Last week described finding a potential coach and some basic goals I wanted to set for the new year. This week, I describe the program, sign up, and pay the big bucks.

When I sent an e-mail to Torbjorn Karlsen saying I was interested in learning more about his coaching program, he sent back a three page Word document describing his program. 

The Program Overview

Training Plans
Essentially, he works with each of his athletes to create their own training programs, since each individual has different "agendas, goals, and time commitments." Each month, target hours for the month and for each week of the month are defined between Torbjorn and the athlete. He then assists in defining key workouts for one or two weeks at a time. The athlete creates a training plan for each day of the week. Torbjorn reviews the plan and suggests adjustments as necessary. 

Training Logs
Training log are reviewed by Torbjorn every week or two to evaluate progress and so he can make training recommendations for the following weeks. One important piece of information he requires is a daily recording of morning resting heart rate, so he can interpret how well each individual is responding to the training. Heart rate monitors are required.

Time trials are used once or twice a month from June until race season to help measure progress. He will also help his athletes improve warm-up and warm-down routines, pre-competition nutrition, race strategies, and make equipment recommendations.

The cost
Coaching ain't free, folks. Torbjorn charges $125/month, payable in 6 month blocks (that's a $750 up-front commitment). As Torbjorn says, "The coaching fee is based upon a weekly analysis of your log and heart rate sheet and one phone conversation per week (as needed). Additional fees can be discussed with skiers in need of more frequent or daily communication."

$750 is about the cost for a new pair of skis, bindings, and boots. Frankly, I think coaching will help me go faster than having new equipment.

Additional, optional offerings
In the final part of the letter, Torbjorn outlines additional services he offers, including summer dryland camp, fall snow camp, video analysis, and private workouts - all at additional cost. 

Finally, if the reader is still interested, Torbjorn asks that he or she send him some brief background  information.

Sign Me Up!

I send Torbjorn info about myself and he e-mails back a questionnaire asking specific details about my experience, expertise, health, social situation (occupation, number of hours worked, etc.), best and worst races, training volume, goals, equipment owned, and any recent time trial results.

I e-mail back my response. And I get out the checkbook.

So what do I expect?

Torbjorn Karlsen lives in Utah and I live in Michigan. Let's be realistic about what he can and can't do for me. I see two limitations:

First, he can't very well help me directly with ski technique because he can't see me. This can be somewhat remedied by sending him video tapes (anyone have a video recorder I can borrow) or my going to one of his camps.

Second, I've never met the man. Personality-wise, will we get along? Will I be able to understand what he's talking about from long distance? Meeting him would probably be very useful. I've always found that once I've met someone face-to-face, e-mails, phone calls, and letters all become easier to understand. Maybe I need to go to his summer camp, if for nothing else, at least to meet him.

I do think that he can - of better yet, we can together - effectively create a training plan that will make me faster and stronger for the 2002-2003 racing season. And I think he has the proper credentials.

Next week: A training plan for May.