Kate, 46

Coached by Kym since January of 2014


ZED Athletic Life Coaching: Apprentice Level since 2017


“After training for road running races on my own I wanted to do a sprint triathlon and I knew I needed help.  Kym is a truly exceptional coach, instructor, and motivator. With her support, I acquired not just the skills necessary to train and compete in triathlons, but also an understanding of the athletic development process. Each new milestone has led to new confidence, and an ever-growing hunger for new goals. Kym has guided me to do things I wouldn't have thought possible."


Things I've learned:


  • Nothing happens in a vacuum. A twinge in the lower leg might be caused by lower-back tension; insufficient swim speed might be the result of anxiety about insufficient speed; physical illness may be exacerbated by job-related stress. It's all interconnected.
  • Nothing new on race day, or even race week!
  • Swimming as an adult. Skills to swim with the Masters swim group (all four strokes and flip turns!) as well as skills to swim across lakes and in oceans. 
  • A bunch of bike skills for both enjoyment and racing such as: using clip-less pedals (after years of balking), mounting/dismounting a moving bike, and changing flat tires.
  • Rest, recovery and body work are not "perks"; they are absolutely crucial for physical health and athletic progress.


Races I've trained for with Kym:


  • Life Time Maple Grove Sprint Triathlon (my very first)
  • Superior Man Triathlon (first Olympic distance)
  • Ironman 70.3 North Carolina
  • Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon
  • Upcoming race:  Ironman Arizona 140.6 in November 2018


Challenges I've faced:


  • Flexibility/mobility and its relation to injury prevention
  • Self-imposed mental/emotional/psychological limits
  • Building resilience for when things go wrong


Fun personal trivia:

Other hobbies: cooking, baking, hiking, stand-up paddle boarding, dog training

Occupation: caregiver with Clare Housing

Top 3 pieces of gear/clothing: tri suit, tri bike, ultra vest

Favorite fuel during activity: Stinger gels, Feed Zone portables

Favorite indulgent food: sushi

Favorite tree: toss-up between maple and birch

Favorite body of water: Atlantic Ocean

Favorite workout: LED (Long Easy Distance) runs

Dreaded workout: hill repeats on bike

Favorite activity of all: eating, drinking and laughing with family/friends