New Trial Member and in need of some feedback

jennykrs12

I'm currently a trial member and I am considering joining EN but I am not 100% sure. Online training would be new to me since I train with a number of groups in the LA area. However, I'm finding that I need structured training to improve, since most of my race times are pretty slow. My goals of just finishing races is complete, and now I want to improve on performance and speed. I'm a bit uncertain if I can adapt to the EN format with online assistance only and to follow a training plan on my own. It appears that you have to be a very self motiviated athlete to join, which I have find myself sometimes struggling to train on my own. 

The Question: I'm tyring to get some feedback to see if EN is right for me. Has this program worked for athletes that are not used to training independently? Does the online training really provide the support to enhance performance given that there is no real face time with the coaches? 

Nemo Brauch

Jenny- first, welcome! I have found Team EN sorta supplements my training support system. I have local peeps that I run, swim, bike with- and even if I'm following an EN plan I can usually get friends to join along in the "fun" of the workouts. These folks are the ones who I say "Hey, I need to do a a workout that looks like X on Monday- who wants to join me?" and voila I have friends to workout with and physical accountability.

Team EN helps me fill in the gaps when there's no one who wants to do a 2x20 on a trainer in my basement with me (who could blame them!). While there's no one waiting for me in the basement, there's a whole team of folks in my OS group I need to report in to to say "I bailed it" or "I nailed it"!

The really big thing you'll get from joining EN is going to be in improving your race day execution. If you've finished your first race and now you want to improve it, I'd be a very big part of that improvement isn't going to come from improving your fitness, but rather improving how you execute on race day. That's where I was when I joined EN. I did IMFL on my own with local training buddies and followed a training plan from a book. Finishing was the goal. I then joined EN, and while I probably arrived at the start line of IMWI a little more "fit" than I did IMFL 2 years earlier, the biggest change was in how I approached the day and handled myself on the course.

I hope that helps you a little. I'm sure other ladies will chime in as well. Keep asking questions.

Coach Rich

Hi Jenny,

Welcome to your trial!

I think you'll get more eyeballs and feedback on your post if you post it to this thread here, unless you're looking specifically for feedback from other women, which is cool too.

In the meantime, browse:

• The Micro Thread -- where Patrick and I give feedback on "this week" issues.
• The Macro Thread -- big picture, season planning issues
• All of the other forums and, in general, read and watch how the members support and help each other. This is the real unique aspect of EN. The width and depth of experience that you can tap into, from the members, is much better, we feel, than you get from any 1:1 coaching relationship.

But enough from me . You're doing the right thing by asking our members for their opinions, I'm just pointing you to some additional resources.

mtlarson

Hi Jenny,

Welcome!! I was in the same situation as you, having come from traditional "face to face" coaching. It has been one of the best decisions I made in my tri "career". Last year I trained for IMWI (my first) and can not believe the wealth of information and knowledge I gained during this short time. When I joined, I was stressed and burned out already, with my last coach, and it was only Feb. The EN way was at first difficult to master as it was opposite of what I had been doing and what I was told I need to do to finish. I use the plan as a basis for my training but still to go out and have fun with different races and rides. Last year I met many team members during the training weekends here in Madison and the informal get togethers over the summer. I think you will find a core group of people in the Haus that you will correspond/post with frequently and will never feel like you are on your own.

I adapted the EN way and got to the start line feeling fantastic. I am still learning how to adapt and execute a long course race but my goal, like you, is to now improve my performance and speed and I am confident this will happen.

jburbatt

I think you get used to training independently since (1) you tend to see results which is exciting and (2) you can use the groups doing your same workouts to help motivate you. I find that a lot of people struggle with #2 if they don't put in the effort to interact with everyone here. That part takes a little getting used to (I didn't post much at all when first joining). But there's a lot of information to be gained here, and you can ask any questions you want without feeling like it's something you "should" know. As Mary mentioned, you also have plenty of opportunities to meet up. You can check the member map to see who's nearby that you could also try and meet up for a workout. Hope this helps!