I think we all need coaches. We can always learn and benefit from someone who knows more than we do in our common field of interest, a person who supports our aspirations in sport, business, education, you name it. A coach is someone we can lean on when exhausted, grab onto before tipping over the edge, someone who lifts us up over the crowd to see what we are working towards, and steadies our focus when our footing starts to wobble. But how and when do we look for a coach? Who are we looking for? And how will we know when we find them?
My athlete, Kara Turner and I moments after she finished Ironman Arizona, 2022.
For instance, an athlete (in some cases before they even realize they are one) who feels a sudden longing to pursue an athletic goal completely foreign to them, a physical and mental (and definitely emotional) pursuit that would make them stretch way beyond their comfort zone/tapping the glass of their limits, a possibly impossible ask in their current state of fitness understandably succumb to a tornado of questions flying at them at a dizzying rate…
How could I do it? Where would I start? Why do I think I can do it? Would I be any good? Would I come in last place? Do I have time to fit in training with work, family, life, etc.? How long will it take until I am ready? How will I know when I am ready? Will I ever be ready? I wish I had some help? My friends would think I’m nuts, and my significant other would obligingly cheer me on, but would they really believe I could finish? Would they feel sorry for me if I failed? They’ve never wanted to do anything like this, or thought I would either? Who am I? How much will all this cost?…
Every one of these questions is valid. The desire to go after an endurance goal (running, triathlon, etc.,) is overwhelming for a seasoned veteran let alone an adult who’s never yearned to be an athlete. A rookie/newbie in the truest sense. They were never the All-Star in their hometown, rather they just went along with their parents’ wishes to play AYSO soccer in the second grade, and even if they barely played in the games, they made lifelong friends during carpool to practices and developed an off the charts level of Vitamin C to boost their immunity due to the hundreds of orange slices consumed at half-times. Moreover, they didn’t mind being picked last for the two-touch football game at their family reunion because they showed up for the potato salad, so besides the occasional dust up with their overly passionate second cousin, Sack from Maryland, (Wedding Crashers) they survived the game without incident, and celebrated with a heaping helping of their favorite Summertime starchy cuisine after the whistle blew.
CUT TO:
INT. CAR - DAY
The thunderbolt of desire to race a triathlon on a random Wednesday morning in the middle of May of their thirty-fourth year on their drive to work. True, that jolt of motivation is exciting, yet confusing, but the right coach would get it immediately.
My athlete, Ned Wilson and after I finished the Pier To Pier swim in Manhattan Beach, CA, 2018.
The connection between coach and athlete is unique.
And powerful.
I believe that being a coach is a calling. I was drawn to it and have embraced it. Coaching suits my fastidious and empathetic nature like a glove. Plus, I adore creating training plans. Besides writing, swimming, biking, and running, it is my favorite activity/obsession. I love crafting workouts in which my athletes can build their fitness and confidence concurrently, careful not to ramp up the plan too soon, but crank the screws tighter than they’ve felt before, inviting them to push their effort without them feeling pushed at all, because once the startle of surprise settles down, “She wants me to run that fast?” belief moves in.
The kicker is when they realize belief was with them the whole time. It simply sat quietly waiting in the wings for the cue to slide down center stage and hand them the mic; I relish the role of giving belief that cue.
My friends, and former athletes, Jess Zaiss and Rachel Peterson. New Year's Day, 2024.
A worthy coach provides input, answers questions, shares knowledge from their own experiences of what “to do” and what “not to do”, as well as insights they’ve gleaned from other sources, (athletes, coaches, scientists, nutritionists, etc.) They listen to their athlete’s feedback, absorb frustrations, ask questions, listen some more, and then pivot their energy in a positive direction. A worthy coach will possess a keen sense of how their athletes will match up with unknown challenges (training and races) and if the trust is there between them, there is no glass thick enough for their combined drive not to break through.
Flanked by my athlete's Laura Kern (screen left) and Jill Kennedy (screen right) after our challenging and gorgeous ride last Saturday in the Santa Monica Mountains.
I have been fortunate to have numerous exceptional coaches in my life, Rich Ede (High School Cross Country and Track), Jen, Mike (I forgot their last names, Club Soccer), Ms. Moule (High School Basketball), and Hillary Biscay (Triathlon, Running, Coaching). I cherish the lessons they taught me as an athlete, and person, and aim to carry them over to my athletes as their coach.
An oldie, but a goodie! My longtime coach/mentor, Hillary Biscay and I after my breakthrough race at Ironman Arizona in 2017.
Every morning, I wake up excited, grateful, and inspired to be a coach. It's an honor, and responsibility I do not take lightly, but most of all it's an absolute joy to share my passion for running and triathlon with kind, like-minded, and stellar human beings.
Let’s GO!
*For more information about my coaching background, and the other phenomenal coaches on the Biscay Coaching roster, please CLICK HERE:
P.S. The cover photo incudes two of my Boston Marathon qualifiers/Finishers/OG athletes, my sister Sarah and brother Peter.:)
*The song and video choice was inspired by David Letterman's recent guest on his Netflix show. Enjoy.