PhysFarm Training Systems 2010

A Chat with David Tilbury-Davis

This week, we sit down with PhysFarm UK Senior Partner David Tilbury-Davis. Although he has been doing a lot of work overseas, David is working with more and more athletes from this side of the pond. We thought it was time that he have a proper introduction to the US triathlon community.

How did you come to work with Dr. Phil?
In years past, when Phil was developing GOVSS, he sought the help of someone in the triathlon coaching community with an analytical mind and a head for spreadsheets and data. What was needed was a custom, complex spreadsheet that could be easily edited as the model was refined. This is where my research expertise was particularly useful and between us we honed the GOVSS model.

What qualifications and experience do you bring to the table?
British Triathlon Level III and 10 years coaching clubs and individuals from 14 to 65 years old and novices to World Class elite athletes (ITU elites, World AG athlete's, Pro cyclists and Ironman athletes). Within this time I also carried out 4 years biomechanics research and continuously broadened my knowledge and coaching experience.

What brought you to triathlon?
My interest in triathlon stemmed, ironically, from injury. My sporting background was originally in Rugby and American Football, I played rugby whilst at University and even coached whilst I was studying for a year at Texas Tech. I then switched to American Football and ended my career playing free safety for Great Britain students. I loved the game, but a particularly serious injury to my medial collateral ligament made me realize that athletic longevity may be better served by taking up a different sport.

The beauty of studying and carrying out research at Loughborough University is the depth of talent one is exposed to within sports. I joined the triathlon club as a novice and within two years was coaching training sessions.

How did you develop your coaching experience?
Moving to the northern part of England due to my day job meant that I was able to work with other triathlon clubs and individuals. Over the years I continuously developed my coaching qualifications, related knowledge and experience. My background enabled me to apply my skills in many triathlon related ways, for instance, my work in biomechanics research was particularly useful when athletes required gait analysis / intervention or bike positioning and the like.

I actually helped design a women's specific triathlon bike for 'Whisper Bikes UK' that debuted at the Hawaii World AG Champs.

Throughout this time I kept a hand in competing in triathlons and ultra distance running. However as is often the case in multisport, other commitments in life meant I had to choose between sleep, training and coaching! Needless to say I wasn’t going to give up work and family so the coaching stayed....

Do you have a particular coaching philosophy?
What I've found over time is that every coach has their own 'marketing persona' and their own 'unique way' to help athletes develop. However, having cut through all the 'noise' I've learnt three things:

(1) Everyone is unique in their training needs and response to training.
(2) There are no 'magic bullets' that make an athlete fast tomorrow.
(3) Coaching is about two way communication, and not program writing.

I help people take pleasure in the process of striving to achieve their goals, I help people develop the work ethic required for success and I help people motivate themselves through the inevitable cyclical nature of training and its rewards.

Tell me about a recent success story?
Most recently, I've been working with a female pro Ironman athlete. A healthy level of communication, understanding and the tools Dr. Phil built into Raceday has meant in 3 months we've been able to add 7% to her threshold power on the bike, set an IM bike split PB and improve her running speed. Watch this space!

What is the current focus of Physfarm UK?
Physfarm UK is currently working with age grouper's, pro athletes and National Governing Bodies. Although Phil and I set up PhysFarm UK to address our interests in Western Europe, the Internet has seen to it that he is regularly working with athletes over here, and I am working with athletes over there. Depending upon the needs of some athletes we also collaborate on their training.

Any parting thoughts?
The PhysFarm approach works because it is based on science and is custom tailored to you: your needs, your lifestyle, your particular gifts, background and physiology.

If you're interested in achieving your peak performance through a truly individual service, please feel free to get in touch at david@physfarm.com.



	A Chat with David Tilbury-Davis This week, we sit down with PhysFarm UK Senior Partner David Tilbury-Davis. Although he has been doing a lot of work overseas, David is working with more and more athletes from this side of the pond. We thought it was time that he have a proper introduction to the US triathlon community. How did you come to work with Dr. Phil? In years past, when Phil was developing GOVSS, he sought the help of someone in the triathlon coaching community with an analytical mind and a head for spreadsheets and data. What was needed was a custom, complex spreadsheet that could be easily edited as the model was refined. This is where my research expertise was particularly useful and between us we honed the GOVSS model. What qualifications and experience do you bring to the table? British Triathlon Level III and 10 years coaching clubs and individuals from 14 to 65 years old and novices to World Class elite athletes (ITU elites, World AG athlete's, Pro cyclists and Ironman athletes). Within this time I also carried out 4 years biomechanics research and continuously broadened my knowledge and coaching experience. What brought you to triathlon? My interest in triathlon stemmed, ironically, from injury. My sporting background was originally in Rugby and American Football, I played rugby whilst at University and even coached whilst I was studying for a year at Texas Tech. I then switched to American Football and ended my career playing free safety for Great Britain students. I loved the game, but a particularly serious injury to my medial collateral ligament made me realize that athletic longevity may be better served by taking up a different sport. The beauty of studying and carrying out research at Loughborough University is the depth of talent one is exposed to within sports. I joined the triathlon club as a novice and within two years was coaching training sessions. How did you develop your coaching experience? Moving to the northern part of England due to my day job meant that I was able to work with other triathlon clubs and individuals. Over the years I continuously developed my coaching qualifications, related knowledge and experience. My background enabled me to apply my skills in many triathlon related ways, for instance, my work in biomechanics research was particularly useful when athletes required gait analysis / intervention or bike positioning and the like. I actually helped design a women's specific triathlon bike for 'Whisper Bikes UK' that debuted at the Hawaii World AG Champs. Throughout this time I kept a hand in competing in triathlons and ultra distance running. However as is often the case in multisport, other commitments in life meant I had to choose between sleep, training and coaching! Needless to say I wasn’t going to give up work and family so the coaching stayed.... Do you have a particular coaching philosophy? What I've found over time is that every coach has their own 'marketing persona' and their own 'unique way' to help athletes develop. However, having cut through all the 'noise' I've learnt three things: (1) Everyone is unique in their training needs and response to training. (2) There are no 'magic bullets' that make an athlete fast tomorrow. (3) Coaching is about two way communication, and not program writing. I help people take pleasure in the process of striving to achieve their goals, I help people develop the work ethic required for success and I help people motivate themselves through the inevitable cyclical nature of training and its rewards. Tell me about a recent success story? Most recently, I've been working with a female pro Ironman athlete. A healthy level of communication, understanding and the tools Dr. Phil built into Raceday has meant in 3 months we've been able to add 7% to her threshold power on the bike, set an IM bike split PB and improve her running speed. Watch this space! What is the current focus of Physfarm UK? Physfarm UK is currently working with age grouper's, pro athletes and National Governing Bodies. Although Phil and I set up PhysFarm UK to address our interests in Western Europe, the Internet has seen to it that he is regularly working with athletes over here, and I am working with athletes over there. Depending upon the needs of some athletes we also collaborate on their training. Any parting thoughts? The PhysFarm approach works because it is based on science and is custom tailored to you: your needs, your lifestyle, your particular gifts, background and physiology. If you're interested in achieving your peak performance through a truly individual service, please feel free to get in touch at david@physfarm.com.