Search
shop

Sam Long says he ‘fired’ Dan Plews after Oceanside flop, reveals new coaching plan

Another coaching change for Sam Long as the 'Big Unit' outlines his plans
Staff Reporter
Last updated -

After finishing the 2022 season as the PTO World #10, American middle distance star Sam Long caused a bit of a stir when he announced he would be parting ways with long-time coach Ryan Bolton.

After an extensive search for somebody who would help him get to the next level, Long settled on Dr Dan Plews, the coach of fellow American Chelsea Sodaro – who last October shocked the world when she won the IRONMAN World title in Kona.

However, after a subpar start to his 2023 campaign, Long shared after his IRONMAN 70.3 St George win last weekend that he had parted ways with Dr Plews following his disappointing race at Oceanside six weeks ago.

Advertisement

“I am my own coach now”

In his most recent YouTube video following the win in St George, Long addressed the rumours and speculation head on.

“I am my own coach now. After Oceanside, I made the executive decision that I had to fire Dan Plews, as it just wasn’t the right fit for me.

“I think the training was great, it would’ve worked for a lot of people, but I am only a sample size of one person and if we look at a degree of excellence and the bell curve graph, most people fit inside the bell curve but professionals are on the outside.

“I am an outlier and I just need different things for me in my training. I learnt that I get off on these big hard training days, as physiologically and mentally it just gives me an edge.” 

“I’ve implemented my own training for the last six weeks”

Detailing his training leading into the IRONMAN 70.3 North American Championships last weekend, Long revealed that he had been putting together his own programme, and was really enjoying it.

Sam Long Sam Laidlow Collins Cup press conference photo credit Darren Wheeler and PTO
[Photo credit: Darren Wheeler / PTO]

“I know my body really well, I know what works for me, I learned tons over the period with Dan but it just wasn’t for me so I’ve implemented my own training for the last five or six weeks.

“It was really fun for me but I have also really enjoyed taking on the whole responsibility of executing the day to day training, executing on race day and being in charge of the bigger picture.

“I enjoy making sure I don’t train too hard, making sure I train hard enough, getting the workouts right and paying attention to my strengths and weaknesses.” 

Backing yourself and lessons learnt

Finally, Long shared an important message for his audience, as he highlighted just how important it is to be brave enough to make a change if things aren’t working out.

“I had been on this path over the last nine months, thinking I needed science and all these extra things to help me keep my edge, but the edge has always been within me.

“We have a common notion in society as adults that we can’t make a change in a relatively short period of time, that we have got to give it a year or at least six months to see a positive change, and I completely disagree with this.

“I made that change, I implemented it and I saw improvement.” 

Long will now head to Panama Beach City in Florida, where he will take on the likes of Trevor Foley, Tim O’Donnell and Jackson Laundry at IRONMAN 70.3 Gulf Coast as he attempts to win back-to-back races to kick of this self-coached era.

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
TRI247 Wahoo KICKR RUN treadmill review
Wahoo KICKR RUN treadmill review – can Wahoo do for treadmill running what they did for indoor cycling?
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
5 ways to improve your FTP – Expert tips to level up your cycling
sumarpo triathlon swimming wetsuit
Wetsuit buying guide – How to choose the best wetsuit for triathlon, open water swimming, SwimRun and cold water
Challenge Almere-Amsterdam long distance triathlon bike course
How to cycle in a head wind – tips for riding your bike in windy conditions
latest News
Lakesman Triathlon swim Derwentwater
British race is voted the Best Triathlon in the World
VinFast IRONMAN World Championship 2023 - Lucy Charles-Barclay bike aero
IRONMAN world champions to ride with cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy
Jonny and Alistair Brownlee Ask AL AI
Triathlon’s Brownlee brothers made each other great with love and war philosophy which drove them to Olympic glory
Lucy Gossage finish line wall Montane Winter Spine Race 2025 [Photo credit: Wild Aperture Photography / The Spine Race]
How one key piece of triathlon advice helped Lucy Gossage win Britain’s most BRUTAL ultrarunning race
Paris 2024 Olympics - Cassandre Beaugrand wins
Olympic champion targets 5k test and says triathlon in February ‘makes no sense to me’
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...