Coach George Ganoung

Founder & Head Coach

40+ years of competitive cycling, running & multi-sport experience including multiple national titles and World Championship teams.

40+ years racing & coaching USA Cycling, TrainingPeaks, USA Triathlon & Slowtwitch certified coach Road, time trial, gravel, MTB, multi-sport, running

Coach George has over three decades of experience in cycling, running and multi-sport, with hundreds of events raced regionally, nationally and internationally. He has won National Championships, competed on numerous U.S. National Teams, and coached a wide range of athletes from first-time racers to experienced age-group and elite competitors.

About Coach George

Coach George has 40+ years of competitive cycling, running and multi-sport experience. As an athlete, he has competed in hundreds of events regionally, nationally and internationally, scoring numerous top finishes including winning National Championships and competing on multiple U.S. National Teams at World Championship events. He has also served as a team captain, cycling director, and training consultant for over one hundred athletes.

In 2013, after retiring from the U.S. Coast Guard following a 20-year career, he founded Otterhaus Coaching with the goal of sharing the knowledge he gained from working with different athletes, coaches and training approaches. His focus is on endurance athletes of all ages and levels who love the sport and aspire to improve.

Having successfully balanced a demanding military career, family life and athletic goals, George understands firsthand the realities of training with a full plate. Whether you are just getting started, aiming for a big personal goal, or racing at a high level, he emphasizes a big-picture perspective, clear communication and keeping the process as straightforward and enjoyable as possible.

Certifications

USA Cycling Certified Coach Level 1 (Elite).
USA Cycling Certified Power Based Training Coach.
USA Triathlon Certified Coach Level 1.
TrainingPeaks Certified Coach Level II.
Slowtwitch Certified Triathlon Swim Coach.
USA Cycling, TrainingPeaks, USA Triathlon and Slowtwitch coaching certifications.

Coaching Highlights

Has worked with over 100 athletes in 26 states and 10 countries in road cycling, mountain biking, gravel, fondos, CX, track, triathlon, duathlon and running.
Athletes have included both men and women from beginners to seasoned veterans, and from juniors to masters.
Focus areas have ranged from those who were looking to maintain a more healthy lifestyle and generally improving fitness, to nationally competitive elite athletes.
17 athletes have earned racing category upgrades with USA Cycling. 22 competed in National Championship competition (including 4 National Champions) and 16 in World Championship competition.
Other highlights include: first time triathlon finishers; first time half Ironman triathlon (70.3) finishers; first time Ironman triathlon (140.6) finishers; first time Powerman Zofingen Duathlon finishers; and first time Leadville 100 finishers.
Practical experience training with heart rate since 1997 and power since 2003.
2018–22 Manager and Elite Program Director, Otterhaus Racing Team.
2015–16 Director of Elite Sports Program (cycling, running, triathlon and para-cycling), US Military Endurance Sports.
2019 US Armed Forces Cycling Team Coach; World Military Games in China.
2015 US Armed Forces Cycling Team Coach; World Military Games in South Korea.
2014 Director of Elite Cycling, US Military Endurance Sports.
2013 US Armed Forces Cycling Team Coach; World Military Championships in Belgium.
George Ganoung military cycling team director and cycling coach.

Athletic Highlights

20 years competitive running experience, 7 years duathlon/triathlon experience, focused primarily on cycling since 2002.
USA Cycling Category 1 Road Cyclist, former USA Triathlon Elite Duathlete and Div III Collegiate Cross Country and Track Runner.
7× Member / 5× Captain US Armed Forces Cycling Team: 2003–2009.
5× USA National Duathlon Team Member: 1996–2000 ITU World Duathlon Championships.
2004 US Olympic Road Cycling Trials Qualifier (based on NRC points).
2003 and 2004 US Armed Forces Time Trial National Champion.
2000 USA Triathlon 25–29 Age Group US Duathlon National Champion.
2017 US Gran Fondo National Champion 45–54 Age Group.
7th 2004 CISM World Military Time Trial Championships, Slovakia.
9th 2009 CISM World Military Time Trial Championships, Ireland.
5th 1997 ITU World Age Group Duathlon Championships, Gernika, Spain.
8th 2000 ITU World Age Group Duathlon Championships, Calais, France.
2019 Mid Atlantic Masters Time Trial Champion.
2018 Mid Atlantic Masters Road Race Champion.
2012 Mid Atlantic Masters Best All Around Rider.
10× WV State Champion (Road and TT 2012–2021).
1st Overall 2021 Shenandoah Mountain 100k NUE MTB Race.
5th 2012 USA Cycling Masters National Time Trial Championships.
4× Regional/District Champion (Time Trial & Criterium).
6× USAT Regional Duathlon Champion (New England, Southwest and Mid Atlantic Regions).
2× US Coast Guard Elite Athlete of the Year.