Athlete’s Testomonials

 

Bradley Smith (21)

Bradley Smith Professional Motor Bike rider and triathlete

Professional 125cc MotoGP rider Highest placed British rider in all MotoGP catergoriges for 30 years coached by Mark Kleanthous http://www.bradley-smith.co.uk/ What Bradley said about Mark

I was a highly motivated and determined young chap but with a complete lack of knowledge, with both nutrition and training plans. I was doing as much as I could do and running myself into the ground in every session.

I am still that highly motivated and determined person but thanks to the Smart training from Ironmate I now perform so much higher then I could ever imagine. With the help and guidance from Mark I have moved from 10th in the MotoGP 125cc World championship to 2nd in just 24months of working together.

Also competed in my First ever Olympic distance triathlon in London finishing 7th in my age group and in a time of 2:13. 2010 plans are already in place and with IronMate Mark in my corner things are only going to improve. I have gone from strength to strength and have now completed a TriStar 111 involving a 1km swim 100km Bike and 10km run in 2012

 

Thomas De Vos (43)  Lanzarote Ironman Finisher 2012 in 15:09:51

Despite my injuries before contacting Mark, he coached me to my first Ironman Triathlon finish.

 

Graeme Bryce Scotland Qualified for Kona with Mark’s coaching

My wife thoughtfully purchased me some coaching sessions with Mark in order to help me realize my dream of qualifying for the World Ironman Championships in Kona.  Mark was a very adept coach and helped me in many areas of preparation; from the basics such as bike set-up to the more complex issues such as a nutritional plan that was personalized to both myself and key events.  Mark has an encyclopedic knowledge of triathlons and his ability to provide helpful information and coaching tips, with unswerving enthusiasm, was invaluable.  Marks efforts beared fruit as I managed to qualify for Kona and count his input as one of the contributing factors.  He is a top guy!

 Jevon O’Neil (45) Buckinghamshire, England Ironman Frankfurt 10:38

Mark’s coaching helped me achieve my first Ironman in my first season of triathlon in 12 hours 10 minutes.

The following year, still with Mark, I’d knocked an hour and a half off my PB and raced 10 hours 42 minutes on the same course. I’m using Mark again as I seek to lower my time even further. His coaching style is clear, effective and inclusive. I wouldn’t be without him!” 12:10 Switzerland Ironman 2007 10:42 Austria Ironman finisher 2008   10:38 Frankfurt Ironman 2009 – I improved 3 years running coached by Mark

 

Martin Paul (40) USA 5 x Ironman Finisher with Mark’s coaching

Mark’s knowledge base of the sport of triathlon combined with his experience as an athlete and coach has aided my development as an elite athlete. I could draw upon his guidance in my training, establishing specific key sessions that would enhance my performances and developing a tailored individual programme which balanced the demands of my lifestyle. His friendly yet no nonsense approach helped in providing a focus throughout my season of racing on a national and international level. Mark’s commitment as a coach, aided by his clear communication of inspiring and motivating when the times were tough, lead to an upwards progression in my performances as an elite performer.” Sound easy to follow advice I even managed 2 Ironman triathlons in 8 week! With Marks help I finally went sub 12 hours in 2009

 

Dave Brown (34) Australia UK Ironman 9:16

Elite Duathlete & Triathlete 11th place UK Ironman 9:16 finisher. Qualified for World Ironman Triathlon Championships Kona and Xterra world championships. 6th place overall in Zoffingen World long distance duathlon Switzerland. Over 25 outright wins under Mark’s guidance. “I have had the privilege of training under the guidance of Coach Ironmate, Mark Kleanthous for the past three years.

With mark’s help I qualified in the pro category for the Hawaii Ironman. His knowledge of training for the Ironman, endurance nutrition, tapering and what to do on race day is quite amazing but he has done over 30 Iron events world wide!

 

Abi Gooch (30) Buckinghamshire, England. First Ironman Switzerland -Finsih time 11:42

3rd Female in World Police Triathlon championships Canada 2005 (25-29 Age) Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon San Francisco 2006 12th (25-29 age) First time Ironman Finisher Switzerland 2007 time: 11:42

“Mark provided me with simple easy to understand information and help. Huge variety of training never felt I was repeating a past session.”

 

Mervyn Philips (50) Bedfordshire, Englan Ironman Langkawi 16:04:16

I’ll keep Mark on my left shoulder for ‘ironman common sense’.” Mark gave me the inspiration and motivation to keep going when the training got hard. He explained why I needed to do certain workouts and what not to do. I doubt that there is another person with still as much enthusiasm and knowledge in the world than Mark, he has learnt something form each and every session he ever did in the last 26 season!

Dennis Budd Leeds Utah Ironman Finisher

Mark was my first coach and knew exactly how to convert me from a long term competitive runner to the sport of triathlon. Mark used his wisdom and experience to weave marathons, half marathons , 70.3 into my IM plan and make them productive. I could see as weeks started to build on each other mark knew how to get the most improvement. fueling ,pace, sequencing were all perfect and when to rest. I have since placed consistently at the Olympic and 70.3 distance and have completed 2 IM .I go back to what Mark taught me over and over again, with the same result Success. When other coaches say no, Mark knows how to go! I am across the the pond ,even so his enthusiasm was contagious. I later met Mark at Kona and Cozumel and he was just as real in person, face to face or long distance you can’t go wrong with IRONMATE”

 

 

Andy Jones UK Ironman Finisher 12:15

“I could never have finished my first Ironman after 3 attempts without your help

 

Kirsty Bishop (34) Buckinghamshire, England  Alcatraz and Ironman Austria Finisher 11:42

Qualified for Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon San Francisco 2006. Ironman Finisher at first attempt 11:42 Austria 2008.

Vicky Pincombe (Team Mk) 3rd in Elite world duathlon championships Switzerland 2003

World class perfomances Martin Yelling & Vicky Pincombe both national duathlon winners both in 2002. First time one club has had male and female elite winners.

 

Michelle Lee elite duathlete

3rd in Female Elite ITU world duathlon championships Canada 2006

Also first overall in National age group winner triathlon championships Wakefield 2006

 

Adam Bowden Elite Triathlete & Duathlete loughborough University

1st National duathlon championships 2009 (Team Mk) 2nd Overall Windsor Triathlon 2009. Numerous wins in 2009. “Mark has an amazing understanding of how to dovetail swimming cycling and running together for optimum performance” “Mark tells me what I need to know when I need to, this helped me achieve success. I look forward to learning something new every time we speak and meet. He always has something different to teach me.

Anonymous (55) London Ironman Austria Finisher

Please do not use my name as I had a coach when i contacted you when things were not going to plan. I failed to finsih the Ironman 3 times then you helped me become an “Ironman”

I wish I had come across you before my 3 earlier attempts .” Anonymous (55) Berkshire England

“Mark’s enthusiasm information and energy is second to none. A highly respected coach by other single and multi- sport coaches.

Vicky Pincombe Swindon, England

Female National Champion British Duathlon Championships Sunday, April 28, 200210k run/38k bike/5k run Vicky Pincombe (Team Mk) 3rd in Elite world duathlon championships Switzerland 2003 “No nonsense training programmes, nutrition advice and awesome race tactics. Mark is a very highly motivated coach that never asked me to do anything he had never done himself. He has a thorough wealth of knowledge & information to help me be the athlete I am now. I never thought it possible but was able to beat many world class athletes thanks to Marks help.

Simon JS Ironman Finisher 14:41

Thanks for all your advice before IMLZ. Unfortunately I picked up a bursar injury on my left knee with a couple of weeks to go and 1 week to go I could hardly run, but some swift sports massage and a couple of injections later I hobbled around the course. I was a bit disappointed with my time, 14.41 but I finished in spite of the injury so I must take heart from that….! And the confidence you gave me. Thanks very much