aka, “Coach K or K-Rock”
The Low-Down on Kristen Smith
Coaching and helping others is what Kristen loves to do: she says it’s so important to teach individuals how to be patient, improve physically and mentally, make and achieve goals, receive unconditional support and accept challenges. After graduating in 2006, Kristen moved to Wilmington and started working as a personal trainer with Tom Clifford, and shortly after they started their coaching careers with Without Limits. Since then, she’s coached over 25 Ironman finishers, 30 half Ironman finishers, 90 Spring and Olympic Triathlon finishers, 50 half marathon finishers and over 30 marathon finishers.
What She Coaches
Level 2 Running, WOL Swimming, Cycling, Triathletes, and some Performance Testing
Guilty Pleasure
Chocolate and craft beer
Top Songs on her Playlist
Wake Me Up – Avecii, Iration – Falling, Passion Pit – Take A Walk
Favorite Events
It’s a tie – Visiting my grandmother every year and 5K Open Water Swim
Kristen’s Mantra
“I believe one of the most important relationships an athlete can have, outside of family and friends, is their coach. We can spend hours together through trainings and traveling to events. This relationship is important to me, as it can lead to a life-long friendship. To me, a great coach thinks of the individual as a person versus just an athlete. I enjoy coaching my athletes to live a good life with a balance of proper, structured and efficient training methods allowing them to reach their goals.”
Latest Races
2018 Uwharrie Mountain Run 20-Miler
2018 SwimRun Hanging Rock – 1st place female team
2019 Uwharrie Mountain Run 20-Miler
2019 Conquer The Rock 50K
2019 Rockman SwimRun
