FAQs
How do I train for my first IRONMAN if I work full-time?
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Most of the athletes I coach work demanding full-time jobs. The key is a structured plan that fits your actual schedule — not a pro athlete's schedule. We typically build around 8–12 hours per week of training, scaled to your experience level, with flexibility built in for the weeks life gets loud. A good coach makes the plan fit your life, not the other way around.
How does nutrition coaching work alongside endurance training?
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I integrate nutrition into every coaching engagement because fueling directly impacts performance, recovery, and how you feel day to day. As a Precision Nutrition L2 certified coach I help clients build sustainable eating habits — not restrictive diets — that support their training load and long-term health goals.
Do I need to be athletic to start triathlon?
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No. Many of my clients come to triathlon with little or no background in swimming, cycling, or running. Some couldn't swim a full lap when we started. A beginner-friendly sprint triathlon is a very achievable goal for most people with 8–12 weeks of consistent training. You don't need to be athletic — you need to be willing to start.
What's the difference between a training plan and working with a coach?
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A training plan tells you what to do. A coach helps you figure out why you're doing it, adjusts when life changes, keeps you accountable, and addresses the nutrition, mindset, and recovery pieces that a plan can't. For athletes balancing careers and families, coaching provides the structure and flexibility that a static plan can't offer.
Can you coach me remotely if I don't live in Arkansas?
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Absolutely. The majority of my clients are remote. I'm based in Springdale, Arkansas, but I coach athletes and professionals across the country. We connect through regular video calls, training platform check-ins, and messaging. Remote coaching is just as effective as in-person — sometimes more so, because it's built around your real environment and schedule.
What should a woman in her 40s or 50s know before starting triathlon?
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That this is one of the best times to start. Women in their 40s and 50s often thrive in endurance sports because they bring discipline, patience, and life experience that younger athletes haven't developed yet. The key considerations are recovery (it takes longer and matters more), hormonal changes that affect training and nutrition, and finding a coach who understands those factors rather than ignoring them.
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How long does it take to go from couch to IRONMAN?
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For most people, a realistic timeline is 12–18 months, depending on your starting fitness and how consistently you can train. I typically recommend building through shorter races first — a sprint triathlon, then an Olympic or 70.3 — before committing to a full IRONMAN. This builds fitness, confidence, and race-day skills progressively rather than rushing to a distance you're not ready for. We can generally work with 6 months for a 70.3 distance.
What makes Continuum Coaching different from other triathlon coaches?
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Most triathlon coaches hand you a training plan. I coach the whole person. Continuum Coaching integrates structured endurance training, evidence-based nutrition, and mindset coaching into one program — because how you fuel, recover, and think about your goals matters as much as your swim, bike, and run. I specialize in working with driven professionals, especially women in their 30s through 60s, who need a plan that fits a real life — not a pro athlete's schedule. I hold certifications across endurance coaching (USAT, ESCI, 80/20 Endurance), nutrition (Precision Nutrition L2), and life coaching (ICF ACC, NBC-HWC), which means you're not being passed between specialists. You get one coach who sees the full picture.