Tripower Triathlon Coaching

"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	Burke Goodloe IMFL "Mike has been a valuable sounding board.. I think he really understands the different goals, an therefore training needs of each individual." - Tim Brennan Bob Mina IMC 2000 "Mike's what we like to call a stand-up guy. I watched him ride my mountain bike for 26.2 miles when he was injured and unable to run a marathon he'd planned to do with Jane, so he kept her company that way. That is friendship. He's a great guy and a super friend." - Amy White Seaside, CA Jane Fratesi, Santa Rosa, FL Jane Fratesi IMNZ Tony Lyons IMSA Chris Marshall IMFL Mark Markley IMUSA
"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 didn’t know how to get it and still manage a family and work life. That’s where Coach Mike came in. With a stated goal of Ironman Wisconsin 2002 and 16 months to get there, we began. It’s now December 2001, and not quite halfway there, 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 haven’t 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 32 Materials Engineer US Naval Air Warfare Center Lusby, MD
"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 ATrun 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