FAQ
As a coach, I understand that there are many options available for triathletes looking to improve their performance. While qualifications and experience are important, what sets me apart is my commitment to my athletes. My background as a world-class professional triathlete, coupled with my coaching experience, gives me a unique perspective on the sport and the training process. I am dedicated to my athletes' success and work hard to ensure that their training is tailored to their specific needs and goals.
The way I coach sets me apart. I see it as an art form, not just a science. Instead of simply following traditional methods or expectations, I trust my intuition, personal experience, and instincts to anticipate what will be most effective for my athletes. As a former high-performance athlete, I have a thorough understanding of the physical and mental demands of training and competition, which enables me to empathize with my athletes and tailor my coaching approach to meet their unique needs.
I am also highly accessible and available to my athletes, and am always there to answer questions, provide support, and make adjustments to their training plans as needed. This is especially useful when an athlete is dealing with unexpected conflicts or feeling overwhelmed by their recent workouts.
In addition to this, I use a variety of tools such as power meters, heart rate monitors to help optimize training and ensure that we are meeting your goals. And I also perform regular field tests and non-invasive blood lactate testing to track progress and adjust the plan as needed.
I pride myself on being a coach who truly cares about my athletes and their success, and I work tirelessly to help them achieve their goals.
Absolutely! The great thing about the sport of triathlon is that it can be just as exciting and fulfilling for the first year recreational athlete as it is for a highly competitive elite athlete. I have extensive experience coaching beginners, and have helped many athletes achieve their goals, from completing their first full Ironman to Ultra Ironman, marathons, half Ironman, Olympic distance, sprints, gravel races, and more. Having a coach who can guide you through the challenges of the sport and help you achieve your goals is an important part of an enjoyable and fulfilling experience.
I have experience working with athletes from various endurance sports such as ultra trail running, marathon running, cycling, gravel, and mountain biking. My background in triathlon coaching has given me a strong understanding of the science of endurance sports and how to maximize an athlete's performance. Additionally, my experience as an elite junior soccer player in Europe has equipped me with training approaches beyond traditional triathlon training. I am just as dedicated to coaching single sport athletes as I am to triathletes and I am always available and accessible to my clients. However, if you're looking for coaching in field hockey, I may not be the best fit.
I live in beautiful San Anselmo, located in the Bay Area, 20 miles north of San Francisco. The majority of my athletes do not live here, but I'm still able to effectively work and maintain close communication with athletes from all over through virtual means such as Trainingpeaks, phone, text message, email, Skype, or whatever means you prefer. Additionally, if my schedule allows, I may have the opportunity to meet up with athletes when I visit cities such as Los Angeles, Phoenix, or cities in Europe. For those interested in a more immersive coaching experience, I am also available to hire for the day or weekend, under specific terms and conditions, for a fee. I periodically host training camps in various locations, or offer the option for athletes to bring me to their hometown for a personalized camp experience.
As soon as we decide to move forward, we will start with a questionnaire and few calls/meetings so I can better understand your history, get to know you and your goals. We will also set up testing dates (blood lactate preferably) to set training zones and see metabolically & mechanically what we need to work on. Most importantly, we’ll also talk about you personally – the work you do, your family commitments, your general training availability and any other aspects of your life that warrant consideration.
When it comes to tracking progress, I employ a variety of methods depending on the sport. For cycling, I use a power (wattage), perceived effort, speed (aero is king) and heart rate based training approach. In order to track and analyze data, I ask my athletes to use a powermeter and heart rate monitor. The data is then uploaded to TrainingPeaks for analysis.
For running, the use of a powermeter such as Stryd is optional, but it can be helpful for tracking progress. Heart rate monitoring can also be used.
In swimming, there is no need for a GPS or HR watch. Most pools have a clock on the wall that can be used to follow my swim workouts.
To achieve faster results and train more efficiently, I encourage my athletes to purchase a powermeter and a smart indoor cycling trainer, such as Kickr, if budget permits. These tools generate high levels of precision and resistance in a controlled environment, which can help to improve performance.
For tracking progress, I employ a variety of methods including field tests, blood lactate testing, and analysis of workout data. I conduct field tests to measure athletic performance and progress, such as blood lactate testing. While I do perform lactate testing in-house, you can also get your lactate testing done at a nearby testing facility if you prefer. Additionally, I closely monitor workout data and use heart rate data to track progress. I also use performance diagnostics such as FTP, MAP, or data from a race to evaluate and measure your current fitness for example.
My custom training plans are tailored to each individual athlete's needs and goals. I take a holistic approach, taking into account not only your athletic background and experience with triathlon and other sports, but also your personal life and commitments. We will have initial conversations about your race calendar, and what events you would like to prepare for. I will also gather information about your work schedule, family commitments, and overall training availability. This information helps me to create a plan that is both challenging and achievable. Additionally, I incorporate regular field tests and blood lactate testing to track progress and adjust the plan as needed. I also use a variety of tools such as powermeters and heart rate monitors to help optimize training and ensure that we are meeting your goals. And most importantly, I stay in constant communication with my athletes, making adjustments as needed to help them achieve their goals.