Comments on Sage’s Coaching

“I had been a runner for 32 years when I decided to try triathlons and asked Sage if she would coach me in 2005. I knew I had some things to learn about biking (I had only done this out of necessity when injured and couldn't run) and swimming (something I had not done since high school). What I didn't expect is that Sage would also improve my running. In 2007, I placed third in the NC Triathlon Series in my age group, and in 2008, I competed in the World Duathlon Age Group Championships for Team USA. I work full time and I am also a full-time graduate student, so if you think that you don't have time to improve your abilities, think again: Sage loves a challenge!”

—Julee Waldrop
runner, University of North Carolina, 1977–80

Sage and Julee, 2008

“During 2008, I struggled with a couple of significant overuse injuries and felt stagnant in my running training. I contacted Sage after reading one of her columns in Runner's World, and we started working together in November 2008. My initial goal was to achieve some balance in my training in order that I could have a healthy, productive 2009, with primary focus being the 2009 Boston Marathon. Following the Boston Marathon I hoped to compete in my first North Carolina Triathlon Series.

“Very quickly we focused my running and balanced my training program to include swimming, cycling, strength training and yoga. On the way to Boston, I won two local duathlons and cut almost 3:00 off my half-marathon PR. In Boston I ran a great race and finished in 3:17:29 (a pr by over 5:00!). I am healthy and balanced and having a lot of fun, as well as looking forward to my first NCTS! Sage is an outstanding coach who listens and designs your training program around your goals and your lifestyle. She is great to work with!

“As an added bonus, I have met (at least through e-mail) many of Sage's other athletes and I have benefited from their experiences in training and racing as well as made some new friends in the endurance community.”

—Stacey Griffith
runner, University of Florida, 1987–91
mother of three young children

“Sage approaches coaching with delightful insight and practicality.  Working with her, I have become a far more resilient and mentally flexible runner and triathlete. With her clear guidance, I have reached—and surpassed—my goals.

“Sage carefully and compassionately puts me in controlled stressful situations (hill repeats), so that I can be far more successful in the uncontrolled ones (race days). That has had an immense positive effect on Sport-As-Microcosm (hideous outburst from coworker, for small example; marriage, for big one). I don’t think many other coaches have as broad a vision as Sage does for her athletes, cultivating the whole being, and taking them in as people, not just workout machines.”

—Ruffin Powell
coached athlete
yoga student

“Being an athlete takes prioritizing, planning, and perseverance. Sage has helped me regain my athletic focus as a runner and yogi, which makes me a much better mom, wife, and attorney—a better me. Thank you, Sage.”

—Tara Allden
coached athlete
yoga student

“With your help I have accomplished every goal I put my mind and body to. . . . You have taught me so much about myself, about who I am and what I am capable of. During my run today I was thinking of how empowered, confident, and almost immortal your training made me feel. It was such an amazing feeling, one I will cherish forever and hope to get back someday.”

—Dave Dirito
athlete emeritus
ultrarunner and now full-time student

“Sage is a persuasive, enthusiastic, wildly knowledgeable, and non-judgmental coach, as well as being a fun person all-around. With her help, I have accomplished things I never dreamed I was capable of, like a half-iron-distance triathlon!”

—Katy Brown
equestrian
mother of three young children

"I can't thank you enough for where I am and how far I've come! My first triathlon I was very happy with: I placed 24/189! My second triathlon, 126/371, I was still very happy with. The swim was a difficult intracoastal swim, then the bike was good—I thought—until I saw someone fly by me. But I was OK, especially when I saw her Sage Endurance tri top! I tried to cheer her on but she left me in her dust! [That would be Katy Brown. —Ed.] I saved my best for last and set my PR in a 5K run! I give that credit to you. Thank you for all your training, teaching, and patience with me as I finally completed a triathlon that I have been a spectator at for many years but never thought that I could complete. Thank you for sharing your gifts of wisdom, endurance, and patience with me!"

—Marne Hogan
first-time triathlete

Katy and Marne (and a friend) head out on the run at the B2B HIM

“Sage has been my yoga teacher at Carrboro Yoga Company since August 2006 and my personal triathlon coach since January 2007. Under her guidance I've significantly improved my multisport endurance, mental focus, and race results. I've gone from a newbie swimmer afraid to put her face in the water to a successful half-iron triathlon finisher; from a gal who hadn't ridden her bike since childhood to one who loves to ride long and fast; from a back-of-the-pack runner to an age-group winner. Perhaps most importantly, Sage has helped me discover my inner athlete: a woman who now knows that anything is possible. Through it all Sage has been accessible, motivational, and fun! She pushes me when she knows I can go further and supports me when I need it most.”

—Robyn Fehrman
Tri to End Homelessness

“Coaching from Sage is making me a better, stronger, faster and prettier cyclist. Well, maybe not prettier. Is that a stretch?”

—Kathleen Burke Jensen
writer and cyclist