Endurance Nation | Online Triathlon Coaching & Community

As an entrepreneur focused on ROI and proven technologies, I always get geeked out when I see something similar in another industry. The latest case in point happens to be close to my heart as well; the brand new P4 from Cervelo, unveiled at Interbike 2008. As the picture below shows you right away, this ain’t your average tri bike. But there’s more…

The 2009 Cervelo P4

Of all the innovations you see here that matter, it’s the one you can’t see that makes the biggest difference: the $1,000,000 spet testing the design, prototypes, components, etc, in a wind tunnel.  Believe it or not, there are bike manufacturers out there who do not test their frames in the wind-tunnel.  I can only assume they look to industry leaders and then create knock-off versions of the real thing.

This isn’t too different with the world of triathlon coaching. The methods and technology we use to create our plans — and guide the athletes who use these plans — are proven.  We have astounding data available in the results section of our website. Yet there are the nay-sayers who have pointed out that this isn’t a true triathlon approach since we have taken the best protocols for cycling and running and married them. To me I am surprised to hear that the end-user would care; after all wouldn’t you expect the best-in-class guidance and support in your new training plan? There is little to be gained by ignoring the results of those who have trained with power and pace; eventually the compelling arguments will fade in comparison to the chorus of testimonials from those who have reviewed (and tried) our training protocols for themselves.

It’s not easy being out in front of the pack. Folks will undoubtedly try to poke some holes into the new P4’s armor regarding the unique water bottle placement or the importance of the front wheel cut out, etc.  But on some level you have to respect the doodes for just keeping their foot on the gas and designing us all, competition included, into the 21st century.  It’ll be nice to see that day come around for Endurance Nation and how we have outlined our training protocols.

But then again, maybe we just need a sexy picture and some wind tunnel testing.

Leading (and letting others follow),

Coach P

Popularity: 22% [?]

This weekend is the Chesapeakeman Ultra Triathlon and Aqua Velo in Cambridge, Maryland and EN has a few athletes competing as there ‘A’ race and a couple racing the Aqua Velo in prep for IM Florida.  This is the 5th run of the full distance triathlon by race director Rob Vigorito and the Columbia Triathlon Association who will have their hands full as a tropical storm pattern in the Atlantic heads toward to the coast.  Gail force winds and coastal flooding is expected from Cape Hattteras, NC up through the New Jersey shore line Friday and Saturday.  Rob Vigorito is also the RD of another familiar triathlon in this area, The Eagleman 70.3, a Kona qualifier event in June.  Typically the Chesapeakeman is a 2.4 mile point to point swim in the Choptank River finishing at Great Marsh Park (site of the Eagleman).  As of today the RD announced that they will change the swim to a 1.2 mile loop out of Great Marsh Park location.  The bike leg is a two loop course for 112 miles through the flat and often windy Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.  The marathon is a three loop course also described as flat and fast.  While this is not a WTC event and there will be no live race day tracking we wish our athletes a safe and successful day.

Dan Kerr – his first IM was IMLP last year.  Dan joined us in Lake Placid this year for the ENation camp.  Not ready a year out to commit to a an Ironman he found himself training at the camp injury free and illness free, training harder than ever before and with no race yet on the immediate horizon, all just for the fun of it.  He credits encouragement of the other EN Campers with his decision to do another full triathlon race this year and signed up for the Chesapeake.  I left the Lake Placid camp a few days early so I can’t verify the ‘encouragement’ was not the coercion type of encouragement – the prick your finger and sign in blood type of deal.  But he sounds ready and confident to race.  Dan also gives creed to the Chessyman’s RD and his reputation of running a class act race and taking care of his athletes.  While this may not be the WTC race atmosphere Dan is expecting a well run event.  As for race day goals his is simply to “execute as preached by R&P.  Good things will happen if I stay on plan.  Many EN athletes have proven that.”  His one thing:  top secret.  While Dan is keeping that to himself it does sound like he may be racing under some duress as his Wife has the expectation that they(her AND Dan) will be drinking beer and watching the Penn State football game by 8pm.  I don’t know if that includes him showered and shaved.

Stuart McFarren – also one of our ENation Lake Placid Campers.  He will be down for the 2.4 mile swim and 112 mile bike race rehearsal for Florida.  Along to cheer him on this Sunday is another ENer his wife Tamara.

Dominic Malleo- Also racing the swim/bike portion of the Chessyman in prep for Florida. Dominic raced Lake Placid in 2007 after several years competing in triathlons.  He had originally signed up for Lake Placid and Wisconsin in 2006 but then in January of 2006 his wife announced that she was expecting triplets - born in July – so that was his life altering experience for 2006.  Dominic will be riding a new tri-bike with a Powertap purchased in May for this dress rehearsal for Florida.  Not to steel too much thunder from our IM Florida post – Dominic has learned a lot about racing the IM distance the EN way and is uncertain about what the results will be so Sunday will hopefully give him some peace of mind on dialing in pacing and nutrition for Florida.  I did ask Dominic about the non-WTC iron distance events and his thoughts on WTC and the equity.  He response is probably what many of us are thinking:  “I just hope that average athletes like myself can still sign up for races without having to qualify (aside from Kona). Prices are what they are, pay or don’t pay. If they move the World Champs away from Kona, the dream for me (yes – via lottery) would be gone, and that would be a shame.”

Kris

Popularity: 26% [?]

 
Image from www.andhawaii.com

For most triathletes, the Ironman World Championships in Kona represents the pinnacle of personal athletic achievement. Having endured years of hard work and sacrifice en route to qualifying, these lucky few are now faced with a daunting task: Training up (again) for an Ironman. Only this time they’ll be competing against the best in the world.

Elation quickly fades as reality sets in. After all, it’s really, really hard to get fitter in the second half of an Ironman season. After having coached many athletes through their qualifying race, then managing their recovery, and finally rebuilding their fitness for an assualt on the Big Island, these are our tips for you:

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Popularity: 27% [?]

Endurance Nation is almost one year old, and our evolution from expensive, one-on-one coaches to leaders of a community and coaches of a virtual triathlon team…is officially complete. Both Rich and Patrick have gone from a “full roster” of athletes at about $350/mo each, to exactly ZERO athletes. Why?

Through our training plans, tools, and the power of the EN community, we simply provide a better value for our TeamEN members than we ever could by working with athletes individually.

It’s been an incredible year, as anyone who has ever started up a business can imagine. But it’s been a successful year, with Endurance Nation growing from 0 to over 450 members! Along the way, we’ve learned some very valuable lessons, as our perspective on all aspects of our coaching and the coaching business evolved. The most important lesson we continue to learn is:

The 80/20 Rule in Business

• 80% of the athletes out there either “get” us or have the potential to get us if given the chance to learn more about us.
• 20% of the athletes out there either don’t, never will, or ask us to do backflips to convince them of the value and effectiveness of our ~$400/yr all-in training solution.

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Popularity: 21% [?]

We normally just do this for our official members, but I thought that giving you guys a glimpse into the world of EN membership would be a good idea…enjoy!

Patrick

Popularity: 23% [?]