According to Coach Jon Adamson, Rusty Burns lives up to his engineering background and puts it to work for him as a triathlete.  Coach Jon is known for being highly analytical and somewhat of a data junkie, but the numbers are only as good as the athlete uses them.   “His background gives him the ability and interest to want to understand all the metrics I can come up with. He is a joy to coach,” says Adamson.

New to the sport of triathlon since 2006, Rusty grew up on a farm in Mississippi without a background in athletics. A friend introduced him to cycling, which got him excited about the sport and led him into triathlon.

Rusty learned about The Sport Factory while training with training with Elite Team athletes Kat Tindol and Kris Kester. It wasn’t until after talking with Head Coach Matt Russ, however, that he connected with Coach Jon. “I was looking for a power certified coach.  I also did some online research, and Jon had very positive reviews,” says Rusty.

Rusty has competed in three sprints, eight olympic distance triathlons, 7 half ironmans, and three ironmans, including IM Louisville, IM Florida, and IM CDA.  At Ironman CDA this year, he blasted a 10:52:06 – a PR of nearly 50 minutes from the previous two IMs!

Even though he had a great showing in that event, his preferred race is the half ironman distance because he has more time to track down fast swimmers, and it requires less of a time investment overall.  His goal for 2010 is a half ironman PR.

Since he didn’t come into triathlon with a sport-specific background, we asked Rusty what is his favorite of the three disciplines.  “That’s a tough one.  I love the challenge of all three – whether it’s overcoming the panic of the mass swim starts or gutting out the last few miles on the run.  Besides the FINISH (my hand’s down total fave!), I would say biking is king with me.  It is my strength, and I am most confident during the biking leg,” he says.

Coach Jon Adamson has worked with Rusty since the beginning of 2010. Notable achievements are the Clermont Olympic where raced to a 3^rd place in AG. He followed that up with winning his AG at the Hiawassee Half IM. At his PR in IM CDA, he finished in the top 10% in his age group.

Rusty sums it up: “I have received lots of advice and some rough plans from seasoned athletes, but not from a certified tri coach.  Jon would certainly be my first “real” coach.  Jon pushes me really hard, but provides the needed recovery periods that make the hard training really pay off.  He is also very in tune with my abilities, heart rate zones, power zones, etc.  Jon is accessible and responsive.  He has equipped me with excellent racing and nutrition strategies as well.   I do think one key to having a good day at IMCDA came down to two main things – correct pacing on the bike (Jon gave me a power goal)  and the run preps that Jon put me through in the weeks leading in to the race.   Prior to his coaching, my long runs were just plodded out with no real strategy.  By Jon adding pacing and heart rate zones, my running and my running confidence really improved. I could go on and on…”

If you don’t find Rusty Burns in the pool, on the bike, or on the run, he is probably at one of the many concerts he attends as an avid music lover. Most of all, he is the proud father of his two children attending college. He works for Cisco Systems as an integrated circuit designer.

Hats off to Rusty for his spirit, progress, and accomplishments in the sport, and to his coach for helping him find that new level of performance.