Javier Almarcha
Triathlon and Endurance Coach based in Murcia, Spain
As a Coach
Javier's career as a coach started officially in 2010, but he was interested in endurance sports coaching and has been self-taught about that topic since his teenage years. In 2010, he got the ITU level 3 High Performance Triathlon Coaches' Education Course, reaching a milestone in his coaching journey. Not long after, Javier held the position of Head Coach for some years at a local triathlon club, promoting the club to the 2nd division of the Spanish National ranking and achieving the 1st position in the county ranking. He has also worked as a Sports Performance Manager at a world-class Performance Centre.
Even before that achievement, Javier had been involved at the very top level of the sport. He had already taken a Physiotherapy Degree and a Postgraduate Degree in Sports Physiotherapy, which led him to be the Head Physiotherapist in a High-Performance Training Centre for more than 15 years.
Javier has completed his education with a Master's Degree in Endurance Sports, USA Cycling Level 3 Coach, Advanced Level of Bike Fitting (being a member of one of the most acknowledged networks in bike fitting), University Course as an Expert in Swimming in Triathlon, and Running Analysis, just to name a few.
As an Athlete
Being an active child, Javier started his relationship with sanctioned sports by competing in cycling, reaching the Elite category in his early 20s. After a short hiatus, during which he kept active with other sports, at the same time that he started his education in Triathlon Coaching , he decided to try first-hand how training and racing in triathlon felt, to not only be aware of the theoretical point of view.
Since that moment, Javier became captivated by triathlon, being nowadays an accomplished triathlete, having raced for over a decade.
See Javier’s most recent athlete feedback
Q&A with Javier
Where are you based? Murcia, a sunny city in the Southeast of Spain, is a perfect location for triathlon training.
When did you get into triathlon? I started coaching in 2010, and as an athlete, I started training in 2010 and racing in 2011.
How did you first get involved in triathlon? As a cyclist with a background in endurance sports, I have always been interested in the triathlon. In 2010 I enrolled in the ITU Triathlon Coache's Education Course and at the same time, began to train, as I wanted to feel first-hand how triathlon training felt. I was so engaged that I raced my first triathlon in 2011, and since then, I've been racing for more than a decade from sprint to 70.3
What is your favourite discipline? With a background in road cycling, that is the discipline I feel more comfortable with. Nonetheless, I enjoy those long runs in the mountains or the feeling of completing a good swimming session.
Why did you choose to take up coaching? I have always been interested in practising sports and the "behind the scenes"—in learning what is happening and how I can use it to improve my performance. Over the years, I began to use that knowledge to help some friends, and through a natural process, I ended up coaching.
What is your greatest athletic achievement? I have a few podiums here and there, but I would say that my greatest athletic achievement is staying motivated and eager to race year after year.
What is your greatest coaching achievement? I couldn't pick just one, but helping a local triathlon club promote to the 2nd national division would be one. Besides, helping every one of my athletes balance their personal life with the training schedule and deliver a good performance is quite a fulfilling experience.
What one piece of advice would you give someone new to triathlon? Consistency is key.
Favourite quote: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”
Read Javier’s latest blogs
