Just Say No

This has no relevance to the post, but I thought it was cute.

One of the hardest things as a coach is to tell an athlete “no”.  One of the hardest things as an athlete is to have the courage to say “no”. There are numerous instances when saying “no” is difficult. It can be skipping a race you registered for a year in advance. Or, taking an extended leave from training. Or, not signing up for a race you really want to do. Or, stepping back from group rides or runs because they do not fit into the training plan.

In my career as an athlete, not enough coaches or advisors told me no. I raced injured on too many occasions with little more than hope to carry me to the finish line (or the med tent). During these periods of injury, I often ended up chasing races, believing that the few good workouts in the lead up to the race meant I was ready to go full throttle, only to be disappointed when the outcome was a DNF.

Two such examples stand out distinctly.

In 2004, in the midst of a debilitating back injury, I lined up for the Olympic trials in Honolulu, HI. My workouts had been sporadic, but I felt I had enough stellar days on the track and on the bike to outweigh any of the potential negatives from the injury. I was very wrong. I dropped out halfway into the bike in excruciating pain, unable to climb the steep hill in the middle of each the 8 laps.

I eventually recovered from that injury only to tear a hamstring when I stumbled over a rock during a run a year later. The timing was unfortunate, a mere 5 weeks before Kona. I sought out the advice of many and underwent intensive treatment. I was still hobbled the day before the race, but my optimism led me to the start line. When I hopped off my bike, I was unable to even run through transition, my hamstring was so painful. Another DNF ensued.

In both of those instances, my advisers did not say to me, “Hey, dumb ass, you shouldn’t race!” Instead, perhaps influenced by my own optimism, I was told “Sure, go race. The bike will loosen you up for the run.” Only one person had the gumption to tell me the truth, “There is no way in Hell you will be able to finish, so don’t even start.”; it was my father, but who listens to their parents?

As athletes, we are usually conflicted when it comes to making difficult decisions about ourselves and our training and racing. That is why, as a coach, I have taken the initiative to say no to athletes when the situation warrants it. I am always open to a rational discussion and will weigh the potentially good outcome with the potentially deleterious consequences, both physical and emotional.

I realize that saying to “no” to an athlete who has signed up, for example, for an Ironman a year in advance and spent money is not what they want to hear. But, if the end result of the race would be bodily harm, I strongly advise against racing. Ultimately, the decision is up to the athlete, but my role as their coach is to give the athlete the best information I can and let them act upon it.

The word “no” comes so naturally in our vernacular, just ask any parent of a two year old. At some point though, we lose our ability to apply this word that comes so easily when dealing with others to ourselves. Stepping back and looking at the big picture rather than what we want right now should surely help us learn to say no in the short term to enhance our abilities in the long term.

Real Swimming for Triathletes: Flexibility

In our third video in the series Real Swimming for Triathletes, we introduce the concept of gaining flexibility in order to swim faster. Triathletes without a swim background do not have the same flexibility in their shoulders, hips, torso and ankles as lifelong swimmers.This lack of flexibility is one of the biggest culprits in poor swim form. If the shoulders, hips and torso are stiff, rotation will be limited and the ability to make a good catch will be hindered. In this video, we explain some movements and stretches that will open up the body. If done on a regular basis, you will start to notice improvements in your swim form which will reduce the risk for injury and help you swim faster. Thanks again to Roman Mica of Everymantri and Brandon del Campo.

Perspective

When you reach a certain age, birthdays are no longer exciting. There isn't the longing to earn a driver's license or vote or reach the legal drinking age or the ability to rent a car. Birthdays eventually become a day on the calendar that forces you to remember you are getting older. And, as time progresses, that day on the calendar seems to appear more and more quickly.

Last weekend, I had the immense pleasure of spending time in New York with my extended family to celebrate my induction into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. My 90 year old grandmother traveled to New York with my parents from San Diego. For my grandmother, this trip served a dual purpose. Not only was she able to attend the ceremony, she was also able to visit with her elderly sisters whom she hadn't seen in many years.

Topsy, 87; Lila (middle, my grandmother, 90) and Zena, 95

Watching the three of them together really struck a chord. I tend to focus on the present or the past, especially around my birthday. I lament the time gone by, how fast it all happens, how much things change. That is the reality of life though, and we are lucky to celebrate each and every birthday.

My sis and I, not that long ago...

I can only hope that my sister, Laurie, and I have another 40 or 50 years to nitpick, squabble, gossip, give each other advice, shop, and beat each other up in the swimming pool.

The biggest lesson I learned last weekend, though? If you want to feel young, hang out with people much older.