Testimonials

“Windspeed Training” helped me run a great race during the OBX Half Marathon on November 11, 2007. Thys knows my goal: “run strong and finish strong” and he coached me to achieve just that. In  fact, I did better than I had hoped during my training runs in the Florida heat and that made me even feel better afterwards. I was expecting to run a 10:30 min pace, but was able to run in a “windspeed “ of 5.6 knots. Yes, you math wizards have already figured out that this equals a 9:50 min pace. The nice cool weather on the beautiful Outer Banks didn’t hurt and a friendly tailwind pushed me along to finsh at a chip time of 2:04:50.

Although I didn’t always literally follow Thys’ training schedule, it was a great guide during my training. I liked his little daily blurps that strike a good balance between the physical and also the mental preparation. His emphasis on cross training and rest days worked wonders for me and I got a “thank you” note from my 57 year old knees. He also always had the right advice when injuries tried to discourage my efforts. I can recommend his programs to anyone who wants to enjoy the exhilaration of finishing the race that “you always wanted to do”.

Thank you Thys, my coach, my friend and my son.

— Bob Wind (finisher of multiple marathons & half marathons, coach Thys' dad)

More than a year ago, I met Thys at the pool, and one of my fellow swimmers told me he was a triathlon coach. After some discussion we arranged to have a meeting to discus my future triathlon training help. That is how we developed something more than a coach-athlete relationship. Thys is fantastic; he has a particular way to coach that makes you feel involved in your plan, and he frequently followed-up that everything was working. If it was not working so well, that is when you really saw him in action, giving advice and analyzing what was going wrong. If there is something I would like to remark on regarding his coaching, it is his knowledge and supportive attitude. He is so professional and well-structured in his plan, but without ever forgetting the human side of the athlete.

I think, most of us who have been coached by Thys don’t see in him as coach anymore. He is a friend who tries to make us successful and helps us achieve our goals. As long I stay in Raleigh, NC, I’m planning to go to Thys for coaching advice.

— Ricardo (2007 Ironman Louisville Finisher)

Thys makes the workouts fun. It is hard to believe that training for something as hard as a marathon, and as time consuming as it is, to have you actually look forward to your next workout.

Thys' approach to endurance training and unique workouts provide for the very best experience when preparing for the most intense races. His plans stretch your skills and push your limits, but his uncanny ability to make the workout fun unconsciously persuades you to complete each and every session, no matter how complex.  They are the hardest workouts I have ever done, both physically and mentally; but no matter how difficult they are, his encouragement and dedication to you, as a client, motivates you to get better each day — because you know the payoff is worth it.

He has been training me for nearly three years, I have done two marathons, numerous shorter distance races, triathlons and other types of endurance events and I have always felt prepared under his watchful eyes.  If I had to sum up Thys' training abilities in one phrase, I would say 'he is attentive and devoted' — he knows his clients and how to push them to the next level without breaking them and his absolute enthusiasm to see you succeed is almost motivation enough for you to get a PR just to give it as a gift to him for what he has turned you into.

— Greg (Age 27)

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