About Caleb "Mr Xterra" Guest

I first started participating in Triathlon’s during my second year of college. I became interesting in the sport after purchasing my first road bike for transportation purposes. I had already established a running and swimming background during high school, but had never done much pedaling until college. Once I completed my first sprint I was hooked and immediately signed up for the same event the following month, where I managed to improve my time by almost 30 minutes (25 of those coming from improved transitions). My third year on the team offered me with my first opportunity to start coaching and leading group workouts.

After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology I moved out to Arizona where I interned at USAA in their corporate fitness department. After finishing my internship, and thus my college education, I continued to pursue my desire towards physical health and fitness by obtaining NSCA’s Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) Certification. With these qualifications and a desire to start coaching again I volunteered to help with the Corona Del Sol Swim team in 2007. The following year I was asked to come back as the head coach, where I remain today.

It was during this period of time that I began to fall in love with mountain biking and the new opportunities it provided. I revamped my training routine during 2007 and set my sights on the Xterra World Championships in Hawaii. After hitting the podium in several points and championship races I final earned my spot to Worlds during the Southeast Championship race in Pelham, Alabama. Hawaii was no bust as I took 5th place, which helped to secure my USAT All American status for Off Road Triathlon’s.

With the World Championships and several years of Olympic and Sprint distances triathlons behind me I turned my sights to Ironman in 2008. This would bring about multiple new challenges the least of which was my own training. Shortly after signing up myself I somehow managed to convince my lovely girlfriend Nicole Culver to join me. With only a handful of ½ marathons under her belt and no swimming or cycling experience I knew we had a lot of work to do before we hit the starting line of Coeur d’Alene. With only one year to train Nicole and I embarked on setting up a plan designed to get her across the line in the allotted time. We ended up with over an hour and a half to spare as she finished in 15 hr 23 min and 47 sec. Watching Nicole finish and accomplish this tremendous achievement solidified my desire to coach. I am extremely excited and look forward to working with and watching every Excel and Beyond athlete set, work toward and achieve their personal goals; whether it’s swimming in open water for the first time or crossing the finish line for the hundredth.