Finish Strong Coaching

Dana Lyons has over 20 years of experience as a competitive endurance athlete.  Living in The Woodlands, Texas, he coaches duathletes, triathletes, runners and cyclists of all abilities.

Dana knows that not every athlete has an endless supply of time and resources, and as a result, understands that training for multisport and endurance sports challenges athletes to

find that unique balance with family, career, training and life.  Setting goals, identifying strengths and limitations, and structuring training plans and time effectively are essential to success.  To that end, Dana combines sports science, experience and an unmatched enthusiasm to provide each athlete with the tools they need to improve their performance, reach their potential and fulfill their goals.

Training programs are tailored to each individual to ensure optimum performance and proper balance.  Utilizing the periodization model Dana takes great satisfaction in helping athletes train smart, achieve their goals and stay healthy.

In 2008, he qualified for the 2008 Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona by finishing second in his age group at Ironman Arizona with a time of 10:18:15.  Dana was the top ranked triathlete in the USAT's SMW region in 2007 and top ranked Masters Duathlete.  He was the 2005 Duathlon Short Course National Age Group Champion, and in 2001 he placed 13^th overall and 3^rd in his age group at the Duathlon World Championships in Venray, Holland.  In addition to being named USAT’s Master Duathlete of the Year in 2001, he has been the topped ranked Duathlete in the South Midwest Region for the past 5 years.  He ran track and cross-country in high school and at Grove City College where he recorded a personal best time of 30:08 in the 10k run.  His personal best in the marathon is 2:46.  You can contact Dana at dana@coachlyons.com.

Richard Mac Namee is a former (Retired) British Army Officer (Special Forces) and Elite Level triathlete and National Level Swimmer. Prior to retirement from the military, he commanded the training establishment responsible for the “Selection” of volunteers for Special Duties. This is renowned throughout the world as being one of the most physically and mentally demanding selection processes. During this appointment, he was responsible for the training and development of the selection protocols for number of female candidates for these operational roles.

     

Prior to retirement from the military Richard won a Combined Services swimming title and went on to swim at national level also competing as a host nation competitor at The World Cup. He later went on to race as an Age Group triathlete, representing Great Britain at both the European and World Championships before spending 2 years as Elite level triathlete. This included races on the European circuit as well as a World Cup event. More recently, and having returned from a prolonged injury, Richard has recently competed at The world Triathlon Championships in Vancouver as a Sprint Distance athlete, where he placed 4^th.

 

In addition to coaching triathletes and swimmers, Richard is qualified as a Certified Personal Trainer at the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). In the personal fitness industry, ACSM is considered to be one of the highest levels of certification for a Personal Trainer. Richard’s personal training services are for all levels of health and fitness and are delivered through 1-on-1 customized training.  You can contact Richard at richard@coachlyons.com.

 

          

Michelle LeBlanc has been an athlete since she was a kid.  She ran cross-country and track at Spring Woods High School and then ran at the Air Force Academy and Rice University.  She was a two-time All-American in Cross Country, an All-WAC runner in the 3000 meter run, and an NCAA qualifier in the indoor mile, indoor 5000 meter run, and outdoor 3000 meter run.  Her personal bests are 4:52 for the mile run and 16:22 for the 5K.

    

Michelle participated in her first triathlon in 1992.  She swam and cycled periodically throughout high school and college and participated in a handful of triathlons in the 1990s.  After taking a break from competitive sports for a few years, she decided to get back into triathlon in 2004.  Since this time, she has improved from an average age-group competitor to a professional triathlete.  Currently, she is living her dream of being a professional triathlete and hopes to be able to compete as a professional for a few more years. 

   

Michelle has been coached by Dana Lyons since 2005.  She has improved each year under Dana’s coaching and is very excited about continuing this improvement in Olympic and Half Ironman distances in 2009.

    

In 2008, Michelle won every local event she entered, including the CB&I Triathlon, the Cinco Ranch Triathlon, the Webster Duathlon, the Lonestar Quarter Iron Triathlon, and the Texas State Time Trial.  She broke her own course record in the TXBRA 40K Time Trial this year in a time of 58:29.  This time was over a minute faster than the next professional female cyclist.  Not only did Michelle win the overall female divisions in the CB&I Triathlon, the Cinco Ranch Triathlon and the Webster Duathlon, but she finished second overall (including men and women) in each of these races!  She was the first professional female at The Austin Tri beating several top-level professional triathletes.  Michelle performed her personal best in an Olympic distance triathlon at The Austin Tri is a time of 2:02:27.  Moreover, in all of the races Michelle has competed in, she has had one of the fastest overall bike splits. Below is a list of her 2008 race results.  You can contact Michelle at michelle@coachlyons.com.