Almost there

Almost there on a couple of different things today.

The first almost there is that we are almost ready to head to Darwin. One more sleep as the kids say. First thing tomorrow we are on our way. Rather exciting. We all can't wait to be on our way and get up there. Let the relaxing begin. Just need to get through a 4 hour flight with two kids first. How hard can that be...

The second almost there is that I am now unofficially a Triathlon Development Coach (previously known at a Level 1 Coach). This morning I did my practical assessment with Paul Newsome and today I submitted it to Triathlon WA. Now I am just waiting for it to be processed and then I am away, I have unofficially been told it is fine though. It has taken me a bit over a month to get through the required hours and the rest of the work required to pass my Development Coach certification and so I am very happy to have it done, just in time for my holiday too.

Now that the qualification is almost finalised I can get on with the actual task of coaching. That bit is also almost under way, however, it will be waiting until I am back from holiday. I mentioned the other day that in this coming season I will be working as a coach for Front Runners and so that whole process will kick off in the Mid July. The plan is to take on a handful of athletes and guide them towards Ironman WA (or half) in December this year. I would be lying if I said it was a challenge that didn't have me mildly apprehensive, but it is also a challenge that I am very keen to take on.

I am finding that coaching is one of those tasks that inspires self doubt in me right up until the moment I do it. Once I am coaching I stop doubting and simply do it and in that process I realise that I actually know what I am doing. I guess between 20 years of elite sport, 5 years of triathlon and 2 years of professional racing you are probably going to pick up a thing or two. Not to mention the specific coaching development that I have been involved in for the last 6 months. I still have loads to learn of that I have no doubt, but I am finding that I know more than I give myself credit for. As I get further in this coaching journey I am hoping that the confidence will grow and some of the doubt will subside, even though I expect the learning to never stop.

The more I do this coaching caper and the more I do my day job, the more I learn that I really like people. I guess you could call me a people person. I know the idea of doing a job that requires regular interaction with people fills some folks with dread, but for me it is quite the opposite. It is working with people, as much as helping people on their triathlon journey that I am looking forward to getting on with.

It has taken me quite a while to reach this next step in Triathlon. It isn't quite there, but it is close. Now that I am almost there I find that I am can't wait to get on with it.

Oh yeah, on a side note, as we are travelling to Darwin tomorrow I may or not get to a post. I am planning on blogging while I am up in Darwin, but it may not be quite as religious as normal.