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Dara Wittenberg, Certified Triathlon Coach

I have been a multi-sport coach for 9 years and during that time I have trained hundreds of athletes for whom triathlon, running, biking, fitness and health must fit into very busy lives. My clientele includes lawyers, doctors, full time mothers, office workers, school teachers, nurses, and entrepreneurs – and every one of them has a jam packed schedule. My goal is to help each athlete strike a balance between training to their maximum potential and balancing the various other aspects of their lives, as well as to provide all the information they need to perform at their best and stay healthy and injury free. Over the years, my 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 and National Championships in Jet Ski racing!

I recently achieved a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology so that I can provide the most current and accurate information and training strategies for my clients. 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 coaching and living a healthy and athletic lifestyle.

Academic Achievements:

  • 2010 - Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology
  • 2009 - Certified Sports Nutritionist from the International Society of Sports Nutrition
  • 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
  • 2001 - USAT level 1 certification
  • 1998 - Personal Trainer Certification from American Council on Exercise
  • Graduated NC State University; graduated Summa Cum Laude, B.A. Psychology

Experience:

  • 2007 to the present: founder, owner and coach for TriCoachDara- providing multi-sport coaching for athletes of all levels (from beginner to nationally ranked age groupers) and all distances.
  • 2001 to 2007, one of the original co-founders and coach with T3Coaching, coaching athletes of all levels and distances of endurance events.
  • 2007 to present: presenter/educator for USA Triathlon Level I coaching/certification clinics.
  • 2007 to present- Speaker for Boca Raton Triathletes.
  • 2007 to present- Triathlon clinics for the beginner and expert alike.
  • 2003 to 2007 contributor to the Ask the Expert of the Healthy Living Section of the Herald Sun Newspaper, Durham, NC.
  • 2003 - 6 month featured columnist on triathlon: Herald Sun Newspaper's, Healthy Living.
  • 2002/2003 - Featured speaker for Running Start program for CGTC.
  • 2001 to 2003 - raised thousands of dollars for a local charity, SNAP-NC, and for the American Red Cross in the wake of the 9/11 disaster by completing the White Lake Half-Ironman Triathlon and the Chicago Marathon respectively.
  • 1998 - present - trained/coached multiple athletes to better performances in running, triathlon, cycling, racquetball, and jet ski racing.
  • Member of Inaugural Women's National British Fast-pitch Softball team.
  • 2000 - present - completed multiple marathons, century bike rides, and triathlons of all distances, including Ironman.

Dara Wittenberg

USA Triathlon Level II certified coach
USA Cycling Expert Level Coach
USATF Level I
RRCA certified Endurance Running coach
Certified Sports Nutritionist, CISSN
ACE certified PFT, and IDEA Advanced PFT

Dara@tricoachdara.com
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

Dara: just a short note to thank you for all that you have done for me this triathlon season!! My story is probably much like many others. Although it was a disastrous effort on my part, I did my first sprint triathlon this year and I was hooked! I spent a lot of money on equipment, shoes, bikes (yes that's bikes!), wheels etc… and after about my third sprint triathlon I bumped into a friend and was explaining to her how I would have a good swim, good ride and poor run, or vice versa. It was then after speaking with her, I realized I have been overlooking probably the most important ingredient in this triathlon world, coaching. She told me to contact you. You took the time to explain in detail what was going wrong with my racing and introduced me to a whole new world, heart rates, lactate thresholds, pacing, and structured training!!!!! What a difference, I thought you just got out there and went for it I didn't realize there was so much small stuff that could pay such big dividends!!! In four short months I went from barely being able to finish a sprint triathlon to being able to finish one not short on breath and not even tired!!!! Even better than that, you prepared me for an international distance triathlon which I completed 20 minutes faster than my goal!!!!! If you would have asked me a couple months ago if that was possible I would have laughed and said maybe next year!!!!! With your guidance I have been able to cut 3-4 minutes off of my 5k times and 10 mins off my 10k time!!

Thanks again for your awesome coaching and putting up with all my dumb questions and taking the time to explain everything to me! Without your awesome coaching, patience (always rearranging my schedule!) none of this would have been possible. There is no way with my busy work schedule I would have been able to accomplish everything by myself.

I highly recommend you to anyone looking for the best in training.

David Wojtusik

2005~ v.1.6
 
Dara Wittenberg is a Nationally Certified Triathlon Level II Trainer / Coach Located in Delray Beach, Florida
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