Frequently Asked Questions

We coach everyone from complete beginners with no prior sports background to experienced triathletes. Whether you've never swum a lap or you're chasing a personal best at Ironman, there's a program built for you.

Coaching plans are tailored to your goals, fitness level, schedule, and progress — with ongoing feedback and adjustments as you go. Pre-written plans are one-size-fits-all and don't include any support, feedback, or customisation.

Not at all. We coach athletes all over the world with plans delivered online and communication by messenger, phone, or video call. In today's connected world it's entirely common — and normal — for athletes and coaches to be located away from each other.

Start by filling out our athlete interest form. From there, we'll schedule a call or message exchange to discuss your goals and training background — no pressure, no commitment required.

Absolutely — this is exactly who we specialise in. We help busy professionals fit triathlon into their lives with realistic, time-efficient training plans built around your schedule, not the other way around.

Yes — you can move up or down between packages at any time. Just speak to your coach and we'll make the transition at the start of your next billing cycle.

The more lead time the better. For a sprint or Olympic distance race, 12–16 weeks is a solid runway. For a 70.3 or Ironman, we recommend at least 20–24 weeks. That said, we can work with whatever time you have — get in touch and we'll put a plan together.

Your workouts are loaded into your Training Peaks account each day, so you can see the week ahead in advance. The platform is easy to navigate and available on both desktop and mobile.

You'll need a GPS watch capable of logging swimming, cycling, and running. When setting up your Training Peaks account you'll sync your watch with the app — your completed sessions then flow directly to your coach.

Yes! Workouts sync directly to your watch so you can follow each step on screen in real time — no need to memorise the session beforehand.

This is agreed between you and your coach. Often your coach will comment directly on your Training Peaks activity, or can send messages with detailed feedback. We'll work out a rhythm that suits you both.

This can be determined between you and your coach — whether you prefer notes inside Training Peaks or a simple message. We'll set expectations early so nothing falls through the cracks.

Your coach will build a taper into your plan — a structured reduction in volume and intensity so you arrive at race day feeling fresh, not flat. We'll give you clear guidance on what to do (and what not to do) in race week, including sleep, nutrition, and managing pre-race nerves.

Let your coach know as soon as possible. We'll adjust your plan immediately — whether that means complete rest, modified sessions, or cross-training alternatives. Pushing through injury is never the answer, and we'll work with you to come back stronger without losing fitness unnecessarily.

These tools can enhance your training, but they aren't all essential from day one. We recommend a GPS watch with heart rate monitor for the Essentials package. A power meter on the bike, while not required, is recommended for the Momentum and Premium packages to get the most from your training data.

Basic swim gear, a bike (any kind to start), a helmet, running shoes, and a positive attitude. We'll guide you as you grow into the sport — check out our beginner gear guide here. Don't buy everything before you start — your coach is here to advise on the right gear at the right time and the right price.

It depends on the water temperature and the race rules. Most triathlons allow wetsuits when water temperature is below a set threshold (typically 24.5°C / 76°F), and many athletes find them beneficial for buoyancy and warmth. Your coach will advise on whether you need one for your target race and help you practise in it beforehand.

No — any roadworthy bike works to start. A road bike, hybrid, or even a mountain bike is fine for sprint and Olympic distance events. A TT or triathlon-specific bike can offer aerodynamic advantages at longer distances, but it's not something you need to worry about early on. Your coach can advise when and if an upgrade makes sense for your goals.

The Essentials package is $150/month, Momentum is $250/month, and Premium is $350/month. We believe having a coach is an extremely worthwhile investment in your triathlon journey — guiding you every step of the way.

You'll be invoiced by email for the upcoming month. Monthly cycles run from the date you commence coaching, not per calendar month. Payment can be made by bank transfer, Venmo, Zelle, cash, or PayPal.

You'll need to give your coach one month's notice. We understand life changes — just reach out and we'll work through the process together.

We recommend committing to at least three months to see meaningful progress. Coaching takes time to work — fitness adaptations, habit changes, and race prep all need a runway to deliver results.

Coached athletes have race planning included as part of their package. We also offer single-session consults, race planning calls, and custom event prep plans for those who aren't on a full coaching program. Reach out for details.

We offer unlimited email or app-based communication, plus regular check-ins based on your coaching package. Your preferred communication style can be agreed and adjusted from the start — it's all up to you. Check-in frequency scales with your package: monthly for Essentials, fortnightly for Momentum, and weekly for Premium.

Absolutely. We cover race strategy, nutrition, pacing, transition tips, and mental prep to help you perform your best. You'll arrive at the start line confident, prepared, and ready to execute.

Yes. We can recommend events that suit your goals, timeline, and current fitness level. We also offer advice for races overseas or away from home — logistics, travel prep, and how to manage your taper on the road.

Race nutrition is one of the most important — and most overlooked — elements of triathlon. Your coach will build a personalised race nutrition plan covering what to eat before, during, and after the event, including carbohydrate targets, hydration strategy, and gel timing. We practise this in training so nothing is new on race day.

Transitions are often called the "fourth discipline" of triathlon — and for good reason. Small gains here add up. Your coach will cover T1 (swim-to-bike) and T2 (bike-to-run) setup, what to practise in training, and how to move through them efficiently on race day without panicking.

Most of our coaching is online, but we occasionally host camps, meet-ups, or local training sessions. Keep an eye on our social channels or get in touch to hear about upcoming events.

You're not alone — this is one of the most common concerns we hear! We provide swim-specific training, tips for open water confidence, and beginner-friendly resources. We can also recommend swim coaches in your area for additional one-on-one help in the pool.

No problem at all — just email us at hello@hiveendurance.com or use the contact form on our website. We're always happy to chat.