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Xtri Chats With Coach Luis Vargas
By Betsy Delcour
10/2/2009 |
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Even when you're a multi-IM World Champion like Mark Allen, you need some help to run a successful coaching program. That's where Luis Vargas steps in. The self-described "meat and potatoes" coach to Mark's Zen Master philosophy, Luis balances out the coaching program that makes MarkAllenOnline such a success. With Kona just a few days away, and many of his athletes sure to top the AG podiums, we chatted with Luis about his background in triathlon, what it's like coaching and living in Boulder and how he finds balance in his life...
Hi Luis and thanks for chatting with us! You are a co-founder of Mark Allen Online. How did you get involved in triathlon, and how did you hook up with Mark to start a coaching business?
Triathlon was just the natural sport for me. I was a swimmer in high school and college and I also ran cross country in high school. I was swimming after school and running at night when I was 13 years old. My first triathlon was not until after graduate school. The 1986 USTS Houston triathlon in Clear Lake Texas was my first. Then I moved to Boulder in 1990 and met Mark Allen when he jumped in my lane at a master’s practice. He had just won Hawaii for the first time and he was in my lane, wow! Mark retired and as most pro triathletes do, he started coaching a few people but he felt he needed help to make it a solid business and bring technology into it. That is when my name came up and he called me. The rest is history as they say.
You have an Elite triathlon team. What are the qualifications to join the team?
There is no hard line qualifications required. We consider results of course. Ideally we like to feel that each Elite team athlete has a chance to get on the podium at big races. But we also consider location as we like to have athletes from as many states as possible. Finally we like athletes that like to be coached. We'd rather have a slower athlete that likes to work with the coaches than one that wins but does whatever and just has heaps of talent. But it is hard to get on the team because we have had some athletes on our team that have become family to us and they are very fast. What this has done is raise the bar on talent to get on the team as there are not many spots open from year to year.
What inspired you to become a coach? How does your style differ and relate to Mark’s coaching style?
My parents were never really around when I was a kid and I loved sports and was very athletic. So my coaches became my parents as I learned more than just swimming and running from them. Then after racing triathlon very hard for about 15 years I felt I had to give back and not make my life all about me. I started by coaching high level kids competitive soccer. (Yes I also played soccer in college.) Then when Mark called I switched to coaching adults and triathlon. I also currently coach one beginner masters swim practice in Boulder.
As far as how my coaching style differs from Mark, that is a good question. Mark and I have actually discussed this. Mark is the Zen master as you know. So people just listen and if he says you will do well it may just happen. Many times the positive energy from your coach can be very powerful and helps many on race day. I am more of a meat and potatoes kind of coach. If you do not do the training or do not do it right I will let you know and if you do great and show me progress or at least a good effort you will hear that too. It works nicely as we both coach all the athletes and many times discuss issues and ideas as to how to help each unique athlete. We want them all to do well as that is our responsibility.
What are some of the biggest or most common mistakes you see age groupers making these days? Have triathletes gotten savvier than when you first started in the sport?
The most common mistake is definitely training too hard. I think everyone does this. I did and so did Mark and it takes a while to learn that lesson. But our hope is to prevent as many as possible from doing just that. I think yes your average Triathlete is more savvy but at the same time with the growth of the sprt and the information super highway there is almost too much information. If I was a new triathlete and wanted to learn how to train it would be very confusing. Do this; do that; what to do? Who to trust?
Living and training in Boulder, you’re in contact with multiple world champions every day. What traits do these athletes have in common that set them apart – even from other pros or elite age groupers?
I think there are three things that set them apart. First and foremost is talent. To be a world champion or even a pro you need some talent. If the talent is there then you need to add mental and physical durability to train a lot of hours. It’s not easy. Many age groupers always say “well if I did not have to work and could train all day I could be a pro too”. It's not easy and once it becomes your job it’s a different story. Finally to be a pro you need a way to survive financially. Whether the spouse works, or there is a great part time job, or USA Triathlon puts you on their payroll or daddy pays the bills or whatever. It seems most pros have some way to pay the bills which allows them to train without having to worry too much about money until they can make it to the top.
Mark taps into his spirituality and encourages others to do so in order to rise to a new level of athletic performance. Can you give any tips on how the average mid-pack athlete can do this?
My best tip is to find a way to put yourself mentally after the race. Over the years I always wondered how come I was so stressed before the race and once the race was over and I had dealt with the outcome I was no longer stressed. So I found a way to take stress away before the race by convincing myself that regardless of the outcome I was going to be fine. My family would still love me. I was still the same person weather I won or finished last. And my boss still wanted me at work on Monday. This worked for me. In my last Ironman Mark said “you are cool like a cucumber”. This may not be the same way Mark explains it but its as spiritual as I get.
Kona’s just around the corner! Who are your picks for the podium, on both the men’s and women’s sides? Are there any age group athletes who will stand out on 10/10?
I have not decided on the order but hard to bet against the defending champions and runner ups from last year. My dark horse for me was Rasmus Henning, but he crashed and broke his hand, I heard. I think I need to get to Kona and chat with people and athletes to get a better feel. I will post my predictions on my blog.
What are some of your favorite tri-related memories? Any races or training days stand out?
My favorite tri related memory is of the “do not try this at home” kind. It is my first brick workout in 1986. My friend Matt Ellis and I found a 3 mile loop in Pearland, Texas and I started running and he started cycling. The goal was for the cyclist to lap the runner at which point I took his bike and I rode to try to lap him as he ran. We literally hammered ourselves doing this. Another great memory was running with Tim DeBoom for a few miles on Alii Drive during his first or second Ironman back in 93 or 94. He had a hat and a visor because he had not decided what to wear for the whole race. He asked me how come I had nothing on my head. “I broke my visor in transition” I replied. So he handed me his visor. I had to let him go but we finished around 9:20 and 9:30. We know how much faster he went later. That was it for me.
As a family man, you know first-hand what it’s like to have to juggle family, career and training. What are the key elements of obtaining this balance?
Its not easy. I am glad I raced hard for 15 years before I had kids. I do not want to miss a thing with my kids. If I do another Ironman I am going to have to delegate some of my coaching duties for training because my kids and wife come first. As I mentioned before my parents were not around much. That is beyond my control, but being there for my kids it's all under my control and it's my priority and I will be there as much as possible. Juggling does not last forever. What happens to a juggler after a while? He drops something right? So the question is what is getting dropped? I believe in juggling with priorities. Yes you can train, work and be with the family but know what the priority is. This way when there is conflict you know what to do. And when something drops you will be fine because you decided on that before hand.
OK – tell us something about yourself that has nothing to do with triathlon! Any special talents or hobbies?
Although I have not touched my stamp collection in years I did that for a long time. Somehow when I was 7 or 8 I got started and then did it seriously and was even on a stamp collecting club. I still go buy stamps at the post office and have a few of each in a big envelope. One day I will get the newer albums and see if I have them all. I have some stamps from the 1800s when you could mail things for a cent or less. Can you imagine?
Thanks Luis!
You can check out his blog at http://www.markallenonline.com/Blogs/lvblog.aspx.
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