In my second triathlon season I decided to sign up for IMFL 2007.  I was looking for a coach to do my training plan thinking for me, monitor my progress, and help me decide upon and achieve my goals.  After evaluating numerous coaching outlets I decided upon Scotia Multisport and got everything that I expected from Shane, and more.  He did an awesome job designing a training plan that worked within my constraints and was extremely responsive to developing changes on weeks were my non-triathlete life got in the way.  His solid planning and extensive knowledge of triathlon built my fitness level productively, allowing me to toe the line at IMFL with confidence in my abilities and goals, while achieving many PR’s throughout the 2007 season.  I would highly recommend SMS to other runners and triathletes and am continuing to use their services myself.

-Jason Myers, Scotia Multisport Athlete 2007-08

I came to Shane almost a year ago with a goal of completing an IronMan and having a successful season leading up to it.  I have found Shane to not only be an excellent coach and challenged me, guided me, and became a trusted advisor as to the way to achieve my goal.  Through the year I had challenges in my career as well as two deaths of people close to me.  My reason for mentioning my life changes in this post as that Shane is human and assisted me in the mental alignment that was necessary for me to overcome and deal with life along the way to my goal.  I had a minor injury late in the season that maybe didn’t jeopardize my ability to finish the Arizona IronMan but definitely started to be a concern.  I never needed a coach to tell me to go train.  I needed a coach to coach me and to assist me in getting my body and mind to the ability to perform at my best.  Over the year I have come to not only respect Shane but consider him a friend.  It may seem a little strange that someone that I have actually never met could have such an impact in my life that in my opinion that is exactly how I feel.  From our first meeting throughout the season and even on the day of the IM Shane was involved and the day from the gun to the photo finish I enjoyed every second of the day and will never forget it.  I recommend him as a coach not only for his coaching knowledge but equally as important is his ability to coach the individual as an athlete and as a person.  I thank you sincerely for your helping me and I could NOT have done it without you.

-Ray Mullen, ScotiaMultisport Athlete 2007-08

I just wanted to thank you for helping me out with track this year.

Running is really something I’ve really grown to enjoy. And I know, with a little more hard work, I can get even better. Before this year, I barely ran and when I did went out for 20 minutes which I considered a long run. Now, I go out almost everyday and my long runs have become my short runs. After cross-country when we started training you really showed me that running is a sport that is really enjoyable. I love the feeling of finishing a workout or a long run. I also love how the sport is completely individual. It doesn’t matter what anyone else does, because YOU’RE the only one who can effect you’re race. It all comes down to what YOU can do. If it weren’t for you I probably wouldn’t even be running at all, to be honest.  Running is something I definitely plan on keeping up through the rest of high school, and hopefully maybe even through university.

I’ve never really had someone who put in as much dedication for me as you have. Early am practises, weekend meets, you name it you’ve been there. I’ve never had someone to take the time and help me find something I really love to do. Although I may not be the best, I love running now. It’s made it to the top of my favourite sports list now.

Thank you so much.  Coaching is something you are very good at and you better continue doing it! I don’t think everyone is meant to be a coach. It takes a lot of patience and time because not everyone is going to be able to do the things you want to them to do. I know for a fact I can be a real struggle sometimes, but you dealt with it. I started off slower and you dealt with that sometimes I couldn’t do a workout, you altered so I could do it and would still be beneficial to me in the long run. I may not be the fastest, but I’m working on it! Thanks again, it really means a lot to me.

- K MacLean, DHS Cross Country and Track and Field 2007-08

Cross country was a lot of fun and it also helped in my paddling too.  When we run I get more personal bests than usual and I was surprised. I didn't think I could do that!  So thank you for training us and motivating us

-L Carney, DHS Cross Country Team 2008

Speaking from experience I can say that the distance running portion of Mr. MacLeod's program is very well organized, producing noticeable results as well as other benefits. Prior to starting this running schedule I had never been able to maintain a high level pace over a long distance. Within a month I was able to run at a substantial pace for up to 45 minutes and by the end of 3 months I was able to run comfortably for up to an hour. In total I spent only 6 months in training and while I felt confident in my progress I was still very surprised at just how well I did in competition against other Grade 12 runners who had been involved in in-depth programs for many years. I placed 4^th at districts in my event the 1500 meters and came up with a time of 5 minutes flat at my next meet. While my placing was lower it was only due to the fact that I had never before run in large groups and became boxed out quite early on. However, due to my endurance training I was able to pass several people in the final lap and did not feel at all tired at the finish.

Besides my ability to run longer distances without feeling fatigue, this program also provided a number of other benefits. My body became much more toned and I was able to pick up hockey after a year of not skating without missing a step. Also I began to gain more confidence in my ability in other areas and even began to do better in school.

In all this program was a great help and I would not hesitate to encourage others to join. Mr. MacLeod has developed a schedule that is constantly challenging your body so that you do not reach a plateau in your advancement. Mr. MacLeod’s dedication and enthusiasm for the sport of triathlon are also valuable assets which help to make him a great coach.