The Joys of Coaching – Part 2

“If at first you don’t succeed, try doing what your coach told you to do the first time.” – Unknown

By no means do I consider myself qualified to be a triathlon coach, but I do spend a lot of time reading up on training methods, workouts, and nutrition.

My wife, Lisa, on the other hand, has no real interest in reading about such things. She takes more of a “just tell me what I need to do” approach. But she’s not interested in hiring a coach at this point. So that’s the role I fill – trying to help guide her training and provide motivation.

Sometimes it’s hard.

The Coach-Athlete Relationship

They say that honesty is the best policy…

Lisa:                “Honey, do you like being my coach?”
Alan:               “Yes.”
Lisa:                “So what exactly do you like about it?”
Alan:               (Smiles.) “I get to say things to you as your coach that I can’t say to you as your husband.”

Rise and Shine

On weekdays, I get out of bed around 4:15 a.m. for an early morning workout in the basement. I’ve done this for almost two years now, ever since I started training for my first Ironman. Lisa, on the other hand, has struggled to adjust to an early morning routine…

Monday Morning

Alan:                “Honey, are you going to work out this morning?”
Lisa:                 (Rolls over and goes back to sleep.)

Tuesday Morning

Alan:               “Honey, you’re bike isn’t going to ride itself!”
Lisa:                (Rolls over and goes back to sleep.)

Wednesday Morning

Alan:               “Honey, you’re bike misses you!”
Lisa:                (Rolls over and goes back to sleep.)

Thursday Morning

Alan:               “Honey, I’ve pumped up your tires and reset your bike computer. You’re all ready to go!”
Lisa:                (Rolls over and goes back to sleep.)

Friday Morning

Lisa:                (Finally rolls out of bed, puts on her bike gear, and goes to the basement. Alan, who has                           already been riding his bike for 30 minutes, looks up, surprised.)
Alan:               “Honey, are you sleepwalking?”

The One Letter Difference

We had just finished a run and were in the process of changing out of our sweaty gear…

Lisa:                “Honey, come here. I want you to see something.” (Alan, shirtless, walks into the bedroom                         and stands beside Lisa, who is in her spandex shorts and sports bra, staring at a full-                                 length mirror.)
Alan                “What’s up?”
Lisa:                “This is FIT (points to Alan’s six-pack abdominals), and this is FAT (points to her own soft                             belly).” (Alternates pointing…) “FIT… FAT… FIT… FAT… I’m FAT… Wahhhh!”
Alan:               “Oh Honey, it’s just one letter. You’re so close!”

In case you missed our previous exchange, read “The Joys of Coaching – Part 1.”