As Expected

Well the session this morning went pretty much exactly as expected. Flat out but fun. Just the way I wanted.

Coaching down at the pool this morning was certainly a challenging experience. Each of the sessions had about 40 people in them, spread across 4 lanes. Each of those lanes had two or three different groups of swimmers in them, making for about 10 different swimming groups to manage per session, all swimming at different speeds and progressing through the set at different rates. It meant a lot of juggling.

Coach Sal and I usually take two lanes each when we coach together which makes the session much more manageable, but it is still a busy morning. The session this morning required lots of adjustments to the Tempo Timers that we use, which meant that we were almost constantly on the move, either directing swimmers or adjusting timers. The two hours of coaching certainly went very quickly. As they say, time flies when you are having fun.

Each time I look after half of the squad and feel flat out with just two lanes, it makes me shake my head and wonder just how Paul handles the full squad on his own. It is a testament to his energy that he is able to do so. When I used to swim in the squad I never felt neglected or that Paul was spread too thin. Instead I think he just has the knack of knowing when and where he needs to be to accommodate the requirements of the swimmers, always able to give them time when they require it. It is certainly an impressive skill, and one that I am not sure I will ever achieve. Happy to keep trying though.

Tomorrow, for the first time in months I have no coaching. No appointments, no sessions to run, no programs to write, a complete day off. I am really looking forward to it. Not that the day will be completely triathlon free, that would just be silly. No, in the morning I will be jumping on the bike and riding very slowly with a mate of mine as he executes a tempo run session. I did this last Sunday when he was doing his long run and I had an absolute ball, so when he asked me to come along tomorrow I leaped at the chance. It sounds kind of dull riding alongside somebody who is running, I mean won't it get boring? Interestingly that is not what I found at all. Rather it was a great chance for a bit of a chat and just generally being out and about enjoying the outdoors, nice weather and good company. The weather tomorrow isn't necessarily looking so good, but two out of three ain't bad.

Should be a bit of fun.