Personal Training, Triathlon Coaching and events
Testimonials
Jo Payne, Marlborough, March 2010, Learn to Run - Beginners' Running Course 
I signed up for a six week 'learn to run' course in November 2009 which Janet was advertising from the local leisure centre. Like most of the women who turned up, I was in my forties, had a bit of spare tyre and whilst I would have described myself as 'sporty in my youth' and a sporadic gym attendee I had never run for exercise before. My ambition was to be able to run for a few minutes without stopping and possibly accompany my husband on a run one day. The course taught us the basics of stretching, drills, technique and each week we played different 'games' to help us push ourselves further than we would have gone on our own. We would meet at different locations around Marlborough, so we had the interest of running in the countryside in all weathers and experienced a variety of terrains. We had to do homework (run twice between sessions), received regular e-mails with helpful worksheets and by week three I discovered not only did I not dread going out to do my homework, I positively looked forward to Friday running class, which would always be challenging but fun. After an hour with Janet at the helm I was knackered but elated that I had got through it. When that course ended I knew I wanted to sign up again in February and set myself a goal of running 5km in one stretch. Well, I did that easily and now I can confidently run more than 5 km, find it an efficient form of exercise to run for 40 minutes, three times a week and have gone on to form a running club with the other girls in the group for which Janet provides the infrastructure, locations and challenges and we run the session between us. It has become a Friday habit, fitness with a group of women who have become friends. Janet has been an inspiration, and whilst I have absolutely no ambition to take part in a Triathlon I can go running with my husband and keep up - a complete revelation to both of us. He is very proud of me and so am I. PS Whilst the running course was a cheap way of getting fit and technically running is a 'free' sport, I have discovered that by the time you have invested in a new pair of shoes, jacket, lycra, gloves and possibly a sports watch, it all adds up. So beware - you might just get sucked in!
Peter Jackson - Open Water training day 21st June 2009 Today, three of us competed in the Worcester Top Barns open water triathlon. We were all a bit nervous before the start. I don't know how the others did, as the results haven't been published yet, but I was really pleased with my own performance. For the first time, I completed a 750m open water swim using front crawl for the whole distance and in a time of just over 14 minutes (about 8 minutes faster than my previous open water event). Without the confidence I gained from last week's training, I'm not sure I'd have been able to manage as well. The exercises that came in most useful were:
Many thanks for your help.
Rachel Pengelly. Abingdon. March 2009 This time last year I decided to embark on my triathlon journey by entering the TImex Women's only event at Eton. I was a complete novice to competitive sport, I bought a bike, began to practice my running and swimming and soon found myself apprehensively standing on the pontoon. I survived the swim, loved the bike and persevered with the run. I then knew that it was a sport that I wanted to continue and improve at.
I discovered Janet through one of the forums on a triathlon website. Following an initial meeting and swim analysis session, Janet provided me with clear, detailed weekly training plans. These were appropriately tailored to my level of ability and included regular feedback and advice that was both constructive and supportive. Janet was fantastic at producing a programme that accommodated my frequently changing shift patterns. Although I haven't completed a triathlon since being mentored by Janet, I feel a lot more prepared for the coming season. My swimming and cycling have improved greatly and through Janet's varied sessions my 10K time has improved by 10 minutes. I am looking forward to attending some of Janet's 'Open Water' sessions and her continuing to mentor me through the coming season. I originally thought that having a coach was something that only elite athletes made use of, but I can thoroughly recommend Janet's coaching programmes, as she has been a huge help to me over the winter. Hannah Jones. Swindon. June 2008
I fully credit Janet and her team of coaches for my first triathlon going so smoothly.
I particularly appreciated all the encouragement the coaches gave; their passion and enthusiasm for the sport was infectious.
Before the weekend, the sum of my triathlon experience was watching a friend compete in London and purchasing a tri-starter kit, including a road bike.
Eager to prove I could run I entered the 5k Race for Life with my sister (another non-runner) and we amazed ourselves by running the entire distance. One of the most enjoyable experiences of Janet Whiting's triathlon training weekend was being with other like minded ladies of all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities; proving that you definitely don't have to be young or thin to enjoy the sport. Thank you again for helping my first triathlon go so smoothly and enjoyably. Mr & Mrs Weeks - testimonials. March 2008 Mr Weeks: With some previous experience of running, cycling and swimming, I decided to try my first sprint triathlon in June 2007, having done a few months of ad hoc training. After completing the event, I found myself repeating the same workouts in the pool, on the bike and running, but making very little progress. Having fallen into a rut I needed help! I decided to work with Janet, to take advantage of her substantial experience and expertise to help me improve across all three disciplines. Janet's training program has helped inject some fun and variety into my training week, with a good mixture of drill/technique sessions and solid base building workouts. I have found I am getting faster and fitter with out sacrificing vast amounts of extra time. As our first child is only eight months old, it has been great to be able to make improvements without affecting family time. I recently clocked up my first ever half marathon, finishing comfortably inside my personal goal, and with sights now set on one of the more challenging triathlon events this September. With Janet's continued support and motivation, I have confidence I will finish inside my goal time. Mrs Weeks: As mentioned above, our first child arrived eight months ago and as a regular runner I discussed with Janet prior to his birth, how I could get my fitness back afterwards. Having made a somewhat ambitious plan at first, with Janet's help I was able to choose the most appropriate exercises and fit in a variety of activities (running, Core Stability classes, working with weights and swimming) that have helped me get back into shape- and able to complete my first half marathon eight months after having my first child. I would encourage anyone- whether a complete beginner, or already used to regular aerobic exercise- to work with Janet to help give yourself some structure and a goal to work towards and choose the most "time efficient" activities for you and your lifestyle. You can then look forward to seeing some real improvements- and receiving lots of encouragement and advice. John Meredith - Collingbourne Ducis, Marlborough.
After several weeks not only could I manage 16 lengths but they were all on the surface and I didn't pass out or feel sick once. A year later I can now manage a mile and my 400m time is down from 9:30 to 8:00. I have also been told by Janet that if I can get down to 7 minutes I can have my soul back. (Ed: Truth is he wants to beat his wife) Last summer I ventured into the lake and was surprised that I could actually swim much better than I had originally thought. In 2008 I plan to do my first Standard distance open water triathlon and am really looking forward to it.
Brilliant tuition with great results!
John Pimm - Walsall
I really can't thank you enough for Saturday. I now know what to do to cope with the cold and more over having felt the benefits of drafting first hand, the starts and the turning techniques I've got no excuses for not finishing in the top half rather than the bottom one. The day was really well organised and executed, your supporting documentation is excellent, the lake a dream swim and you're really really good at what you do! (So is Doug so please pass my thanks on also).
Right, I'm off to find some OW a bit nearer home and sign up.
John Dave Levett - Marlborough I competed in the Bath Half Marathon in March 2006, after having a very difficult year with work pressures, illness and injury, all of which contributed towards a time of 2 hours 4 minuets and 40 seconds. I was hoping to run inside 2 hours. Having mentioned to Janet that I was disappointed with last year's time, and that I had got an entry into this year's race, she has put together a very solid practical 10-week training program for me still building it around my very busy work schedule. My goal is to complete the race inside 2 hours, hopefully in 1 hour 50 minutes. I am half way through Janet's program and gradually increasing my weekly mileage, with no injuries or illness, which I am sure is down to following a good well-balanced traing plan. I have every confidence that I will achieve my aim.
David Levett Jon Marsh - Hungerford Since I have been working with Janet I have begun to make good consistent improvements in my fitness levels. The main challenge for me has been trying to follow a consistent training programme whilst following a very busy work schedule often working very long and unsociable hours. Previously this caused me to over train in the time I did have. This generally resulted in injuries which were setting me back on a regular basis. The structured triathlon programme which Janet has devised fro me has meant that these issues are very much in the past. Time is still hard to come by but all the training I am doing is moving me towards my fitness goals, something I was not achieving on my own.
Kirsty Newland - Swindon I have attended the 3 courses that Janet has run from St Marys - when I started in February I was at best a one length wonder. I could complete 25m of frontcrawl and then needed a rest to recover from my efforts. My technique and stamina were lacking and therefore I was wasting a lot of energy by swimming inefficiently. My main objective was to be able to swim 400m as I had been convinced by a friend to enter a triathlon in August. Over the 3 courses both my technique and stamina have improved, and I have now completed one triathlon and 2 aquathlons, and on each event my time has improved. I am now hoping that before long I can manage 400m in under 8 mins - so a significant improvement from the 3 courses and just 15 hrs coaching. The regular sessions have given me ideas on how to structure my own swimming training so rather than just plodding up and down the pool for 30 mins - I can now include a mixture of technique and pace to make the sessions more interesting and rewarding
The latest course of 1hr lessons has really helped me progress, and demonstrates how much I have improved since starting in February when swimming for an hour would not have been possible! Thanks,
Sally Woolacott - Chippenham I was recommended to ask Janet to help me with training for my first Triathlon. My first meeting with her was very professionally organised. Janet wrote a weekly programme for me for 17 weeks, fitting the programme around my daily life and frequent holidays. I found the programmes very easy to follow and it was very nice to follow her directions. Each week was geared to ensure that all the disciplines were accomplished. Important rest days were suggested and I was encouraged to adhere to them for my own benefit. Janet's approach to the whole programme made the training a pleasure and took away all the anxiousness associated with a first triathlon. I had two further meetings with her during my training to assess my progress where she helped me to overcome some difficulties that I had been experiencing. Her encouragement during these times was highly valued. Janet was with me on the day and even took part, making the whole thing complete. I can thoroughly recommend Janet as the ideal Triathlon Coach for all levels.
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Before Janet Whiting's training weekend in April I was a strong swimmer, capable but inexperienced cyclist and a complete non-runner.
Now I am a proud triathlete who has competed in one novice race and is looking forward to competing in an Aquathlon in two weeks.
Having struggled to manage four lengths front crawl (one or two of which happened to be on the surface) I realised help was needed. A quick call to Janet, some sacrificial offerings and a signature in blood secured me a place on a swimming course.