"I decided to start training for a sprint triathlon at the young age of 53. Didn’t know how to swim, wasn’t real good at biking, and was out of shape running – all this 6 months before the tri. I had known of Martha since she excelled as a runner in 9th grade and followed her career, off and on, as she progressed to join the top of her athletic class. Out of desperation I emailed her for help – it was the one of the smartest moves I ever made. We met and explained to her my goal of competing in this triathlon and, frankly, was somewhat intimated by her stature as an athlete. Martha immediately removed any anxiety I had and helped me feel comfortable by encouraging my success. She outlined a day by day training program which left me feeling refreshed and stronger with each workout. Martha also took me from barely treading water in the pool to participating in triathlons with open water swimming. She knows when to push the limit and when to back off. I completed that first tri with a smile on my face and a feeling of confidence and strength. I continue to rely on Martha for help in training and form. She has inspired me with her confidence in my athletic ability to continue competing in swimming, biking, and running. The best decision I ever made for my own health was to contact Martha for help".
Paul
"I set a goal ro run a half marathon having never "run" a race before in my life. I knew immediately that I needed Martha's help in achieving what seemed like an insurmountable goal. Martha's individually designed workout plans were challenging, creative and empowering. Every month I was amazed at my progress. Through her knowledge and expertise, Martha taught me how to incorporate strength training and proper sports nutrition into my routine (both of which were crucial to my success). Martha truly embraces her motto of "training with passion and purpose" and can pull the athlete out of anyone! Thanks!"
Jeanine
"Thanks for the great tri clinic for newbies, the extensive coverage of so many topics, the patient answering of miscellaneous questions, the entertaining props and engaging stories from your own experience...I came away feeling inspired, motivated and engaged. I looked around the room and felt part of a group- no longer alone or lonely in my trianing but , even when out for a solo session, can put faces and names to those I can now envision on this path next to me."
Audrey
"I began with Martha as a swim coach to help prepare me for my first mini-triathlon and I've been hooked ever since. Training with Martha is a highlight of my week. She tailors each session to make the most of every minute, constantly amazing me with her knowledge and her ability to adapt every work-out to my particular strengths and weaknesses on any given day. She pushes me to where I want to go, and as a result I am stronger and faster than I've ever been. It feels great!"
"Martha was an excellent motivator and coach. Her customized training schedule made training for my first marathon very manageable. Martha would consistently check up on me and offer suggestions to alter my schedule if I was having a rough week. With Martha's help, my first marathon was a great experience and I hope to work with her again when I train for my next one"!
Elizabeth Grodd, 2007 New York Marathon Finisher
"As someone who is not a competitive athlete, and had never run more than 2 miles until just one year ago, I was unsure whether having a "coach" would be too overwhelming and was worried that someone who had worked with such elite athletes wouldn't be interested in working with someone at "my level". Martha has been wonderful and has not only addressed my fears of not being "good enough" to warrant a coach but has even more importantly helped me realize that I am capable of achieving whatever I set out to do.
I have worked with Martha in the individual training format on swimming, biking, and running. At all times we worked with at my level, slowly progressing to each new phase at my pace. Additionally, having Martha develop a daily training plan for me, with my fitness goals in mind has kept me on track, motivated and engaged in the work. As a coach, Martha has not only helped with motivation, encouragement, and training plans; she has also helped with nutrition, recovery and race preparation. I have found Martha to be helpful and responsive to my multitude of questions and concerns. The scope of her knowledge of fitness, nutrition, sports psychology, general self-care and self-awareness is immeasurable! To anyone at any level, who is interested in learning to challenge oneself to new fitness levels, I would, without hesitation, recommend working with Martha Grinnell."
Liza McArdle
"Working with Martha has been a pivotal step for me in moving towards my triathlon goals. I sought her out to take my training and racing to the next level and she is doing exactly that. Martha has a gift for creating a training structure that fits into my life in a way that makes sense and doesn’t overwhelm me. Because of her attention to detail, I’m learning how to read my body’s messages more clearly so that I know when to turn up the heat and when to give myself a break. Martha’s energetic and encouraging approach keeps me motivated, not just to focus on my goals, but to enjoy the process more."
Ness Madeiros
"Before I started working with Martha my training had no rhyme or reason. I had taken up the sport of triathlon a year before and wanted to see what I could do with limited time. Being a 45 yr old mother of two young children and having a full time job meant I had to get the most out of my workouts. Working with Martha was so amazing. She really understood me and how best to maximize my workouts. I felt better, stronger, faster, and less wiped out. In two years I surpassed my goals and went to the Worlds in Hawaii and placed 13th in my age group. I know I couldn't have done that without Martha. She's not just a coach, but someone who really knows me. Martha has a gift and I feel so lucky to have her working with me."
Karen Laverdierre
"When I asked Martha to coach me for my first half ironman triathlon, I expected weekly workout schedules and general feedback on my progress. Martha gave me a whole lot more. In addition to very detailed and varied (and fun) swim, bike and run workouts, Martha closely monitored and modified my schedule to blend with family, vacation, aikido, canoeing and work. She provided technical advice for everything from nutrition to transitions. Best of all, Martha shared her incredible enthusiasm and positive spirit. In short, Martha is a great coach and it’s been a privilege to train with her."
Phil Dowling (54 year old age grouper)
"As a newbie triathlete, who is totally new to swimming, I hired Martha to help me straighten out my swim technique in preperation for a 1/2 Iron Man. Within literally minutes of meeting me at the pool, Martha had me up in the water, swimming more smoothly with less effort, by giving me a couple of key visualization concepts. I made more progress it those first five minutes with Martha, than I had in a month of "training" on my own. After each subsequent lesson, I found myself knocking minutes off my projected swim time. Martha is both knowledgeable and insightful. She clearly brings the same passion to coaching as she did to her career as a pro athlete. She exceeded my expectations by sending me before and after video, and follow up drill programs. I highly recommend her as a coach and mentor."
Mike Hempstead
"I'm a 66 year old who enjoys riding his bike at an intermediate level. Slow and steady. The goal was to be in good shape to start the riding season in the spring. We achieved it. I'm in better shape at this point than I've ever been. The structured workouts, personal attention, and constant feedback were fun and helpful. I'm stronger. I'm fit. I'm no younger! I'll do it again."
Jeff Caplan, Husband & Father, Loves to ride his bike!
"Martha helped me make sense of my training and gave me a program with purpose. In addition, her approach of quality verses quantity allows you to have a life outside of training and racing. As Martha knows personally what it takes to become the best athlete you can be, one of her special abilities is to tune into her athletes not only on a physical level but also on a mental and emotional level. She knows when to push and when to back off your training. Even if you never meet Martha, not only will you feel that she is fully invested in your training program, your results will reflect it."
Heather Lynn Haviland, 2004 USAT Amateur Triathlete of the Year, 2005 3rd place IM Wisconsin
"I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Martha since 2000. Martha embodies both the passion for and the knowledge of multisport coaching. As a former professional athlete herself, Martha attained the level of competition that she, in turn, bestows upon her clients. I have directly benefited from Martha’s talent in marathons, duathlons, and long distance triathlons. In 2002, I referred Martha to the all woman 4-person RAAM team and she coached them to victory. What more can I say?"
Valerie Ellsworth Gattis; 1st place 45-49 age group, ITU Long Course Triathlon Worlds in Sater, Sweden, 3:43 marathon (at age 49)
“I started working with Martha almost a year before my first race and she had me ultra prepared to start my triathlon career. From nutrition to recovery to super fast transition, Martha covered all the bases and tailored everything to my lifestyle and ability. Martha’s programs are not cookie cutter programs for the masses; she really takes care of her athletes!”
Amy Farrell; 5th place overall Lake Placid Ironman, 2002, 2nd place overall, 2001 Eagleman Triathlon
“Internet coaches are a “dime a dozen,” but Martha Grinnell is not. She understands that there are two critical aspects to training: the physiological as will as the psychological. Martha has a keen sense of how to keep these two areas balanced in an athlete; She has a genuine concern for you as an athlete and a whole person. Martha’s programs are not formulaic, but designed with each athlete in mind. She took essentially four aerobically fit women with full-time jobs and families and developed us into a cohesive team of ultra-fit distance cyclists by the end of a 15-week period.”
Nina Norris; Mom, Lawyer, 2001 2nd place RAAM Team finisher, and long distance triathlete
"Martha Grinnell has been my coach for over 7 years. I would recommend her to athletes of all levels who want to reach their potential in endurance sports. Martha gets to know you as a person as well as an athlete. She has a knack for identifying and helping you to improve your weaknesses. She knows how to challenge you when you need to be pushed, and how to back you off when you need rest. Most importantly, Martha understands the mental aspects of endurance racing and is always there with the right advice.”
Lauren Jensen; Four Time top 3 Ironman Pro Finisher, 2003 Pro Duathlete Champion, 2004 Pro National Long Course Champion
"As a novice runner getting ready for a half marathon all the information I found about training was overwhelming. After meeting with Martha to discus my training options and how they could fit into my hectic schedule, there was no stopping my progress. I am looking forward to setting more competition goals and getting them accomplished with Martha and Dynamic Training!"
Alicia; Novice Runner
