Certified Triathlon Coaching

EMAIL DARA

Dara Wittenberg, Certified Triathlon Coach

I have been a personal trainer for 10 years, and a triathlon coach for 7. During that time I have trained several athletes for whom fitness, health, and their sports must fit into very busy lives. My clientele includes full time mothers, office workers, school teachers, and entrepreneurs. My goal is to help them strike a balance between training to their maximum potential and balancing the various other aspects of their lives, as well as to provide motivation to perform at their best. These clients have done everything from complete their first 5k or sprint triathlon to qualify for the Boston Marathon and win age group awards in Ironman triathlons.

I strive to be current on all my training information so I may impart it to my clients/athletes in ways that will be the most useful to them. I continuously look for opportunities to learn more about sports training, coaching and general fitness and health so that I may share this knowledge and expertise with my clients. I am truly passionate about living a healthy and athletic lifestyle and my personal training and coaching career.

Academic Achievements:

2008 - Continuing Master’s Degree in Exercise Science.
2005 - USA Triathlon Level II certified coach
2005 - USA Cycling certified expert coach
2005 - RRCA certified running coach
2003 - USA Track & Field Level I certified coach
2003 - USAC club coach
2003 - Accepted for Master's in Exercise Physiology at UNC-Chapel Hill. Full scholarship and teaching assistantship.
2002 - Advanced Personal Fitness Trainer designation from IDEA
1998 - Personal Trainer Certification from American Council on Exercise
Graduated NC State University; B.A. Psychology
Personal Trainer Certification from American Council on Exercise
Certified Sports Nutritionist from the International Society of Sports Nutrition

Experience:

2001 to the present, one of the original co-founders and coach with T3Coaching. Coaching athletes of all levels and events (from beginner to Nationally ranked age groupers).
2003 to 2007 contributor to the Ask the Expert of the Healthy Living Section of the Herald Sun Newspaper.
2003 - 6 month featured columnist on triathlon: Herald Sun Newspaper's, Healthy Living.
2002/2003 - Featured speaker for Running Start program for CGTC.
2002 - raised $1600 for a local charity, SNAP-NC, by completing the White Lake Half-Ironman Triathlon.
2001 - raised $1565 for the American Red Cross in the wake of the 9/11 disaster by running the Chicago Marathon.
1998 - present - trained/coached multiple athletes to better performances in running, triathlon, & racquetball.

Athletic Achievements:

2000 - present - completed multiple marathons, century bike rides, and triathlons of all distances, including Ironman.
2001 - Volley in Gastonia tournament Champions, Women's Silver Division volleyball.
2001 - Grass Doubles, Women's B, tournament champions at Greensboro.
2000 - Second place, women's 34-39 age group in the Pass-a-grille, Fl. 5k.
1998 - NC State's Women's Intramural Racquetball Champion.
1987 - Member of Inaugural Women's National British Fast-pitch Softball team.
1997 - Eastern Seaboard Racquetball Champion, Women's Division A.

Dara Wittenberg
USA Triathlon Level II certified coach,
USA Cycling Expert Level Coach,
USATF Level I,
RRCA certified Endurance Running coach,
ACE certified PFT, and IDEA Advanced PFT.

darawittenberg@bellsouth.net
Cell: 561-715-7737

Testimonials.

First, a confession, Dara and I have been friends for many, many, years. I decided to be upfront about this as I'm hardly likely to say anything negative about a very dear friend.

But I worried about our friendship and how it would interfere when Dara offered to train me for my first half-marathon. It may be that she thought I could do it, but I was not sure. After all, I have spent years smoking and drinking and generally being very unfit. Would I live up to her expectations or would this be the end of a beautiful friendship? Would I have to re-evaluate everything about this relationship? And, most importantly, how would we make the adjustment from the level pegging of friends to a coach and trainee?

I am pleased to say that after a shaky start on my part (I never could take direction) and a couple of email misunderstandings (or niggles whatever Dara would like to call them) I managed my first half marathon at the beginning of March and we are still as firm friends as ever.

It is absolutely vital to have a coach like Dara cheering you on, setting sound training plans and having the confidence in you when you have very little in yourself. The trick? Listen to her advice and adhere to her training programme. She really knows what she's talking about and as much as you know, she knows more. Over the weeks I learnt that the best way to train is to have confidence in the plan and your coach but, most importantly, to have confidence in yourself. The self-belief that I have gained in training is seeping into my every day life. I now believe in myself in a way that I never have before.

I look forward to training for my next half marathon in September and I'm hoping for a place in the London marathon next April. I would not even contemplate this without Dara.

Thanks old mate you are an inspiration and worth your weight in gold.

Kim Akass

I had no idea where I was headed when I was referred to Dara; I just knew I needed help and motivation to recover from recent cancer surgery. Prior to my surgery I had begun Watercross racing at age 41. Now at 44, due to Dara's remarkable knowledge and dedication I am 3rd in the Nation and a Regional champion in both Women's and Men's Novice Limited. Something I never envisioned in my wildest dreams.

I am elated to have found someone like her as a coach and a friend. She is truly so much more than a personal trainer. Anyone who competes knows that no matter how physically prepared you are, your head can ruin your game. Her support and encouragement gave me the skill and unshakable confidence to win again and again. The sport specific, strength, balance, and agility training program she designed for me gave me exactly the physical tools I needed, but her mental training, performance analysis and race strategy are what has made me a Champion. Here's to another great season of working together, this year it's on to the World Finals!

Susan Anderson.
www.teammeanracing.com

I have been training with Dara as my coach for 3 years - I was brand new to Triathon's when we started and as a result of her customized work out schedules, I have successfully completed over a dozen Triathons! In November of 2006, I completed my first 1/2 IronMan - thank you Dara!

Julie Ardner, Grand Rapids Michigan

"Education. Encouragement. Enrichment. As a result of T3's patient teaching and consistent encouragement at every turn, my reentry into triathlon has been an amazingly enriching experience. Given their skill set, the service they deliver is a tremendous value. With T3's help again, I can't wait to get cranking this season!"

Tom Holahan, Durham, North Carolina

"I used to spend hours in the gym lifting weights, running, and swimming. I had a friend who saw all of my hard work and encouraged me to enter a triathlon. At the time, my idea of biking was taking my mountain bike out on the road for a little spin around the block. I decided to jump into the sport anyway. I completed four triathlons on my old mountain bike that first season. As I continued to train on my own, I realized that I needed more specific training techniques to continue to see improvements. T3 helped me evaluate my strengths and weaknesses as an athlete. We brainstormed specific goals for the next season so that I could feel successful. My coach taught me how to best use the time that I have to train, and set up a program specific to my needs as an athlete. Most importantly, T3 has been there to support and encourage me through the highlights of my triathlon seasons and the times during training that I feel discouraged. My coach at T3 has been both a wonderful friend and coach. I have felt myself improve throughout my many training hours and I continue to see improvements in my race times."

Jordan Capps, Columbus, Georgia

Completing the Coeur D'Alene Ironman was the fulfillment of a dream for me! I am so grateful to Dara for her patient expertise which both encouraged me and gave me confidence to tackle this "beast unto itself". Dara was with me every step of the way, giving me both an understanding of the event and my body's needs and abilities. Her coaching was like taking a college course . . . and I mean it! Here's to next year!.

David Droste, Southfield Michigan.

Every great athlete knows that it takes more than desire to get to stand on the podium. One thing I know for sure. Great athletes have great coaches...

Beating cancer was straight forward. Do the surgery, take the chemo and try not to die. After that, you're on your own. I knew if I was going to get back into shape that my chances were much improved if I had a great coach.

I was looking for more than good advise. I wanted someone who understood what was important to me and would be able and willing to get to know who I was and what I needed to reach my goals.

One year after 3 major surgeries, 6 months of chemotherapy and 40 extra pounds, I am in the BEST shape of my life. Everyone's not Lance Armstrong but we all have goals. Every great athlete has a great coach.

Cindy Taffel , Delray Beach, Florida.

2005~10 ver. 1.5

Dara Wittenberg is a Nationally Certified Triathlon Level II Trainer / Coach Located in Delray Beach, Florida