Coaches Notes:
Coach Jac has been a part of the Full Circle Coaching team, almost 6 years. She started as an intern after getting her degree in Exercise Physiology from UM, my Alma Mater as well.
We worked closely together creating the Full Circle Coaching methodology, which is different from most coaching programs in a few ways. It’s based on real exercise science as well as holistic lifestyle and strength training principles, along with a strong emphasis on technique for swimming, biking, and running.
Jac’s also practices what she preaches and lives the sport that she coaches, as do all my coaches.
Swimming is her strength, so I knew she would get top 10 overall female, and she did!
It did not come without challenges, as do all big races. Check out below how she navigated them to success.
Coach Jac, So, proud of you for this race, and your face at the awards dinner with that giant smile says it all! Full Circle Coaching would not be the same without you. Thank you so much for helping as part of the coaching team. I am super excited for the next Big Goal! When are we starting? 😉
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Meet Coach Jac
Age & Profession
I’m a 28-year-old Strength and Conditioning, USAT Level 1 triathlon coachWhy did you choose FCC to help you on your triathlon/health and wellness journey?
Full Circle Coaching’s unique approach meets athletes where they are and takes them where they dream to be.
The coaches and athlete community inspires performance from first time sprint races to 8-mile ultra swims.
Sport goals are achieved in tandem with injury prevention, recovery interventions, and skills education.
What is your “A” race for this season? *
8-Swim for Alligator Lighthouse
What’s are your BIG goals?
Qualify for Kona
What were some of your biggest improvements in performance for each of the following? Swim, Bike, Run, and Nutrition/Health. Please include any Personal Records and Goals Achieved.
This year I completed the 8-mile Swim for Alligator Lighthouse as a solo swimmer and I completed it in 4 hours and 19 minutes, 6th Place Overall Female.
The dream to complete this event started in 2021 when I competed in the swim as part of a two person team with teammate and swim-inspiration Christine Coppola. This was my longest swim ever!
The logistics of training for the environment of this race while living in Denver, Colorado is part of what I am most proud of.
During my 4 month training build for the event I swam a total of 2 hours in the ocean once in Connecticut and once in California, not exactly ideal conditions!
I was, however, able to swim open water in reservoirs which were much colder water, so I wore a wetsuit and I also spent time sweating in the sauna/steam room/bathtub to help heat acclimate for the 85 degree water in they keys.
And of course I had plenty of 5-10k swims in the pool practicing my nutrition and hydration plan.
(Stay tuned for return to full health and return to Ironman racing)
Name 2 or 3 things that have made the biggest difference in your journey *
1- Recovery
Another year…another opportunity to prove to myself the power of recovery. After competing in IM CA in fall 2024 and going hard all ski season, my body never fully rested.
I struggled with what I call an energy crisis and what coach Erinne would call adrenal fatigue until May when I took almost a whole month completely off training.
Then I felt I mentally committed to my race goal and it took a very measured approach of balancing the swim volume with daily/weekly/and monthly recovery to arrive to the start line ready to swim strong, fast and long!
2 – Nutrition.
I think swimming is sneaky in the caloric expenditure it demands. It doesn’t seem as taxing as land based activities because you are horizontal and completely supported by the water.
But, If you don’t fuel it properly before, during, and after you end up unexpectedly ravenous.
During the Alligator Swim I consumed over 80 grams of carbohydrates per hour and over 250 mg of caffeine total.
Which for the professional triathletes in our field is very little, but for me was a lot!
What would you say to another person who was on the fence about joining our training program? *
Having a goal that scares you is a great way to actively engage in your life!
So much of our existence feels very monotonous and routine, with work and family responsibilities.
Training for your dream race or learning a new sport can reignite excitement and encourage you to take your life experiences into your own hands!
Let me dispel some excuses you might have (:
-You’re worried you won’t have time to train-
If I have 3 hours to complete a chore at home it takes me 3 hours to complete the chore. But if I have 2 hours because I spent 1 of them swimming then it only takes me 2 hours!
-You’re worried you’ll be tired and won’t “show up” at your best for work or family-
My productivity in other parts of my life has always been the highest when I am training at a high level. Achieving a workout first thing in the morning sets an intention of performance for the rest of the day, creates confidence from physical wins, and stimulates the brain for optimal function.
-You’re worried it will isolate you from friends and family who are not athletes-
You may inspire someone close to join you in your newfound joyful activity! If not, share parts of it with them. A cool down walk after your run, a beach day after open water swimming, meet you for brunch after riding your bike.
Do you want results like these?
Stop fighting your stroke, breathing, or the open water. With Swim Essentials, you’ll learn how to breathe easier, Balance so there is no drag, kick with efficiency and speed, stroke with power, and swim with ease and go fast when you want to!
Learn more: Swim Essentials
About Coach Erinne Guthrie Erinne has been a USA Triathlon Level II Certified Coach since 1999 and the Chief Motivating Officer at Full Circle Coaching since 2010. She’s been empowering triathletes since 1997, combining her experience as a CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coach Level 3, USMS Master’s Swim Coach, Metabolic Efficiency Specialist, and more.
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