GET THE GOLD STANDARD IN TRIATHLON COACH CERTIFICATION

This learning module is a series of candid conversations between the Voice of IRONMAN, Mike Reilly, and IRONMAN U Master Coaches, Michellie Jones and Mark Allen. These three triathlon icons share their experiences and perspective of the sport's history and evolution, and how technology has influenced and changed training, racing, and coaching.

Nutrition is a fundamental component of athletic performance. In this module, learn from Dr. Sam Shepherd, Dr. Juliette Strauss, and IRONMAN U Master Coach Michellie Jones as they share how to help your athletes properly fuel for training and racing.

Triathlon coaches must understand the fundamentals of freestyle swimming to be able to teach it effectively. In this module, learn Functional Freestyle™ from TriDot CEO Jeff Booher and IRONMAN U Master Coach Mark Allen as they share how to help your athletes properly develop their freestyle swim stroke.

The ability to deliver Data-Driven Training is essential for modern-day professional triathlon coaches. In this module, IRONMAN U Master Coaches Craig Alexander and Mark Allen are joined by TriDot CEO Jeff Booher to take a deep dive into this expansive topic. After completing this module, you’ll have a foundational understanding of what Data-Driven Training is, how it’s evolved, its significant role in coaching triathletes, and the fundamental technologies required to implement it.

Data-Driven Training allows coaches to more effectively perform these four key functions for their athletes: Monitoring & Assessing, Prescribing Activities, Measuring & Motivating Adherence, and Predicting & Evaluating Outcomes. In this module, IRONMAN U Master Coaches Craig Alexander and Mark Allen are joined by TriDot CEO Jeff Booher to discuss how coaches perform each of these functions using Data-Driven Training. After completing this module, you’ll have a working knowledge of how
 to use Data-Driven Training to answer critical training-related questions that cannot be answered using theory or philosophy-based training approaches.

Understanding the importance of proper hydration is essential for coaches to maximize their athletes' performance. In this module, Dr. Sam Shepherd, Sport Scientist Andy Blow, and IRONMAN U Master Coach Mark Allen delve into crucial aspects of hydration, including sweat rates and sodium concentrations, so that you can collaborate with your athletes to develop effective hydration strategies for both training and competition.

What exactly occurs within the body during athletic training? How does the body respond to training sessions? In this learning module, Professor of Sport Science, Joserra Ramon, and Mark Allen, an IRONMAN U Master Coach, discuss the effects of training and racing on the muscular, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems.

In this module, Bobby McGee and IRONMAN Legends Mirinda Carfrae and Tim O'Donnell delve into the intricacies of running. They dissect the concepts of running efficiency and running economy, highlighting the distinctions between the two. Additionally, they offer a process for you to identify running inefficiencies and outline steps to work with your athletes on better biomechanics.

In this module, cycling expert TJ Tollaksen and IRONMAN U Master Coaches Craig Alexander and Michellie Jones focus on the mechanics of cycling. They discuss some of the physics involved with the bike, such as aerodynamics, gravity and body mass, and propulsion. TJ, Craig, and Michellie also cover the importance of a proper bike fit and how this relates to the biomechanics of an athletes’ pedal stroke. Specific tips on ascending, descending, shifting gears, and riding in groups are also presented.

In this module, the Kona swim course record holder, Jan Sibbersen, and IRONMAN U Master Coach, Mark Allen, dive into the aspects of training for and racing the swim. Aspects of pool training – including equipment, etiquette, and drills – as well open water swim techniques are also discussed.

Join Dr. B.J. Leeper and IRONMAN U Master Coach Craig Alexander in this educational module as they emphasize the importance of movement screening for athletes. Through effective screening, coaches can accurately assign exercises to promote athlete well-being and optimal mobility. With insightful discussions on key factors such as mobility, flexibility, stability, balance, and power, B.J. and Craig will illuminate the role of strength training in a triathlete's weekly regimen. Additionally, they will speak to the coach’s responsibility in this area of training.

The role of a coach includes understanding training program design and adjusting training plans for their athletes based on life circumstances. In this learning module, Coach Will Usher and IRONMAN U Master Coach Mark Allen discuss how to adjust training plans when athletes are injured, sick, or traveling.

A well-designed training session ensures that an athlete works on the right skills and areas of improvement and is progressing at a safe and sustainable pace. As a coach, you're responsible for implementing a training plan that is tailored and structured to meet an athlete’s specific goals, abilities, and needs. In this learning module, Coach Jeff Raines and IRONMAN U Master Coach Mark Allen provide examples of training sessions in each discipline for each training zone. Learn how to structure effective training sessions for your athletes.

Coaching triathletes is more than the physical science of training progression; there is an art to coaching as well. In this module, Coaches Bobby McGee and Kurt Madden, alongside IRONMAN U Master Coach Michellie Jones, discuss various aspects that create a positive coach/athlete relationship and foster important discussions about the psychological side of training and racing.

As a triathlon coach, it's vital to have a strong understanding of the business aspect of your profession. While having a passion for helping athletes reach their goals is important, it's equally essential to have a solid grasp on the legal and logistical aspects of running a coaching business.

In this module, Coach Raya Usher and IRONMAN U Master Coach Mark Allen dive into important topics that every triathlon coach should be familiar with. This includes marketing strategies to help you attract and retain clients, as well as how to navigate legal liability and risk assessment to protect your business and yourself. You will gain valuable insights and strategies that will not only benefit your clients, but also your bottom line.

Preparing for a race goes beyond the physical training leading up to the event. In this comprehensive learning module, IRONMAN U Master Coaches Mark Allen, Michellie Jones, and Craig Alexander, are hosted by IRONMAN Legend Mirinda Carfrae. As a team of accomplished world champions, these experts dive into all aspects of race preparation. You'll be provided with valuable insights and guidance on mental strategies, critical race-day logistics, and travel and taper tips - giving you the tools to prepare your athletes for their best race performance.