Do you need a coach for Ironman training?

Wherever you are in your Ironman journey, there’s a good chance you’ve debated getting a coach or sticking with a training plan. It’s a completely valid debate, and the answer will vary for everyone depending on your goals, financial situation, and motivation.

So, let’s break down the options.

Use a ready-made plan if you…

Just want to get over the line. Assuming you’re already relatively fit, and only want to finish within the cut-off, you might be okay with following a ready made plan.

Don’t need external motivation. Ironman training is long and often lonely. If you’re able to motivate yourself for training sessions with no external feedback, you’re in a good place to start.

Are committed to learning. Ready made plans are a good place to start, but there will be times when you need to adapt. To do that, you’ll have to be willing to learn at least some training theory.

Have a tight budget. Triathlon can be costly, and coaching is an investment. If money is your barrier to entry, then you can choose a ready made plan or speak to a coach who can accommodate your needs.

When a coach makes sense…

You want to finish strong. You’re not just turning up to finish, but to race. A coach can help you work towards specific goals, like a sub 12-hour Ironman, age-group results, or even Kona qualification.

You have a busy life outside of training. Coaches don’t just know the best training methods, but they’re experts in adapting training to your life. If you struggle with consistency, a coach will help you find it.

You don’t know where to start. If you don’t know the difference between sweet spot and threshold but you want to learn, working with a coach will help you understand the fundamentals of training for endurance sports.

You need feedback and accountability. A good coach will provide feedback on your sessions and overall progress, helping to keep you motivated throughout long training blocks and accountable to someone other than yourself.

You get injured. All coaches should build their training around their athletes, which includes consideration of any injuries they struggle with. Ready made plans can never account for injuries in training.

The bottom line

Even as a triathlon coach myself (full disclosure, no hidden bias here), I can admit that some people absolutely do not need a coach to finish an Ironman. There are thousands of plans on the internet that anyone can download (at a price), and most of them offer a solid structure for training that, if followed, will get you over the finish line. But it’s not for everyone.

If you want tailored guidance, access to the latest training methods, and a real human being to keep you accountable, a coach might be the right option to unlock your full potential.

If you’re thinking about taking on the challenge of an Ironman, and want to know more about coaching, get it touch.