WHO AM I
I am the Founder and Head Coach of TRI CONNECT COACHING, which I started in 2020. From a young age I was involved in sport, starting off in my younger years as an avid Rugby and Cricket player, which cultivated playing for the Golden Lions Rugby franchise in RSA. Shortly afterwards, I relocated to Dubai where I started taking an interest in endurance sport. It all started with running a few marathons, then riding a few Gran Fondos and then Triathlons were added to the mix. As I have shifted my own athletic focus to triathlon, my passion in coaching has started. This has led me to this point where I am now, dedicated in helping others realize their athletic aspirations.
Chris De Nil
With a Bachelor's Degree in Sports Management and being an athlete my whole life, I always had a great interest for the science and understanding of the mechanisms behind endurance performance. If we understand performance at a physiological and biomechanical level, training to improve performance becomes much easier.
I strongly believe that the science of training or coaching is only one key contributor to the decision-making process. The athlete's feedback and experience, as well as the coach's anecdotal knowledge and experience will all contribute to the input in generating a desired game plan.
I enjoy the challenge of finding the balance of getting the biggest possible return-on-investment on training time. This requires carefully considering multiple inputs including the athlete's feedback, objectively measured training response and performance, factors external to training like work and family, and using these inputs to always try to improve training planning. Never believing you have the best answer is the key to keep improving.
More than anything, I believe in the importance of coach-athlete communication. Without great communication, a coaching relationship can never be fully successful. Endurance sport is about so much more than just numbers in a training log. It's also about psychology, confidence, and even productivity and time management. It is only through ongoing, open and honest conversations between the coach and the athlete, that an athlete can reach their peak performance.
Belgian Born, South African raised, UAE career and current home... complicated but love all three countries dearly
English, Flemish, Afrikaans
Bachelor's Degree (B. COM) in Sport Management, RAU Johannesburg
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COACHING CERTIFICATION
ITCA (International Triathlon Coaching Association)
UESCA (Certified Running Coach)
Sport Science Institute of South Africa (Cycling Scene - Cycling physiology and coaching)
Sport Science Institute of South Africa (Training essentials and programmers design for swimming)
Secrets of Lactate Testing and Application
ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
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Represented Belgium (Olympic Distance) - Age group triathlete at ITU World Championship 2017 & 2019
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Qualified for IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships 2020 Taupo NZ
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Completed the HAUTE Pyrenees 7 Stage Cycling race 2018 (770km/20 200m total elevation)
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Geneva to Nice Cycling Race (750km/17 500m total elevation)
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Completed several marathons (London, NYC, Prague, Dubai, Berlin, Tokyo, Tromso, Edinburgh)
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Completed 70.3 IRONMAN (Dubai, Bahrain, Oman, Rapperswil-Jona, St Polten, Luxembourg, Astana) & 70.3 Challenge
(Geraadsbergen, Dubai, Bahrain) -
Endurance Cycle events completed
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2015 - Otztaler Radmarathon 238km/500m elevation gain
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2014 - Maratona Dles Dolomites 138km/4230m elevation gain
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2016 - San Gottardo 110km/3000m elevation gain
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2017 - Nove Colli 205km/3840m elevation gain
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1st place 45-49 age group ITU Abu Dhabi
Olympic Distance 2017 & 2018 -
4th place 45-49 age group IRONMAN 70.3 Astana
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8th place age group IRONMAN 70.3 Oman
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Podium place in several local races from sprint - 70.3 distance including TT events
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