Suzanne Atkinson's Blog

Suzanne is a board certified Emergency Medicine physician, as well as a certified Triathlon, Cycling and Swimming coach in Pittsburgh, PA. She founded Steel City Endurance, LTD with a desire to teach both technical skills as well as fundamental training principals to triathletes, cyclists and mountaineers.

In addition to coaching private athletes, Suzanne organized Pittsburgh's first women's specific cycling team and is the Team Director for Steel City Endurance men's and women's bicycle racing team. She teaches the annual fitness class at the Pittsburgh Mountaineering and Rock Climbing school.

Steel City Endurance is currently planning Triathlon Specific Total Immersion style clinics in the PIttsburgh area in addition to offering private swim coaching. Contact Suzanne for details.

Coach Blogs

The TRUE meaning of Hypoxic sets (not what you think)... by Suzanne Atkinson

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Swimming at altitude provides a challenge above and beyond practicign other sports at altitude. You cant simply "swim slower" and take long deep panting breaths. Your breathign stroke must be seamless and flawless, and you must be able to take one every 2 strokes if needed due to the increased oxygen demands at altitude.

I've learned the true meaning of hypoxic training with

Do you Practice Aquatic Violence? by Suzanne Atkinson

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I first heard the term "Aquatic Violence" from Total Immersion coach Brian Vande Krol in his ebook Six Week Beginner Freestyle Stroke Efficiency Program

This morning I was teaching a private lesson to an Ironman Triathlete, multiple Kona finisher who is nearly 70 years old. As I watched his warm-up laps I saw an exuberant effort to reach and extend his hands as far forward as he could, a dramatic

Bad Workouts Breed Success - How to Make it Happen by Suzanne Atkinson

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My last blog post described an effort at a distance workout set that nearly ended in  miserable failure and frustration.  The workout was  a tempo trainer based set aimed at building speed into shorter sets based on my performance in a longer set. The first goal was for me to discover a tempo at which I could comfortably complete 500 yards. Being new to the tempo trainer, I'd never tried this

The Hidden Beauty of "Failed" Workouts - The Dance by Suzanne Atkinson

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Interesting workout today. Felt initially frustrated, but upon reflection, I can see the silver lining, and realize that workouts like this are not only necessary, but if you don't have them occasionally, you won't make progress.

I decided to try a set that I learned about from Coach Shane Eversfield (http://www.zendurance.net) while helping out at the Freestyle Clinic just concluded in Coral

An Uncluttered Approach to Stroke Shaping by Suzanne Atkinson

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I only had 30 minutes to swim before the kids swim team practiced, luckily there was a lane open with no one swimming. Next to me as a guy about my age who looked serious...his form looked pretty good as he cruised up and down the lane making big splashy flip turns at either end.

I sat on the edge of the deck and put on my swim cap and goggles, and set my one swim toy on the deck...my tempo

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