"I
had been doing triathlon for about 3 years and had done
relatively well in my age group but had some real problems
with the longer races. Having had problems with nutrition
and hydration, I really felt that I needed some direction
and organization. My work schedule is not 9-5 so I did not
fit into most normal training schedules that you see and
other coaches that I had checked with charged an enormous
additional fee to individualize their training plans. Then
a friend told me about Mike and I was aware of the improvement
she had experienced since she had been training with him.
We are still working with some of these issues but I'd have
to say that I have had a good year - undefeated in my age
group, in both triathlon and running, since May!! Mike has
given me the plan and the incentive that I needed AND IT
WORKS!"
-Caroll
Beck
Age:56
Cardiac CPU RN
Carlsbad, CA
"I
began competing in triathlon about 4 yrs ago. However, it's
not
until
last year that I learned how to train as one. Mike has utilized
his vast knowlege to coach and teach aspiring athletes the
lessons he has learned that only come from x number of seasons
training and racing. He has designed a program specific
for my abilities and goals and is always able to answer
the questions regarding my progress. With the coaching of
Mike and hard work I know that there are no limits to my
success as an athlete."
-Josh
Friedman
Age:29
PhD Candidate
Bronx, NY
"Since
starting with Coach Mike in October of 2000, I have set
new PR's at the Marathon, Half-Marathon, Ironman, Half-Ironman,
Ironman Bike Split, and Half-Ironman Run Split. He's hands-on
enough to teach a bit and give you the tools to improve,
yet hands-off enough to let you really learn on your own.
For the price, there's no better on-line coaching out there,
Period."
-Bob Mina
Age: 30
Software Developer
Philadelphia, PA
"I
returned to triathlon after a 10 year hiatus two years ago.
Relative to my younger days, I did OK, but I knew that there
was more in me and I didnt know how to get it and
still manage a family and work life.
Thats
where Coach Mike came in. I have Coach Mike to thank for
the following:
-
My
first sub-5hr ½-Ironman in my third attempt
at the distance(first two pre-Mike)
-
My
first marathon in just a little over 3:30 (this from
a guy who never trained more than 5k at a time and
never raced more than 10k at a time pre-Mike)
-
5k
and 10k speed that I havent seen since my Army
days almost 10 years ago, and a 10 miles speed I never
thought possible
-
More
footspeed off the bike than ever before.
Thanks
Coach Mike! IM-Moo-02 here we come"
-Carl
Matson
Age 35
Manufacturing Engineer
Trek Bicycles
Waterloo, WI
"Prior
to being introduced to Mike Plumb, I had competed in various
triathlons in Ontario. At that time my training regimen
was devised my me, myself, and I. I felt that the next step
in my triathlon career, was to seek the advise of someone
with experience. While I did make some small improvements
on my own as the season progressed, I did not progress nearly
as much or as quickly as this past season, where I had the
watchful eye of Mike Plumb ensuring I kept to a good training
schedule!
Since training with Mike Plumb, my endurance level, technique,
and confidence have all improved a great deal. Specifically,
I have improved my running immensely, I completed my first
1/2 IM this past season, and with Mike's help, I hope to
complete my first IM this summer in Lake Placid.
Beyond
my specific training schedule, Mike has offered me help
in many other areas such as how to cope with injury, wheel
purchase advice, HR feedback advice, and most importantly,
Mike has given me much encouragement!
Mike is my triathlon expert, and I wouldn't be where I am
today, or going where I am tomorrow, without him.
Thanks Mike!!!!!!!!!!"
-Tara Norton
Age: 30
Massage Therapist,
Toronto, Ontario
"As
a long time triathlete, runner and former speedskating,
I have been coached in running by a three-time Olympic runner
and began swimming masters a year ago. Lately I felt I
needed
a triathlon coach to help me train more consistently in
all three sports. I picked Mike on the recommendation of
many friends with whom I have done Ironman Canada and because
he provides great one-on-one e-mail coaching at an affordable
price.
The
first few weeks I began to be coached by Mike I had some
doubts. I went from 1-2 days off a week to none. I added
one more bike and one more run workout. More of my running
was at AT (LT) type pace and both my Tuesday AT run and
Sunday long run were lengthened (for this time of year).
All told, my training hours jumped from 7-8 hours a week
or so to 10-11 hours a week. This would be normal for June/July,
but not for November. I was sore and I was tired. So sore
that trying to run Tuesday evening speed work was dicey.
This 53-year-old guy was beat.
I
began getting used to the pace and the soreness disappeared.
In my first month being coached by Mike I PR'd in 2 races.
I needed Mike's Coaching to push me to the next level. I
wound up feeling very good about the results of his workouts.
Now
I am feeling quite comfortable at my new level of fitness
and am continuing to build up for a spring marathon, triathlon
season and Ironman Canada. I know that with Mike's coaching
a terrific season awaits!"
-Lee
Crumbaugh
Age:54
Administrator
Glen Ellyn, IL
"I
can't tout Mike enough. I've been using him for ~5mos now,
and I've seen a ton of improvement. He's very responsive
and attentive to your individual goals and training needs;
he's always willing to rework my training schedule to work
around my gigs, which was a huge challenge thru the holiday
season. And he's proactive about it; instead of me having
to ask him to change because the schedule was too crazy,
he was asking me ahead of time whether my gig schedule was
going to necessitate changes. And Bill's anecdote about
how interested Mike is in his athlete's success is spot-on
too; I got an email just last nite from Mike about my upcoming
marathon, asking where he can look for results when the
race is over. Since he knows I'm going to shoot him an email
as soon as I can and he could easily just sit back and wait
for me to check in, it was nice to realize that I'm not
the only one excited and anxious to see how well I do."
-Ron Gilcreast
Age:35
Musician
San Jose, CA
"Mike
has been coaching me "online" for nearly a year,
and continues to somehow keep me motivated and refreshed.
This is not an easy task when the doldrums of the "off
season" and base training take their toll, nor in the
midst of "peak" season, where every extra effort
has a seemingly marginal return. Throughout the last year,
my third in multisport, I have seen a significant improvement
in each of my split times. I'm very pleased with Mike's
direction and counselling; it's a great help for those of
us who hate to make our own schedules but would rather get
out and work out!"
-Carl Tubbs, M.D.
Age: 43
Opthamologist
Stillwater, MN
Personalized
E Coaching for triathlon specific training and related sports.