As a coach you have good days and tough days, just like the athletes, and today was a tough one. 

This morning we arrived at the venue two hours before the race and felt extremely proud of our sport being in the Olympic Games for the third time and how far it has come.  The venue was incredible and we
also felt very proud of Lisa and other athletes that we had helped over the years that were now in the Olympic Triathlon like Carolyn Murray and Lauren Groves. 

As the race started and progressed it turned out to be a tough coaching day.  Despite Lisa’s preparation being so great, speedy workouts, and her head in the right place with a great plan, she exited the water in 29th place.  This was very frustrating when you know that this athlete can be top 6 out of the water every single time with her skills and fitness, and that the competitors that she routinely swims beside in the pool are always in the front.  With the poor swim, Lisa was desperately playing catch up to the first bike group which, ultimately did not work out so well, and she dropped back into the second bike group.  Then she missed an amazing opportunity. The “Nicole Spirig Train” caught up to her group and pulled them to within 12 seconds of the leaders only to have Spirig ride away with a Japanese athlete and leave Lisa and the rest of her group behind.  Inevitably Lisa’s group would fall further and further back with Lisa at the staying at the back of her group most of the time, not being able to contribute, which is unlike the Lisa we usually see at the front riding so well, sometimes going for the primes. 

I preach to the athletes that I coach time and time again, that the race is at the FRONT.  When you are not in the front pack, and not even in the front of your group – you are at the mercy of others and nothing good ever comes from that.  This is why you will see the best athletes always get themselves to the front of the race, especially in triathlon.  Enter the crash...As soon as the 2nd chase pack (third group of cyclists) caught Lisa’s group there was a nasty crash caused by an athlete that clipped her bike on a sign which threw her in front of the other riders creating chaos.  I saw at least 5 women crash hoping that Lisa was not one of them.  Another 5 -8 women stopped behind or slowly weaved there way through the mess and tried to organize themselves again.  Then, I recognized Lisa as one of the athletes that had crashed. Your heart always stops when this happens. She stood up, checked herself and her bike for damage and got back on her bike and started riding with some nasty road rash and burn.  The other women that went down as hard as Lisa were out of the race including Lauren Groves who broke her wrist which was really a shame. Lisa was really gutsy to carry on riding solo, basically by herself in last place except for some athletes who were being lapped out.
  

In a situation like this, as a coach you go through many emotions including concern that the athlete may be hurt, encouraging them to get back in the race, and being pissed off that they are not in the front pack where they belong and these sorts of accidents are far less likely.  So, I must practice what I preach.  I am always on the athletes to celebrate what went well and it is OK to be critical and want the opportunities back but you must celebrate and not dwell on the negative.  To me, celebrating the fact that Lisa was in the Olympic Triathlon after a very short career in this sport, is a wonderful achievement and life experience - coveted by any person that has ever participated in a sport.  My disappointment comes from believing that Lisa can do so much better and that she is one of the best athletes in the race, not that she wasn't putting in her best effort.  I am incredibly proud of her still finishing this race, coming in last, injured, bleeding yet still in front of a number of athletes that quit or been lapped out.  She was an Olympian that was going to cross that finish line.  We are extremely proud of her for that.  And, as a coach that is going to follow his own advice – I already have a number of strategies and theories to have her swimming in the front where she belongs.  This race is just a step in her journey and I even heard her mention the word “London” after the race. From last place to gold medal, wouldn't that be a story? Congratulations Lisa, we are very proud of you!


  
   Paul in Dutch Orange

 
   Bikes Go By

        
                              Olympic Crash - Lisa # 39

 
   Emma Snowsall Wins!

   Canadian Olympian Carolyn Murray

   Lisa Shows Off Bike Crash Rash

 
  Paul and Lisa Post Olympic Debrief