Commonly Asked Athlete Questions
1. How do I know I’m ready to start working with a coach?
If you are asking yourself this question, chances are you are confident there is a better way to approach your training, racing and nutrition, but aren’t necessarily sure how. The research you’ve done provides more confusion than clarity. If your goal is to “reach the next level” – however you define what this means – and you want to be able to focus on the process with full confidence, then working with a coach is a logical next step in your progression as an athlete.
2. How do I decide whether to stay with my current coach or find a new one?
If you enjoy your relationship with your current coach and are happy with the results so far, then why are you considering a switch in guidance? However, maybe something is not “clicking” anymore between the two of you, for whatever reason(s). Or, maybe you’ve been trained into a deep hole and are frustrated by the disconnect between what you need as an athlete and what the coach is providing. As with the first question, if you’re considering a change in coaches, there’s probably a valid reason for the consideration. Dig into that and honor what you end up deciding one way or the other – staying with your current coach or finding a new one.
3. What should I consider when choosing a coach?
Ultimately, you need to feel good and excited about the relationship. You need to be excited about the guidance you will be receiving and new ways of looking at your training and racing. Most importantly, there needs to be excitement around learning new things that will help you continue improving and enjoying your journey as an athlete. Your goal is to make sure the coach you choose understands your goals and can formulate a training plan that is realistic to follow while putting you on a path to achieve your goals.
4. How patient do I need to be before expecting tangible results from the program?
As the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” And neither was your fitness! Working with a coach – or a different coach than you have been – is part implementing a new way of approaching training and part unwinding how you have trained to date. There are physical, mental and emotional components to address in the new relationship. Thus, improvements won’t occur overnight. Coaches request a multi-month engagement to start because “firing on all cylinders” does take time. Be patient and give it a solid 4-6 months before rendering judgment. And, more than anything, follow the program to a T. If changes are needed, it is imperative you communicate them to your coach. We’re not mind readers!
5. What type of athlete does ORION Training Systems work with?
ORION Training Systems works with all levels of endurance athletes – from first timers to seasoned pros, and everything in between. Mainly, athletes are cyclists, triathletes and runners, though I have plenty of experience with ultra endurance athletes who compete in RAAM, ultra-runs, multi-Ironman distance events, and so on.
6. What type of athlete can benefit most from the ORION Training Systems program?
Any athlete looking for a sensible, realistic and balanced approach to training and racing. Structured training may not be fun, but it should be enjoyable. That said, I have a knack of helping two types of athletes in particular: 1) the over-trained athlete dealing with chronic fatigue or who typically under-performs in races; and 2) Masters athletes.
7. Does ORION Training Systems offer pre-built training plans?
Yes, and they can be purchased on this site. Many times, especially early on in their journeys, athletes either don’t understand the value of having a coach or simply can’t afford one-on-one coaching. Over the years, the natural progression of an athlete coming into a sport goes something like this: self-coached - purchases a pre-built training plan - coached athlete. I’m not suggesting an athlete has to follow this progression. Rather, if jumping in with both feet feels a little risky, then by all means start with a pre-built program created by the coach you would consider working with long-term. If the pre-built program works for you and helps you progress, then that will foster the confidence of stepping it up to a full relationship with that coach.
8. Does ORION Training Systems offer any discounts?
Yes! The more the athlete commits to the relationship, the more aggressive the discount the athlete receives. You can find the details of the pricing structure by clicking here.
9. Why should I consider working with ORION Training Systems over other coaches and systems?
This is a great question and one that is challenging to answer. Here’s my answer. Click around the site. See what other athletes are saying about ORION Training Systems, some of whom I’ve been working with for 10-15 years. If you like what you see and what you read in the athlete testimonials, then chances are my approach to the athlete/coach relationship resonates with you and what you’re looking for in that relationship. And, if this is the case, then I invite you to contact me here. Let’s get started!
If you are asking yourself this question, chances are you are confident there is a better way to approach your training, racing and nutrition, but aren’t necessarily sure how. The research you’ve done provides more confusion than clarity. If your goal is to “reach the next level” – however you define what this means – and you want to be able to focus on the process with full confidence, then working with a coach is a logical next step in your progression as an athlete.
2. How do I decide whether to stay with my current coach or find a new one?
If you enjoy your relationship with your current coach and are happy with the results so far, then why are you considering a switch in guidance? However, maybe something is not “clicking” anymore between the two of you, for whatever reason(s). Or, maybe you’ve been trained into a deep hole and are frustrated by the disconnect between what you need as an athlete and what the coach is providing. As with the first question, if you’re considering a change in coaches, there’s probably a valid reason for the consideration. Dig into that and honor what you end up deciding one way or the other – staying with your current coach or finding a new one.
3. What should I consider when choosing a coach?
Ultimately, you need to feel good and excited about the relationship. You need to be excited about the guidance you will be receiving and new ways of looking at your training and racing. Most importantly, there needs to be excitement around learning new things that will help you continue improving and enjoying your journey as an athlete. Your goal is to make sure the coach you choose understands your goals and can formulate a training plan that is realistic to follow while putting you on a path to achieve your goals.
4. How patient do I need to be before expecting tangible results from the program?
As the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” And neither was your fitness! Working with a coach – or a different coach than you have been – is part implementing a new way of approaching training and part unwinding how you have trained to date. There are physical, mental and emotional components to address in the new relationship. Thus, improvements won’t occur overnight. Coaches request a multi-month engagement to start because “firing on all cylinders” does take time. Be patient and give it a solid 4-6 months before rendering judgment. And, more than anything, follow the program to a T. If changes are needed, it is imperative you communicate them to your coach. We’re not mind readers!
5. What type of athlete does ORION Training Systems work with?
ORION Training Systems works with all levels of endurance athletes – from first timers to seasoned pros, and everything in between. Mainly, athletes are cyclists, triathletes and runners, though I have plenty of experience with ultra endurance athletes who compete in RAAM, ultra-runs, multi-Ironman distance events, and so on.
6. What type of athlete can benefit most from the ORION Training Systems program?
Any athlete looking for a sensible, realistic and balanced approach to training and racing. Structured training may not be fun, but it should be enjoyable. That said, I have a knack of helping two types of athletes in particular: 1) the over-trained athlete dealing with chronic fatigue or who typically under-performs in races; and 2) Masters athletes.
7. Does ORION Training Systems offer pre-built training plans?
Yes, and they can be purchased on this site. Many times, especially early on in their journeys, athletes either don’t understand the value of having a coach or simply can’t afford one-on-one coaching. Over the years, the natural progression of an athlete coming into a sport goes something like this: self-coached - purchases a pre-built training plan - coached athlete. I’m not suggesting an athlete has to follow this progression. Rather, if jumping in with both feet feels a little risky, then by all means start with a pre-built program created by the coach you would consider working with long-term. If the pre-built program works for you and helps you progress, then that will foster the confidence of stepping it up to a full relationship with that coach.
8. Does ORION Training Systems offer any discounts?
Yes! The more the athlete commits to the relationship, the more aggressive the discount the athlete receives. You can find the details of the pricing structure by clicking here.
9. Why should I consider working with ORION Training Systems over other coaches and systems?
This is a great question and one that is challenging to answer. Here’s my answer. Click around the site. See what other athletes are saying about ORION Training Systems, some of whom I’ve been working with for 10-15 years. If you like what you see and what you read in the athlete testimonials, then chances are my approach to the athlete/coach relationship resonates with you and what you’re looking for in that relationship. And, if this is the case, then I invite you to contact me here. Let’s get started!