@KysonJohnson

In 2004, I returned from a deployment for the Army looking for a new challenge and needing a physical outlet. I had dabbled in Sprint and Olympic triathlons, usually finishing in the middle of the pack and ran 3 marathons, only breaking the 4 hour mark one time, and by one minute. I met Coach Jason Soria through the Town North YMCA and asked him to help me train for a 1/2 Ironman. I told Coach Soria that I would do a full Ironman if I could meet my time goals for the 1/2 distance. With no real background in swimming, cycling or running, Jason had his work cut out for him. However, in 2006, following the plan provided by Coach Soria, I completed Ironman Arizona. I followed up IMAZ with a 40 minute PR at the marathon distance and qualified for the Boston Marathon multiple times. Following another year away from Dallas in support of my part-time Army job, I returned home with a goal of improving my Ironman time. I met with Coach Soria and expressed my desire to improve both my 1/2 and Full Ironman distance times. Following the training plan provided by Jason, I improved my 1/2 Ironman time by over 45 minutes and my full Ironman time by nearly 2 hours. My marathon time for the Ironman Distance outpaced my first stand-alone marathon by over 30 minutes. I progressed from finishing in the middle of the pack, to qualifying for the world championships at the all but one of the 1/2 Ironman sanctioned events I entered and winning overall age group or Master’s Division at several local races. Additionally, as a direct result of Coach Soria’s training, planning and racing advice I registered two sub 10 hour Ironman times (along with a 10:01) and finished on the podium for age group at Ironman Texas. Coach Soria continues to be both a source of knowledge, inspiration and guidance in all of my athletic endeavors. I would recommend Jason for anyone looking to improve fitness and get faster!