Sarah Wangerin

Overcoming adversity and not only rising to challenges, but actually seeking them out for the sake of growing to and beyond one’s potential, is the crux to truly LIVING LIFE. This is a mantra I’ve embraced fully my whole life! While I did not discover the sport or cycling or triathlon until my late 30’s, I did grow up learning the importance of adaptability to any and all situations after multiple moves in my childhood/teenage/young adult years, along with an intense skill set of deep mental focus and fortitude through years of classical piano training.

Once I was fortunate enough to discover cycling and triathlon, (both of which came about as part of my journey back to “normal life” after a debilitating back herniation injury), the experiences of my upbringing found their perfect home—within the limitless skies of cycling, and the constantly changing landscape of triathlon. Adaptability and mental toughness fit right into both sports brilliantly! Those elements, along with a never-ending desire to push myself outside my comfort zone, (and several early and frankly unexpected successes in races!), drove me to keep pushing and keep working. Cycling and Triathlon lit me on fire like nothing else I had ever experienced, and I quickly realized it was not enough to just do these sports for the sake of myself. I had to learn more, grow more, develop more, for the sake of others’ own cycling and triathlon journeys.

I hold a degree in General Business. But after having three children and taking a step back from the professional world to stay home full time with them, I had the opportunity to reinvent myself once I went back to the “working world”. So, I sought out a Massage Therapy certification to learn more about the amazing connection between mind/body awareness, while also becoming licensed as a USA Cycling Coach and USA Triathlon coach. I continued training and racing, having the good fortune to take several Age Group Titles and a few Overall Wins in Short Course triathlon races. A few years later I switched over to Long Course triathlon races, and began coaching multiple athletes on their own journeys within the sports of cycling and triathlon.  

Coaching is now my passion. No two athletes are ever exactly alike. Everyone comes hardwired with their own set of internal and external motivators, along with their own natural strengths and limiters. So much of the appeal to coaching, is learning each of these individual components within each individual athlete, and then expanding on the elements that are already present, while digging in more deeply to the raw and rough pieces that can still be cultivated for more growth and development.  

I believe in using as much tangible data as possible that is available to each athlete via the use of power-metrics and heart rate data in both cycling and running, along with an emphasis on the psychological and intrinsic feedback from athletes. I am a huge believer in focusing on form and biomechanics to ensure an athlete is not wasting time with faulty muscle patterns, and also helping teach athletes a greater sense of mind-body connection so there is intention to every workout.  

I’ve coached athletes to National titles, Worlds Qualifications, Overall race wins, multiple successful Ironman race finishes (including first timers), and PR’s at all distances of triathlon, working with athletes at every level, from beginner to semi-pro. After many years in the triathlon coaching industry, it is a huge honor to finally be part of such a fantastic team of Cycling and Endurance Sport Coaches here at Peaks Coaching Group!

Coaching

Kristin M -- Having been a competitive swimmer and runner, I asked to be connected specifically with a female cycling coach, as that was the weakest leg of my triathlon race. I wanted someone that understood I was in my early 40’s and knew how to customize a training program to suit my individual needs. From the beginning Sarah was encouraging, thoughtful and was able to explain the basics through the advanced in an understandable manner, all the while keeping training fun!

When I began racing triathlons, my average race speed was 17mph. Over the course of the last 5 seasons, Sarah’s training techniques now have me racing at 20+ mph. She has also improved my run from an 8:30 pace to 7:00 minutes flat. Sarah’s training program has resulted in many podium finishes, including two age group wins at the Chicago Sprint Triathlon and overall 1st place finishes at Batavia Sprint and BoilerMan Olympic. I also now compete in mountain bike races and off-road triathlons. Sarah has developed my training to compete competitively in those races as well.

Not only does Sarah understand training and racing, but as a masseuse, she truly understands the muscle structure of an athlete’s body. She understands injuries and how to deal with them. When a hamstring injury kept me from competing last summer, she not only listened to me complain while I was down, but she encouraged me and tailored my training while I recovered. This allowed me to maintain my conditioning in the areas I could still effectively train. Sarah has taken the time to get to know my family dynamic and understand our complicated schedule. I am fortunate to have her as my coach, as she has made me a better athlete and a better person!

Jock C -- I have been fortunate to have known Sarah for 4 years now. Starting out as a newbie on the group rides, she always was smiling and quick with a tip or two. Her biking knowledge is incredible. Now as a coach, she takes the time to understand my goals, explain the workouts and answer questions at all hours. Her constant feedback on my workouts is allowing me to progress in each phase of my training. I could not ask for a better experience. 

Laura P -- Sarah is the type of coach who is there 110% with her athletes through their journey. She always challenges me (pushing me to go beyond what I even thought was possible) but also helps me find a way to balance everything else in my life (like having a 10 month old son and running my own business). Her training played a huge role in completing my first Ironman. My day did not go according to plan, and I was convinced I would not make the time cut off. I kept waiting for fatigue to set in and my pace to slow, but it never did. I felt strong the whole day. I could see how key workouts transformed my experience on race day. Even with everything that went wrong, I finished with 30 minutes to spare.

Dan P -- Sarah is a great coach, and a great friend. She has pushed me hard when I'm all in, and pulled back the right amount when family time is the priority. I always get plenty of feedback from my workouts, and like that it's all data driven. Her cycling workouts are fantastic, and consistently push just the right amount. She is really dedicated, and always up for a solid hammer fest when it's not too cold outside. I would highly recommend her coaching.

Sheila K -- After focusing on running for about 10 years, I needed a new challenge and decided to shift my focus to triathlons. Coach Sarah helped me make that transition by designing a training program that has developed my abilities in all 3 areas of triathlon. Her training program is individualized and is always evolving based on where I’m at in the season, how I’m progressing in each area, and timing of future races. Sarah’s depth of knowledge, constant encouragement, and constructive feedback always spurs me on to work hard and to do my best!

Kim M -- Sarah has been my coach for 4 years and has gotten me to the finish line of numerous races including my first Ironman in 2017. She is the perfect combination of tough and compassionate. She knows how to push you and encourage you at the same time. She always knows exactly what to say to get me through the rough patches. She also stresses the importance of race/life balance and has been there for my non triathlon accomplishments as well. It is an absolute joy having her as a coach.