Dealing With The Tri-Hit

Back in 2014, I started coaching Judy after her husband reached out to me. He was concerned about her haphazard “overtraining” without any structure or purpose, which was holding her back from reaching her full potential as a multisport athlete. They were drawn to my coaching style, which focuses on putting the athlete at the center and my expertise and experience in the field.

Judy, a lawyer and a mother of two, and I collaborated to create a detailed training plan tailored to her previous experience, available training time, and challenging yet achievable goals. We delved into the specifics of frequency, duration, and intensity, using metrics like perceived effort, heart rate, and power on the bike. We also incorporated strength training to prevent injuries. Judy kept a subjective log, and with the data she provided, I could make sense of her completed workouts to continuously update her plan. Every two weeks, I reviewed her workouts, asked questions, and made necessary adjustments based on her fatigue levels, fitness progress, and personal obligations. I was always responsive to her queries and flexible in accommodating changes to her schedule.

Judy had a passion for skating and cross country skiing, which she pursued during her off-season training. She also had a strong running background and swam with her masters swim group three times a week. However, she needed a coach to help manage her training and enhance her cycling performance. That year, our primary focus was on Ironman Lake Tahoe, but unfortunately, it was canceled due to a fire. Instead, she ended up racing an Ironman event in Florida.

I continued coaching Judy for the Ironman World Championships in 2015 and 2016. However, she decided to try working with a local coach for a while, mainly because she wanted someone to train alongside. That coaching relationship ended in 2019, and in 2020, Judy returned to me as her coach. She went on to qualify for the World Championships in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Over the years, a strong bond developed between us. During winters, she would take a break, and every spring, we would resume our coach-athlete relationship, which eventually turned into a friendship.

In 2024, Judy achieved another milestone by qualifying for the Boston Marathon. Coaching goes beyond just creating training plans. What sets me apart as a coach is my experience and knowledge, but more importantly, my unwavering support, care, and willingness to listen to each athlete’s needs, struggles, and successes.

Judy’s journey is a testament to the power of a strong coach-athlete relationship, and I am grateful to have been a part of her incredible achievements.