As a coach I generally see three categories of athletes, coaches can pick these and tailor coaching, athletes would benefit from acknowledging where they sit.
- Training driven
- Race driven
- Outcome driven
Yes there are others in between. Here are some points to get the best results as a coach and athlete.
Training Driven.
Traits
- Never misses a session
- Does exactly what the program says in time or distance
- Trades sleep and family time for training time
- Trains at small intensity bandwidth, reduces high intensity, increases low intensity
- Rarely race to potential, the race becomes another training day.
- Nutrition is fuel for training, minimal focus on nutrients and recovery.
- Skips balance, timing and technique training components.
Risks
- Can easily over-train or under-train
- Misses opportunity of physical adaptations acquired outside of race pace including aerobic development and force/power development
- Minimises adaptations due to training fatigued or not reaching true overload needed for optimal adaptation
- High risk of injury and fatigue related illness
- Races safe, does not race to potential
Race Driven.
Traits
- Tends to skip sessions that are not “Race Like” or challenging.
- Not willing to do the necessary “boring” miles.
- Looks for performance improvements every sessions.
- Trains at small intensity bandwidth, increases high intensity, reduces low intensity
- Nutrition is fuel for going fast, minimal focus on nutrients and recovery.
- Skips balance, timing and technique training components.
Risks
- Can easily over-train at high intensity
- Misses opportunity of physical adaptations acquired outside of race pace, specifically aerobic development
- Minimises adaptation my not reaching true overload in base / aerobic volume needed for optimal endurance performance.
- Races hard with the fitness they bring to the start line, but low on control, tends to “blow up”.
Outcome Driven.
Traits
- Focuses on adaptations required for increased endurance performance
- Each session has a focus on a physical or mindset adaptation
- Attention to detail
- Trains with a broad intensity bandwidth, short quality high intensity sessions, long quality low intensity sessions
- Training includes balance, timing and technique components
- Nutrition is for fuel, recovery and health. Strong nutrient focus. Attention to detail on Carb / Fat for fuel balance.
- Curious and inquisitive about training and recovery strategies
- Races hard, but with control.
Risks
- Can de-prioritise family / social time
- Must ensure other lifestyle outcomes also get focus.
Which one are you? It’s all about getting outcomes within your desired lifestyle! Step one is to design your desired lifestyle and make your sport part of it! Mastering yourself is true power, not knowing what you want, or not seeking knowledge on how to get there are equal weaknesses! Go get it with flexible and adaptable plan!
