MRT Testimonials
We love getting feedback from our athletes! Here's what some of them have to say about our coaches and our services.
The coaching I have received from Clint has supported my growth physically and mentally, providing me with limitless tools to be the most successful athlete I can be.
Very early on when I had just joined MRT and wasn’t very confident, Clint spent time riding with me, actively coaching me and making me feel welcome. It was really, really appreciated.
Clint's ability to recognize what type of program and sessions would work best for me in my busy life has not only allowed me to enjoy the sport of triathlon but achieve more than I could have ever imagined
Clint has been an excellent motivator and inspiration on our Tuesday night track nights. Rain, shine, sleet, or snow, Clint is there without complaint. It has been so nice to have a coach who, himself, has the same amount of dedication and commitment which he demands from his athletes.
Clint has played a pivotal role in helping me develop and mature into a professional Ironman athlete. His knowledge and mental approach to training guided me to a second place finish at Ironman Canada in 2014. He continuously challenges and pushes me to become the best athlete I can be.
In just 2 years Clint's knowledge, dedication, and patience has taken me from an age-group athlete to representing Canada at elite International competitions.
Coach Clint is one of the best coaches I have ever had. Clint’s his passion and dedication to the sport of triathlon is inspirational. His talent lies in his ability to coach all levels of athletes from professionals to a variety of age group levels.His workouts are challenging and very hard work at times - but there is always an element of " fun" to the training sessions! Clint is incredibly supportive and understanding of the goals and unique needs of the individuals he coaches. Clint is also a great friend who I highly respect and trust. MRT is a very positive and amazing group of athletes to be a part of
The structure, motivation and monitoring provided by MRT is truly priceless!
Two and a half years ago I decided I wanted to do an Ironman but with no triathlon experience I knew that I needed a coach to get me there. Sara’s programs and advice got me across the finish line in a year but her encouragement, personality and sense of humour have kept me with her. She has been a pleasure to work with and has helped me achieve athletic goals that i didn’t think were possible
3 years ago I decided triathlon was something I wanted to do. Working with Sara from a truly novice level to where I am today has been exciting and a real pleasure due to her positive style of coaching. Sara teaches you to see vitality in yourself.
Sara is my coach. I started working with her at the end of 2013, injured (fractured foot) and with a dream of completing my first Ironman. Sara has been nothing but professional and always available if I have any questions. My dream of becoming an Ironman came true this summer AND I also shaved a full 30min off my 70.3 time from the year before! I continue to be coached by Sara and I'm excited to see what the future holds for me as an athlete. Having a coach has been invaluable. She keeps me happy, healthy and recovering properly, not to mention accountable. Knowing that she is watching gives me that extra push.
This is my second year training under Sara's coaching and I have realized a dramatic increase in my overall athleticism as well as my general health. More importantly, she makes training fun. Her coaching is very personalized and enjoyable. I highly recommend her to anyone, regardless of their level of fitness. The Tucson Phat Camp with Clint, Julie and Sara is fucking AWESOME.
I have been coached by Sara for 6 years. As a busy working mother of two, she consistently provides training plans that allow me to be a competitive athlete in Olympic to Ironman distance races. She is willing to work with my schedule to help me achieve the goals I set for myself.
I approached Sara about coaching about 3.5 years ago when I wanted to qualify for age group ITU World championships in London. My fitness improved dramatically that 1st year, so we decided to enter a 1/2 ironman in Calgary. I had always wanted to race an Ironman event and was very excited to qualify for the 70.3 World Championships on my 1st try! Since then my cycling has improved every year even though I am now over 50! Sara is very easy to communicate with and works around my busy schedule. If you would like to get fitter and faster, contact Sara!!
I was coached by Carrie Matsumoto through to completion of the 2013 edition of Challenge Penticton (formerly Ironman Canada). Two years in the making, it would not have been possible without the expert guidance of my coach. She provided customized daily workouts, encouragement when my willpower flagged and instruction when my technique was failing (especially swimming). Best of all I felt that my efforts were important to her; she cared enough to be at the finish line, with her newborn daughter, to welcome me home.
I discovered triathlon and started working with Carrie Matsumoto in 2012. Carrie is an outstanding triathlon coach and an amazing person! She has helped me shape a sustainable active lifestyle that fits with my busy family life and demanding career. Mercury Rising offers more than a triathlon training schedule. Carrie has overhauled my approach to training, race nutrition, injury prevention, tapering, equipment selection as well as my mindset towards competing.
As my coach she designs challenging, progressive training plans that have shaped me into a stronger, more competition-ready athlete. She is also awesome at crafting special workout plans for my crazy travel schedule and has a knack for knowing when to pull back on training load to keep me healthy. Carrie makes a point of personally coming to many of her athlete’s races to cheer us on!
Under Carrie’s coaching I have progressively raced faster at the 70.3 and 140.6 distances. In 2014 I achieved “PB’s” at the Half and Full Ironman distance, as well as the Half-Marathon and Full-Marathon distance (including a BQ time!). Carrie is a trusted mentor and friend and I can’t wait to work with “Coach C” in 2015!
Tenille has this great way of providing feedback and coaching on your swim in a way that really made sense to me. She would give me one thing to focus on and then provide coaching right away on how I was doing. It quickly helped improve my stroke
Tenille’s Monday bike sessions are a killer. She is a great motivator and always pushes me to new pain thresholds I never knew I had!
I joined what I thought was a swim club but it turned out to be a triathlon club after I lost a bet with Clint. I said I could not run and was too old to start but he proved me wrong. Clint and Sara give me positive encouragement, the training sessions are well organized and hard but fun with the team mates. Great club.
I have been an athlete for many years and have had many coaches, but Clint, Sara and MRT are truly special. They can satisfy the needs of beginners, good age group athlete and also elites. The cost is very reasonable and the coaching is personal. This is not the usual online one size fits all or be charged $1,000 a month coaching. MRT club and coaching provides excellent coaching, camaraderie and support at a very reasonable cost! I could not be more satisfied.
Mercury Rising Triathlon club has found the balance between being fun and inclusive while still keeping a main focus on athletes improvement and performance
Following a well laid out MRT program kept me focussed and helped me achieve my goal. Personal best time and crossing the finish line at Ironman Canada in daylight!!! Clint Lien (aka Couch Dude) and the MRT Victoria Team ROCK!!!
Each Saturday begins with 2-3 hour spin sessions that are not only challenging but definitely prepare me for some very strong cycling once I move to road riding. I know I can always count on the sessions progressing from week to week with purpose and intent. They have definitely made me a stronger rider. Thanks Clint and Team
The motivation and support of the members of Mercury Rising are a huge reason, I believe, that track nights, spin workouts, and swim sessions are ever growing and extremely positive. Each member has made me feel at ease and part of the team and I have yet to find a group this pleasant to train with.
Coaching professionalism breeds athlete excellence. At any race, look around you, chances are high you'll find a MRT athlete/age grouper on the podium.
I have improved more in the first 4 months with MRT than I did in the previous 4 years with another group and, as with the running, I am really enjoying it. The availability of work out times and the variability within the workouts allow me to adapt the program as required