Who is your coach…

My name is John Hansen and I live in the beautiful town of Folsom, California, which is a fantastic area for multisport – triathlon training. See below for a quick look at your future coach.

JOHN HANSEN
Triathlon Coach | Exercise Physiologist | High-Performance Sport Coach

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Experienced triathlon coach and exercise physiologist with 29 years of professional triathlon coaching experience spanning elite/professional, elite-development, collegiate, and age-group athletes. Head coach of the UC Davis Collegiate Triathlon Club since 2004, coaching 50+ athletes annually with an emphasis on short-course, sprint, draft-legal, and Olympic-distance racing.

Experienced in physiological testing, performance analysis, training program design, athlete development, and hands-on coaching. Five years of professional experience at the UC Davis Sports Performance Facility conducting physiological and biomechanical assessments and providing athletic performance consultations.

SELECTED HONORS

USA Triathlon 2025 Collegiate Coach of the Year

Areas of Expertise

Triathlon Coaching and Athlete Development at all levels
- Elite, Professional, Elite Development and Age-Group Coaching
Collegiate Triathlon Short-Course and Draft-Legal Racing
Olympic-Distance Triathlon Ironman 70.3 and 140.6
Training Program Design and Periodization
Exercise Physiology, Physiological Testing and Performance Analysis
Lactate, VO2, Heart Rate, Power and Speed Analysis
Swim and Run Technique Analysis
Strength, Mobility and Conditioning
Race Strategy and Performance Optimization
TrainingPeaks and WKO

EDUCATION
California State University, Sacramento (CSUS), Master of Science, Exercise Physiology

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
UC Davis Sports Performance Facility, Exercise Physiologist | 2003–2009

Conducted physiological testing using resting, strength/power, and graded exercise testing protocols.
Assessed lactate, power, heart rate, speed, VO2, and other physiological performance markers.
Conducted coaching consultations related to athletic performance and analyzed physiological and biomechanical testing results.
Presented training and performance material at numerous workshops and clinics.
Presented on topics including:
- Periodization
- Principles of Training
- Energy System Training
- Heart Rate Training
- Training and Performance

TRIATHLON COACHING EXPERIENCE

ELITE, PROFESSIONAL & AGE-GROUP COACHING

1995–Present – Coach athletes ranging from age-group competitors to elite-development and professional triathletes competing in short-course draft-legal, Olympic-distance, Ironman 70.3, and Ironman 140.6 events.

Overall Coaching Success – 20+ athletes achieving top-25 finishes at national or world championship events.

Key Athlete Results

2025 Ironman California: Female 50–54 Age Group — 2nd place
2025 Ironman California: Male 18–24 Age Group — 7th place
2024: Multiple Ironman Pro Series top-25 results
2023 70.3 Indian Wells: Male Age Group — 7th, earning Elite License
2022 Ironman 70.3 Salem: Female — 1st Age Group, 4th Overall Female; would have placed 11th in the professional division
2021 USAT Age Group National Championships: Male — 13th Age Group / 71st Overall
2021 USAT Age Group National Championships: Female — 8th Age Group / 39th Overall
2019 USAT Age Group National Championships: Male — 8th and 12th Age Group / 21st and 29th Overall
2019 Ironman 70.3 World Championship Qualifier: Male
2011 Vineman 70.3: Male Professional Field — 5th, PR 3:50:05
2010 Ironman 70.3 World Championships: Male Professional Field — 22nd
2010 Ironman 70.3 California: Male Professional Field — 8th
2009: Rookie Male Pro Triathlete of the Year
2008 Ironman Arizona: Female Age Group Winner and Course Record Holder

HIGH-PERFORMANCE COLLEGIATE RACE COACHING EXPERIENCE

UC Davis Collegiate Triathlon Club — Davis, CA

Head Coach | 2004–Present
Coach approximately 50+ collegiate athletes annually, with primary emphasis on short-course, sprint, draft-legal, and Olympic-distance triathlon.

Collegiate Coaching Results – Overall Success

15+ athletes achieving top-10 finishes at Collegiate Club National Championships in Olympic and draft-legal events.
15+ first-place finishes at in-season races and conference championships.

Collegiate Club National Championships — Key Results

Women’s Team: 7× top-10 finishes, 2017–Present; 2nd place, 2026
Men’s Team: 5× top-15 finishes, 2016–Present
Mixed Team Relay: 6× top-10 finishes, 2018–Present; 3rd place, 2026
Combined Men’s and Women’s Team: 6× top-12 finishes, 2016–Present; 8th place, 2026
Female Draft-Legal Sprint: 7 athletes with top-12 finishes, 2014–Present; 4th and 9th place, 2026
Female Olympic: 5 athletes with top-10 finishes, 2019–Present
Male Draft-Legal Sprint: 6 athletes with top-35 finishes, 2017–Present; 3rd place, 2026
Male Olympic: 4 athletes with top-30 finishes, 2016–Present; 24th place, 2026

COACHING SUPPORT

Develop individualized annual training plans and monthly workout calendars using TrainingPeaks and WKO.
Work with athletes remotely and in person with local athletes.
Monitor training progress through TrainingPeaks, WKO, email, phone, and text communication.
Provide individualized training support covering mobility, strength training, workout nutrition, and general nutrition guidelines.
Conduct swim and run video analysis for local athletes to improve form, technique, and movement dynamics.
Develop race-specific training and performance strategies based on the athlete’s physiological characteristics and competition goals.

CERTIFICATIONS

USA Triathlon

USAT Level 3 Coaching Certification | 2026–Present
USAT Level 2 Coaching Certification | 2021–Present
USAT Level 1 Coaching Certification | 2017–Present
USAT Areas of Focus Certification — Short Course, Long Course and Paratriathlon
USAT Advanced Bike Fit Certification
USAT Advanced Swim Certification

Additional Certifications

Cooper Institute Fitness Specialist
Cooper Institute Master Fitness Specialist
TRX Suspension System Trainer
Functional Movement Screening, Level 1

SERVICE TO THE SPORT

USA Triathlon 2025 Volunteer of the Year
Collegiate Club Triathlon Coaches Association (CCTCA) Board President | 2020–Present
USA Triathlon Collegiate Club Commission Co-Committee Chair
USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships Athlete Ranking and Wave Allocation Coordinator
West Coast Collegiate Triathlon Conference (WCCTC) Coaches Association Webmaster | 2014–Present

Publications

Author/contributor to 18+ USA Triathlon Multisport Zone articles