Category: Online Coaching

Virgin London Marathon

Posted on by admin in Female athlete, InBalance Coaching, Marathon / Ultra Running, Online Coaching

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InBalance athlete Issy completed her first marathon at London in 4h 16m and loved the experience so much that she has entered the ballot for 2020!!

Issy came to InBalance in November and asked for some help with her training. She had completed a half marathon distance race previously and had a good base of fitness being a regular at the gym.

We developed a training plan around her work and lifestyle and she had a good block of training throughout the New Year and early Spring, slowly increasing the mileage and building endurance. Issy stuck to the plan and did not overtrain and consequently suffered no injury setbacks……….consistency is key.

InBalance also helped with nutrition advice and equipment choice to make sure Issy was as prepared as possible for her race and by the look of the smile on her face, I think we got it right!!

“The Monthly Cycle”

Posted on by admin in Aquathlon Coaching, Duathlon Coaching, Female athlete, InBalance Coaching, Online Coaching, Triathlon Coaching

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It was highlighted at the @trainingpeaks Endurance Summit in Manchester, UK in Nov 2018 that as male coaches coaching female athletes we would benefit from having a better understanding of the ‘monthly cycle’ and through conversation and feedback adjust the training of these athletes to suit. Some great podcasts recently on the subject @oxygenaddicttriathlon podcast No 193 “Blood, Sweat and Gears” and No 218 “Menopause Special”. Also @ctgprojecthq Way of Champions podcast No 102 “Is there a difference between coaching Girls and Coaching Boys”. My better understanding has certainly benefited my athletes, including the juniors I coach.

Strength and Conditioning

Posted on by admin in Aquathlon Coaching, Duathlon Coaching, InBalance Coaching, Online Coaching, Strength and Conditioning, Triathlon Coaching

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A topic close to my heart! For years I have been promoting S&C to athletes I work with but never really incorporated  it into my own training.

This changed a couple of years ago when I was fed up picking up niggling injuries which hampered my training, preventing consistency, so important in achieving results. I began to include 2 x 1 hour S&C sessions in my weekly training programme and the benefits were quick to show. I began to feel stronger and my form did not deteriorate as I became tired towards the end of a session due to muscle fatigue. and more importantly I stayed injury free.

I include S&C sessions in all my athletes’ training programmes, throughout the year, to help them get stronger, prevent injury thereby allowing consistent blocks of training to be completed. I hear many amateur athletes say they are unable to fit strength sessions to their already busy schedule but I would advocate that strength sessions should be prioritised. A structured strength programme can improve areas of weakness which are prone to injury  and make the muscle group stronger. 

Training Peaks University and Endurance Summit – Manchester, UK – November 2018

Posted on by admin in Aquathlon Coaching, Duathlon Coaching, Female athlete, InBalance Coaching, Online Coaching, Strength and Conditioning, Triathlon Coaching
Joe Friel at the Training Peaks University
Joe Friel at the Training Peaks University

An amazing 4 days spent in Manchester sharing knowledge and learning loads from the likes of legendary endurance coach Joe Friel and 4 x World Ironman Champion Chrissie Wellington. 47 coaches attended the University and 170 people from 30 countries, the Endurance Summit. Talks about all aspects of endurance sport were given by speakers who were all experts in their field.

Chrissie Wellington opening the Endurance Summit
Chrissie Wellington opening the Endurance Summit