Welcome to episode 54 of the Final Surge podcast where today we talk to triathlete turned coach Marcelo Holcberg. We discuss with Marcelo who his biggest influences are, how busy professionals can train for triathlons and how he works with periodization. Remember to follow us on Twitter @FinalSurge and don’t forget to subscribe and rate us on iTunes.
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How did you get your start in endurance athletics?
What was the hardest part of the transition from running to triathlons?
When did you make that transition from successful athlete to coaching?
You moved to the US in the late 90s and decided to build a coaching business. What was it like moving to a new country and building a coaching business where you probably did not know a whole lot of people?
All great coaches learn from other people like Arthur Lydiard, Phil Maffetone and Joe Vigil. These are some well-known coaches. Whose training methods have had the biggest impact on our coaching philosophy?
How many people are you coaching now?
What is the typical profile of your client?
If you have a non-professional athlete who works a full-time job, maybe travels for their job, has a husband or wife at home and three kids, what do you need to take into consideration to create a plan that they can execute, do consistently and reach their goals?
Do most of the athletes you coach come from a running background, or what is their athletic background?
You start to work with a new client who has a running background who wants to become a triathlete, how do you start working with them?
Do you work with most of your athletes in person or do you do virtual coaching too?
You mention you may get a 3:15 marathoner who comes to you, how do you break it up early in their training between the run which they are experienced with versus bike and swim?
You talked about Periodization in your training. Is a triathlon training plan much like a running plan where you start with a base of time/distance and as you get closer to the event the more race specific it becomes, or is it different for each of the disciplines?
How does your peak week for a triathlon differ from the early weeks? Do you change the time with maybe bike or swim and focus more on the area they are weaker in?
For the average athlete that comes to you looking to do their first triathlon, how long do you prefer an athlete work through a program before they try their first triathlon?
In your coaching how much do you use heart rate or power zones versus going strictly by feel?
Come race day, how do you plan out your race? What advice do you have for knowing the best race strategy for that new triathlete?
You mention transition zones. How much time can be saved or lost in a transition between the two disciplines?
How much time do you work on the transitions?
Let’s talk about some of the most common sticky points or FAQ’s
How do you find the right race for you?
How can you spot and correct under or over training?
How do you plan rest days? If you go hard on the swim one day, do you come back with a hard bike or run the next day or do you need a rest day?
What are some of the key workouts you subscribe that you think may be a good indicator of fitness and how ready someone is for their next race?
You have been in the sport a long time, how has it changed since the late 80Ís?
You are starting a new a Youth Development Running Program in Miami. Can you tell us about that?
The Final Surge… 5 questions in under 1 minute
Favorite running book? – Jim Fixx Complete book of Running
Current trainers you are wearing? – Asics DSTrainer
Favorite race? – Anything inside of Central Park
Favorite meal or recovery drink? – Chocolate Milk
Your favorite workout – Hill Running
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