Coaching by kparnell

I've started coaching a fantastic squad of young athletes readying them for the Herts Youth Games where they are entered for the Aquathlon (swim then run). Every week they amaze me with their determination, enthusiasm and skill.

Yesterday I thought I would cycle to the swim centre and try out the session I will give them on Sunday. Boy is it a hard session! I've had to tone it down a bit as the kicking with arms by your side is just impossible. We run on the grass area along side the swim centre which is just a field so I needed to run around it with my Nike+ GPS watch to see the route for 1500m so I can time trial them on Sunday after the swim session. To my dismay the fair is in town and pitched on the field! I decided to dodge the caravans and fair ground rides and do the route anyway but I did not count on the big dog. I set off and had only got about 50m when a big bull dog decided to chase me. I ran away and ran in to an open window of a caravan - ouch!

With dog still following me I tried to run a bit further but one of my running glasses lens got covered in a liquid. I put my hand to my head and found that my hand was covered in blood. It started to get worse and worse so I returned to the swim centre. I was a terrible, bloody sight and scared quite a few of the swim centre customers - sorry about that. I was hastily seen by the first aider (big thank you to him) and an ambulance was called. My head is now full of super glue and very painful.

So I think the moral of the story is - its a great idea try out coaching plans before your ask your athletes to do it but be prepared to modify your plans - especially if you see big dogs on the horizon.