My Way or the Tri Way - Go Fast Live
Siri Lindley is a two-time World Champion and World Ranked #1 female triathlete. After retiring from professional competition in 2002, Siri began focusing her time and energy on what she loves – coaching Olympic and Long Distance triathletes to bring them to the highest level they can possibly achieve in their sport. Siri has been very successful thus far in her endeavors to live out her passion. Currently living in Boulder, CO, Siri coaches a squad of elite triathletes who live and train at specific camps around the world on a daily basis, either personally or online. Her athletes are a part of Team Sirius! Team Sirius is the newest addition to Team Go Fast! We talked to Siri to find out more about the transition from competing to coaching and why she’s enjoyed both.
Can you give us an overview of Team Sirius and how the team first formed?
When I was racing professionally, my coach was living in either Switzerland or Australia, and I would go and train with him wherever he was. He wanted his athletes to have a fully immersed training experience. I have the same goal for my athletes. Currently I have about 15 athletes from all over the world who have given up their lives back home to move to Boulder and train with me. Athletes come from Australia, Hong Kong, Canada, Britain and here in the U.S. The training is comprehensive – covering everything from physical training, mental training, nutrition and anything else you can think of. Training is regimented and personalized so that I can help each of my athletes get exactly what they need. I also have approximately 5 non-pro athletes I train as well who have the passion, dedication and dream of becoming pro someday. Coaching both professional and non-professional athletes has worked out really well – the non-pros learn a lot from the pros and really look up to them, while the pros are constantly reminded of the true love of the sport from these determined amateurs.
I also coach approximately 10 athletes online. I’ve found that I can’t take on any more than that without losing the 110% personal attention they deserve. These 10 athletes communicate with me on a regular basis as I create a tailored program for them to follow from their respective locations. I encourage them to come train with us in Boulder throughout the year as well.
What is more exciting to you about coaching than competing individually?
I absolutely love watching the transformation of athletes as they reach their potential. The personal growth, maturity, self-confidence and self-sufficiency that comes from the sport of triathlon racing is so amazing. When I was racing, the self-discovery of proving to myself that I was strong enough and capable enough to make something really special happen changed my life forever. Being a part of helping my athletes to undergo this same transformation for me is definitely the most exciting part about coaching.
What does a typical coaching session look like for one of your athletes?
This morning I met my athletes out on their bikes. They had 1 hour to warm up on their own and then 1 hour of time trials with intervals. During this time, I worked with each one of them individually; giving them personalized tips for improvement or encouraging them in their strengths. After biking, the athletes put on their running shoes for a 35 minute training run of 200m repeats on one of our favorite trails. I provided the same individualized coaching and I then left them to warm down. This afternoon, we will meet at the pool for a 2 hour swim session. Again, each athlete will have their own specific training program in the pool, and we will end with some sort of race together to get their competitive juices flowing. This schedule continues most every day. Every third day is a recovery day…allowing them to have a training session on their own. I encourage these days to be easier than the other days and fun!
What do you miss about personally competing?
Not much! I still run every day and stay very fit. I just don’t train hard anymore. I’m so at peace with having retired. I feel like I achieved every dream that I could have dreamed of in my career. I can tell my athletes “I’ve done it. I’m living proof that this works….I’m not just being hard on you!” I do miss the feeling of being ultra fit though. That was a great feeling.
Why did you seek out Go Fast to be your team’s energy drink of choice?
There are a few reasons actually. I used to be an absolute Red Bull freak! I drank it all the time before commentating to keep me going. Then I started to see Go Fast at a lot of the races I was commentating at. One race, I decided to try Go Fast and was so impressed! Go Fast is heads and tails above Red Bull both in the way it tastes and the way it makes me feel. I used to drink Red Bull before announcing but would never use if for training purposes. With Go Fast, I drink it before training and I feel amazing. I’m also very impressed with what Go Fast is doing in the racing community. They are a huge part of the triathlon sport and that is an energy drink I want to be a part of.
What are your goals and plans for 2006?
My goals are for my athletes. Each of my athletes come to me with specific goals – to be a World Champion, place in the World Cup, or whatever the goal may be. My overall mission is for each of them to achieve excellence within themselves. I want my athletes to finish a race knowing they gave it everything they had, which often leads to successful racing results as well. My goal is to have a group of athletes who are shining examples of people in the triathlon sport – passionate about life, doing things to the best of their abilities and having fun along the way.
Do you have a preference between running, biking and swimming?
Definitely. Running is my favorite. I love to run and still run every day. For me, running provides a time of meditation and therapy. I’m sad on the days I’m not able to run!
I know you do motivational speaking throughout the world as well. Can you expand a bit on that?
I’ve done motivational speaking for all sorts of events. I’ve spoken at bicycle clinics, triathlon clinics, sports appreciation camps, clubs, schools, marathon clinics and anything related to athletics. I was a key speaker promoting National Bike Week in Australia. I’ve even spoken in the corporate world, helping to motivate Toyota’s Sales Force to work hard to be the best they can be. I love to help motivate people!
I was a mess when I first started in the triathlon sport. People discouraged me from racing and suggested I try another sport. I was too passionate about the sport to give it up. I learned through my experience that the impossible dream can come true if you’re willing to do the work and never stop believing in yourself. I want to spread that message to everyone I possibly can in every area of life.
Thanks Siri!
Check this story and more on the Go Fast website at: www.gofastsports.com/newsline/april06.html#talks
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