COACH CYNDEE

Everyone loves a great massage but when you are an athlete it is an essential part of your training program.   The benefits of massage are endless for everyone and for the athlete it can be an important part of your recovery and help you remain injury free. One of the main benefits of massage is increased circulation and this benefit can be good for athletes and non-athletes.   Improved circulation will help bring valuable nutrients and oxygen to tissues.   The typical triathlete or runner does an activity that causes repetitive stress to the body and each person responds to the stress in different ways.   Some people get tight calves, some get tight hips, others may be impacted in the shoulder area. Typically an athlete will have areas that the tissue has been shortened and it can cause pain and discomfort, which can also cause a decrease in their performance. One goal of massage is to lengthen the shortened tissue and a good example of shortened...

As a personal trainer and triathlon coach I have eager people who come to me with a goal.  In each case their goals is different and unique.  As a coach I am there to support them and help them achieve their goal.  Ultimately their success or failure will be their responsibility.  In most cases I have to slow them down because they want to jump into training too quickly and want to workout everyday right from the start. When I meet with people most times they are way too optimistic and overzealous in their goals.  By the end of our meeting we will adjust and modify their plan for future success.  I make sure they know they have to commit to a big change in their lifestyle especially if they want to train for a triathlon.  Setting smaller goals to ultimately get to a larger goal is a great plan for success. If you are considering a triathlon and you are starting from the ground (meaning you don’t know how to swim, don’t ha...

Recently so many people I know have been getting sick.  It is so frustrating when you are on a good roll with your diet and training and then wham you get a blow by some bug that is going around. In some cases it can have you down for weeks but if your smart you will shorten its duration and kick its butt in a few days.  I rarely get sick (knock on wood) but when I do it usually doesn't stick around for long.  When I have gotten sick it is, in most cases my own fault.  The past few times I got sick I was burning the candle at both ends and doing way too much.  So the first step to not getting sick when everyone else is would be to take care of yourself from the start.  Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating healthy, taking your vitamins regularly, not overtraining, not drinking alcohol, and staying hydrated.   So what do you do if that bug does find you and starts hibernating  in your system?  The important thing is to realize yo...

  I have heard every reason for someone missing a workout.   Some are valid reasons and some complete bogus. As their trainer, I have to have a non-judgmental but firm attitude with clients when they miss workouts.   I am not in their body and don’t know how sick or not sick they may be. I realize not many people are like me and slightly obsessive when it comes to missing workouts.   I want people to get into a good routine and form great habits when it comes to their training schedule.   I personally plan my day around my workouts and when I get them done in the morning my day is so much smoother.   I make sure my workout is a priority and part of my day. Sunday I look at my work and school schedule and plan my workouts for the week.   Then each day before bed I check it to make sure I am still on track with my plan.   I pack my stuff (workout clothes and food) the night before to be ready to go in the morning.   Last year ...

IM South Africa I am always excited January 1 st because I look forward to what will happen in the New Year, both the good and bad.   I enjoy and live for the good and I learn from the bad.   You have to be prepared for both but hope to have a good balance of the two as in a lot of good and a little bit of the bad.   I always have a plan for myself going into the New Year.  I don’t set resolutions because I don’t believe in them just like I don’t believe in diets. I feel they are temporary and they don’t create a lifestyle change.  I do however set goals each year for myself in my personal and professional life.  Last year I wanted to start a non-profit helping bring awareness to pet obesity.  I did not do that however, I did become more involved with my volunteering at the Nevada SPCA, which has brought me so much happiness I can’t believe I waited so long to do it.  I go there 1-3 times a week and walk and run the dog...