Finances
I have been unsuccessful in contacting the coaches by email so now that I am in trial, hope this not finds one of you. There is a ton of information on the EN website so I am confused about finances. If I join EN and get billed monthly do I also need to sign up for a training plan (20-40 weeks) and get billed separately for that? Is there any "all inclusive" plan that covers EN membership and choosing a training season for the plan. For example is the annual cost for a member: 12 x $99 + $379 for 20 wk IM training plan = about $1600 for the year? As an EN member, what additional financial benefit and support come outside the support when you pay for a training plan? Certainly plan to join ASAP but would like some clarification. Thanks, Rick Goullaud
Comments
The forums, the Wiki, the discussion is great.
And what Jess said, its addictive.
as a team member on the inside you have access to all the plans. You can change/upload as you please.
Now that I read this, I just want to confirm. IF I SIGN-UP FOR THE MONTHLY FEE, I DON'T HAVE TO BUY A PLAN BUT SIMPLY ACCESS THE ONE THAT FITS MY RACE SCHEDULE FOR 2013? SPECIFICALLY IM TEXAS ON MAY 18TH?
hey guys, regarding your questions:
If I join EN and get billed monthly do I also need to sign up for a training plan (20-40 weeks) and get billed separately for that?
IF I SIGN-UP FOR THE MONTHLY FEE, I DON'T HAVE TO BUY A PLAN BUT SIMPLY ACCESS THE ONE THAT FITS MY RACE SCHEDULE FOR 2013?
when you join EN, you're gonna be billed $99 a month. and that's it. for that $99, you get all that you see here; there are dashboards, forums, training plans, libraries (wiki), etc. as a team member, its yours. read it all. do what you can.
for the training, once you're here, go to the training drop down (under the EN logo), select My Training Plan, and set yourself up with a plan. that is if Rich and Patrick haven't given you one to start. that is yours. no change to the billing. need to change plans? change it. harder, easier, longer, change it. whatever. got a question, post it in the forums. get an answer you don't like? change the plan again. EN is a team and a resource. tailor it to fit you.
welcome aboard. its been great for me. i'm starting my 13th month.
Dave
Yes as everyone has been reiterating there is only the monthly fee and you get access to any and all plans. There is very little that is pay extra. The two things that I can think of that are extra is the power webinar and a nutrition partners ship with core diet. There is also a free version but the one that they charge for is well worth it in my opinion. The core diet is an additional $50 per month, I believe.
Other than that you get weekly coaching chats to ask live questions and may other things that have been mentioned. The other support is also a micro and macro thread for feed back. Post in the Micro thread for weekly changes, macro thread for big picture changes, i.e. have work trip for 1 month what to do.
Gordon
But, as mentioned above, and it should be repeated, the plans are the tip of the iceberg. The forums, the wiki, the mojo, all of that will make you a BETTER triathlete. The plans will just make you a fitter athlete.
My gains have been crazy time wise, but my knowledge of the sport has increased 10 fold. Try it. You will like it!
Doing IMTX as A-Race: Load up the Out-Season plan in October, then switch to the IM plan 12 weeks before IMTX. Then after IMTX do several weeks of unstructured recovery, then load up either a "Get-Faster" plan or maybe a "Half-IM" to focus on a mid summer race.
Or lets say you are doing a later season race instead like Wisconsin (IMMOO). You might Load up the "Pre-Season" Plan now, then In January, load up the "Out-Season" Plan. Then in April, you may load a "Transition" Plan for a few weeks, then load up a Half-IM plan to end on say the day of a July Half-IM. Then after a recovery week, you would load up the Ironman plan to do the last 8-12 weeks before your A-Race of IMMOO.
As a full member of EN, all of these plans are included with your normal monthly rate. However, the plans are just a small part of what you are getting with EN. There are a ton of smart people and resources in the haus for everything Tri/Gear/Injury/Nutrition/Race Execution/etc/etc/etc related. If you read and ask lots of questions, and even answer other people's questions, you will experience the full potential of this community. Work Works!
To also pile on top of what everyone else has said: The plans are solid and, if you fit within the same physical demographics as most triathletes, you see quantifiable improvements in your fitness. However, you can get a plan pretty much anywhere. Where I see the real value in the my membership (and what keeps me on for my second season) is the information available and the virtual interaction among the members. A couple of specific examples for the "what can I touch" type folks (of which I am one).
1. Specific training/race execution guidance/advice/direction that just doesn't exist elsewhere. Down to the minute recommendations that you validate through training on what you should be doing at x point in your race, including what those around you will be doing, and things to think about to maintain good execution. This comes from the coaches, other 'expert' members, and other 'regular' folk as well. (major member value add - 60-70 minute video/powerpoint presentation on most north American WTC IM distance races, with specific guidance for each course, with Q&A session following).
2. Almost real time access to coaches(ing) through macro/micro threads, weekly video chats, dashboards, and forum threads. I have all of my questions answered within 24 hours of posting by at least 1 coach and usually many, many other experienced folks.
3. Unbelievably supportive online community in which you can feel free to ask stupid/silly questions without fear of being ridiculed, post real folk numbers/metrics on workouts (along with other folks following the same program(s) and feel your pain on hard days), and get years of wisdom concerning most any topic (tri-specific or otherwise). We don't always agree, but we're always polite and respectful about our disagreements.
4. A community of 'team mates' at most races around the country. Lots to be said about the mojo one gets when complete strangers in matching kits give you some love at hour 9 of a 12 hour day.
Bottom line: The mentality/design of the plans got me in the door. The community keeps me as a paying member in the HAUS.
Hey Rick,
You've gotten a lot of great answers from our athletes. Let us know if you need anything or what questions you have for PnI.
Also, I checked out admin system and found your questions from August. I answered them but maybe they landed in your spam folder? Please check there and if not there, again, let us know what questions you have. Thanks!