keep the family first, but remember not to be inbetween on the goals, like just doing the race in Hawaii.
Enjoy the ride and thanks for sticking around and continuing to share your insight here.
Gordon
Good luck Matt. Although new, I always read your posts with interest. You are wise beyond your years. May your progress continue to be exponential.