I have worked with a couple coaches: one that I don't even count as a coach since I actually got slower working with him and felt I wasn't listened to. The others have been awesome -- I couldn't recommend either strongly enough (if you want a recommendation let me know).

But the important part was that we understand each other, and the goal of the season. I definitely was glad I took the time and effort to pick well (and not just the price and someone in my area) on my more recent (and badass) coaches.

OK, so here's my dumb question for the day. At what tri distance would one get a coach: sprint, OLY, HIM, IM? Or does it have more to do with what kind of goal you are working on verses distance?

(yes, I'm still a n00b)

It really depends on what your goals are. I decided to get a coach because I had read everything there is to read, I'd made all the stupid mistakes you can make, I basically reached my own level of incompetence. But seriously, I reached a level where small progress was being made. I wanted to get a new set of eyes on my training to make bigger progress.

If I had to do it again, I probably would've worked with a coach a bit sooner but not much. I think the learning process is good for your typical age grouper. Now if my initial plan was to go pro, I would've had a coach in the very beginning.

I have worked with two coaches in the last three seasons. I didn't seek coaching until I had signed up for my first IM event. I had managed decent success at the shorter distances on my own, based on training plans I'd found on the web or through advice from friends. The prospect of IM just freaked me out enough that I felt the need for more expert guidance.

The first coach I went with worked for my goals at the time. He got me to the IM finish line in our first season, and over the course of a second long and full season, did a lot to increase my confidence as a racer. I had signed on for a third season for another IM ramp up - this time with specific time goals for each discipline. I started to feel that his approach to my second IM attempt might not be appropriate for the goals that I had set. When I started raising concerns with him about the approach he got defensive and argumentative, which didn't help, except that it made it clear to me that we were not aligned. I knew a switch was inevitable and started a search for a new coach. Having been coached before, and having a clear sense of my goals, and of my personal level of committment and focus I was able to assess prospectives based on these factors. Ended up with a coach at my gym and have had a dramatically different experience. I am paying a lot more, but also getting a lot more of what I feel I need at this point in my triathlon pursuits. His approach is more comprehensive, and is very clearly tailored to me and my goals, and what's even better is that he checks in with me and asks for feedback on how he is doing. What a concept!

I guess this is a long way of illustrating that as you determine whether a coach is for you, it is important that you understand what your goals are and what you expect to get from a coach. Having these defined will help you wade through all of the coaching options (and pricing levels) that are offered and determine which option is going to best fit those needs. Also, as others have said you do need to ensure that personality wise you are compatible with the person. So I'd recommend taking your possible coach out for a coffee or a smoothie, or at a minimum have a couple of phone conversations by way of a sort if interview to assess your compatibility.

Sorry so long....good luck!