My Remote Coaching experience for the 2011 Australian Master Games

Signing up for and persisting with the remote coaching offering for the 2011 Australian Master Games (AMG) from Cycling-Inform and David Heatley was by far the most positive experience I have had in a very long time.

As busy as I am, I promised my remote coach, David Heatley, in Adelaide that despite the fact that I am inordinately busy, I would write a few words about my 2011 Australian Masters Games Remote Cycling package that I signed up for in April.

So even though I am that overloaded I have to write those few words late on a Friday night, here I am writing them.

I had, like most old men, taken part in a number of sportive events and thoroughly enjoyed every one, through the hill climbs, rain, hail, wind, and heat. But what to do when you want more? I had started following @cyclinginform on Twitter through some “six-degree” connection (I think it was an ad on http://cyclingprofiles.com.au/, which as an aside is very annoying since it uses Adobe Flash to render those slopes, and I don’t). This was where the @cyclinginform posted an ad for the AMG 2011 remote cycling packages.

Being a relatively competitive person this pricked my interest. Here was the next step, and honestly how hard could it be since these were old men I’d be competing against, and I’m not old yet.

Some background information
Even though I had taken part in competitive sport for 25 years, I’d never raced a bike before.

In January 2011 my scales informed me that I was obese, and I had been the same weight since 2007. Scales were clearly mis-informed - I did need to lose some weight but not THAT much.

To make a long story short, I signed up for the remote package, signed up for the games in the Road Time Trial (IRTT as we call it), road race, and ITT. I purchased a Kurt Kinetic trainer, a Garmin 500 with heart rate monitor, and speed/cadence sensor, and in June parted ways with a considerable sum to purchase a new carbon bike. By the way all of these purchases were my choice and not a requirement for the programme.

Late April I received my first 4 week training package from David, and in May started on my way. David and I had our weekly hook ups, and I started to perspire that much on the trainer that we placed three towels down to soak it all up. I rode lots, more than I ever had.

During this early period David started mentioning competitive racing, which after a couple more hook ups turned into a “Damian I’ve signed you up for the race this Sunday”. I had no choice but to work up the courage to take myself down to Southern Vets where my first race was a handicap event. Well goodness me what an eye-opener that was. Unlike when you are out on a casual bunch ride and you can yell out “Wait for me”, this lot just didn’t listen. They took off and left me behind. Then I was passed by EVERYONE, even the sweeper.

The same thing happened at the next crit, and then the next graded road race.

I kept persisting, kept getting better. Read lots, listened lots, took advice from all over.

I knew all of this was important, not because I was expecting to win, but because I wanted to be the best I could possibly be in the five months I had.

My eight year old son dislikes me. Not in a nasty way but in a “Why do we have to leave the house every Sunday morning at 6:30am, and make me miss out on extremely important computer game/TV watching time!!!!!” way. He has been wonderful and a great supporter, photographer, and cameraman.

My partner loves me. She has supported my efforts, encouraged, cajoled, and pushed me to be better each day. She helped me prepare, made breakfasts, organised accommodation, and has been a wonderful friend. She and I have grown so much closer through this, and there is nothing like hearing her voice encouraging me from the sidelines.

I was relieved to see David’s very welcoming smile in Adelaide, and it was great to meet Jodie, Fran, Dana, John, and Keith. To see David working with each of them, and to see their magnificent results is a true testament to David’s skill as a coach, and to the product he is offering.

We had a fantastic time in Adelaide, touring around seeing the sights, and experiencing what is a really beautiful city, and surrounding country-side.

Suffice to say that I’ve signed up with David for some more remote coaching, and am focusing on the crit season, and I’m hoping to get into some more track work.....that is if I can get my backside into gear and get back on the bike.

Is that the best recommendation for the product I can do? Well no, there is also the dramatic weight loss (20kg), how much closer and happier my family is, and the positive side-effects it has had on all of us.

So it isn’t just my results on the day, but the extremely positive affects Cycling Inform’s Remote Coaching package has had.

Damian Halloran