In December of 2021, Kathy sought my coaching services after being referred by her friend Judy. Kathy had taken on the challenge of participating in Ironman Arizona 2022 alongside Judy, despite having limited road bike and swim experience. Determined to train smartly and make the most of her first Ironman endeavor, Kathy was eager to work with a coach.

Though Kathy had completed her first triathlon back in 1982 and had an impressive running background, including 15 marathons and 5 ultramarathons, her swimming skills had lain dormant for 30 years. To get back on track, she had joined a master swim program. Then she accomplished impressive feats like finishing the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route with multiple 70-mile days, showcasing her endurance and readiness for triathlon. However, she had yet to even buy a triathlon bike.

As a business owner and ski instructor for children, Kathy faced the challenge of balancing her training with her professional commitments. But after she got with me, we collaborated to create a detailed training plan that took into account her prior experience, available training time, and ambitious yet realistic goals. We strategically structured her training from Monday to Friday, ensuring she had rest and energy for her active job teaching skiing on the weekends during December to March.

The training plan included frequency, duration, and intensity of workouts based on things like how much effort it was going to take, heart rate, and difficulty on the build. Strength training was also used to prevent injuries. Kathy maintained a detailed subjective log, which, coupled with data downloads, gave me great insights into her workouts and allowed me to continually update her plan every two weeks. I’d also constantly reviewed her workouts, talked over the phone, asked questions, and offered comments to fine-tune her future sessions according to her current needs and circumstances. Flexibility and responsiveness remained paramount in addressing her queries and accommodating any schedule changes.

Leading up to Ironman Arizona, Kathy completed an Olympic distance triathlon and several half Ironman events. Her dedication and hard work paid off as she earned a coveted slot to the Kona World Championships in 2023, a testament to her remarkable progress. Additionally, Kathy’s achievements extended beyond triathlon, as she qualified for the 2024 Boston Marathon.

While the training plan forms a crucial component of coaching, what sets me apart as a coach is the unwavering support, care, and attentiveness I provide to each athlete’s individual needs, challenges, and successes. Kathy’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of a strong coach-athlete relationship, reigniting her passion for triathlon after a hiatus and propelling her to world-class events.