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Coach Ed Rechnitzer 

Ed04.jpg
Calgary, Canada

Ed Rechnitzer has over 30 years experience in Triathlon and has completed multiple Ironmans including Kona, and was an AG member of Team TBB in its last year. Ed spent 25 years in the Canadian Forces as an officer before fully retiring and transferring his leadership and instructional experiences to the profession of coaching.

He has completed numerous coaching courses and seminars in Canada and the US, studied at the National Coaching Institute – Calgary, was the first Trisutto Coach Certification graduate and has led training camps in Tucson, Mallorca and Mont Tremblant.

 

Ed is based in Calgary. He speaks English, French, Italian, Hungarian and understand Spanish.

Training Squad: Vmax Triathlon 

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Please contact Ed directly for coaching enquiries.

ed@vmaxtriathlon.com

Description 

I was very active in both summer and winter sports growing up in Ottawa. I discovered Triathlon at the Royal Military College and captained the varsity team in my senior year. Eventually coaching would become a fusion/extension of my military leadership experiences and an innate sense of service to others. 

Outside of triathlon I have competed in winter biathlon as well as 4-way formation skydiving (logged ~1960 jumps, was a provincial champion and national silver medalist, and was an Accelerated Free Fall Instructor). I was also a professional ski instructor at Lake Louise. I remain an avid xc and alpine skier, and hiker. Having been involved in so many sports has helped develop my coach’s eye from different angles and a toolbox of versatile skills. 

As a coach I am highly invested in my athletes’ goals. I strive to extract the most from them. I endeavor to turn hardships and set-backs into opportunities to embolden them, to be stronger in character, to try harder, to never give up even when success seems illusive. I see every day as an opportunity to improve, to shape the next performance, to become better. Success has a price – hard work. There are no shortcuts. While talent can be a blessing, I believe that exceptional commitment, high determination, an uncommon will to succeed and a fire in the gut attitude are even more invaluable assets. I value humility above all else. It helps keep self-importance at large and conceit from interfering with one’s willingness to recognize and accept the strengths, ideas and help of others in becoming the best one can be. Ultimately, the mind is like a parachute. It always works best when open. I look forward to being a part of your goals, your training, your success. 

Why do you work with Trisutto?

I have a singular focus and unwavering commitment to be the best coach I can be. My approach in this relentless pursuit has followed that of a martial artist – seeking to draw on a Master’s wisdom and depth of experience, to listen and learn, to a understand and absorb, in an unending spiral quest to forge a better version of myself for my athletes. That is why I sought out Brett’s (Sutton) mentorship and guidance. I am truly honored to have earned Brett’s confidence and to now be in position to apply the training concepts and principles that have generated so much success in our sport, at all levels.

What have you achieved in your coaching career?

I’m very proud of what my athletes have been able to achieve since starting as a full-time professional coach! Below are some of their major highlights over recent years: 

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2015
1st   F60-64 Ironman Coeur D’Alene (Kona Qual) 

2nd  F60-64 Ironman Kona World Championship
2nd  F45-49 Ironman Copenhagen (Kona Qual) 
4th   M40-44 Ironman Wisconsin  (Kona Qual) 

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2016
1st   M50-54 Xterra Canmore (Maui WC Qual) 

3rd  M50-54 Canadian National Cross Championship

7th  F30-34 70.3 Calgary (WC Qual) 

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2017
5th  M40-44 IM Sant Rosa (Kona Qual)

5th  M50-54 ITU Cross WC Penticton 

8th  F30-34 IM Coeur D'Alene 

9th  F30-34 IM Whistler 

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2018
1st  F30-34 70.3 New Orleans (WC Qual)

2nd  M50-54 Woburn HIM 
3rd  F30-34 70.3 Gulf Coast (WC Qual)

5th  MPRO 70.3 Eagleman 

6th  F30-34 70.3 Mont Tremblant 

7th  MPRO IM Mont Tremblant 

9th  F30-34 70.3 Steelhead (WC Qual)

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2019

1st  F45-49 Challenge Daytona  (Challenge Champ’ Qual)

1st  F45-49 Peach Classic OD
3rd  F30-34 70.3 Indian Wells (WC Qual)
6th  M40-44 IM Australia, PB 9.43hrs, (Kona Qual)

6th  MPRO 70.3 Eagleman

9th  MPRO 70.3 Texas 

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2021

2nd  F50-54 70.3 Calgary

2nd  F50-54 IM Cozumel (Kona Qual)

7th  M45-49 IM Indiana

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2022

1st  M35-39 70.3 Eagleman

1st  F50-54 Challenge Miami

3rd  M60-64 Oliver HIM

7th  M45-49 IM Iowa (Kona Qual)

7th  F50-54 70.3 Eagleman

7th  M35-39 IM Arizona

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2023

1st  M40-44 70.3 Western Massachusetts

1st  M65-69 Wasa Lake OD

1st  M40-44 Rochester OD

2nd  F50-54 IM Talinn (Kona Qual)

3rd  M65-69 70.3 Calgary (WC Qual)

4th  M65-69 70.3 Victoria

4th  M40-44 IM Chattanooga (Kona Qual)

5th  F50-54 70.3 Victoria

5th  F35-39 70.3 Maine (WC Qual)

Reviews

Ed is so much more than a coach....he's a motivator, he's a friend, he's got a sense of where you are at, and he can and does get a sense of what you can deal with, and how much to ease or to push.  His adaptability leads to an amazing plan that has produced for me incredible results. I had a massive motorbike accident in the middle of our training, we adapted and I was able to come back strong. He has done a lot of this without me being a brilliant mentee, I have not always been able to keep him up to date, but he's adapted and been patient with me.  I can't tell you how brilliant he is, if you want to do your best, and have someone to help you become better, go no further...he's the man

Matthew Atkinson
about 1 year ago

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Coach Ed is not only an elite coach, but he is also a tier-one human being.  He truly cares about the athlete AND the person, and optimizing balance in personal, professional, and family endeavors is his forte. His services come with my highest regards and recommendations. Coach Ed is not only a fabulous triathlon coach, but his unique life experiences allow him to offer sage wisdom and insight for better living beyond merely swimming, biking, and running. I am honored and privileged to work with and learn from him. 

Stephanie Hightower
over 1 year ago

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Coach Ed is a very athlete focused, results oriented coach with a genuine desire to see his athletes fulfill their goals. I would highly recommend Ed to any athlete of any level of fitness as his approach is targeted and athlete specific. 

Faizel Sunderji
over 1 year ago

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Ed is an incredible coach! He worked around my insane schedule and helped me to achieve my 70.3 goal followed by a PR in a half marathon. He is motivating and knew when to give me a kick in the pants to stay consistent. I recommend Ed to any triathlete looking to improve.

Matthew Stephens
over 1 year ago

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Fantastic coach!! Very dedicated! Thank you so much! 

Stephanie Hinse | Flying Chihuahua
over 2 years ago

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