Coach Maribeth
Why do you coach?
What is your primary philosophy of coaching?
What do you look for in a client?
Why are you different than other coaches?
I have been coaching in some capacity for a long time, from swimmers of all ages and ability levels, to 10+ years working in the fitness industry as a group exercise instructor and personal trainer. Dealing with a wide variety of ages and personalities helped me hone not only my communication skills, but also my motivational skills. Starting my triathlon career after having kids has also helped shape my strategies for fitting my training into an already jam-packed schedule. Now that my children are older, there is time to add cross-training, including strength work. This is important at any age, but particularly for master’s athletes to help in injury prevention, longevity in endurance racing, and to build and maintain power.
What’s your history in sport?
I grew up swimming, then added field hockey and lacrosse in high school. I got away from sports in my 20s, save for a few random 5Ks, opting for lots and lots of group exercise classes and lifting weights. I raced my first triathlon in 2002, figuring it would be easy with my swim background, and have been on an improvement quest ever since! I’ve done countless sprint and Olympic distance-races, nine 70.3’s, and two IRONMANs.
What are your credentials?
- USA Triathlon Level 2 Coach
- US Masters Swimming Level 2 Coach
- US Masters Adult Learn-to-Swim Certified
- Training Peaks Level 2 Coach
Coach Maribeth is available to coach athletes looking for the following:
- Brand new athletes
- Athletes looking to improve their swim
- Athletes who want to step up in race distance
- Athletes coming back from an injury
- Busy athletes looking for balance
Testimonial
It all begins with culture—and Sonic’s culture stands above the rest. Coaches and athletes unite as a team, supporting one another through training, overcoming challenges, and pursuing personal goals. At the heart of Sonic’s success are acceptance, mutual respect, and a deep appreciation for each athlete’s individuality. The coaches are not only highly knowledgeable but also genuinely invested in helping you achieve your goals.
Through strategic partnerships with athletic trainers, physical and occupational therapists, training camps and trusted vendors, Sonic ensures every aspect of your training experience is optimized for your success.
At Sonic, every finish line marks a victory over your personal limits.
Where you can find me:
Why do you coach?
I’ve always been a participant in sports, from age-group swimming to field hockey and lacrosse in high school. In 2002, a co-worker talked me into signing up for a triathlon and since I swam in high school, I figured I was one-third of the way there. We ran a few times together at lunch, but mostly trained on our own. Three days before the race, she tells me she hasn’t really been training and won’t be racing, but will be there to cheer me on. So of course I raced, had a blast, and got hooked!
After the birth of my daughter in 2005, I came back to triathlon as a way to get back in shape and to carve out time for me. The more I trained and raced, the more I enjoyed all the different aspects of triathlon, from figuring out how to fit training into my busy day, to the social training rides/runs, to the rewarding feeling of setting a personal best, to training philosophies. Friends started to ask for help with their swim and the more people I helped; the more becoming a coach seemed like the natural next step. I like watching my athletes accomplish both big and little things; nothing makes me more delighted than to hear excitement in an athlete’s voice (or text) when they just had an outstanding race, or when they’ve made a change to their swim stroke and see an improvement in pace.
As a scientist, I enjoy analyzing athlete data, and experimenting with different training methods and trying new workouts. I realize that one-size-fits-all isn’t ideal and can tailor a training program to suit your strengths and weaknesses. I have an extensive swim background and currently coach an age-group team and a local high school team, so I’m able to work with triathletes of all swimming levels.
My favorite moment as an athlete was crossing the finish line of my first Ironman in Lake Placid in July! That race was the culmination of almost five years of training and racing multiple half Ironmans to work my way up to that distance. I enjoyed the training journey and the race itself and while I won’t rule out another Ironman, I will stick with sprints for the time being.
I am USAT Level 2 Endurance, USMS Level II, and ASCA (American Swimming Coaches Association) Level 1 certified.