ITU Age Group World Championships – A Coaches Perspective

ITU Age Group World Championships – A Coaches Perspective In fall of 2008, during an elite mentorship program at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs I was told that I was awarded the opportunity to act as the inaugural coach of Team USA for the 2009 ITU World Age Group Championships in Gold Coast Australia. This position was offered to the coach that produced the most athletes at the 2008 USAT Age Group Championships in Portland, Oregon. I strongly urge the athletes that I coach to qualify for, and attend USAT Age Group Nationals every year because I see the event as the quintessential race for athletes to be able to determine their standing amongst their peers. As a 30 year endurance athlete, a former member of Team USA and a Level II USAT certified coach, I felt that I had a wealth of information to provide to national team athletes during what would be their most important race of the year. However, the jump from coaching my own athletes, to coaching an entire Team USA left me wondering how I could best serve the entire team. Being the inaugural year that Team USA was provided a coach there were no guidelines as to the duties that needed to be performed. From the moment I stepped off the plane in Brisbane, I was busy. Before checking into the hotel, I was greeted immediately by Jeff Dyrek, the USAT National Event Director, after which we drove the bike course and surveyed the transition areas. Gold Coast is a gorgeous area of Australia with gold sand beaches, and the race venue was quite picturesque. Coming from Colorado I had a high appreciation for the picturesque harbor, with many canals and boats, punctuated by beautiful houses and tall skyscrapers. Upon arriving back to the hotel I met with the Team USA staff, mechanics, and doctors. We had a thorough meeting to discuss responsibilities. From that point on the ball was rolling. Then began four days of whirlwind activity with lots of Team USA athlete interaction. I lead a run to the transition area from the team hotel to allow the 55 or so athletes that showed up to release nervous energy and observe the mechanics of transition. After that I jumped on a bus and gave two one-hour bike course bus tours where I pointed out the technical aspects of the course. That evening was jam packed with team photos, the Parade of Nations and the Opening Ceremony. The next day I lead a ride of the bike course for Team USA and was shocked to see a parking lot full of athletes ready learn about the turns and chicanes of the course. I then attended the Team USA Olympic distance meeting, attended bike check in with the athletes, and answered many last minute questions. Saturday morning was the Olympic distance Age Group World Championships, a race that five of my personal athletes were competing in. I greeted Team USA athletes as they entered transition, answered questions and helped with their last minute needs. I positioned myself strategically as people exited the water to watch both the swim exit and the bike/run. I provided encouragement at a key section of the race. I was very enthusiastic as Team USA performed with good spirit, sportsmanship, and form. I received many thanks from racers as they were racing. After the Olympic race, I rode back to the host hotel for the team USA sprint meeting where I spoke about the course logistics. Walking out of the meeting I was greeted by many Team USA members anxious to hash out their Olympic distance race experience and to thank me for my guidance. I was glad to hear that my services had a positive impact on people. Sunday I woke up early and did a repeat of Saturday, with one added bonus. I handed out flags to TEAM USA sprint athletes as they ran down the finishing chute. The evening was full with the team *censormode*tail party and finally the closing ceremonies, which included the notorious t-shirt swap with other nations. Upon reflection, I found that Team USA athletes were most concerned about the technical aspects of the course, and how to race the various sections of the course. Another common theme was the need to reassure and talk through the emotional needs that athletes had surrounding racing in a foreign country in a high caliber event. The athletes on the national team had many different questions, different behaviors, different requirements, all of which challenged me to think differently. I also have a much greater respect and understanding for what has to be performed behind the scenes in order to make an event like this come off with eloquence. Tim, Jeff, Skip and Amanda from USAT worked tirelessly for the national team, and I have a new appreciation for their dedication, and professionalism. I was much more tired after four days of coaching, than I was as a member of TEAM USA. In closing, being the official coach for Team USA was both a rewarding and a learning experience for me. I hope to have the opportunity to hold this position in the future. The ITU World Championships, and racing abroad is such a unique experience where athletes all around the United States come together to race as a nation, quite the unique event. Steve Pye Practical Coaching, Level II USAT Coach