Coach Kate Offord

I use this account for my Multisport Coaching Business CKO Coach Kate Offord. Whilst that’s my main job, I also spend evenings and weekends and more working within swimming as Head Coach at Altrincham Swimming Club. I started swimming properly when I was 7 and it’s been a passion of mine ever since.

Every year I’m proud to go to Nationals to support swimmers in our club to race the best in the Country. It’s a tough gig to qualify, with a 2 month qualifying window which dictates who goes and who doesn’t. As a relatively small club with a relatively light training programme (half the number of hours of some of our competition) we tend to hold our own pretty well!

It’s been a massive privilege to spend time in Sheffield supporting Sophia, who has raced amazingly coming 12th best 13 year old in England in the 200 Free and 14th best 13 year old in the 100 Free. Her achievement is awesome in one of the most competitive age groups and she’s been an absolute pleasure to coach this year!

So if I was slow to answer your messages last week, I wasn’t skiving, I was immersed in another chlorine filled world!

Massive well done to Jacqueline Jacqueline Tulloch and Lauren Lauren Evins who raced on Sunday, and had some great results!

Lauren was racing down in Braintree in the .2.tri Duathlon, building her speed and race experience, whilst Jacqueline was racing all the way up North at Shetland Sprint Triathlon. She was pleased with a fast swim - then there was a tough headwind on the bike - followed by a strong run!

Well done to both of you, excellent racing and exciting progress 💜💚

I was really happy that it’s Friday today!

I started the day at Grand Central Pool in Stockport to polish off some last broken swims before Sophia heads to Nationals next week. Then I had a couple of meetings before heading off to the track.

Pretty much all the track stars are on holiday or at the Commonwealth Games (watching, not competing this year) but Lisa, Kristina and Michael made it for the 10 x 90 secs set.

Had a great coffee (well tea actually) afterwards with Lisa chatting all things strength and perimenopause before heading home for a little run of my own.

I’m looking forward to a sit down and a 🍺🍻🍺 in a bit! How’s your Friday been?

Swimming thought of the day...

Swimming because it makes you happy is reason enough. 💜💚

Not every session needs to be building towards a race, chasing a PB or ticking a box on a training plan.

Sometimes the best reason to get in the water is simply to remind yourself you enjoy it.

💜Mid year review of my coaching!💚

If you’d asked me in January what the first half of 2026 would look like... I definitely wouldn’t have got it right.

There have been some incredible highs, plenty of lessons, a few moments where I’ve wondered what on earth I’m doing, and more cups of tea than I care to admit. ☕😂 I’ve also got a lot more athletes than I’ve ever planned on having and for that I’m eternally grateful!

Coaching isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about showing up, listening properly, asking better questions and helping people believe they’re capable of more than they think.

Watching athletes cross finish lines, achieve PBs, take on challenges they never thought possible or simply fall back in love with training... that’s still the best part of what I do.

I’ve also learnt that growing a coaching business isn’t about trying to do everything. It’s about getting clearer on who you are, what you stand for and having the confidence to do things your own way.

So here’s to the first six months of 2026...
The wins.
The work-ons.
The laughter.
The learning.

I’m excited to see what the second half of the year brings: for me, for CKO and, most importantly, for the amazing athletes I get to work with every day. 💜

Debbie absolutely smashed it today with a very hot 100 mile audax. Determination and dedication are key to Debbie’s success as she really wasn’t well earlier in the week.

Debbie has become wise and no longer cracks on regardless, she listens to her body (it’s taken a while!) which is what has enabled her to achieve so many hard things over the last few years 💜💚

Well done Debbie and gang, that was some day, I’m sure 💪 Debbie Pitfield

Scorchio! 🔥🔥🔥

Well done to the track stars who made it to the session in the heat! You are the best!

Thank God (well actually David bought them) for ice cream to cool us down at the end 💪💜💚