Pro Tips: Here you will find tips and shortcuts on how to improve your racing, training, daily routines to fit in your schedule, as well as pre and post race hints on how to make your life and racing more efficient. To find these tips go to Pro Tips.
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November 2007 Tips:
#1 If your goal is to race in an Ironman brand race, start looking now at which races you would like to attend and start planning at least a year in advance. These events sell out quickly, and entry is becoming more and more difficult. If you would like to make a vacation of it, choose those Ironman events outside of the USA, as they do not fill as quickly as domestic races. When you finally decide, start making housing arrangements upon entering for the race. Plan out the before and after the race, and figure out your budget by looking at current exchange rates to get a general idea of what it all would cost. Use Chamber of Commerce and the internet, as well as ask friends for information about your destination. Do not be caught with silly logistics at the last moment, plan early!
#2 If you have not planned out your 2008 season yet, start NOW. Enter races you may want to get into as soon as you can, don't wait, they may sell out. Email the race director to find out when entry opens up, or visit their website. Be sure to look at the cost of entry, as you may find that doing three to five local races may be more enjoyable and rewarding than doing one larger away race which costs a bundle.
#3 When searching for a coaching service, read thoroughly any "contracts" which the group may have you sign. Some may have hidden clauses such as separation fees, or they may require you to wear their team clothes rather than ones you may find more comfortable. Beware of hidden "sign up fees" which may be inflated to cover their costs of "team uniforms included' in the sign up fee. Ask about the options of sign up fees without uniforms, and if you aren't comfortable with their answer, move onto another company. At Gemini Multisport, we feel everyone has a favorite color, fashion or brand of clothing which they feel maximizes their comfort, and like to wear. We have no hidden uniform fees, heck, we don't have team uniforms--because this is a highly individual/personal choice.
#4 Level of service...we offer two packages of coaching. One for those that do not want a lot of hand holding (Standard), and are sort of solo-like folks who just want a plan and general guidance. The other "Deluxe" plan, is for those who actually want the extra benefits of a closer coach/client relationship, and would require expertise in the use of power meters, or those that are starting out from ground zero as an athlete. This package also includes meetings between the coach/client quarterly, and is for those athletes very experienced and serious about their goals such as IQ'ing for Ironman Hawaii or ITU World Championship teams. It is our belief that this package is the ultimate offering from Gemini Multisport, and exceeds the higher levels of coaching of other coaching companies at a much lower cost.
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