Personalized Triathlon Coaching

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I am a Triathlon coach with 20+ years of experience as a triathlete and 10+ years as a Doctor of Physical Therapy and I help triathletes confidently return to racing sprint to Ironman distance after injury, using a holistic approach to maximize performance and achieve their best results.

Coach Stephanie

A woman with long brown hair smiling and standing outdoors near a river with green trees in the background. She is wearing a blue polo shirt with a logo that says 'R3 Endurance' on it, and has her arms crossed.

I’m Stephanie Peterson, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, USA Triathlon Coach, Bike Fitter, and lifelong triathlete with over 22 years of experience in the sport. I specialize in coaching triathletes who are coming back from injury, illness, pregnancy, surgery, or extended time away from training and who don’t want to gamble their comeback.

I’ve been there myself. More than once.

Over the course of my career, I’ve had to rebuild after a tibial stress fracture while preparing to run Division I track at the University of Pittsburgh, pregnancy and childbirth, recurrent ankle sprains, hip and SI joint issues, and more recently, a complex series of health challenges that required me to step away from consistent training entirely. Each comeback taught me something new about patience, resilience, and the importance of having the right plan and the right support at the right time.

That lived experience, combined with my clinical background, shapes how I coach. As a licensed Physical Therapist and founder of R3 Endurance, I take a holistic approach to training that integrates swim, bike, run, strength, mobility, and nutrition while paying close attention to how your body is actually responding. I believe training should build confidence, not anxiety, and progress should never come at the expense of your long-term health.

My athletes don’t just receive a training plan. They receive ongoing oversight, daily check-ins, and open communication so that small issues are addressed early and adjustments are made before setbacks happen. Whether you’re rebuilding after an injury or looking for sustainable performance gains, my goal is to help you train consistently, feel supported, and enjoy the process again.

I coach a limited number of athletes so I can provide this level of individualized attention, and I work best with athletes who value thoughtful decision-making, clear communication, and a long-term view of their sport.

If you’re looking for a coach who understands both the physical and emotional side of coming back, you’re in the right place.

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Recharge Refine Results

I believe in appropriate recovery so you can recharge before races while preventing injuries. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, I know how to tailor triathlon training to get the most out of your workout sessions.

As a movement specialist, I understand technique and strategy is key to success in triathlon. Let me refine your skills with instruction and training plans to achieve your personal best.

My training plans are specialized to focus on your weaknesses and turn them into strengths. Whether you are new to triathlon or you are an experienced athlete ready to take your racing to the next level, my goal is to help you achieve exceptional results.

Testimonials

  • " After trying and failing to work with another coach who ramped me WAY too quick (got injured fast), I was fortunate to find Stephanie. It has been an amazing experience so far and it is clear she knows how to work well with athletes that have busy personal and professional lives. Stephanie has been great at being accommodating to a busy and volatile calendar. The workouts are the perfect balance between tough and reasonable. I feel like I have gotten in noticeably better shape each month that I have been working with her without feeling like I am overdoing it or getting exhausted. I am really looking forward to spending a long time in the sport and working towards the ultimate goal of a full ironman."

    Thomas, 1:1 Coached Triathlete

  • " I find immense value in collaborating with someone who has truly "been there, done that." I certainly didn't need a coach to push me harder; in fact, I'm quite capable of pushing myself to the point of overtraining and injury. My primary need in a coach was for someone to help me temper my enthusiasm and provide a watchful eye, ensuring that I ramp up my training correctly to achieve the aggressive goals I set for myself each season. Your background in Physical Therapy, combined with your own consistent and passionate IRONMAN training, made you the perfect fit for my needs."

    John “Z”, 1:1 Coached Triathlete

  • “Stephanie is a fabulous coach for her ability to personalize what I need for workouts with a wild schedule. Her background as a DPT means that her focus is on making me stronger while preventing injuries, and can quickly give me feedback on movements and additional exercises to make sure my season isn't ended with an injury. She doesn't neglect swimming and makes creative workouts while supporting me in lifting and cross training as needed."

    Ben, 1:1 coached Triathlete

  • "I chose to train with Coach Steph because she is a doctorate of Physical Therapy and felt she could help me get back to running after being plagued with injuries for so long. I feel other running groups or programs are a one size fits all and I like how she has tailored my training plan specifically to address and strengthen the weaknesses I have. She listens to you and adapts your program to your current needs. I have been able to sustain my running by following her plan and the initial aches and pains I had when I started running again have gone away, all thanks to how she developed my running and strength plan! I am able to enjoy running again!"

    Susie, 1:1 Coached Runner

  • "Having Stephanie as my triathlon coach has been one of the best training decisions I've ever made. She's invested in her athletes' success and provides guidance in any area you need along your journey. That means your training plan is personalized to you and adjusted to fit your schedule. From the start, she's helped me with nutrition (both daily and during race-day), strength training, mobility, logistics of race day, prioritizing goals, gearing up for winter cycling and helped me safely navigate minor running pains (and probably others I'm forgetting). I know that whatever training issues I run into, I have an experienced partner that I can turn to for help who wants to see me be the best athlete I can be."

    -R3E Triathlete-

  • “Having a professional to fall back on and rearrange my training schedule along with tweaking it due to last minute work travel popping up was the biggest benefit for me. My last 70.3 I stressed out so much on how to jam all of these workouts in and not sure what ones to drop when it simply wasn’t going to happen, this time… it was a game changer and so huge for me. I have to also note the diverse training including the warmups and weight training was a big deal as well. I tried hard to get into the gym for races before, but I wasn’t doing the right workouts for my goals as a triathlete. Thanks to coaching I was prepared beyond my expectation to crush my last race!"

    Max, 1:1 Coached Triathlete

  • “Stephanie helps me readjust my training schedule when life happens, e.g. kids bday parties, COVID, travel. It helps to have her always so flexible and accessible. I also appreciate the "pep talks" via text when I get anxious about this all working out in the end! I also love having a coach because it removes "human error" of me thinking I've made a good plan when I am either over/under exerting myself without knowing. I followed Stephanie's guidance and am happy to report it worked out in a new marathon PR! I am very excited to work with her into a strong base training season and then towards PRing the half marathon :-)

    Melody, 1:1 coached runner

  • “The biggest advantage of having Stephanie as my coach is having peace of mind. Knowing that she understands my goals and challenges, and is able to create a personalized plan that fits my needs and schedule. Given that I want to do my first 70.3, I needed someone that knows the sport in and out and is able to guide me not only on my training but in my gear, nutrition, and general advice. Having her as a coach has given me the confidence to know that I will accomplish all my race goals this year!"

    Miguel, 1:1 coached triathlete

  • “Having worked with DPTs both professionally and for spinal injuries, I feel this gives Stephanie a unique perspective on triathlon coaching. Often, coaches tend to get super aggressive with their type A triathletes and that has been a turn-off over the years. Her supportive communication style, and blending her longstanding triathlon racing into the mix, makes choosing Stephanie as a coach an easy decision!

    Sheila, 1:1 coached runner

  • "Coach Steph adds a bunch of tools to my tool box. Because she's so smart, she's able to tailor the workouts to my specific needs and give me the "why" for the workouts. Sometimes my workouts don't go the way she plans for them to go but she's there to give me encouragement regardless. Having Coach Steph on my team takes my training to the next level."

    Henry, 1:1 coached Triathlete

  • “My biggest benefit from working with Coach Steph so far is the accountability in the volume of my training. I thought I was being accountable to myself before, but working with a coach takes things up a notch. Coach Steph crafts realistically executable workout schedules, helping me balance my workouts with work/family/life demands. Coach Steph has been huge in helping bring balance to my work-triathlon-life schedule, and still meet my goals!”

    Elizabeth, 1:1 coached Triathlete

  • "Coach Steph gave me the tools to succeed. Going from a 4:50 to a 3:25 marathon and then completing a sub 12 Ironman for my first triathlon ever. She will get you to the finish line. Never could have imagined the work needed for this accomplishment and Coach Steph gets you there."

    Payton, 1:1 coached Triathlete

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    FAQ

    • The short answer is yes. A lot of times self training can lead to overtraining and injuries. Given proper HIPAA approval to review your current progress and goals with your physical therapist, I can help assist from the coaching side to help you return to triathlon safely. This may include more cross-training and strengthening along with a slower progression back than what you anticipate to decrease the risk of re-injury. Open communication between myself and your medical team, specifically your PT, is instrumental in your success.

    • Making the jump from a short course distance like a sprint to long course 70.3 or 140.6 can be challenging. I have helped many athletes complete their first 70.3 by creating a training plan that fits their lifestyle, working together on race day nutrition, and refining swimming, cycling, and running techniques.

    • A triathlon coach can provide great value to beginners. There is so much to learn in all 3 sports, transition, nutrition, equipment to be successful in your first triathlon.

    • I love working with new moms to navigate the challenges of postnatal return to sport. It is so important to keep the body strong during pregnancy to prepare for delivery and postpartum period. Follow the guidance of your OBGYN and follow up with a pelvic floor physical therapist to optimize recovery in those first few weeks. I provide specific strength programs for the postpartum period (given clearance by OBGYN) to help support your goals of gradually returning to triathlon. I will provide some ideas on how to get creative with training plans to fit them in between breastfeeding, bottle feeding, pumping, work, and time with your family to provide a well rounded program.

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