What The Kids Teach Me

What the Kids Teach Me

Have you ever had an opportunity present itself when you least expected it? 

On a cold winter morning this year, I received a call out of the blue just before heading out for a group ride with my coached athletes.  I was asked if I might be interested in coaching a youth triathlon team. It was an established team in Georgia called the Dream Team Triathlon, but not in my area of the state. I had it as a long term goal to work with youth athletes on a frequent basis, but did not expect it to be in 2013.

I might have stumbled as the conversation progressed as I was honestly at a loss for words. I told the fellow coach that I would think about the opportunity and connect again soon. To fast-forward a bit, I accepted the position and have been working with the youth team, having fun while learning with them each week.  We have experienced the cold, extremely windy days, heat, and rain since March!

At one practice session in particular, we were running two laps after a bike ride, commonly called a “brick” workout.  I was helping one of the athletes and talking about a certain skill and did not run my second lap. We got back to our transition area and the youngest athlete was staring at me. He said in front of everyone, “Coach Tony, you did not do your second lap”. I told him I was helping someone and he was right. He still pressed on. “But you said we had to run two laps”. So Coach ran another lap while the team watched!

The race season officially began and my wife and I volunteered at the first big team race of the year. I was assigned the duties of transition coordinator and semi-announcer to ensure everyone was aware as the day progressed. There were basically three races, starting on the hour beginning at 7am. Timing would be important today!  I was able to chat with some of the athletes before the start. One of our Atlanta team members did not have her goggles with her, so I asked if she needed to borrow some. She told me that she “didn’t want race in them” and that she was “more comfortable without them”.  I did not question it and just smiled.

As the races started, I did my best to encourage the crowd to cheer loudly for our youth as they raced their hearts out.  I was also at the bike mount line, so saw a few overly-anxious cyclists moving too quickly, despite my instructions to slow down.  A few tumbled over their own bikes, and others lost their balance and ended up on the asphalt.  All of them got up, dusted off, and continued their races without hesitation. Not one wanted to quit!

 We had spotters on the bike course so I knew when the last few cyclists were to arrive in transition.  After we knew all athletes were on the bike course and out of the pool, I moved to the bike dismount line. I wanted the spectators to give them an extra special cheer as these were mostly the youngest racers, or ones who had never raced before today.

One racer in particular was well behind the others on the bike portion, so I asked a fellow volunteer for a quick status so I could report it to the crowd. He said her pedal had fallen off and she was walking her bike in. Without further ado, I advised the spectators and we cheered and screamed for her as she approached transition in tears. She was emotional but composed herself to prepare for the run.

The crowd shifted to the run course to watch her finish. When she was about 200 yards from the finish line, about 10 of her fellow team mates ran alongside her to help encourage a strong ending to her race and help motivate her.

After the awards ceremony, the race director gave the young racer the microphone. She explained what happened and said, “my pedal came off my bike and they could not get it back on. I also rode an extra lap before that because I lost count!” She went on to say, “when I knew we wouldn’t get my pedal back on, I decided to walk my bike in so I could finish the race.”

So, what has been reinforced while working with and watch the kids train and race?

1.     The conditions do not usually matter. Just get outside and play.

2.     People are watching, especially the kids. Be a good example for others who might look up to you.

3.     Just because everyone else is doing it does not mean you have to.  Do what makes you happy.

4.     When you fall, get up, brush yourself off, and finish what you started.

5.     If you think someone might need some motivation and encouragement, help them out the best way you know how.

And, last but not least…when the pedals fall off, walk it in and continue on.  You will be glad that you did.

Tony Hammett is a USAT Certified Coach and Race Director who lives in Douglas County. You can learn more about him and his team here: www.PeakRacingTeam.com or by contacting him at Tony@PeakRacingTeam.com