Mark Harman – Level 3 Triathlon Coach
I have been coaching triathlon since 2006. I hold a Level 3 British Triathlon Coaching qualification and coach all the disciplines. I am also a Level 2 British Cycling coach and a Level 2 ASA Aquatics Teacher.
My triathlon career began in 1990 when as a recreational cyclist I took part in my first sprint triathlon at Ongar. I did not give the greatest performance, struggling through the swim, tearing round the bike course, then ended up walking after half the run. I finished the race and like many people before and since I was hooked. Triathlon was not the well developed sport it is today, but I soon realised it was the one for me. Through the years I have completed over a hundred races, the highlights being completing six Ironman races including Lanzarote, Barcelona, Austria and Nice.
Until recently I lived in Essex, having organised the Braintree District Triathlon and others for many years as part of Essex Police Triathlon, I was one of a small team, including my wife and fellow coach Teresa who in 2007 created Born2tri. As chairman of Born2tri the club grew to a membership of 160 athletes from beginners through to those racing the ITU world championships and Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.
In the summer of 2014 I retired from the Police service and relocated to North Norfolk. We have started a new Triathlon club for North Norfolk called TriHarman-Norfolk.
I continue to offer support for individual athletes, from club racers to those racing for world and European championship qualification and Ironman racing.
Maximising athlete performance is important, whatever level you race at, however equally important are keeping the training and racing enjoyable while providing tremendous long term health benefits.