Ever wonder who the faces were behind Haka Multisport? This week get to know Coach Mike

Ever wonder who the faces were behind Haka Multisport? This week you get to learn more about Coach Mike and his experiences with triathlons and coaching! If you have any other questions for Coach Mike, feel free to ask! 

What motivated you to start doing triathlons?

It seemed like the logical next step. :-) I started doing duathlons with my girlfriend when I moved to Switzerland in 2001 and when I moved to Boulder in 2003, I wanted to do triathlon.  I have never been a strong swimmer so that was a struggle but I found a great group of people to swim with at a local gym in Boulder. 

When was your first triathlon?

I don't remember anymore! I think it was an indoor triathlon in Ft. Collins in 2003. 

What is your favorite part to train for?

I actually love them all! It depends on how things are going.  I can get a little OCD about working on weaknesses.  I've been known to focus so much on one thing that I forget the others for a while!

What keeps you motivated when you are training?

There are a lot of different things that motivate me.  I love to see improvements and I know the training makes that happen but there are times when I see the people I train do really well and that fires me up. 

What is the most fun race you have participated in?

Oh geesh....I don't think I can say there is ONE race that was the most fun. I have a lot of races that I love because of the people I've done them with or the locations.  

What made you want to start coaching triathletes?

I love teaching and absolutely love understanding the human body. When I was a graduate student, I was an assistant coach for a kids ice hockey team and really enjoyed it. When I got into triathlons and spent time in that sport, it became a natural transition to share that passion with others. 

What is your favorite pre race meal?

oatmeal

What is your favorite post race meal?

Whatever they have in that finishers area. After a race, I'm normally not picky...whatever they have. 

Any advice to new triathletes, or those interested in trying their first triathlon?

It depends on the triathlete.  I focus a lot of my attention on youth and junior athletes and my advice to those new athletes would be to not specialize too early in a single sport.  For the U25 athletes I coach, I tell the new ones to be patient. Really consider their long term athlete development plan and succeed / excel at the continental level before diving into more. Age groupers should just enjoy the journey and maintain a healthy balance!