Athlete Showcase
Katie Malone
I grew up in NJ as an only child. I always wanted siblings but my mother would constantly remind me that I did have a pony. So from as far back as I can remember I have been around horses. I grew up riding with my mother and driving in the carriage with my parents. We cross country skied together, went ice skating on a frozen farm pond in the winter and rode motorcycles in the spring. When I was 11 my father retired (yes, they had me when they were a bit older). We moved to NC for my parents to retire. It was here that I was able to fully appreciate the freedom riding a bike could bring. I rode everywhere and I rode often. When I wasn’t on my bike I was on my pony exploring every trail I could find. These also happen to be the same trails that I use for running to this day. When I was in high school my father built a boathouse on Lake Lanier in Tryon, NC and that is where my swimming began and still continues to this day. In high school I ran track and cross country and played soccer. I didn’t set school records, but I always did well. My senior year of high school I spent as an exchange student in Germany. I am still fluent in German. I came back from Germany to go to college but just wasn’t ready for it, but eventually I found my way back to school. I ran cross country in college and received some scholarship money so I looked at it as my part time job. My other part time job was cleaning houses. I was always busy and I worked really hard, but that was just good practice for what was to come.
Before I started coaching I had a desk job. It was a good desk job but I really hated not being able to see out a window in the office building where I worked. I worked hard, but it certainly wasn’t my dream job. I worked for an engineering company in Spartanburg after I finally graduated from college at the University of South Carolina – Spartanburg. I have a degree in Business Management which has indeed served me well. While I was working there I started training seriously for triathlons and after a year of training hard and missing the qualifications for Hawaii by just 2 minutes I did something completely reckless. I quit my day job. I admit it felt really good to just quit. Maybe it was stupid, but I think that sometimes it is good to follow your heart.
Katie Malone and the Hawaii Ironman
When I was a little kid I was one of the last one picked for any team in gym class. I had no confidence in my athletic abilities yet I always dreamed of doing something big. My parents were avid cyclists when I was young so I grew up with great role models.
In 1982 I was sitting two feet in front of the television watching the coverage of the Hawaii Ironman and I knew that someday I wanted to participate in that race. No other race would do, I had my sights on Hawaii because in my mind that was the real deal. Of course over the years that same race turned into the World Championships and qualifying for it only got harder every year but that did not stop me. Every step of my athletic endeavors were done with the Ironman in mind. Even as a young child I understood that it would take time and dedication to do a race like an Ironman.
First I started cycling with my parents at the age of 10 and then started running at 11. During a lazy summer day I begged friends to paddle the canoe next to me for 4 hours as I swam around an entire lake, just to see if I could do it. Once I had accomplished that I set my sights on riding my bike further and faster. At the age of 14 I completed a bike ride called the Assault on Mt. Mitchell which is a 102 mile ride with the last 32 miles of climbing. When I had completed that I knew that I could do anything I set my mind to. That same year I completed my first triathlon and absolutely loved it. Then the teenage years hit me and my infatuation with triathlon wavered but the pursuit of the Hawaii Ironman always lingered in the back of my mind. Life happened along the way and almost 20 years later I made the choice to dedicate myself to really getting to Hawaii.
Getting to Hawaii was not easy. It took me finding a good coach and learning how to really race. I missed qualifying numerous times by just 2 minutes and while that was always upsetting I just resolved to work harder. Don’t let anyone fool you, getting to Hawaii is a combination of hard work and good luck. Eventually I earned my spot and I was able to go to Hawaii to compete. Running the final miles of that race I had tears in my eyes because I was so happy. Crossing the finish line in Hawaii is to this day the happiest moment of my life. My life goal is complete.
Now I want to go back again!
Kimberley Westbury
I have been professionally coached by Katie Malone since 2006. Over these years through training & racing, she has developed me from a beginner triathlete to qualifying for Ironman World Championship 70.3 in both 2008 & 2009.
With 23 years racing triathlon along with 9 years coaching the sport, Katie’s personal experience gives her the advantage of understanding and knowing exactly how to work through both injuries & personal dynamics which every athlete balances in training & racing. Katie individully coaches her athletes with keen intuition to each one’s personality, strengths, weaknesses — enabling her to bring each athlete to his or her best potential.
She makes it a priority to spend individual time with all of her athletes — with this one-on-one approach she is able to see weekly progress to make adjustments where necessary in all 3 sports.
With Katie's coaching, I have arrived at every single race completely ready both mentally & physically to deliver the performance I prepared for in my training. Katie inspires me to stay focused & consistent knowing that if I do the work, it will show in my results. She has never failed me with my goals in triathlon, fully equipping me to manage every aspect of racing triathlon.
Kimberley Westbury - Top Triathlon Finishes
• SC Female Athlete: Best of U.S. National Championship ‘06
• SC Triathlon Series: State Masters Champion: ‘03, ‘06
• SC Triathlon Series: Overall Female 2nd Place ‘07
• SC Triathlon Series: Overall Female 3rd Place ‘09
• 1st Place Overall Female: Greenville Sprint ‘03, ‘09
• 1st Place Overall Female: Middle Tyger Y Sprint ‘06, ‘07, ‘08
• 1st Place Overall Female: Lake Murray Sprint ‘07
• 1st Place Overall Female: Hickory Knob International ‘07
• 1st Place Overall Female: Parris Island Sprint ‘09
• 1st Place Overall Female: Hickory Knob Sprint ‘09
• ‘08 IM Florida 70.3Worlds Qualifier: 1st Place Age Group
• ‘08 Ironman World Championships 70.3: ranked 9th AG in the world - 4:56:32
• ‘09 IM Florida 70.3 Worlds Qualifier: 3rd Place Age Group
• ‘09 Ironman World Championships 70.3: ranked 9th AG in the world - 4:47:09
John Demarest
Katie has made a really big difference in my life. Her knowledge, experience and passion for coaching others to be their best in the sport of triathlon is truly remarkable. She's smart, highly organized and has an incredible winning spirit. She's helped me achieve one of my most important life goals (to become an Ironman) and I know she can do the same for you.
John Demarest
President, Spartan Staffing
2010 Ironman Florida - Finisher
Peter Ramirez
After doing marathons for a few years I set a goal to start doing triathlons. I didn't own a bike. I hadn't been in a pool since "marco polo" days. My triathlon experience to that point was watching NBC's broadcast on a Saturday each December. None of that stopped me from getting a USAT card and registering for an Ironman. I thought mere hubris and a magazine subscription would help me make all the right choices about equipment and proper training.
The mistake of thinking I could do this alone quickly settled in. I contacted several people I trusted and asked them about coaching. Katie's name came up each time. We had a quick call to discuss expectations of each other. Katie listened to my goals then explained how she could help achieve them. That was all it took for me to sign up for a year of coaching.
Katie delivered! She got me to the starting line in nine triathlons that first year . . . fit, healthy, and mentally prepared to succeed. Each race finish exceeded my expectations, of what I was able to accomplish and how she helped to make it possible. Yet, aside from training and racing and goals, I found being a part of the "community" of Malone Coaching to be the best benefit. Triathlons and running are highly individual sports with no shortage of personalities and hormones, each trying to do their best. I think deep down there's still a part of me that longs to be part of a team, which is exactly what I get from working with Katie and being able to share in the challenges and successes with the other Malone Coaching athletes.
Lee Anne Townes
It has been a privilege knowing and working with Coach Katie Malone for the past two years. It is clear that Katie has chosen a profession in the field that enables her to better the lives of others through exercise and nutrition. She uses her 20 plus years experience in triathlon to teach others how to achieve their goals. Her passion for triathlon is infectious. She is an outstanding athlete, leader, teammate, friend, competitor, and is an overall person of character, integrity, dedication, and hard work.
As a student of triathlon, I hired a coach to take the thinking out of my training. Triathlon is a complex sport consisting of three disciplines. Katie understands how the body adapts to these disciplines and what it takes to reach your ultimate goal. She gives individualized attention to everyone she coaches. It is rare to find a coach that gets in the pool with her athletes to help them with their stroke or runs with them at the track to watch their form. She has taken me from a novice beginner to an award winner in less than two years. She is energetic, enthused, and always positive and encouraging.
Katie Malone is the epitome of triathlon. She lives, eats, sleeps, and breathes triathlon every day. It is a rare and unique person who is so clearly dedicated to the sports of triathlon but also, dedicated to helping others learn and love the sport as well. She spends all of her free time volunteering for local events, spreading the word about her passion, encouraging others to try it, and rescuing Weimaraners that need homes. She is an enormous asset in our community. It is a pleasure being one of her athletes, as she has impacted not only my triathlon journey but also, my life.
UPDATE: Lee Anne recently completed her first Ironman at Ironman Florida in November in 2011. Not only did she finish but she finished 5th in her age group and just missed qualifying for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. Congrats Lee Anne!
Stacy Sargent
I began working with Katie almost a year and a half ago. I came to the sport of triathlon relatively late at the age of 44. After a year of training on my own, I found I had more questions about my training than answers. I needed to know how to train and how to avoid injury, and also how to improve my skills and gain speed. And being a busy mom of two active boys, I have no extra time for unnecessary workouts!
Katie has completely transformed me as a triathlete and taken me from being a middle-of-the-pack age grouper to consistently placing in my age group in one season. She knows how to get results. Her detailed, individualized training plans let me know what I need to accomplish each week.
One-on-one cycling and running sessions with her have taught me valuable techniques and skills. By watching me swim, her analysis of my stroke over the course of our relationship has completely changed the way I swim and turned me into a true swimmer.
The first season Katie coached me, I moved up to Olympic distances and then a half-iron distance race. She changed my training plan as I expanded my goals throughout the season, and I was completely ready for each race. She gives me an honest assessment of my skills and whether my goals are realistic, and we communicate frequently with each other through email, phone, and face-to-face meetings.
Katie also organizes group workouts that are a fun way to socialize while at the same time getting some friendly competition going that just naturally makes us work harder. Did I mention she is fun to work with and loves the sport? She is the complete package when it comes to coaching, and I feel very lucky to be working with her!
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