WHAT PARTICIPANTS SAY ABOUT MARTHA'S CLINICS:

"Thanks for the great tri clinic for newbies, the extensive coverage of so many topics, the patient answering of miscellaneous questions, the entertaining props and engaging stories from your own experience...I came away feeling inspired, motivated and engaged. I looked around the room and felt part of a group- no longer alone or lonely in my trianing but , even when out for a solo session, can put faces and names to those I can now envision on this path next to me." Audrey
	"My experience during Martha's clinics is that she is very generous with her knowledge and feedback. Martha is anxious to share everything she knows about her sport. She is as attentive to those new to triathlon as she is to top athletes. Most of all Martha is a friendly and approachable coach. Because of this I've had fun and learned a great deal during her clinics." Cathy
"Martha runs her workshops with a sparkling personality, great technique, and wonderful sense of humor. She made me feel like I could do anything. She turned me on to my own power. This is what great teachers do." Nancy Janoson
	"Martha Grinnell, though a consummate professional athlete, is quite sensitive to the needs and abilities of the less talented athlete. She speaks comfortably and knowledgeably whether the listener is an elite athlete or beginning athlete. She successfully communicates with all levels of ability and experience. In many ways, she personifies the best qualifies of a coach and a person." David Martula
"I really liked the way she broke the stoke down into body position/lengthening/rotation and provided drills for each part. I have heard about and tried some of these drills before, however, in the past I have quickly become confused. The stroke made a lot more sense to me after the clinic. I am going to try and do the Greenfield Triathlon this year. The clinic provided a nice way to focus on my training. Thanks again" Erik
	"After braving the waters at Smith College's pool, I was impressed by what I learned in a brief span of time at the swim clinic put on by coach Martha. She showed simple, but incredibly effective techniques that instantly changed the way I move in the water. Since I swim twice a week during the winter months, I was able to try out what I had just learned. My strokes felt more fluid that morning and I found myself really wanting to follow her suggestions which were fresh in my head and body. I have now incorporated the drill with my regular workout sessions. Thanks Martha." Denise
"I attended Martha's running clinic just hoping I'd learn to not hate running. I actually learned more than I thought I would. I learned how to run effortlessly so that it would not hurt. Most importantly I learned that with a little practice and more attention to warming up, breathing and my posture, running did feel easier for me. Thanks Martha." Nanci N
	"I found Martha's running clinic to be inclusive of all levels, extremely informative and professional. Now, I am starting to integrate what I learned in Martha's clinic, and it is making a very positive impact on my running and my enjoyment of the sport." Robert

2010 Hotchkiss School Triathlon Clinic

I just wanted to say Thank You! As the Wellness Coordinator for the Hotchkiss School, I am always trying to come up with programs that encourage lifelong health and fitness. Our slogan is, “Hotchkiss in Balance – A lifelong journey, not a destination – enjoy the ride.” Your program was perfect. From newbie to experienced, you were able to key into individual needs and help us all progress to a higher level.

Some will compete and some will simply be able to continue on their journey with better form and less risk of injury. I know I had more than a few “Ah Ha” moments and things finally making sense. I actually ran today with NO hip pain! Thank you again. The clinics were fantastic and I can’t wait to have you come back again!

Nancy

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I got a lot more confidence in myself from taking the beginner swimming and running clinics. I learned how to keep my body more buoyant in the water and that greatly improved my swimming. I also got more comfortable with how I ran. I was reassured that I was on the right track and now I know how important it is to look up even when I don't want to see how far I have left to go! :)

I got a lot of pointers that will go far and I hope that I will be able to attend another clinic next year if you have one. I am hoping to be more advanced by then and try the next level. Thank you Martha for all of your kindness, approachability, and generosity of knowledge and advice. I also thought that the PP Presentation was very informative and helpful in preparing my first triathlon. The goodies were and added bonus!

Tracy

I too learned a great deal from Coach Martha. Just being treated like a real runner was kind of a revelation, but Saturday night's talk was packed with information. Think how much faster Sarah & I might have run had we actually known about how much we should eat not to mention drink prior to a race? And I enjoyed thinking about the way I run during Sunday's clinic. As Sarah
mentioned, the fact that we were both there means we can prompt each other about things like posture, open chest, the string thing, the marbles, hands relaxed and so on. I think we would both welcome this kind of update again. It re-centers you, reengages you, and makes you think about what you're doing. Thank you [Nancy] for finding Martha and Martha for being so smart &
funny.

Cheers,

Joan

The fact that I got to benefit from some of this is truly amazing, [my daughter] and i spoke of how
fortunate she is to have access to this type of program and reap the rewards of a clinic from such a stellar being as Martha. In short, I summed it up Martha, you Rock, Nancy you are to be congratulated on your commitment to the excellence of your craft/duties. In all of the time spent with Martha there was no hint of "ego based" anything, either inflating or condescending. WOW... The generosity of her spirit as a competitor, a teacher, a woman,an athlete, etc. it is what was so awe inspiring. So sorry to be so over the top, but it comes right from the heart.!!

Sandy

Thank you for the invitation to participate in the swim seminar at Hotchkiss Saturday. I have been "casually" swimming since I was 5 and it was great, after 35 years, to discover new techniques for my favorite sport. The balance and streamlining techniques that Martha demonstrated will help me to prepare for my first half mile swim in Bantam this summer. Martha's friendly and casual persona and teaching method made my first step into elevated personal fitness and true pleasure. (I'm considering taking on the bike portion of the race as well after Martha's great slide presentation and talk.)

Sincerely,

Todd

The swim clinic was really helpful. Martha’s drills were specific and easy to remember. I will definitely use them in my training. She presents herself in wonderfully balanced way – incredibly accomplished at a level that could be intimidating, but she is so friendly and approachable.

Thanks,

Kate

I thought the workshop was very good. I liked the straightforward simplicity of it. Martha made the information clear and comprehensible and her demos were to the point. I came away feeling quite competent about going forward knowing I had received excellent advice about posture and how to feel relaxed about running so that I could get some benefit out of it. (I’m not a runner – I run with difficulty).

Judith

Thanks Martha! As a 30 year veteran of Tri’s, I assumed that the information and instruction would be mostly review for me. However, after your swim clinic I immediately saw many positive results from an increased awareness of body position and technique. Both provide speed and much more efficient use of power. Thanks Again, and hope to see you on the circuit.

Rick V., Master’s Swim Coach

I participated in the beginner’s running clinic and found it very helpful. Martha’s instruction on form was very clear. I really liked the vivid imagery that that she used like balancing a board with marbles on your hips or the string pull from your chest and head. It’s easy to visualize and remember. It was a lot of information to absorb in a short time so the handout review was great. I immediately went for a run when I got home and tried out everything we learned. It was just so much to focus on that I don’t think I was really doing any one thing well. I have since taken Martha’s advice and focused on one single area during one run.

I found it particularly interesting when Martha said that running relaxed will enable you to run more efficiently. I know I make some terrible faces when I’m climbing a hill gritting my teeth and clenching my fists, but it never occurred to me that I was taking energy away from running and using it for the clenched face and fists. This will be an area for me to concentrate on.

I also like the idea of constantly doing an internal body check. I tend to zone out to the Ipod sometimes and before I know I’m clenching the fists or slouched over looking down at the road.

It was a very helpful clinic and I appreciate the opportunity to participate. Thank you!

Heather

I found the specifics Martha covered about nutrition and the details of when and how to take the nutrition very helpful. Somehow I had missed the mechanics of all that, and now feel empowered (literally and figuratively). It helped immensely to be reminded of the “string pulling me along” and to hear about my core being the power zone, the technique of lifting and dropping my feet, working to keep the “board straight so I don’t lose the marbles,” and, of course, the very specific tip of loosening my hands and arms when I run. All of this combined has made me a better runner already, and I’m starting to look forward to getting in shape for the June road race so I can beat my time from last year. Joan and I have run a couple of times this week and we invoked Martha’s tips right from the start.

Thank you, Martha, for your excellent instruction and being such a great role model (I’m still amazed at the Ironman Triathlon accomplishments!).

Best regards,

Sarah V.