Coaching Staff :: Mike Norman

Mike Norman

Co-Founder / Coach

Running, Triathlon/Multisport

Mike has been coaching swimmers, runners and triathletes for over 22 years. He is the co-owner of Chicago Endurance Sports, a Boston qualified runner and a seasoned triathlete. He has completed 2 Ironman triathlons, 24 marathons, 3 century rides, the 400+ mile Ride the Rockies bike tour, and numerous triathlons (Sprint through Ironman) and running races.

In 2006, Mike had an outstanding competitive season. He started the year by completing the Boston Marathon. After a busy season of coaching and racing, Mike competed at the HalfMax Long Distance Triathlon National Championships in September, where he qualified to represent the United States as a member of Team USA at the ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championship in Canberra, Australia in November. In between those two races, just 5 weeks later, Mike competed against the world's best at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. But perhaps Mike's greatest achievement of 2006 was raising over $12,000 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation in memory of his father, Vernon Norman.

Mike was a Division 1 level swimmer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he earned his degree in Exercise Physiology. Prior to creating CES with Jenny, Mike was the Fitness Operations Manager and Master Swim Coach at the Gold Coast Multiplex fitness club.

Contact Info

Coaching Philosophy

  • Take the time to make a realistic training plan
  • Listen to your body
  • Stay healthy — You can't finish if you don't make it to the start!
  • Communicate — You're not alone!
  • Have fun!

Coaching Experience

  • Co-Founder, Chicago Endurance Sports (Founded in 2000)
  • TEAM IN TRAINING — The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (5 years): Marathon, Triathlon
  • Gold Coast Multiplex Health & Fitness Club (5 years) : Head Triathlon Coach, Master Swim Coach
  • Swimming — Age Group though college & masters level (since 1985)

Area of Expertise

  • Cross-Training
  • Heart-Rate Training
  • Flexibility
  • Successful with all levels, especially new athletes
  • Swim Technique

Experience in Fitness Field

  • Fitness Operations Manager: Gold Coast Multiplex Health & Fitness Club (1996-99)
  • Race Director/Founder: Multiplex Lakefront Stampede 5K Off-Road Race (1999)
  • Nordic Track Sales: Minneapolis, MN and Chicago, IL (1995-97)
  • Coaching: See above

Education

  • B.S. Exercise Physiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Certified Marathon (Running & Walking) & Triathlon Coach: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
  • USA Triathlon Level 1 Coach (pending)

Personal Training Goals

  • Compete in 3-4 triathlons
  • Improve cycling power & running speed
  • Stay healthy!
  • Support my wife as she trains for half and full Ironman races!

Competitive Experience

  • Qualified for (and ran!) Boston Marathon (1995 & 2005)
  • Ironman Wisconsin - Sep. 2005 (11:02:32 - 79th overall & qualified for 2006 Ironman World Championships)
  • Ironman World Championship, Kona, Hawaii - Oct. 2006 (10:43:56 - 154th in Age Group, 703rd Overall)
  • ITU Long Distance World Championship, Canberra, Australia - Nov. 2006
  • USAT HalfMax National Championship - Sep. 2006 (4:55:40 - 10th in Age Group, 45th Overall)
  • Accenture Chicago Triathlon (Sprint) - Aug. 2006 (1:12:03 - 2nd in Age Group, 10th Overall)
  • Marathons Completed: 24
  • Half Marathons Completed: 15
  • 5K & 10Ks: too many to count!
  • Golden Apple 5K - Oct. 1997 2nd Place Overall (17:01)
  • Elvis is Alive 5K - August 1998 3rd Place Overall (17:27)
  • Competed in Triathlons since 1993
  • Tinman 1/2 Ironman Triathlon - May 2005 8th Place Overall
  • Lake Geneva Sprint Triathlon - Sep. 2003 & 2004 4th Place
  • Lake Michigan Sprint Triathlon - Sep 2003 3rd Place
  • Competitive Swimmer for over 12 years
  • University of Wisconsin - Madison: Swim Team Captain & 4 year Varsity Letter Winner (1985-90)
  • YMCA National Swimming: Consolation Finalist (1984 & '85)
  • High School Swimming: Captain & former school record holder

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