Such a great clinic! Special thanks to Linda Cleveland, M.S. USAT Coach Development Senior Manager and the clinic presenters:
- Jesse Kropelnicki, MS – USAT Level III, ACSM CpT, NSCA CSCS
- Ian Murray – USAT Level III, ITU & USAC Level II, Bike Fit Instructor: Cannondale’s Guru Academy & Dan Empfield’s Fit Institute Slowtwitch, USAC Certified Race Mechanic
- Karen Allen Turner, USAT L2 Coach, 2016 Team USA Coach
The following sessions really resonated with me:
- Periodization for Long Course
- Workout Design and Application for Long Course
- Advanced Nutrition for Long Course
- Strength Training for Long Course
- Video Analysis and Application for Long Course
- Advanced Running for Long Course
- Psychological Assessment and Application
As a final task, each of us were asked to present an athlete training plan based upon an assigned scenario. Each scenario presented a unique and challenging athlete situation. Topics covered a wide spectrum:
- Kona qualification
- Disordered eating
- Pro performance
- New Iron distance athletes
- Iron distance recovery
- Limited training time
- Critical training volume
- Unrealistic expectations
- Mental skills
2017 USAT Level 2 Endurance clinic coaches (Kona, HI)
The final presentations by all the attending coaches showed how detailed and specific our approaches have become.
Each coach presentation brought out innovative problem solving strategies for a diverse range of coaching challenges.
The presentations were the highlight of the week.
Key insights from the clinic:
- Critical Training Volume – What it takes to resist breakdown of performance during racing & key metrics to strive for in athletic development.
- Nutrition approaches for the athlete to optimize body composition, training adaptation, and race fueling
- Triathlon specific strength development to resist injury and improve form
As is always the case when attending formal accreditation classes, I walked away a stronger coach with new ideas and approaches that will strengthen the Startline coaching squad in 2018.
2017 off season group training here we go. Prepare for a great 2018 race season.