Case study: Perrine Fages, triathlete and ultra cyclist

In 2016, Perrine won one of 300 entries drawn for the 2017 Norseman Xtreme Triathlon. Perrine was a beginner triathlete and had no idea what she could accomplish, so started working with Ryan who developed a programme appropriate to her level of experience. It was the first of many goals they have achieved together.

Perrine says that having someone who understands her as an athlete and believes in her and her goals is the most rewarding thing about working with Ryan. Between her career, her passion for life, adventure and races, Ryan helped Perrine find the balance that works in her life. “I don't think that many coaches can understand this as well as Ryan,” she says.

Ryan’s approach is different for each athlete but, with each one, he is fully committed to achieving their goals, drawing on the knowledge of other coaches and experts when needed. Ryan provides Perrine with coaching tailored for who she is today and she believes that if she had a different lifestyle, Ryan would give her a totally different programme.

Ryan continually works with Perrine to believe in herself, but when working with an athlete who is never 100% happy with their performances, he is considerate to the way they interpret his encouragement. With Perrine, this involves using evidence of her previous achievements to help her accomplish her next goals.

Perrine said she would recommend Ryan as a coach because he makes her a better athlete, not only faster and stronger but also teaching her to respect her body and think long term.

She says: “He will help to set up a goal relevant to what you want, who you are and how much time you can dedicate. I don’t think there are many coaches that can help you be a stronger athlete and at the same time make sure that you stay injury free and still have the desire to keep training.”

Since training with Ryan and the RnR team, Perrine has learned that it’s OK if you don’t achieve what you set out to because you can try again and you will succeed.

She proved this with her second attempt at the Enduroman Arch to Arc, an endurance triathlon that starts with an 87-mile run from London's Marble Arch to Dover, then a cross-Channel swim to the French coast, finishing with a 180-mile bike from Calais to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Perrine not only finished this gruelling event after having to abandon her first attempt during the swim, but also claimed the women’s world record in the process.

Although the Arch to Arc is Perrine’s top achievement to date, she doesn’t consider this as her dream goal. Ryan continues to show Perrine that anything is achievable if she trains for it and, of course that she is better than she thinks she is! “Ryan constantly believes in me,” she says, “and I am growing every day as an athlete.”

Perrine discusses her future goals with Ryan and they work as an athlete and coach team to develop their ideas before agreeing on each challenge. 

She adds: “RnR coaching provides a high level of expertise and assists you to find the balance between your personal and professional life, and the racing season, Between my career, my crazy passion for life, adventure and races, Ryan helped me to find the balance that makes me happy in my life.” 

Perrine’s achievements

2018 Arch to Arc. Women’s World Record - 67 hours
2017 Norseman - Black T-Shirt
2018 Ironman (IM) Kona WC
2017 IM 70.3 World Champs (WC)
2017 UCI Gran Fondo WC
2017 IM Lanzarote - 5th place