Amy Harpstrite, Kailua - Ironman
I am so appreciative to Marion for coaching me this year. I've been doing triathlons for 30 years and enjoyed them but was not very competitive.
I had begun doing better because i was biking more, but really had no idea how to move to the next level. I wanted to get faster and not injure myself, and signed on with Marion because she clearly was knowledgable about racing and going fast, but also has a deep understanding of the science behind exercising and performance. She was immensely helpful, teaching me to cut back on volume and rest, and train strategically rather than just more.
Her detailed weekly training plan was very specific to me and where I was. She is very comprehensive, focusing on nutrition and the mental component as well as the physical. She prepared me well for a half-ironman, and when I surprised myself by qualifying for the Kona Ironman world championships, coached me though the change in training volume and style. It was a relief for someone as naive as I to trust her with the plan.
And it clearly worked- i was absolutely trilled with my performance, felt so well trained, and enjoyed every minute of it.
I had begun doing better because i was biking more, but really had no idea how to move to the next level. I wanted to get faster and not injure myself, and signed on with Marion because she clearly was knowledgable about racing and going fast, but also has a deep understanding of the science behind exercising and performance. She was immensely helpful, teaching me to cut back on volume and rest, and train strategically rather than just more.
Her detailed weekly training plan was very specific to me and where I was. She is very comprehensive, focusing on nutrition and the mental component as well as the physical. She prepared me well for a half-ironman, and when I surprised myself by qualifying for the Kona Ironman world championships, coached me though the change in training volume and style. It was a relief for someone as naive as I to trust her with the plan.
And it clearly worked- i was absolutely trilled with my performance, felt so well trained, and enjoyed every minute of it.
Bocar Wane, Honolulu - Half Ironman
I was very constrained with time, but Marion designed training plans that optimized my training for Ironman 70.3 within the time limits that I had.
I was very impressed with her knowledge on how to train effectively. She will not run a generic training plan based on your training heart rate zone and call it a customized training plan. She puts a lot of thought into the design of the training plans.
I was very pleased with her and best of all and her coaching is really worth it! I would recommend her to anyone who is looking to train effectively within any constraint for any event.
I was very impressed with her knowledge on how to train effectively. She will not run a generic training plan based on your training heart rate zone and call it a customized training plan. She puts a lot of thought into the design of the training plans.
I was very pleased with her and best of all and her coaching is really worth it! I would recommend her to anyone who is looking to train effectively within any constraint for any event.
Robert Serling, New York - Ironman
“I was connected to Marion through Mike McMahon and feel very fortunate to have made the connection. After years of focusing on running and road races I made the move to triathlon 3 years ago. I made the progression from sprint distance to ½ IM on my own and was looking for a coach to help me prepare for my first Ironman in Lake Placid on July 24, 2011. My experience of working with Marion could not have been better.
I could not have imagined when I started this journey what it would feel like to be standing on the beach ready to start the race. The true testament to Marion and the 9 months I spent with her was how well prepared I felt to tackle the IM I was about to begin. I had no doubt about my ability to accomplish my goal, I had no questions about my race plan or my nutrition plan. I was ready to go. At that moment, I felt the race was my celebration for completing the training plan Marion had developed for me. I felt I had truly earned the right to compete in this race and with Marion's coaching expertise I was strong enough to succeed.
Marion’s plan was challenging, yet achievable. Through our conversation on Skype and communication through email I received all the feedback and direction I needed. We started with an off season plan, moved in to the preseason plan and finally to the comprehensive plan for the last 24 weeks. at Marion's suggestion, I had her work up a diet analysis which helped me better understand how to improve my eating habits. We worked on my nutrition for each leg of the race and Marion monitored my progress. Marion insured I had sufficient rest and recover which I felt was a critical element to my success. During the 9 months there were setbacks and successes and Marion provided me with wise counsel at every step to insure I was on track to achieve my goals. In addition to the physical training Marion helped me focus on training my mind to insure I was mentally prepared for what I would encounter when training for and racing in the Ironman.
Leading up to the race I had a several different scenarios to predict my race time. Of course I spoke to no one about these predictions. Being this was my first IM, my predictions were conservative. That said, I could not have been happier with my result, finishing my first IM on a tough course in Lake Placid in 12:26:27. That was better than my conservative estimates and good enough for 50 out of 257 in my age group (50-54), top 20%. While it may have been possible to finish without Marion, there is NO way I could have finished so successfully without her.
The day after the race. I expected the worst and did not know how I would feel. To my delight, I felt fine - absolutely fine. It really amazed me how Marion's plan prepared me so well that the day after my IM was no worse than my typical Monday after a hard weekend.
On top of the expert training I received it was always a pleasure to speak and communicate with Marion. She is a great listener, was always there to answer my questions and provide knowledgeable advise. I highly recommend Marion to anyone who wants to take their training to the next level. Thank you Marion!"
I could not have imagined when I started this journey what it would feel like to be standing on the beach ready to start the race. The true testament to Marion and the 9 months I spent with her was how well prepared I felt to tackle the IM I was about to begin. I had no doubt about my ability to accomplish my goal, I had no questions about my race plan or my nutrition plan. I was ready to go. At that moment, I felt the race was my celebration for completing the training plan Marion had developed for me. I felt I had truly earned the right to compete in this race and with Marion's coaching expertise I was strong enough to succeed.
Marion’s plan was challenging, yet achievable. Through our conversation on Skype and communication through email I received all the feedback and direction I needed. We started with an off season plan, moved in to the preseason plan and finally to the comprehensive plan for the last 24 weeks. at Marion's suggestion, I had her work up a diet analysis which helped me better understand how to improve my eating habits. We worked on my nutrition for each leg of the race and Marion monitored my progress. Marion insured I had sufficient rest and recover which I felt was a critical element to my success. During the 9 months there were setbacks and successes and Marion provided me with wise counsel at every step to insure I was on track to achieve my goals. In addition to the physical training Marion helped me focus on training my mind to insure I was mentally prepared for what I would encounter when training for and racing in the Ironman.
Leading up to the race I had a several different scenarios to predict my race time. Of course I spoke to no one about these predictions. Being this was my first IM, my predictions were conservative. That said, I could not have been happier with my result, finishing my first IM on a tough course in Lake Placid in 12:26:27. That was better than my conservative estimates and good enough for 50 out of 257 in my age group (50-54), top 20%. While it may have been possible to finish without Marion, there is NO way I could have finished so successfully without her.
The day after the race. I expected the worst and did not know how I would feel. To my delight, I felt fine - absolutely fine. It really amazed me how Marion's plan prepared me so well that the day after my IM was no worse than my typical Monday after a hard weekend.
On top of the expert training I received it was always a pleasure to speak and communicate with Marion. She is a great listener, was always there to answer my questions and provide knowledgeable advise. I highly recommend Marion to anyone who wants to take their training to the next level. Thank you Marion!"
Blair Barklow, Florida - Xterra Athlete
After much contemplation, I decided to engage a coach for off-road triathlon. There was uncertainty surrounding the decision - as a busy professional with a family of teenagers, long work and commute hours and the typical challenges of a hectic schedule, it was hard to fit it training with my own self-directed program. How would I find time to fit in a coaches regimen? How effective could it be?
I was introduced to Dr. Mike McMahon and Marion Summerer at the 2007 XTERRA World Championship. Marion scored as the XTERRA Women’s Amateur winner and champion. Later in 2008, following the XTERRA Mountain Region Championship, I crossed tracks with Marion again at the airport in Salt Lake City. She gave me her business card and I learned she too was highly trained and qualified - degreed, in fact - in exercise physiology and sport science. In my prior research into coaching possibilities, I found many choices for XTERRA-specific coaching - all good ones - and I got a very good feeling about MET Endurance Training and Marion - and made the leap.
It has only been a few weeks since we started, and I did not expect to see results - especially noticeable and measurable results - so soon. It was a surprise to find that the training schedule and volume prescribed by Marion and Dr. McMahon began with fewer weekly hours than I was doing, so adapting to the schedule was easy. It was a bigger surprise that the same or less training time was showing benefits like faster swim times and stronger bike splits in the first weeks. And, my expectations of accessing the best information from recent research and advances in sports physiology and applying it to my own needs and goals for improvements were more than satisfied. Even better, the listening, encouragement, personalized service, and close, conscientious attention to detail are a delight. After hearing my Pro mountain biker buddies back in the 80's moan about their coaches and the draconian workouts they could never complete, I was unsure. OK, that was a long time ago, and since then, the advancements in training physiology have been nothing short of revolutionary. To tap into this mountain of information, I recommend MET and Marion unhesitatingly.
One more thing - If you believe you have to be a buff athlete to participate in triathlon, I'm here to prove that nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, XTERRA races are demanding, but with the right training, you can find the fitness you need to enjoy these race experiences in a relatively short amount of time. I did. I only wish I would have sought Marion and MET's help sooner.
I was introduced to Dr. Mike McMahon and Marion Summerer at the 2007 XTERRA World Championship. Marion scored as the XTERRA Women’s Amateur winner and champion. Later in 2008, following the XTERRA Mountain Region Championship, I crossed tracks with Marion again at the airport in Salt Lake City. She gave me her business card and I learned she too was highly trained and qualified - degreed, in fact - in exercise physiology and sport science. In my prior research into coaching possibilities, I found many choices for XTERRA-specific coaching - all good ones - and I got a very good feeling about MET Endurance Training and Marion - and made the leap.
It has only been a few weeks since we started, and I did not expect to see results - especially noticeable and measurable results - so soon. It was a surprise to find that the training schedule and volume prescribed by Marion and Dr. McMahon began with fewer weekly hours than I was doing, so adapting to the schedule was easy. It was a bigger surprise that the same or less training time was showing benefits like faster swim times and stronger bike splits in the first weeks. And, my expectations of accessing the best information from recent research and advances in sports physiology and applying it to my own needs and goals for improvements were more than satisfied. Even better, the listening, encouragement, personalized service, and close, conscientious attention to detail are a delight. After hearing my Pro mountain biker buddies back in the 80's moan about their coaches and the draconian workouts they could never complete, I was unsure. OK, that was a long time ago, and since then, the advancements in training physiology have been nothing short of revolutionary. To tap into this mountain of information, I recommend MET and Marion unhesitatingly.
One more thing - If you believe you have to be a buff athlete to participate in triathlon, I'm here to prove that nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, XTERRA races are demanding, but with the right training, you can find the fitness you need to enjoy these race experiences in a relatively short amount of time. I did. I only wish I would have sought Marion and MET's help sooner.
Gerti Flach, 59, Germany - Half Marathon
I have been running for 7 years with the simple goal of staying fit. I am 59, full employed and grandmother of two toddlers. My goal in 2008 was to participate in the XDuro European 21 km Trail Championships in June. Because of the lack of time I decided to hire Marion as my coach. Marion has given me plans with a variety of workouts, including trail running, track workouts, Deep Water Running and biking for cross training. Although I get challenged, I don’t feel as tired and fatigue as I used to as a hobby runner. Having a training prescription has helped me to stay focused; to acknowledge rest and avoid excuses not to run whenever I don’t feel like. In only 8 weeks I saw my performance increase. Marion has given great advice on nutrition and apparel and we have been working on the mental aspects of training and competing. I also look forward to the weekly coaching calls because of her encouragement and ability to motivate. I am more positive about what I am able to achieve and what my real potential is. I ended up winning my age group out of 9 runners and placed 24th overall out of 498 runners. In December 2008 I will compete in the XDuro World Championships. Not only has the coaching experience with Marion improved my fitness; it has given me a better quality of life!
Tim Kutara, 22, Honolulu - Olympic & Half Ironman
"When people ask me ‘you hired a coach?’ I say ‘yes’...
Sometimes I share a little of why I hired a coach, but some people do not grasp the mentality of an athlete and the level I want to achieve. There are many advantages a coach can offer. I hired Marion as my coach because I had many questions about the sport and I didn’t want to waste any extra effort experimenting on a training plan or nutrition plan. In the beginning, there was a lot of dialogue between Marion and me. She became familiar with my performance after I gave her feedback of my workouts. I adapted well to the training regiment. This custom plan is great because Marion designs a plan to how well your body responds. As I integrated the training into my schedule and my lifestyle, I became more driven. I set high goals for myself, and Marion can help you achieve them no matter what level you are at. I personally need to find my threshold so I can go faster! Good job, (your name here). Marion is an ultra supporter of positive reinforcement, which is one reason why she does so well. Even though she has progressed to an elite level, she is open to new ideas. She does extensive research on technique, nutrition, and recovery.
The quality of Marion’s service is excellent and I enjoy her as my friend and coach.”
Sometimes I share a little of why I hired a coach, but some people do not grasp the mentality of an athlete and the level I want to achieve. There are many advantages a coach can offer. I hired Marion as my coach because I had many questions about the sport and I didn’t want to waste any extra effort experimenting on a training plan or nutrition plan. In the beginning, there was a lot of dialogue between Marion and me. She became familiar with my performance after I gave her feedback of my workouts. I adapted well to the training regiment. This custom plan is great because Marion designs a plan to how well your body responds. As I integrated the training into my schedule and my lifestyle, I became more driven. I set high goals for myself, and Marion can help you achieve them no matter what level you are at. I personally need to find my threshold so I can go faster! Good job, (your name here). Marion is an ultra supporter of positive reinforcement, which is one reason why she does so well. Even though she has progressed to an elite level, she is open to new ideas. She does extensive research on technique, nutrition, and recovery.
The quality of Marion’s service is excellent and I enjoy her as my friend and coach.”
Daisy Parrish, Honolulu - Triathlete
I have started training and participating in marathons and triathlons after age 50.
Marion Summerer has taken me under her wing and is explaining new approaches to swimming skills that I couldn't not have gotten in group training sessions.
She is patient indeed, and very honest.
What I like most is that she has taken me from where I was already and just continues to improve my techniques.
I can't wait to enroll in my next event!!
Marion Summerer has taken me under her wing and is explaining new approaches to swimming skills that I couldn't not have gotten in group training sessions.
She is patient indeed, and very honest.
What I like most is that she has taken me from where I was already and just continues to improve my techniques.
I can't wait to enroll in my next event!!
Eric Applebaum, New York - Olympic & Ironman
I was not new to Ironman but with a new baby and a new job I knew I had my work cut out for me! Thanks to Coach Marion I was able to achieve my goals and enjoy my life. Her training plan was great and I looked forward to our weekly phone calls. It's really great to know you are training with a real athlete who has gone through all the trials and tribulations of racing. She is a caring coach who answered all my questions expertly, always had my workouts on time and kept my spirits up even in the face of a setback. I would definitely recommend her to anyone who wants to take it to the next level. Plus its cool to read race reports from all over the world and see your coaches name on the podium!
David Kimball, Hawaii - Ultra Runner
I had considered utilizing the services of a coach but I didn’t make the commitment (time, cost) due to all the rest that was going on: wife, children, career and home, etc. I opted for training myself, looking for online resources and training plans, but ended up w/tons of unanswered questions and serious injuries from training too hard. In the end, I was unprepared for races or couldn’t compete due to the injuries. Fearful of missing a goal race, I decided that I was worth it. I wanted to compete in my age group, to take this full-on and do the best that I can do. I decided to hire a coach. Several were referred to me, I chose Marion.
The initial consultation went very well as Coach Marion was attentive, taking nonstop notes and asking many questions. Coach Marion is a winner and at the conclusion of the meeting, I was confident that she would be able to create a plan that would allow me to compete in my goal races and do the best that I can.
I’ve been running for about 4 years, my first race was in 2007, I'm still a novice. I ran in the xTerra Trail Running World Championships (Dec ’08) placing in the top 100 (98th) and 9th in my division. Four months later, ran in Hawaii Ultra Running Team’s Top of Tantalus trail run, placing 14th overall. I am committed to do the best I can do and that includes utilizing Coach Marion’s Comprehensive Training Plans.
The initial consultation went very well as Coach Marion was attentive, taking nonstop notes and asking many questions. Coach Marion is a winner and at the conclusion of the meeting, I was confident that she would be able to create a plan that would allow me to compete in my goal races and do the best that I can.
I’ve been running for about 4 years, my first race was in 2007, I'm still a novice. I ran in the xTerra Trail Running World Championships (Dec ’08) placing in the top 100 (98th) and 9th in my division. Four months later, ran in Hawaii Ultra Running Team’s Top of Tantalus trail run, placing 14th overall. I am committed to do the best I can do and that includes utilizing Coach Marion’s Comprehensive Training Plans.
