A look back at a great year for a great coach

This space is usually reserved for Coach Kevin Danahy, who offers ideas to inspire and help readers navigate many aspects of training.

Today it’s Kevin’s clients’ turn. We’ve hijacked his column to share stories about the success he has helped us achieve.

He brings to his clients a strong background, with degrees in exercise science and injury prevention, and numerous coaching certifications. And then there’s his experience as a professional triathlete for seven years. Beyond all that, he has a talent for creating challenging yet attainable training plans for each of us.

But what may set him apart the most is the way Kevin sees us, inspiring each of us and knowing us, often better than we know ourselves.

Kevin’s  clients are all ages, from teenagers to adults in their 60s; we come from all backgrounds, and most of us are professionals with full-time jobs. Our goals may be as simple as a running-gait analysis or as complex as a personal record in a full Ironman competition.

Just two years ago, many of us didn’t know one another. But as Kevin prepared each of us to reach our goals, he set up group training classes. Over time, we met up for ocean swims, long training runs and bike rides. Eventually we found ourselves signing up for the same events.

There’s something about a run around Gordons Pond in the wind before dawn or a 120-mile group ride when it’s 97 degrees that builds confidence – and close bonds that last even after our races are over.  

Kevin gives each of us a training plan every week, with specific workouts every day. Sometimes it seems impossible to get them all in, but over time, we’ve ended up with the same mantra: Trust in the plan.

Even during those days when our minds are telling us we are not ready, Kevin seems to know better. He knows when we are ready even if we only realize it when we complete our races successfully. We’ve learned that when we stick with our plans, week by week, we get stronger, more confident and ready to meet our goals.

This year, Kevin coached athletes to achieve many goals, from becoming comfortable swimming in the ocean to completing the insanely cold and wet Boston marathon, and finishing ultrarunning distances that made Boston look easy. He coached us to complete sprint, olympic and half Ironman triathlons; in just one year he coached seven athletes to finish full Ironman triathlons in three countries –  including four first-time 140.6 Ironman finishers.

We followed Kevin’s plans, we achieved, we gained lifetime friendships.

For all this, coach, we say “Thank you.”