Mikki M. Osterloo, Ph.D.
A multidisciplinary (or multispectral) person comprised of athlete, scientist, coach as well as dog mom and mountain dweller. I’ve been coaching in some form since high school. I enjoy sharing knowledge and helping others achieve progress/goals/performance and health. I started coaching youth soccer and continued that through my mid-20s. I have been coaching endurance athletes, runners, multi-sport athletes, and triathletes since ~2014. I work with athletes of all abilities- from those desiring to Boston Qualify/IMWC qualify, to wanting better health and progress within the context of the time they have, to master’s athletes looking to get stronger and maintain speed, strength, and performance. A commitment to having an open mind, being curious, communicating, a strong work ethic, and a developing wisdom for the foundations, including rest and recovery.
Philosophy: I am a lifelong seeker of knowledge and integrate science, various training modalities/philosophies, an athlete’s strengths/weakness and preferences, health, nutrition, and recovery all within the confines of their current life. And we evolve that equation as life commitments and situations change.
Lifestyle: When I’m not solving the mysteries of our planet or other rocky bodies in the solar system* or helping my athletes achieve their best- you’ll find me in the mountains with my dogs. Running, hiking, skiing, and cycling. I am a deep introvert and a mountain dweller, I love solitude and the solo adventures. At this stage in my life, I train for life and absolutely love to train! I’m not sure what start lines are in my future right now. I really enjoy the start lines from my front door! Some stats from back when I was racing – PRs: 3:24 marathon (Boston), 10:30 IM (11 x IMs and 3 in 3 months), many 70.3s, marathons, 1/2 marathons, trail and ultra’s – although the 100+ has yet to happen, perhaps someday soon!
Certifications: USAT L1, Training Peaks L1 &2, Endure IQ 101 &102, Metabolic Efficiency Specialist L1, NASRM strength & nutrition (in progress), Yoga teacher training (in progress), UESCA Ultra-running and cycling certifications (in progress)
* I have a Ph.D. in Geology and Geophysics from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. My focus area has been on using ultraviolet thru infrared spectroscopy to understand mineralogy and compositions on the Earth and other rocky bodies in the solar system. I have always had a deep passion for the natural world, space, and a curiosity that seeks to understand and solve problems, whether that be in space science or human physiology.
Cordillera
A cordillera is a chain and/or network system of mountain rages (e.g., North American Cordillera, Cordillera de los Andes, etc). The term is borrowed from old spanish, cordilla, a diminutive of cuerda (‘rope’). It is a term commonly used in geology to describe the large mountain systems or ranges. These mountain ranges have complex structures that are the result of folding and faulting and volcanic activity. Between the ranges are valleys, basins, plateaus caused by faulting and erosional forces (gravity, water, wind).
Many endurance coaches use the symbology of the mountain to represent the path to success. But life, sport, performance, and progress is much more complex than a single mountain. One ironman build at a particular time of your life could be thought of as one mountain, but what about navigating the descent? Or perhaps you find yourself on a plateau? And very rarely will you have the same mountain to climb from build to build over the years you are in sport – the changing environmental conditions make that nearly impossible. I am interested in guiding athletes through the mountain ranges – including the valleys in between and in all the different conditions that life brings. As the terrain changes, so must the plan and guidance.
