This program has given me great insight on how to live healthier. I have learned a lot and have gotten a TON of good ideas from Kelly. I think this has also been great for my family. They have had to make some changes due to what I have changed and they feel better about themselves. I went from barely exercising to being able to walk 26 miles in 8 hours. It was something I had always wanted to do but feared I would never be able to do. I also now BIKE for at least 20 minutes 4 to 5 times a week in addition to walking over 10,000 steps each day. I have learned to love exercise due to Kelly’s coaching. I also am making healthier choices when it comes to eating. I had a really bad sugar problem prior to working with Kelly. She taught me ways to curve it and how it can affect your body. Once you realize all the stuff that it’s doing and how it can make you feel it made me crave less. I went from struggling to sleep at night...to having a good night's sleep. I credit that to all these changes. - Amy
I would not have been able to successfully finish the Madison Ironman without the benefit of Kelly's coaching. I was new to the Ironman distance, and being a newbie I had a lot of time-consuming beginner-type questions. My first question was to ask her if she thought I could complete the race in the allotted time? She responded with a strong and encouraging yes! She had completed the race six times and I trusted her expertise.
I asked Kelly for advice on numerous topics. What kind of tri-bike should I buy? What about a new seat, shoes, helmet and water bottle holders? She helped me to buy a new watch, and how to use Training Peaks, and how to sync the data. I don't know how I could have waded through all this information on my own. Kelly was responsive, patient, knowledgeable and very helpful! I followed Kelly's training schedule and I was amazed at my improvement and that I never got injured. Her workouts were doable, building up each week slowly so I was ready when it was time to put in the longer yards and miles. If I got too tired she suggested rest. She was flexible and adaptive to my schedule and life events. This is how Kelly coaches. She works with you. She doesn't try to change you except to make you a better athlete. She focuses on the essentials and doesn't get lost in the weeds. Nutrition is not my area of expertise. Kelly helped me decide on my nutritional needs, stressing the importance of what I soon came to realize was a critical factor in an Ironman performance. She provided me with a lot of information to read and think about, encouraging me to find nutritional plan that worked for me. Left to my own devices I probably would have bonked in the swim. She helped me with a schedule of when to eat and when to drink. Kelly has a real interest in nutrition especially for endurance athletes, and she is knowledgeable about many diet options. For me we kept it simple because that was best for me. I had no nutritional problems on race day. In fact, I felt good. About six weeks before the race, I freaked out and decided I couldn't do it. My training bike times were uncomfortably close to the cut-off times. Not to mention having to run a marathon after all that! Since it was my first Ironman I had no idea what to expect. Kelly got back to me ASAP and talked me off the ledge. She walked me through the race- course and my current times, explained how on race day I would feel rested and ready to go. She was very supportive and understood my nerves and anxiety. Since she was also doing this race, and staying in the area she and made herself available to help me. We went for a swim in Lake Monona, she showed me the transition areas, and how it all worked, and what to expect. She had already given me specific pre-race day directions. Arrive early, bathroom lines, swimming waves, when to eat and drink, etc. When I crossed the finish line 16 hours and 5 minutes later, Kelly was waiting to congratulate me. I so appreciated her on-going support. At 67 years old, I was in the oldest age group for women, and there were five of us that finished the race. I finished 4th and made the podium with an impressive group of strong Ironwomen. I was both honored and very surprised to be one of them. Kelly is an excellent coach. She knows how to create the training plans that fit your individual needs. She will be there for you throughout your training and race day. I highly recommend her. She continues to be my coach. - Connie |
Competing in an ironman triathlon is one of the hardest, most challenging things I’ve ever done. After training on my own and completing 4 full ironman competitions I decided to hire a coach to help me improve my endurance and performance for a 5th IM, because frankly I felt like I was ultimately sacrificing my training and my race performance for others. I knew I needed someone who had my best interest in mind. Kelly has been that coach, that friend, that person for me. Hiring Kelly was one of the best decisions I have made. No longer am I overtraining, and no longer am I getting those nagging little injuries that come with doing too much too soon. The pressure of developing and following an ironman training program on my own is gone. Kelly personalizes my program to fit my wants and needs. She listens to my dreams and goals and adapts my workouts to best help me become successful. Kelly develops and updates my program according to weekly feedback from me. She is very professional and knowledgeable. Since hiring Kelly and following her coaching advice I feel my swim has become more efficient, my bike faster, and my running stronger. I would definitely recommend Kelly as a training coach. - Cindy
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Let’s just say Kelly has helped me in so many ways, not only physically, but mentally. She has been a blessing to have as a coach. In January of 2016 I had my son and things started to change for me. Prior to having my son, I would come home from work and go for a run or do some form of exercise 5 to 6 days a week. I have been an active runner for many years but have lost how to really work out and push myself. My commitment to working out had changed and I had every excuse, letting days and weeks pass without running. I was struggling mentally and physically. I signed up for a half marathon that I had barely trained for. The race itself went ok, I was disappointed in my overall health and commitment to running.
I reached out to Kelly to see if she would be willing to help me train for a few races. She immediately took me under her wing. I felt inspired, uplifted, and excited right after our first conversation. Over the months of training, we would chat often about my workouts and about what I was eating. She changed my outlook on how to fuel my body better. She helped me create better meals and goals for my family as well. I had signed up for 3 races during our training. Each race I PR’d in time or in place. I had my final race, a half marathon in October 2017. She was motivating before the race and during the race. During the race she even chatted with my husband on the phone to check in and see how I was doing. I finished with a PR and 1st place in my age group. I was so happy, and it was the best I’ve ever felt during a race. I felt so strong physically and mentally. It truly was my best race that I have had in years and it was all thanks to Kelly. She kept me on track, motivated, and determined. I was so proud of myself sticking to my workouts 5 days a week. - Jamie |
I wanted to be more plant-based. Kelly got me going in the right direction. I now look at nourishing whole, plant-based foods in a brand new light. Not only do I feel healthier, my recovery after workouts is phenomenal. Understanding the connection between nutrition and training has helped improve my overall fitness. Having the support from Kelly to make changes and improvements in these areas has allowed me to finish Ultra distance runs, triathlons and what is more, feel great afterward! These changes also positively impacted my everyday life outside of training. I have more energy and fewer hunger cravings and crashes throughout the day. The Pace coaching programs have been instrumental to my success. -Tim
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