Name:

Teresa Copeland

Occupation:

Early Childhood Special Education Autism Specialist

Coached By:

Clint Lien

Years In The Sport

Since 2007

Sporting background: Collegiate Field Hockey and Lacrosse Player, Recreational Interests: Marathon/Ultra Marathon Running, Long Distance Endurance Riding and Ride and Tie (Equestrian Sport), Long Distance Open Water Swimming and currently member of the Emerald Aquatic Master Swim Team.

Why I do triathlon: My orthopaedic surgeon recommended that I stop running so I started to cycle and fell in love with the challenge of cross training and competing in the long distance triathlons. It is so much fun! Obviously I ignored my orthopedic’s recommendation, but my legs seem to be holding up just fine with the cross training & I find nothing more challenging then trying to improve my performance in three disciplines at once.

Triathlon Accomplishments: Completed four half irons with improved times. Completed 2 in the last season along with a long distance swim series.

Triathlon Goals: Full iron man; increase average bike speed – learn to spin; maintain my run pace throughout the final leg. Stay healthy and have fun.

Additional Comments: When I was looking for some advice on how to go about training for a long distance triathlon I was referred to Clint. Although I enjoy long distance events, I consider myself slow and steady. I was leery to hook up with a coach who is accustomed to athletes (some professional) who move at speeds 2x my pace. I was not surprised by the quality of the program; however, I was surprised by Clint’s ability to get excited about an athlete breaking a 10 minute a mile running pace. I am a 50 + year old athlete who had an unforeseen sudden stroke that set me way back in my recreational athletic endeavours. I was scared to get back into an open water situation and navigating a bike was a challenge. I had lost my sense of balance and coordination. Clint was able to take me from my baseline and condition me to completing 2 ½ iron mans and a long distance swimming series of (1 mile, 1 hour swim, 5K & 10K swim, 3K & 6 K swim) all in one season; and I had fun! That says something about his ability to build a unique program for each athlete and keep it fun! He is amazing!