Coaches Notes:
Rey’s dedication to showing up on those early mornings week after week, i knew he would be able to achieve the goal of his 1st triathlon with the Beginner Tri Program.
Coming in with very little fitness I had to ask him to stop pushing himself so hard, because that only makes it feel bad.
We needed to build his fitness gradually with proper technique and skills and take plenty of rest as we build up to the distances to complete the race.
He finally understood the concept of negative splitting- holding back to save energy for the whole workout. Not start too hard and blow up and hurt.
After this happened his fitness increased and I knew he was ready for the first sprint after just 5 weeks.
I must say YOU are the inspiration for the team just as much as they are inspiring to you.
We are all so incredibly proud of you and loved seeing cross that finish line and get on the podium. Way to Go REY! Let’s stay on track for that 70.3 in 2026- You got this!
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Meet Rey a Sales Professional
Why did you choose FCC to help you on your triathlon/health and wellness journey?
My decision to begin training for triathlons was a bit unorthodox. To summarize it, we adopted our dog Rocko, and he is an athletic breed so we needed to exercise him daily.
I began taking him a mile long walks which later turned into mile long jogs/runs. One day, a conversation at work about my new dogs purpose in my life, led me to see that he is helping me be more active.
I began to think, how can I apply these runs I am doing with him and also get better. I despised running and thought it was very boring.
So later that day, I had a pop up on Instagram for an 8 week sprint triathlon training program, that’s when it clicked.
I said I am going to do a triathlon. I followed the program for about 3 weeks, and I was not seeing much improvements, so I decided to look for a coach in Miami.
I googled “triathlon coaches in Miami” and Full Circle was one of the first options that popped up.
I scheduled a call with Erinne and she invited me to a free class. I was not able to make it to the class but, she added me to the group chat and I saw what the Full Circle family was al about, and I thought to myself I want to be a part of this amazing group of athletes.
The rest is history!
What is your “A” race for this season?
Miami Man
What are your BIG goals?
I have only completed one sprint as a part of the Full Circle Program so far.
I want to complete at least 5 sprint races before going on to a longer course.
Ultimately, my biggest goal is a 70.3 before the end of 2026.
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.
Swim:
Swimming was by far my weakest sport, (even though I did not know it). When I first began training with Full circle, I could barely do 100 meters. It would take me close to 4 minutes to do this and then I would need to stop and rest.
I will never forget, I was not able to finish my first 400 meter swim test.
Now I can do my 400 meter swim in just around 14 minutes.
It might not be the prettiest but I can complete it without have to fully stop to rest, which is a huge improvement.
My first sprint triathlon I was able to complete the open water swim portion in just under 14 minutes, which was amazing to me because I thought it would take me at least east 20 minutes.
This was by far my one of my biggest improvements after only training with full circle for about 5 weeks before my first race.
Bike:
I had not ridden a bike in over 8 years.
Luckily this is one of those skills that once you learn, you never forget.
I knew how to ride a bike but never truly did any road riding, it had always just been casual cruising.
A big challenge was learning to clip in and out of my bike since this was something totally new, but with practice it is almost second nature now.
My biggest improvements on my bike were increase on my average speeds.
This was visibly noticeable in my first race. I was averaging about 13 MPH before training, in my race I average almost 17MPH, after some adjustments and the help of the FC coaches.
Run:
My run was something that I was looking the least forward too and I was most worried about.
Coach Erinne, has been amazing in helping me with this. I’ll never forget my very first track session, I get there and coach Erinne tell’s me to run a mile barefoot on the inside of the track.
Internally, I was like this lady is crazy, but I just went on and did it. I truly think after doing this week over week, this has been something that has tremendously helped me.
My very first mile test, I clocked in a time of 12:42.
After just 7 weeks of training, coach Erinne, helped me shave a full minute off my mile time.
Currently my new mile PR is 11:42, and we are going to keep working to get it much faster month over month.
Overall training with this team is so inspiring because you are surrounded by athletes that never quit and will always push you to be the best version of yourself!
After only 5 weeks of training, I completed my first sprint triathlon and got 3rd place in my division!
Name 2 or 3 things that have made the biggest difference in your journey
1. I think the #1 thing that has made the biggest difference in my journey are the coaches and athletes that are with me daily.
This has by far been the most motivating thing.
Everyone on the team has shown me love and support from the very first day and it has pushed me to limits I did not think I could reach and this is only the beginning.
2. The second thing, has been the structured trainings and tactics that the full circle coaches provide.
Sometimes, I would question things but then after doing the drills, etc, I would see the improvements and I now know that they are the professionals and are the ones that will help me reach the goals I set for myself.
What excites you the most about being involved in triathlon?
The most exciting thing for me has been what the sport has taught me about myself. I feel the sometimes society and the world we live put a limit on what we can accomplish.
I am a big guy and I would have never thought I could do something like this.
After completing my first race it showed me that I can do anything that I set my mind too, although a bit cliche it is true.
We are capable of so much more than we think we are and this proved that to me.
After my first race it just makes me want it more and I am excited to continue to train, get better, and break my PR’s race after race!
What would you say to another person who was on the fence about joining our training program?
I would simply say do it. If you are in doubt, simply do what I did. I started with the 8-week beginner triathlete program and I think it was the best decision I could have made. It just 8 weeks, I have seen so many improvements and now I just want it more. Don’t let fear hold you back, you are capable of so much more than you think!Do you want results like these?
Rey’s journey is proof that you don’t need years of experience, or perfect fitness, to step into triathlon.
What matters most is having the right guidance, structure, and support so you don’t burn out or get sidelined by injury.
That’s exactly what our Beginner Triathlon Program was designed for: to meet you where you are, build your skills step by step, and give you the confidence to cross your first finish line strong.
Learn more: Beginner Tri
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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