Train for a rad life

If your rad life involves sweating, goal setting, and some physical exertion this is the squad for you.

Everyone’s version of a rad life looks a little different. Join a versatile community of cyclists, triathletes and runners racing events across the spectrum of endurance: from Ironman to XTERRA to Belgian Waffle Ride to Leadville and every other gravel nook and ultra endurance running cranny.

We feel that of every path you take in life at least a few should be dirt.

If you are thinking about getting a little dirty during the season, want a crew with a laidback vibe, or know you need to keep some Type 2 fun for a rad life, with or without races, this is your squad.

One coach. Comprehensive programming.

Triathlon is ONE sport with three disciplines that all need to be addressed. Add supplemental training like strength work, technical improvement and mobility. It is a lot to juggle yourself and trying to get 5 different coaches to program together is impossible.

MelRad Coaching is full service coaching with one coach advising on everything you need to find your rad potential.

Strength, cycling, swimming, running and technical work. All programming must be married together for continuous improvement to be realized.

MelRad Coaching: ONE coach. Comprehensive programming.

Coaching Successes

M 30-34 ITU Cross Tri World Champion
M 50-54 IM 70.3 Champion
F 30-34 IM Canada 11:00 debut
F 45-49 XTERRA World Champion
M 50-54 IM Canada Podium/Kona Qualification
FPRO XTERRA Champion

Hi, I'm Melanie McQuaid

Passionate endurance coach and skills instructor
University of Victoria graduate
Professional Cyclist and Triathlete
Fierce advocate of women in sport
Lover of pugs
Miniature citrus tree farmer

Looking for a shot of adrenaline with your runners high? We know that feeling. That is why MelRad Multisport athletes like to add a dash of dirt to any yearly training plan. Whether your primary goal is an Ironman, XTERRA or a Leadville buckle or ALL OF THE ABOVE this year, we have the experience, the environment and the vibe that is going to keep you on track to achieving those goals.

Some of our squad aim at winning these races. Others race for FUN and WINNING AT LIFE. It doesn’t matter if you are fast or not… just bring good energy and we will amplify it exponentially and make the result you dream of a reality.

We are here to help you TRAIN FOR YOUR RAD LIFE!

Welcome to MelRad

MelRad Racing is a squad of rad endurance freaks tackling the toughest endurance races in the world

Coaching Options

What Athletes that Work with Me Say

I came to the triathlon scene with little biking and running experience and no prior swim experience. Melanie coached me from the bottom 20% of my age group to standing on the podium in 3 seasons with her coaching style that I understand. I live in Ontario with lots of local coaches to work with near me but I choose to work with Melanie in British Columbia.

Jason Pace

IM Athlete

Melanie has changed me as an athlete. I used to be content to “exercise” a lot and race by looking around and enjoying the scenery. She taught me to find the fierceness in working hard, the enjoyment in racing hard, and that it is pretty damn fun to get on the podium. She has made me see the value in being a balanced triathlete instead of relying on strengths. She also understands balancing a stressful job with training.

Alison Keple

IM Athlete/Gravel Diva

I’ve been coached for two seasons of XC mountain biking and XTERRA with Melanie. During that time I have gone from a “middle of the pack” XTERRA competitior to placing 6th OA amateur and 2nd in the 30-34 AG at the 2010 XTERRA World Championships finally to ITU Cross Triathlon World Champion. Melanie structured a program that balanced my work and home life with my desire to reach the highest possible level in sport.

Fred Smith

XTERRA Athlete

Having Mel as my coach this season was an incredible experience! As she states on her coaching page "if you want to put in the work, I will show you the way" and she did that plus much much more! She delivered me a detailed tailored training program. I found that she was constantly tweaking and updating my program to find a healthy, realistic balance between my work and home life yet pushing me to be my very best in all my athletic endeavors.