November 29, 2009 I just wanted to drop you a quick note to express my thanks for all of your help and support over the last several months in preparation for Ironman Arizona. Race day was an absolutely perfect day for me.  The fact that I missed a time in the 14's by only 29 seconds exceeded my wildest expectations for what was my third triathlon ever (and my first marathon in 10 years)!  That wouldn't have been possible without all of your insight, advice, and encouragement.  Thanks so much. Mike N, San Francisco

October 7, 2009 Re: ITU Duathlon World Championships Hi! I just wanted to THANK YOU for the great duathlon training plan.  It was so helpful and I was very happy with my results at WORLDS.  I did a PR in the 10k and my bike split was awesome as well, even in the pouring rain. I will be certain to remember you guys in the future. Thanks again and I have attached a picture of me at the finish and biking in the rain!! Erica R., Team USA Duathlete

October 7, 2009 Re: ITU Duathlon World Championships Thanks so much! It (worlds) was my second duathlon and I had a blast-despite the conditions, next up for me is my first ironman in florida next month! Thanks for all your help! Kelly, Team USA Duathlete

October 7, 2009 The training program was indeed thought out and tailored to duathletes.  Thank you for the coaching program! Dick, Team USA Duathlete

September 28, 2009 Re: ITU Duathlon World Championships   Well…..I did it in 2:15:21!  And my 10K was in 43 min!  The day was great!  I felt great and I think had a great race!  I finished 15th in my division…getting that 10K under 45 was sweet!   Thank you so much again for setting up my plan…..it totally paid off!   I will send you some pics later when I get them loaded up!   Becky, Team USA Duathlete

September 12, 2009 Re: Bike Fit / Hypercat I want to say that Phil pulled through for me with the bike fit and getting me dialed in on the bike. No joke. Your husband helped me fall in love with riding again. I ended up doing the team event at Pac (bike) and unless my computer was wrong, I averaged 22 - 23mph over the course. It's the fastest that I've EVER ridden over 20+ miles.  And, thanks for the past training and tips. I use them often and clearly I am getting great results. You both ROCK!!! E. N., Burlingame

June 2, 2009 I’ve seen incremental improvements and adjustments over the years I’ve used your programs.  One thing that I like about the programs is that they include optional workouts for variety or individual tastes, periodization, as well as a good combo of endurance vs. speed vs. strength.  I have found that all are critical to maximize performance while minimizing acute (and overuse) injury, especially with limited training time, and the Hypercat balance of endurance vs. speed vs. strength is pretty darn close to what I’ve found works best for me (when I develop my own program).  The added benefit is that I don’t have to think of a program and worry about my guesses – sometimes it’s nice to have someone else design a program and I just have to execute (for the most part – obviously, I adjust as suits my needs).  My wife has even commented that I am “calmer” when using the Hypercat program – she thinks I am more confident when I head out the door and not second guessing myself.   Doug, Team USA Duathlete

May 15, 2009 A big thank you to you all at Hypercat for your coaching and support through the training and also at the Wildflower. You run a very good  organization. It was great to meet some of you at the event last weekend. You're all so friendly. Thanks for helping me get trained with confidence to complete such a wonderful event.    Peter

Find out why Hypercat Racing is known for the best professional bike fit in San Francisco, the Bay Area and in Northern California!  Kevin Haugh talks about his bike fit experience with Coach Phil Casanta at Hypercat Racing.

After training a full year with Phil and Rachel at Hypercat, I've had a personal record (PR) at every race I've repeated.  (Over an hour at Wildflower, 30 min at the Rock'n'Roll marathon and another hour at Ironman USA, and I broke 2:30 in an Olympic distance triathlon, it's fun to go fast!)  With lots of recovery built into the training, my advice to anyone wanting to get faster and feel great from week to week and especially during races: keep the equipment you already have and invest in professional triathlon training and coaching from Hypercat Racing Chuck M, San Francisco Tri Club

Hey Rachel, I just wanted to say a huge thanks for all your support and encouragement while you’ve been coaching me.  Just finishing my first half was a great achievement for me, I’m very happy, but an extra bonus was to finish in the top half of my age group in a triathlon and I managed to do it at Big Kahuna! Kerry M, San Francisco, CA

I wanted to say "thank you" again. Your coming to Ironman USA in Lake Placid was incredible. It was truly special to have you and Hypercat Racing cheering me out on the course.  You are a fantastic coach and wrote me an ideal training program. I could have never done Ironman without you. Ray, Gloucester, MA

"I would like to take this opportunity to say thanks all the peps who called, emailed, or texted me their well wishes; my coach Rachel Sears from Hypercat Racing; my parents who were with me at Lake Placid; and 5,000+ volunteers who stayed on the race course in the rain the entire day."   Robert Tang, San Francisco, CA

Overall the triathlon experience was great. I had a blast and truly couldn't have done it without you.  I appreciate your way of being and am truly thankful that we worked together to make this happen. Eric, Burlingame, CA

Thank you to both Phil and Rachel – you really helped build the cycling skills and confidence I needed to ride farther and faster! ST, Oregon

It's been awesome Rachel!  I've really really enjoyed the triathlon training. THANKS for a great training program, coaching and getting me ready for the Vineman 70.3. Vanessa, Berkeley, CA

I highly recommend Hypercat Racing to any athlete who wants to explore their sport through effective, thoughtfully designed workouts and to train in a healthy and sustainable way.    M Collings, San Francisco, CA

Thank you so much for all of your encouragement and support. Doing my first triathlon was an intimidating prospect and I was glad to see you both there at Widlflower! Mari, San Francisco

Just a quick note to say thank you very much  for being such a great coach.  This past year was full of many challenges. You were able to get me to both the Ironman starting and finish with a smile.  Mark F, San Jose

Thanks for getting me going in this crazy sport of triathlon! Cynthia, Oakland, CA

Thanks a million for your coaching and all of your help and advice and encouragement these last two years. It’s been a great experience for me in so many ways. Working with you really did make a big difference for me both mentally and physically. Drina, San Francisco, CA

I just wanted to thank you personally for the encouraging and inspiring words. Your coaching has helped me in my triathlon training this year. Jay, San Francisco, CA

I have accomplished many small goals thus far in doing my triathlon training with you.  From barely being able to swim 25 meters, now swimming 250 meters non-stop twice today – The experience has given me an athlete’s high! I feel great about the swimming gains I have made because I have no swimming background. Thank you! Lisa, Oregon

Words fall short in my appreciation of your triathlon coaching services.  There is no way I could have ever finished the Ironman without your help.  Your vast triathlon experience was apparent on a daily basis in the workout schedules that you created. Your coaching was like a lens that focused my efforts. It made all the difference on the day of my Ironman. With heartfelt thanks! Kevin S., Randolph, MA

Thank you!  This weekend we did the paradise loop and I noticed that my fitness level has improved dramatically.  I felt and performed MUCH better up hills and also felt faster on the flat sections.  Then on Sunday we did one of the hardest runs I've done and again, felt better than I ever have on a run like that. Kimberly, San Francisco, CA

I've never felt as strong on the bike and my knees and back are pain free for the first time in a year!. I did half the training for the San Jose International tri this year, compared to last year and still knocked 12 minutes (!!!) off my bike. I believe its because of the bike fit adjustment and the different sized and slightly elevated stem that Phil recommended. A centimeter here, a millimeter there may not seem like much, but let me tell you, it made a HUGE difference. LG, San Francisco, CA

I definitely recommend a bike fit with Coach Phil at Hypercat Racing. Coach Phil is knowledgeable, kind and I felt very comfortable. I gained some triathlon and biking guidance beyond just pertaining to the bike fit. Phil was very honest and provided sound advice. Yuko, San Francisco

My bike fit with Phil at Hypercat was great!  He took so much time understanding what kind of rider I was and what kind of riding I expected to grow into and took everything into consideration when adjusting my bike.  I love the fact that he explained why and took time to teach me something new between adjustments!  Todd, San Francisco

Rachel, thank you for all your help and great tri coaching.  Without your help I would be up the creek without a paddle! Ray, New York

This weekend I noticed something and just wanted to tell you and say thank you because I think you are mainly responsible. We did the paradise loop and both Joe and I noticed that my fitness level has improved dramatically.  I felt and performed MUCH better up hills and also felt faster on the flat sections.  On Sunday we did one of the hardest runs I've done and again, felt better than I ever have on a run like that. I attribute most of this improvement to your coaching over the last few weeks.  Yes, I'm the one out there for hours running, biking, and swimming but before I didn't really have any focus.  I think it's your direction and coaching that has helped give my efforts some purpose and better yet - results!  :)   THANK YOU for making this process more fun and rewarding!  It makes such a difference when you feel your efforts are paying off... Kimberly, San Francisco

Hi Rachel, Good news! I finished Ironman with a time of 13:10. All in all it was a great experience and my training really paid off. I owe you a tremendous debt. Thank you, I will give you a call when I get back to Beantown. Kevin, Massachusetts

Hey Coach Phil, I just wanted to thank you for helping me get a second century under my belt. I really wanted that ride, and it was so great to be able to go out and do it on Sunday. It just meant so much to me.   MC, San Francisco

My bike fit time with you was definitely an eye opener for me! My bike feels great. I raced at Pacific Grove last weekend and upped my mph on the bike which was exciting for me. Even more so was my run.  I felt as though I had more legs left for the run. I won my age group and even broke the course record for my age so the bike fit was a success and long over due! Thanks for all the info and answers to my many questions. I hope to come up for one of your bike clinics in mid October if you have one then. Thanks again! Kathy Felix, San Francisco

I ran Tuscon marathon today in 3:36. About 20 minutes faster than my PR. Thanks for all your help! What am I going to train for next? Boston, of course!   Cory, San Francisco