Claire Buffington 2020 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
Your Races
- Ironman 70.3 Atlantic City (2020-09-13) #70.3atlanticcity_20
- Ironman 70.3 NC 10/17/2020
- Ironman Florida (2020-11-07) #IMFL_20 [Main Race]
Your Notes
For triathlon, I’ve completed 3 70.3’s and would like to complete my first Full IM this year. I’m not super competitive, just want to have fun and train to have an enjoyable and successful race experience while managing full time work and kids. My two 70.3’s in 2019 were Virginia in 5:59 and NC in 6:09. I was registered for three this year 2020 but two have been canceled. I deferred one to 70.3 Atlantic City in Sept, And am registered for NC in October. I also “accidentally” signed up for IMFL in November this year after one too many beers and this burning urge to do one. 😆 If it fits the plan, I’d run the two 70.3s as training races.
Season goals: Florida will be my A race this year. I want to run NC because I’m supposed to do it with a friend. I’m willing to ditch Atlantic City.
I’ve only ever run one marathon but it was a decade ago. I’m most afraid of this part of the race. I have a lot of nagging tendinitis and arthritis in lower extremities and shoulders from 20yrs in USMC. BIKING: I’ve been biking outside weekly since late January. Weekly mileage is 50-70mi. 1x 2-3hr long ride w/ 1,800-2k elevation @ 16.5-17.8mph depending on wind. 1-2 :60-90 w/ 1,200 elevation @17.5-18.0mph
RUNNING I started to increase my running over the past 5 weeks and now average about 20mi/wk. I run 4-5x a week: 1x long comfortable run of :60min (8:40/mi) 1x 4.5mi @ tempo (8:20-8:30/mi) and 3-4 easy 3.3mi runs (8:50-9:10/mi). I’m just trying to establish a solid running endurance base.
SWIMMING: none right now obviously. But I’m comfortable with swimming overall so have some time to worry about this part.
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 May 6, 2020
- On 5/4/2020 Load the -- Durability Balanced Plan 3 (7 months out) -- 4 weeks to end on 5/31/2020 28 [ 4 weeks ]
- On 6/1/2020 Load the Bike Focus Block, 2019 (6wks) to end on 7/12/2020 42 [ 6 weeks ]
- On 7/13/2020 Load the Post Half Iron Transition Plan, All Levels (2wks) to end on 7/26/2020 7 [ 1 weeks ]
- **Transition Early**
- On 7/20/2020 Load the EN Full Prep Plan, 4wks to end on 8/16/2020 28 [ 4 weeks ]
- On 8/17/2020 Load the EN Full Bike Focused to end on 11/8/2020 84 [ 12 weeks ]
- On 11/9/2020 Load the -- Post Ironman Transition Plan, All Levels (4wks) to end on 12/6/2020 28 [ 4 weeks ]
- On 12/7/2020 Load the -- Durability for Triathletes 1 (9 months out) -- 4 weeks to end on 1/3/2021 28 [ 4 weeks ]
Training Plan Support in Your First Month
You can connect with @matt limbert as needed in your first month to get dialed in with your training plans and data. You can set up a call with him online here: https://calendly.com/new-member-phone-call/1 and he'll be on this thread shortly!
Your Homework
Tell Me Your Season Goals
- What will make you consider this season a success?
- What's your biggest limiter right now?
** The Athlete Roadmap Videos & Start Learning **
Join Coach Patrick for a walkthrough of the Endurance Nation Athlete experience to learn more about how our system works to help you achieve your personal best. You'll want to watch the Phase One Structure videos -- there are four -- to get completely up to speed!
Every month we hold live events as part of our commitment to make you just as smart as you are fit. Feel free to visit our Coach Lesson page and our Office Hours page to find the next opportunity to connect with Coach Patrick and your Teammates.
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)
- Training Plan 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 General Discussion 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 General Discussion Forum and set the title or tags for that topic. Race questions to the Racing 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
Claire, Super cool have you with us. 😀 If any questions you have getting started - schedule a call with me here.
Our short term goals are:
Let's get after it! 👊
Talk you you soon,
Matt
******* Post a comment below or give me an 😀, 👍️, or huh?, 😨 and I will respond back via email.
------------------
Things to do:
#1 Respond below
Post a comment below or give me an 😀, 👍️ or a GTG and I will respond back via email. Let's get the conversation started!
#2 Subscribe to your Coach Thread.
Subscribe to your Coach Thread and get an email when we respond. Your Coach Thread is the best way to get a hold of us. It documents all of your training questions, its always here for your reference.
How to subscribe video:
#3 How to use your Coach Thread
This is totally up to you. You can post a lot or very little. You post. We answer. We find it is helpful for you and us, if you post a weekly update once you get started. Pick a day. Any day that works for you. Many athletes pick Sunday to summarize the week. Others pick Friday to end the work week and get ready for the weekend. Choose something works for you. Comment on how you felt this week, what went well, and what you want to work on for next week. Its good accountability and helps you keep you on track for your goals. After a couple of posts, you can decide on what the level of interaction works best for you!
#4 Get Setup in Final Surge
Next, get setup in Final Surge. Coach Patrick has just made your season plan in Final Surge, so you can sync your Garmin or Strava (only one!) and get your workout data uploaded. (Chose Strava if you ride on Zwift.) Just chose one, otherwise you will get double workouts recorded in Final Surge.
In Final Surge: Workouts -> Garmin / Device Upload
#5 Consider downloading the Final Surge App
You are already making great comments. This makes it way easier.
Download Final Surge | Mobile Apps Here
#6 Quick Start Guide
Here is the reference guide on how to read the workouts, abbreviations and lingo.
#7 Customize your workouts in Final Surge
You can wait on this one. But remember it is an option. You will eventually do bike and run test. We will use your average power (or heart rate) for a 20' time trial to set you customized workout zones. Once you customize them, the workouts will say 20' @ (135-145 heart rate) or 20' @(100- 110 Watts) vs. 20' @ Zone 2. We can do the same thing for the run. Once you do a 5k race we can use your average pace or heart rate to establish run zones too!
Here is a video on how you update your training plan with integrated and customized zones.
#8 Connect with the rest of the team in Join our GroupMe chat
GroupME chat its a great place to learn, ask questions and connect for accountability with other Team members. Need to buy a new training gadget? What is the best xxxx? Want some advice about your race we? We have someone on the Team that as done it before and can help you race like a veteran. Ask in the group chat. Your new friends are waiting for you.
Download the GroupMe is an app and see what the Team is talking about. Pro tip: You can subscribe to these channels and mute the alerts. There is a lot of activity here and the alerts can get overwhelming. 😂
GroupMe
· EN Live 24/7 [Join Here]
· Run Group [Join Here]
· Zwift Chat [Join Here]
· Events [Join Here]
· Race Groups [Join Here]
#9 See the big picture and explore ways to get smarter
See the big picture. Join Coach Patrick for a walkthrough of the Endurance Nation Athlete experience to learn more about how our system works to help you achieve your personal best. You'll want to watch the Phase One Structure videos -- there are four -- to get completely up to speed!
Coach Patrick has designed a Season Roadmap for you. The progression of workouts will get you fitter and prepare you physically to race but, getting smarter about training and race execution is what sets Endurance Nation apart from other programs. Here you have access to Coach Patrick (11x Kona qualifier), a library of his Coach Lessons, and the experience of hundreds of other athletes across all age groups - willing to share their advice and what has worked (or not) for them. We would love to have your experience and voice in those forums too.
Explore the Forums
All these topics are covered in our forums: Want to know the best equipment to buy? Where to stay for your race? How to triage you week of training when you have to travel for work? How to ride hills efficiently? How manage your power and heart rate on a hot day? You name it the Team can help you and make you a smarter athlete. There is free speed out there just by being smarter at how you play the game.
Search our Race Forum for race plans and race reports. Learn from the shared experience of the entire Team
Read the General Training Discussions and get training tips and execution advice from other TeamEN veterans.
Learn how to race like veteran. Dial in your race execution using EN race guidance
#10 Smart Trainer Integration
We have workouts already built for Zwift and Trainer Road for the OutSeason, HIM and IM plans. If you have a smart trainer and a Zwift or Trainer Road account, download the workouts for Zwift to your computer or login to Trainer Road library.
For Zwift: Unzip the workouts into Documents -> Zwift -> Workouts -> "rider number" folder on the device you use to stream Zwift. My "rider number" is 126713. It will be the only numbered folder under workouts.
For Trainer Road: Use this like to request access to the EN workout library. Request access by sending a message "Request Invite to Trainer Road" to ppisaj2s@inbound.intercom-mail.com
My goal is to make your first month of Endurance Nation as simple and as awesome as possible! I want to help you get the most out of your workouts, Final Surge, learn more about race execution and how the team can help you get to your race goals.
#11 Whew. You made it.
You don't have to do it all a once but, we would love it if you responded below. I'm here talk you through all of the above. I would love to hear from you.
Matt
EN Training Plan Coordinator