Featured Athlete – Duane Franks aka “Coach D”

A little bit about you (profession, hobbies, athletic background, etc.):
I am the founder of “Trifiniti Endurance” based in the San Francisco Bay area. We coach endurance athletes of all ages and abilities from first time triathletes to athletes with multiple age group wins at Hawaii’s Ironman World championship. We also offer cycling tours in Italy and France and will be holding our first race, called the Atlas Peak Challenge in May. I have been coaching triathletes since the mid 1980’s and have helped hundreds of athletes prepare for their first Ironman. In 1983 I organized the nation’s first collegiate triathlon club at Cal Poly, Pomona. I am one of the founding members of the Golden Gate Triathlon Club in San Francisco. I have studied exercise physiology since the early 1980s and am currently completing my master’s thesis at San Francisco State University. My training articles and plans have been published in Triathlete magazine.
When did you complete your first triathlon (and if you’ve completed more than one, how many)?
The inaugural Santa Barbara triathlon in 1981 was the first triathlon that I signed up for. It was a half IM distance event back then. I did two shorter events in the month before to help prepare for the race. I returned to Santa Barbara again in 1983 and several more times in recent years. Since that first year, I have completed about 300 triathlons including 20 Ironman events. In 2008 I completed the 3-day Ultraman in Kona 4 days before my 50th birthday.
What inspires you to train/compete?
Triathlon has become a life long lifestyle, passion and full time occupation for me. I am most inspired by the athletes who I coach. I wake up every day and pinch myself because I have found a way to turn my passion into my career.
What is your favorite thing about the sport?
The people! I have met most if not all of my friends in the sport, including my wife, Dorette Franks. We’ve only been married for a couple years. We got married on the beach in Kona the day after I completed the 3-day Ultraman. I have enjoyed watching and being a player in triathlon’s evolution.
What’s your least favorite thing?
When I see athletes who get upset at themselves because of their performance at a race. I wish every athlete could embrace the concept that the process is the goal.
What is the best advice you ever received regarding the sport of triathlon?
Ironman legend, Dave Scott always advises athletes to do the best we can at the moment. Triathlon can be a long event with plenty of emotional and physical highs and lows.
Share your top three (or one, or ten) training tips:
1) Periodize your training
2) A hard workout is only as good as the recovery that follows it
3) Work on the skills of the individual sports
4) Include strength and flexibility training
5) If you have a family, find a way to include them into your training and racing.
6) The couple who trains together remains together.
7) There is no finish line – just an exaggerated aid station.
How do you stay motivated?
Longevity motivates me. I completed my first Ironman in Kona in 1982. I would like to return next year to celebrate my 30th anniversary and again in 20 years for my 50th Ironman anniversary. I also plan to return to Santa Barbara in 20 years to celebrate our 50th anniversary together.
How has training for or participating in triathlon(s) affected other areas of your life?
I always tell my athletes that Triathlon is a microcosm of how we live our lives. We approach the sport the same way we do in the other areas of our lives such as school, career and family. My philosophy as an athlete and coach is that training and racing triathlon should enhance our life, not take over it.
Any words of encouragement for novice or aspiring triathletes?
“Just Tri it” The rest will take care of itself.
Do you have a post-triathlon indulgence?
Yes we call it the “fourth event”. Any old time triathletes reading this will know what I’m talking about. The rest of you can use your imagination. You will need a partner, however…