Gary Pluim - Criticalspeed Calgary

I moved to Calgary for a three year commitment and decided that during that time I wanted to devote my time and energy outside of work to triathlon training. I was referred to Critical Speed through a friend, and contacted Cal after visiting the club website. I began training with Cal with a good training base, average talent, and lofty goals.

I felt that my ambitions were within my range, but I would need the proper coaching and direction to achieve them. Within these three years I did just that. I succeeded in all my A priority races, including the Canadian Winter Triathlon Championships, the National Age Group Olympic Distance Triathlon Championships, The National Capital Marathon, and Ironman Canada.

Not only did I achieve my goals, but I felt I attained the highest level of my range of ability. My CriticalSpeed, if you will. I felt that Cal's program worked for me on a variety of levels.

First, the training schedule was precise, yet allowed for flexibility for athletes with other commitments.

Second, the workouts involved athletes of various abilities and were social, exciting, and fruitful. I regularly felt that each workout served as a rung on the ladder towards my overall objectives. Cal frequently joined the group for both workouts and in training camps, which added a sense of legitimacy and competition to the sessions.

Third, Ca'ls academic background provides athletes with a sense of assurance in his expertise of human physiology and athletic excellence. I expect to recommend CSR to people I meet that are looking for a coach in western North America, and I personally cherish my years of quality training with Cal.

Myles Gaulin - Criticalspeed Calgary

The whole amazing experience at Ironman Canada is still sinking in, but with thebenefit of hindsight I can honestly say that your coaching made my resultpossible.

From the zone 5 hill repeats that nearly made me hurl, to the simulation of riding the rollers behind Richter Pass at our indoor session a few weeks ago, to the pre-race session on Saturday: Everything you recommended worked, and the one thing you recommended that I couldn't do (urinate on the bike) hurt me in transition.

The "expectation management" session we had was very valuable too, I had great expectations for IMC based on my result at GWN, and needed a reality check. By my count you had 6 of us age groupers in under 11 hours, and only one DNF out of a couple of dozen. You should be very proud of what we have all accomplished with your help.

Sandy McDermid - Criticalspeed Calgary

What an absolutely fabulous experience! I had an amazing time out there all day - there just aren't enough words. I enjoyed the highs and must admit, I only had a couple low points all day (just after the out and back was one but I expected that there). I usually end up hating life about 5k before the Yellow Lake climb but I was just so pumped knowing that I would be seeing a bunch of cheering maniacs up ahead that I actually breezed through that part. I had some great riders around me then as well and that really helped.

The run was spectacular and I loved every minute of it - I was chatting with everyone and cheering everyone on. Seeing Gillian Bakker out there was kinda neat too. She was cheering for everyone (and loudly) and she battled her way through.

I thought FOR SURE I would walk, but I just never felt the need. You really prepared us well for that part as pretty much everyone from our group had a kick ass run compared to others with similar bike times. Anyway, thanks a million and one times over.

Les Postnikoff

Is a software company executive whose career demands constant world travel. (He began this interview in Australia and completed it days later in Hawaii.) About five years ago Les was 30 pounds overweight. Today, he runs marathons and has the energy to keep up with his career and his five children.

Postnikoff said as he became more involved in work he became less fit and was exhausted and unmotivated. He had also been smoking for 10 years. Then, after a meeting in Istanbul where he couldn't see the Turkish government officials across the table because the smoke was so thick, he decided that, despite dozens of previous attempts, this time he would quit smoking, and he did.

To combat low energy, he tried walking, but long workdays meant they had to be 4 a.m. walks. That left him tired all the time. In 1999, I started jogging. I hated jogging, but I hated being overweight and unfit more. I started with 15 minutes at a time and continued increasing it. Getting fit for the sake of it had limited motivational appeal so I decided on a goal.

I told my wife that I was going to run a 90 kilometer (11 hour) South African ultra marathon. Postnikoff's physician approved, noting every extra pound increased his risk for high blood pressure and diabetes. Postnikoff then consulted Cal Zaryski, the endurance trainer for athletes such as Sandra McCallum, who completed a 250 kilometer run through the Moroccan desert.

I was intimidated because I was just a 40 something father of five with a goal to run a race, while maintaining a 60 plus hour work week, with exercise that had to fit in with my hectic travel schedule, he says. Yet, Cal supplied the formula and kept me on track.

In June 2001, Postnikoff completed the Comrades Marathon, a 90 kilometer race in South Africa. I actually like running now, I have kept the excess weight off and I feel energetic.

My wife, Dawn, was 100 per cent behind me, managing my nutritional program and enabling me to spend many hours training and Warren Wiebe our pastor at Springbank Community Church, provided motivation and inspiration.