Making It Work.
One of the things I enjoy most about coaching is creating a training plan around the various nuances of an individual athlete’s work and life demands. Training Peaks becomes my creative canvas. Over the years I have coached people who have unique work schedules such as ER physicians and nurses who may work three to four consecutive night shifts and then have several days off from work. I think all of us as athletes have found creative ways to maintain fitness and uphold a training regimen when dealing with certain life demands, limited resources and equipment, traveling, returning from an illness or injury, and so on.
And then there is Kyle O’Leary.
We have been working together since last May. Kyle’s current work schedule as an engineer in the oil industry has him doing 28 days on, then 28 days off an oil rig located 150 miles offshore. His commute to and from the rig is done via a helicopter. Prior to making this every other monthly trek, he is required to spend 5 days quarantining at a hotel as part of COVID protocol.
His goal races are 70.3 Boulder in August and 70.3 Waco in October. He is getting married at the end of April and timing the honeymoon between his races later this season.
Having no swim access for basically a month at a time, despite being surrounded by water, does present some challenges. Fortunately, he is super disciplined and embraces the training process. During his time on the rig he has been able to settle into a routine as though he were living at home.
For the most recent stint on the rig, he had a Wahoo Kickr bike shipped out to it so he could maintain his cycling. This has been a huge asset and combined with a treadmill and gym on the rig we have been able to maintain good consistency. With each monthly rotation, we are learning and making adjustments to maximize his training with the available resources.
D3 Coach Brad Seng knows that challenging days and subpar workouts are inevitably a part of the triathlon landscape, as are the times when you’re feeling great and everything clicks. He believes there are lessons to be learned from experiencing both. Sometimes having to fight for a workout is just what’s needed to achieve an important breakthrough in mental conditioning.
Coach Brad’s credentials include:
Coach Brad Seng enjoys working with athletes of all abilities who set a variety of personal goals. He understands difficult training days. Challenging days and subpar workouts are inevitably part of the triathlon landscape, as are the times when you’re feeling great and everything clicks. He believes there are lessons to be learned from experiencing both. Sometimes having to fight for a workout is just what’s needed to achieve an important breakthrough in mental conditioning.
Coach Brad is a USA Triathlon Certified Level II, USA Triathlon Certified Youth & Junior, Training Peaks Level 2 Certified Coach and NESTA Certified Sports Nutritionist (National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association).
