TrainingPeaks member: Magali Tisseyre, triathlete

Magali Tisseyre had always been more into music than sports, but then she discovered triathlons. “I had started a career as a Violinist before going to college and taking up triathlon…but I always was a musician with a taste for sports. All kinds! I tried them all and loved them all, from downhill skiing and boarder cross to waterskiing and windsurfing. However, I always secretly wished I could find one sport I really loved and focus on it. I had some very encouraging first experiences in high school when I tried a cross country and mountain bike race in the context of our gym class, but I didn’t hear about triathlon until later, in college. I decided to join the Laval University triathlon team (Quebec city) and started training without ever looking back! I had found my sport.”

Once she found her sport, she got serious about training, finding a coach and using technology to help her track her progress. “My usual training volume ranges around 20-30 hours per week. I have trained alone for most of the season, which has worked for me as the coaches from our team (Lifesport), use TrainingPeaks. My bike workouts include a lot of work with the Computrainer and I can therefore report watts on TrainingPeaks. I also intend to get wattage on my bike for outdoor rides (SRM), I could then download the data into TrainingPeaks, as some of my team mates do. On the run, my coach has encouraged me to work with a Garmin GPS watch (405) which allows me to have a good idea of my run pace, traveled distance and heart rate, more data I can report on TrainingPeaks.”

Magali has found that tracking her progress is TrainingPeaks is one of the best motivational tools to keep her focused on her goals. “For running and biking sessions, I am alone most of the time so I have learned to use motivational tools! Music helps motivate me before a hard session, I use it in the warm-ups and cool downs on hard sessions or during long runs. The TrainingPeaks method (having to report) and the feedback I get from my coach, are of course another high source of motivation for these trainings I do alone. Oh…and there is also my number one fan, (mom), that often cheers for me once in a while when I have a hard one!”

Considering the success that she has found with TrainingPeaks, Magali encourages other athletes to give it a try. “I would DEFINITELY recommend TrainingPeaks to a friend as it is a very motivating tool to work with, especially when you are alone to train and/or have a busy schedule and need that little extra motivational and organizational tool! TrainingPeaks particularly helps me with my training as I have a busy schedule (I also am studying for a masters degree in Biomechanics) and TrainingPeaks helps me stay on top of things and plan, organize my weeks in the most efficient way. Without TrainingPeaks, it would have been very hard for me to get all the benefits I get from training with my coach, Lance Watson, as he is far from home!”

Having a coach on TrainingPeaks has been especially motivating for Magali. “I started using TrainingPeaks when I joined my new triathlon team (Lifesport coaching), in January. Coaches from Lifesport work with TrainingPeaks and it is a wonderful system because it allows very precise and rapid feedback. I believe a training plan can only be efficient if it has a good level of flexibility. With TrainingPeaks, coaches can receive and provide immediate feedback and it is easy for them to adapt or re-evaluate the training and make it even more specific.”

With the direction and guidance that her coach offers, Magali has seen dramatic improvement in her performance this season. “Since January, when I started training with Lifesport and TrainingPeaks, I have seen a drastic improvement in training and racing. I am also seeing the result of the hard (and now efficient) work ethic as I have had 3 podium finishes so far at Ironman 70.3 events in the pro field this year. I have seen time improvements on the half Ironman distance as I had the opportunity to get a second attempt in one of these races at which I improved my time by 20 minutes over last year’s performance!”

Based on the success she has experienced so far, Magali has big goals for the rest of the season and the seasons after that. “My goal for this year is a top five finish in the Clearwater Ironman 70.3 world championships in the pro field. My long term objective is to perform at my very best at the Hawaii Ironman.”

Happy training, Magali!

Comments

[Joyce Evans]

Hey have you seen the new low impact running shoes that totally protect your joints? They increase stamina, endurance, and distance. Theya re a great trainging tool. Http://www.kangoonation.com. I got a pair and I love them. Nothing hurts anymore. Yahhhhh