Featured Client: Len Joy

“It is easy to find excuses for why you can’t do something, especially as you get older. Monarch Fitness Coaching has helped me understand what I can do to forestall age-related declines.”

Goals: Forestall age related declines, continue representing team USA in both triathlon and duathlon

Age Group: 70-74

Challenges: Developing new habits

Training Plan: Len has independent cardio workouts for swimming, cycling, and running as well as personal training for strength and stability.

Len learned from writing workshops that you can’t get better if you aren’t told what you are doing wrong and how to fix it. He realized that in order to reach his goals, he needed a personal trainer.

Len likes the customized, technical approach to training that Monarch Fitness Coaching offers. Because of his goals, age, previous injuries, and training schedule, he needed a customized training plan. Books with training plans, online, training programs and generic group workouts didn’t work for Len.

Q and A with Len

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How did your training change when you started working with Monarch Fitness Coaching?

My personal trainer worked with me to improve my swimming, cycling, and running form. I cut back on low quality training and focused more on building strength and stability. I now have (and mostly follow) a detailed day-by-day training plan. I appreciate receiving a daily email with written instructions and videos. This is especially helpful for workouts I am completing independently.

Before Training with Monarch Fitness Coaching, you had knee surgery and were advised against running long distances. What changes have allowed you to race distances as long as a marathon?

I tore my ACL playing basketball. My surgeon cautioned me that I could wear out my knee and recommended I avoid running.

I have found that by following my trainer’s targeted run workouts, maintaining good run biomechanics, improving my balance and stability, and getting adequate rest, I have been able to run injury-free.

Having the right mental attitude also helped. It is easy to find excuses for why you can’t do something, especially as you get older. Coach Heather has never told me I’m too old to do something. The fact that she trains clients over 20 years older than me is very encouraging.

What advice do you have for potential clients who are thinking about starting training at Monarch Fitness Coaching?

Like Nike says, Just Do It. Training at Monarch is fun. There is a neat mix of clients. Heather works tirelessly to help you accomplish your personal goals.