Coaching and the Mind/Body Link
I love to race, and love to enjoy traveling to races. When I went to New Zealand for the Ironman there, I was in my glory...I bungy jumped, I rappelled off a building, I did other crazy things down there just for the fun of it. Racing gives me the confidence to succeed, a sense of fulfillment, and the joy of being fit. There is nothing else like it!
I can give you tips on how to physically prepare for race day as well as help develop strategies that can help your mind *and* body stay positive and hungry through the heat of competition and achieve your goals with minimal injury. And, most importantly, how to use mental rehearsal to expertly deal with problems that might arise during your race so that you can address and solve them as quickly as possible before they get worse so that you can finish at your best.
My training plan is very unique. It combines periodization, Tai Chi, experience, and your personal schedule into a game-winning plan. It is also designed with fun in mind. Tai Chi is important for strengthening your mind/body link. This link will enable you to "listen to your body" and correct your mechanics so that you can avoid injury. I've made chronic injuries like stress fractures and tendonitis disappear without the use of orthotics. It's that strong!
This link also helps economize your mechanics so that you can go farther or faster than ever with the minimal of energy!
The mind/body link also helps you during a race to avoid dehydration, hypernatremia, and general fatigue on your way to a perfect race!
About Me
I was born in Brooklyn, NY and moved to Staten Island when I was 3. I decided to join the Varsity High School Swim Team in high school. Working hard, I earned 2 Most Improved Swimmer Trophies and qualified for the Scholastic National Swim Meet in Villanova in 1987.
During those high school years, I've always tuned into the Wide World of Sports to see some crazy event called the Ironman Triathlon. Yes, I am one of those people who did watch Julie Moss' agonizing crawl to the finish in 1982. Something definitely stirred within me about trying a race like that. Can I do it?
During sophomore year in college I decided to start running a bit to compliment my fitness. Then one fateful day in 1990 I decided to go to the library to study some of my exams. During a break in my studies, I wondered over to the sports section and pulled out Dave Scott's Triathon Training book. That got me thinking, if I can swim, and I can run a little, all I need to do is ride a little, right? I quickly scanned a local athletic magazine and found a local race right in my back yard, the New York City Triathlon, in Coney Island. It was a 1 mile swim, a 20 mile bike and a 6 mile run. In the 6 months that I trained I followed every little instruction in Mike Scott's book, got out on my old Schwinn bike, and swam and ran as hard as I did in high school. In the 6 months that I worked out I lost 20 pounds and got back to my old high school weight.In August, I finally did my first triathlon. I did it in about 1 hour and 56 minutes. I enjoyed it so much I was addicted
From 1991-1993, I applied myself with as much vigor as with my high school swim days and received my share of age group awards. My first half-Ironman finish happened at the Tupper Lake Tinman; I grabbed 2nd place in my age group at 4 hours and 30 minutes.
In 1993 I suffered a nearly catastrophic accident when, while cycling, a driver of a car turned left in front of me. The impact nearly paralyzed me as I suffered a spinal injury. Nearly paralyzed for 4 months, I worked very hard to first start walking, then took almost a year to where I can ride and run again. I successfully did my first post-accident triathlon in early 1995.
With 1994 and 1995 as the guidelines to learn from, along with meditation and mental rehearsal, in 1996 I cut my training a bit, avoided the overtraining and mental burnout, and sensibly trained myself. The result was my first ever Ironman finish at Canada in 10 hours and 36 minutes. The wondrous thing about the year was that I managed to enjoy the training without mental burnout, which enabled me to be the fittest I can be at Ironman Canada. I actually *wanted* to do more after the race.
From 1996-2000 I have received many age group awards, some overall awards, and a couple of wins in triathlon. I also did the Gulf Coast Triathlon half-Ironman in 4 hours and 20 minutes, a pretty fast time for that distance. All this due to having a positive mind and attitude during training and racing.
Coaching Plans
The 4 Week Triathlon/Endurance Plan - Call for Price
- Day-by-day planning as well as helpful advice to get you to your race in prime shape.
- Tai Chi inspired methods to improve your mechanics for better efficiency and injury prevention.
- Will arrange personal one-on-one sessions at either no additional cost or at a deeply discounted price. Remember, I am a PERSONAL COACH, not an online coach.
- From general fitness training to race specific training.
- Customize your training to fit around your busy schedule.
- Tips on race day mental preparation, how to address potential problems that might arise in races and how to address them effectively.
Personal Training Plan - Hourly basis, no long term contract. Call for price.
- Winning combination of weight and core stabilization training inside or outside of the gym. For general fitness and weight loss.
Hourly Coaching Session - Hourly basis, no long term contract. Call for price.
- Good if you need specific advice on swimming technique, transition practice, pedalling efficiency, etc.
There is a heavy dose of psychology that is placed into these programs. That is because it takes an effort to train the mind to be a powerful weapon for it to be used in fitness. The mind is the most powerful "muscle" that should be trained above all else. If you can master your mind, your body will easily follow suit.
Please e-mail me at ironpete@aol.com or call me at (908) 229-9687.