Triathlon Level 1 Coaching, Run Melbourne and Noosa

Last weekend saw me join some 20 others at South Yarra SportCentre at Melbourne High School in South Yarra for Triathlon Level 1 Coaching; we had a 2 day program lead by Ryan Mannix along with 6 guest presenters from Swimming, Run, Bike, Planning and Core.  The group of soon to be Coaches were from all over Victoria some came down from Shepparton and one all the Echuca. I must say the two days were well structured and full of information. I felt Ryan was a good mix of teacher, mentor, athlete and coach. The group seem to really enjoy the class room and practical stuff, nothing more boring that sitting on your ass for two days being told what to do if you can’t practice it. I always say if that if you walk away with one new item from any information, training or seminar you are will to accept new ideas and challengers. Before the course I didn’t think there was anything that I could take away from Triathlon Coaching and apply to Professional work career as an IT Network Manager but I did.

For example saying to little Johnnie, look that was well done but here are some issues/problems that are observed and explain what they are doing wrong and how they could be improved on, then back that up with good effort and well done. Now little Johnnie has been told he has done well, you then tell him where he went wrong but rebuild it back up with the praise he needs to move forward with. So not only do you now have someone who has started out well but may be doing some things wrong but you have given them the tools/comments to go away and improve on and they don’t feel that you are not supportive from their goals or dreams. 

The hard work is ahead now, I need to complete my work book, write a 90 day program and complete a practical assignment with Level 1 or Level 2 coach.  I had already spoken to Sarah one of the coaches at Tri Alliance who will guide me through the final process. The first two parts need to be completed by 1^st October.

Soon to be Coaches

My prep for my first Half Marathon is well on track based on my training runs and the average pace I should meet my second goal of sub 2 hours, with the first being to complete a Half Marathon. The build has been slow well structured with rest days mixed in with cross training. I also believe the run program I did with Tony Benson put on by Tri Alliance was well worth the money. Things I have taken away from Tony’s course I have applied and I have noticed a big difference in my running. I feel I run taller, using less energy and breathing better. I’m sure this is an ongoing teaching to myself these skills as well as parting this information onto others as I become a coach.

 A friend of mine, Ellie has offered to act as my pace setter for the event. She is using Run Melbourne as training event for a Full Marathon she is completing in US later in July. While I don’t need a pacer as I have ye-old Mr Garmin it will be good for someone to keep me honest. Tri Alliance has some 45 of us running in the Half and another 20 odd in the 5km / 10km events, so it will be great to see so many TA people out and about.

Ellie asked me recently how I felt about my first Half, while the training has been somewhat boring and hard it didn’t seem to worry me. Seems a strange comment from someone about to do their first Half Marathon, well the shit got real this week when the information, race bib and timing chip arrived. I did have one of those now it’s real moments.

Run Melbourne 2012 Half Marathon Race Pack

The “A” Race while it seems far away but it’s not, saw another piece of the puzzle arrive this week. My bike box! I got Thule Bike Box, I’m happy with it but it does require a little more foam/protection inside the box. A trip up to Clark Rubber to get some more/thinker foam will fix this up quickly. In the next few weeks I will start back in either spin classes and/or wind trainer session at MSAC. While I am getting my Km’s in on the bike on the road I could do with some more + these session are always hot sweaty sessions which will help me cope with Noosa weather later in the year.

Bike Case

Until next time which will be my Run Melbourne Race Report