Jon Reilly
Triathlon Coach based in Bristol, UK
As a Coach
Jon has been coaching voluntarily with various local triathlon clubs around his full-time job as an airline pilot for several years. Unfortunately, Jon lost his pilot’s licence for 11 months in 2019 due to being diagnosed with testicular cancer (read his story at www.triathletevscancer.com). He used the time off from flying to complete his Level 2 BTF diploma as well as a L3 Personal Trainer qualification around his chemotherapy treatment. With his new coaching qualifications under his belt, Jon was able to join Tri Training Harder as a coach in 2019. He has now recovered from cancer, started flying again and is back training hard for various endurance events.
Jon has a flexible approach to coaching and training, from his own busy lifestyle he knows how to balance training around his young family, friends and social commitments. Jon loves to utilise the knowledge gained on his Personal Trainer course and finds incorporating well-structured strength and conditioning sessions vital to triathlon performance.
As an Athlete
Jon was a competitive swimmer throughout his teenage years and went on to captain (and coach) the Durham University swim team. A few years later some of the Durham swimmers decided it would be a great idea to do an Ironman together! Being a complete triathlon newbie, without a bike, Jon joined his local triathlon club to try and get some training tips and advice. A few months later he was on the start line for his first triathlon. The sea swim involved massive swells and strong currents, the bike was extremely hilly and the run finished with a tough stretch along the beach, fantastic, Jon was hooked.
That summer he went on to complete Ironman Zurich with a fairly respectable time of just over 12 hours. Since that first Ironman experience, Jon has gone on to represent GB at several World Age Group championships around the world. He has also dropped his Ironman time considerably, posting a time of9:35at Ironman Tallinn in 2018. Jon was forced into a break from racing due to testicular cancer treatment in 2019. However, he was soon back racing qualifying for the World Age Group championships at both Sprint and Ironman distance in 2021. Jon is looking to broaden his endurance horizons with several swimrun and gravel racing events on the calendar.
Read Jon’s most recent athlete feedback
When did you get into triathlon?
2010, whilst working in Belfast. Northern Ireland was a fantastic place to get into triathlon (if a little wet!)
How did you first get involved in triathlon?
Having rather brashly entered an Ironman with no prior triathlon experience I joined my local triathlon club, bought a bike, started training and have loved it ever since.
What is your favourite discipline?
I’ve always been a swimmer, so I have to say swimming. However, I love the freedom to explore that cycling gives you. I have been on some great bike-packing adventures to some extremely remote parts of the world, I thoroughly recommend getting out there and exploring by bike!
Why did you choose to take up coaching?
I have been involved in triathlon for 10 years, I have learnt so much from coaches and athletes around the country (I have been a member of at least 5 different triathlon clubs). Coaching allows me to pass on everything I have learnt over the years to my coached athletes. I love helping others and seeing them improve and achieve their goals.
What is your greatest athletic achievement?
Cycling from John o'Groats to Lands End in just 4 days (in stormy winter conditions), raising over £1000 for Diabetes UK.
What is your greatest coaching achievement?
One of my first 1:1 coaching experiences was with an athlete that had asked me for some help with their transitions. Initially they found it difficult to run in a straight line with the bike or take their bike shoes on or off on the move. Within one session the athlete was confidently performing textbook flying mounts and gliding dismounts. It was great to see such an incredible improvement in such a short time.
What one piece of advice would you give someone new to triathlon?
When racing or training take a moment to look around, take in the view or soak up the atmosphere and most important of all, enjoy yourself!
Favourite quote:
Seize every opportunity you have, embrace every experience. ― Chrissie Wellington, A Life Without Limits.