Tim Devereux   April 2006  IM Arizona 11:40

Crossing the finish line at Ironman Arizona was a very emotional moment for me and will always be one of the highlights of my life. Not only because I finished but mostly because I did it and felt so great at the end. And for that many thanks goes to Racheal Wood, my trainer. I met Racheal in the summer of 2006 when I moved back to Florida. I was training for a ½ Iron in Miami in November. At the time I was using a training program I found on the internet and it was my first ½ Iron distance race. I joined her coached group swim and run clinics and immediate liked Racheal. She was warm, caring, knowledgeable and most of all an accomplished triathlete with her own real life experiences to back her coaching methods. Many of the athletes at the clinics were using her as their coach and were getting great results. A few weeks before my ½ I talked to Racheal about doing Ironman Arizona and using her as my coach and she was more than happy to help. We started by sitting down and determining my goals and how they could be accomplished given my background and my personal/work life. She reviewed my current trained training plan for the ½ Iron to know where my training level was at.

   Race day came in Miami and my performance was anything but strong. I really suffered on the run and was dead by the time I finished. Racheal pretty much saw it coming after reviewing the program I was using. Needless to say I was a little bummed. I took a few weeks to recover and then I started my 20 week program with Racheal.

   Within a few weeks I knew hiring Racheal was a great choice.  The workouts were great. I felt like each one was preparing me for the next and my endurance was growing like crazy. I was able to load all my workouts up on the web and she was able to make adjustments for the coming weeks based on my progress. She was available whenever I needed her and she always kept me motivated. She got me to a level beyond what I though was possible and never to a point where I felt like it was too much.

   20 weeks later, countless hours of training and lots of sacrifices on both my part and my families I made it to the starting line of Ironman Arizona and I felt great. The day went so smooth and I truly enjoyed every minute of the race. I went through my low points on the run but my trained prepared me mentally and physically to push through it. When I crossed the finishing line beating my 12 hour goal I set for myself in 11:40 I felt great. It made all the difference. I even saved a little energy for a few beers that night to celebrate with my friends and family.

Best of Racheal truly cared about how I felt and how I performed. She was so excited for on race day and called my wife all day for updates. It really meant a lot to me. By the end of the experience Racheal had become a valued friend. I whole hearted recommend Racheal coaching to anyone looking to take their racing to the next level. I know I couldn’t have accomplished this without her.

Many, many thanks,
Tim Devereux
Ironman

Maria Price          November 2006            IM Florida              11:48

I have to say that after two (2) years of training for Triathlons that by the time I finally entered the water at IM Florida I felt at ease with myself and my abilities to finish the race.  I can actually say that I had fun during the race and was able to smile though out the day.       As spectators were offering us beer, I told them I am going as fast as I can so I could have that celebrated Martini.  I must say none of  this could be accomplished without a good and caring coach, Racheal Wood, who has also turned out to be a good friend.

After moving back to Florida four (4) years ago, I decided that I was going to do my first marathon which I trained for myself and did pretty well.  As most of us can say that something sparked our interest to compete in Triathlons which until three (3) years ago, I never knew what one was.  I decided after months of procrastination, to join Team in Training (TNT) and train for my first Triathlon.  In the summer of        2004, I started with a TNT group training for Disney in September 2004.  Unfortunately, it was cancelled due a Hurricane and the group was left to wait until the next season to train.  Since most of the training took place in Miami, our coach at the time told me about Racheal Wood and her coaching abilities and even better she lived and trained in Broward County.  Despite not being able to compete at Disney, a few of us decided to do our first Olympic Race at Key Biscayne.  That is where I met Rob Kantor in the transition area and after talking also told me about Racheal Wood  and the club Gold Coast Triathletes.  I decided after the race and the Holiday’s were over, I would reach out to Racheal.  After meeting with her and talking about coaching and the club, I decided to hire Racheal as my coach to improve for my next Olympic Distance race that I would be training for with TNT. 

As the training progressed, I decided like most of us do, why waste our current fitness level, use it for longer distance races.  Of course one of the many good training advices Racheal gave was that you need to train and race longer before doing your first IM.  I can say that it was the best advice, because by the time I reached IM Florida, I had theconfidence needed to finish the race.      I never thought until the last lap of the marathon that I would finish under 12 hours, but Racheal did. 

Racheal has been my coach since January 2005 and seen me though many races.  She truly cares about her athletes.  To show how much she cares, Racheal traveled with me to IM Florida, spending five (5) days away from her own family to support her athletes.  It really meant a lot to me and my husband.  I could not have accomplished this goal without Racheal, her coaching abilities and as friend.

   Many Thanks,
Maria Price

Having had several injuries on my left foot for ~10 months, I knew it would be a long shot to qualify for next year’s long course world championships at the MiamiMan ½ IronMan by placing in the top 3 in my age group, But Racheal started training me in July.  She took special care to reintegrate my running slowly so I wouldn’t get any more injuries, while at the same time increasing speed and endurance on the bike and swim.  It was an uphill battle with little things (kids, old age, life, etc) creeping into the training mix.  Racheal just kept arranging and rearranging my training plan to accommodate those “little things” and we did the best we could. Not only was Racheal there for the training (and numerous questions), but she went down to Miami to cheer all her athletes on.  (not to mention a bunch of my gear that I had forgotten to pack when I went down the day before…DOH!)

I have never in my life set a goal pertaining to “placing” in a race because it obviously depends not only on how I do, but how someone else does, so this was new ground for me.  I thought I stood maybe a 10% chance of qualifying.  I thought I’d need a 5:20 to get a roll down slot for worlds.  I honestly thought that at best, I could only do a 5:30.  I surpassed my wildest dreams when I crossed the line in under 5:15!  I couldn’t believe it!

Dear Racheal:

I wanted to take a moment to formally thank you for your training and support leading up to the event. As you know, my experience at the Escape From Miami Olympic distance event in September 2005 was very unpleasant. My plan to prepare myself for that event was a big mistake. The results were well below my expectations.

Not being able to leave the Miami race as my “Triathlon Legacy” I decided to enter the Florida Ironman 70.3. This time I sought professional advice – that would be you. The coaching program you put together for me allowed me to complete the event feeling good while achieving the personal goals I set for myself. Your program incorporated my previous strengths and helped me greatly improve my weaker areas. The whole training program fit within my existing family and business commitments. Not an easy thing.

I’m back to my normal running routines and looking forward to fall marathons. You would be pleased to know that I’m still swimming and cycling at least once per week. Yes, there may be other Triathlons in my future. In the meantime, I’m incorporating what you taught me to make the most of all my training activities.

Happy Trails,
Ben Fretti

Thanks for all of your support this past season.  Because of you, and your efforts - our whole group enjoys training and racing experience that is always well organized, well planned and most of all FUN.  And FUN is truly the key element. 

I did my first triathlon in 1991 and have raced pretty consistently each year since (except the years when my two kids were born).  I always enjoyed it, but being part of a group and being able to train together, race together and socialize as well, has really enhanced the entire triathlon experience for me.  It is great to show up on race morning and have a group of people to share the day with - seeing everyone else give it their best, inspires to me to do the same.  Thanks for all of the time, effort and end energy you put into the club and training group.  I know at times it is a thankless and difficult task - but please know you are truly making a positive difference in the lives and experiences of many people.