TOWER POWER
TOWER 26 Athletes share their stories of adaptation, commitment, and success.
Pro Triathlete and Head TOWER 26 Coach Jim Lubinski
I met Gerry Rodrigues in 2008 after retiring from a career in ice hockey. I wanted to race triathlons, but knew the swim would be a major hurdle for me. Gerry was coaching a masters swim team at a university close to where I was living. I heard he was THE triathlon swimming coach, so I went to go check out a workout. Immediately, I knew Gerry was the coach I wanted to work with as a developing triathlete. In just a few months, I was not only a better swimmer, but a better all around triathlete.
After my first full season of working with Gerry, I was able to take my performance to the next level, winning some big races and turning professional. I attribute most of this success to the path Gerry laid out for me. His workouts are structured in a way that is smart, specific, and demanding, which resonate grealy with me. The TOWER 26 season not only gets athletes racing fast, but builds them into a healthy, efficiently functioning athlete.
As a coach, Gerry has been my mentor from which I have learned so much. His ability to relate to the athletes and structure sessions that push the athletes to their personal limit allows the athlete to get the most out of every session. This support, planning, and preparation leads to fast racing on race day. I have taken Gerry’s philosophies into my triathlon coaching which has led to a plethora of fast, healthy, and happy athletes.
Christelle Balestra
I joined the TOWER 26 family three years ago in 2017 and Jim Lubinski has been my coach ever since. I was, at the time, an average triathlete; surviving the swim to get to my bike, and overcooking my bike, to blow up on the run!
At first, I was overwhelmed by the training schedule Jim crafted for me; the intensity of some sessions were new to me. Amazingly, as my mind calmed down, my body adapted and very quickly I became able to complete every workout.
My training is also adjusted to fit my “non athletic life”- I am a mom of 3 - and also quickly reorganized should I get sick or injured.
To my surprise, my racing results were beyond what I ever hoped for. I shaved off 1.5 hour of my full Ironman time and managed to place 11th in my age group (what??!!).
This could not have happened without the constant guidance of the TOWER 26 coaches!
Brian Massey
After committing to the T26 system for about a year, I went from a very mediocre middle-of-the-packer to finishing 3rd in my age group at Arizona 70.3. My experience is not unique among the T26 team. Put simply, Gerry and Jim have created a personalized process across all three disciplines that, if followed with discipline and commitment, will get you to the starting line ready to compete at your highest level.
What sets T26 apart from other coaching platforms is the level of knowledge and experience that goes into the plans and the personalization based on your own fitness, time and abilities across the three sports. This isn’t a cookie cutter program - Jim and Gerry are PRESENT with their athletes. Jim will often adjust my plan mid-week based on hurdles that life throws in the way or just to give me a needed pep talk. The coaches and the T26 community create a level of accountability that makes a huge difference in sticking with the program.
