Ray Barrios

Ray brings eleven years of competitive running and triathlon experience to Fortius Coaching. As an experienced athlete and coach, Ray understands the physical and psychological demands required of athletes that seek not only to accomplish their goals but exceed them.

Ray works closely with his clients to structure comprehensive training programs customized for various lifestyles and training abilities. He understands the importance of achieving a balance between life and sport through focused and personalized coaching that maximizes the value of each training session. This awareness allows him to define a client's athletic goals clearly and target the best path that results in a stronger, more confident and well-rounded athlete. Ray has helped athletes exceed their expectations in running races from a 5K to a 100-Mile ultramarathon, and every distance in between, as well as triathlons, from sprints to Ironman distance.

Some highlights of Ray’s 2011 coaching endeavours include the success of the 2nd annual Fortius Coaching Wildflower Training Weekend, serving as support crew for an ultramarathon client in her first 100-mile race and coaching her to a 28 hour finish time and an overall first place 50K race finish.  He has also supported several Fortius Coaching athletes at their respective races, most notably CAF/Fortius Coaching athlete Karen Aydelott at Oceanside 70.3, Ironman St. George and Ironman Arizona, where she won her age group and qualified for the 2012 Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i.

As a competitive athlete, Ray challenges himself to achieve new goals alongside his athletes. He has competed in hundreds of running races that range from 5K to ultramarathons and his passion for running led him to a sub-24 hour finish at the Javelina Jundred, a 100-mile endurance run. In 2011, Ray ran his first Boston Marathon and re-qualified with a personal best finish time.  He also celebrated other PRs including the Breath of Life Olympic Triathlon, Vineman 70.3 and the Inaugural HITS Triathlon Palm Springs Full IM-distance.  In 2012, Ray will return to ultrarunning and plans to train and race in ultra-distance triathlons.

Ray also believes in the strength of community and actively participates as a Fortius group workout leader and has served on the board of directors for the largest triathlon club in the United States. When he is not racing or supporting his athletes, he frequently volunteers at local running events and triathlons.

Ray has been a Level 1 USAT certified coach and is currently an RRCA certified running coach.  Ray resides in San Diego and is available for group and private sessions most days and is willing to travel to the greater Los Angeles and Orange County areas.