“You can have results or excuses, but not both!”
Karen Parnell is the founder and owner of the Chili Tri Triathlon Training Centre in Competa. She is a keen triathlete herself (all the medals above are hers) and has competed at events in the US, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Spain and the UK. She set up the centre after nearly 20 years of working in the defence industry as an engineer.
Karen is a British Triathlon Federation tutor and coach; a certified IRONMAN coach, an ASA Open Water Coach, a certified Personal Coach and a UK Athletics Running Coach. She has been coaching for more than eight years, and thoroughly enjoys seeing her athletes progress to success.
“I like to work closely with athletes to understand their specific needs and goals, and ensure their training plan is bespoke, varied, effective and enjoyable. I am lead by the athlete on how they want to train and what will work for them. Training is such an important part of the journey to IRONMAN success, but it can also be a lot of fun.”
Karen is partnered by Jess Draskau Petersson, who is a two times Olympic marathon runner (London and Rio) with a time of around 2hrs 30. Jess also finished eighth in the marathon at the 2014 European Athletics Championships. She is an IRONMAN competitor (she was on the podium in Austria in 2004). She has taken part in numerous triathlon and duathlon events, resulting in multiple podium finishes at various World and European Championships.
“I was a equestrian, then a professional long distance multi-sport athlete. I won a gold and five silver medals for Duathlon and Triathlon in World and International Championships. I live for sport. Andalusia is so beautiful and I enjoy sharing the endless trails with people who share my passions.”
Karen and Jess work together with PTSD Retreat Competa guests to help them reach their full potential for triathlon participation and competition. Both are also qualified in sports massage.
PTSD RETREAT COMPETA 