Running

Just shy of four years ago, I started a weight loss journey with the original goal to run a 5K.  On November 6th, I completed my most recent and biggest goal:  I became an Ironman.  I achieved this goal by simply following the plan that Coach Jim wrote for me.  Two days before the race we talked and he said, “Could training have gone better?  Yes.  Could it have gone worse?  Yes.  You can’t change it.  You’re ready.  Stay calm and when something goes wrong, get back to your pace and don’t try to make up for lost time.”  My training didn’t go well because of me, work, family, minor injuries from work, but Coach Jim tweaked the training plan and I kept making forward progress.  His approach of starting training sooner rather than later was huge and prevented training injuries and training fatigue.  I recommend calling Power Up with your goal and let them plan your training and race day.  Much like losing weight, the “get fit quick plans” don’t really work and everyone has different needs.

“From day one, Coach told me that race day was going to feel like a long training day.  Physically he was right but with the confidence from training and his feedback, I had zero doubts that I was going to finish and honestly enjoyed every single minute.  I finished with some gas in the tank, but that was the plan.  One thing I’ve learned is I can’t do this journey of mine alone, so to Coach Jim and everyone else at Power Up, WE DID IT!

For a couple of years I watched my training partners slowly improve their cycling times while I stayed stagnant.  The reason?  They were attending classes at Power Up, receiving instruction from Jim and his coaches.  Somewhat reluctantly I decided to give it a go, and after just a few classes I asked myself, “Why did you wait so long?!”  I’m now hitting times I never thought possible.  I actually just posted a PR in the cycling portion of a recent half-Ironman, even though I’m now in my late 50s.

I am thoroughly impressed and thankful for the expertise Jim and his team bring to STL cycling.  Their personal attention to fully evaluate my physiological performance on the bike through lactate threshold testing and power testing established the data set to customize a personalized training program.  This evidenced based and scientific approach to designing a training program substantially improved both my endurance and power.  Power Up Cycling has demystified how a proper and cost effective training program is designed to improve one’s performance.  I cannot thank you all enough and I look forward to continuing my training with Power Up Cycling!

I did not think that after 22 years of cycling I could improve on the hills, which I have always struggled with, especially being over the age of 50.  With the long cold winter we had this past year, I spent many hours indoors training at Power Up.  The individualized course selections and variety of training kept things interesting, even when I wasn’t sure that what I was doing was challenging enough.  I BELIEVED in Jim and the other coaches, followed the training and accomplished PRs on Schluersburg two weeks in a row, the first after riding 100 miles the day before.  It is possible to improve!

Getting a bike fit with Jim is like getting glasses for the first time, but better.

I came to Jim with a bike that I considered to fit quite well.  I left the three hour session with a much smoother cadence, more power, and a MUCH more comfortable riding position.  The body motion camera removes a lot of guess work from the process but it’s Jim’s experience and hardcore attention to detail that makes this so effective.  My time on the saddle is now pure fun and I regret not doing this years ago.  No matter your level of experience, make the most of your time on the saddle and get fitted.  Money well spent.

I have been training at Power Up since it opened, 2 classes weekly. As a recreational cyclist, the benefit of my training at Power Up has been immeasurable. For the last 4 years I have ridden multiple week long cycling trips through Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Wisconsin and the Adirondacks region. I have felt prepared for all of my rides, including climbs of numerous mountain passes, thanks to Power Up. You don’t have to be a racing cyclist or triathlon competitor to reap the rewards of training with Jim and his excellent coaching staff. Plus, it’s FUN!!

The camp I attended was an excellent value. It was focused on me and my improvement. This works and there are numbers to prove it! I am much stronger and have a much better sense of my endurance capacity.

Having Jim as a coach has been a life changing experience. He has allowed me to reach my highest sustainable training potential and to achieve results that I never would have thought possible. While Jim is a fantastic coach on the bike, he provides valuable insight off the bike as well. He has helped me become a better bike racer as well as a better person. We take our training plan seriously but never forget that a little laugh is the most important part in our coach/athlete relationship.

For 6 months, all my training was inside the center. I felt strong but had no idea how this would translate to the road. My first outside ride was the 75 mile Vino Fondo and it was the best ride of my life. There was a lot of sweat on my part but the key was the personally designed workouts for every client, every session.

I had a great BT Epic race, finishing in 5:13, which is a new personal record by 31 minutes.  Thanks so much for the great training.  I could not have done it without your sage advice.

Having Jim as a coach has elevated my cycling career at a rate that I did not think was possible. On the bike Jim’s coaching style allows for great improvements in power and fitness. Jim also offers some of the best advice in tactics and race craft that has helped me to reach results that I did not think was possible. The most important trait that Jim has as a coach is his role as a mentor and as a role model for me and the Gateway Devo Team. I look up to Jim not only as my coach but also as a great friend.

I bought my first road bike and went to a class with no previous experience. Three months later I’d not only learned to shift the gears but had the stamina and technique to go on a 7-day cycling journey.

I’d categorize myself as an adventure cyclist, and initially approached Power Up Cycling with the goal of physically preparing me for a really big multi-week bike packing event with long repetitive days in the saddle and lots of elevation.  The outcome of the tailored Power Up training plans have manifested themselves through both quantitative and qualitative measures.  Since starting, I’ve frankly surprised myself with the significant and steady gains in my Lactate Threshold and Functional Threshold Power.  Even more gratifying has been when on different occasions, multiple friends started offering unsolicited compliments regarding improvements they’ve noticed during our longer outdoor rides.  BOOM!  I offer my sincere thanks to Jim, Wendy, and all the staff at Power Up.  Give them a call.  You can do it, too.