coaching
ITU Age groUp World ChAmpIonshIp
A CoACh’s perspeCTIve By Steve Pye
I
n fall of 2008,
boats, punctuated by beautiful houses and
hear that my services had a positive impact on
during an elite
tall skyscrapers. Upon returning to the hotel,
people.
mentorship program
I met with the Team USA staff, mechanics and
On Sunday, I woke up early and did a repeat
at the Olympic Training
doctors. We had a thorough meeting to discuss
of Saturday, with one added bonus. I handed
Center in Colorado
responsibilities. From that point on, the ball
out flags to Team USA sprint athletes as they
Springs, I was told that
was rolling.
ran down the finishing chute. The evening was
I was awarded the
Then began four days of whirlwind activity
full with the team cocktail party and finally the
opportunity to act as
with lots of Team USA athlete interaction. I led
closing ceremonies, which included the famous
the inaugural coach
a run to the transition area from the team hotel
T-shirt swap with other nations.
of Team USA for the
to allow the 55 or so athletes that showed up
Upon reflection, I found that Team USA
2009 ITU World Age
to release nervous energy and observe the
athletes were most concerned about the
Group Championships
flow of transition. After that, I jumped on a
technical aspects of the course and how to
in Gold Coast, Australia.
bus and gave two 1-hour bike course bus tours
race various sections of the course. Another
This position was offered to the coach who
where I pointed out the technical aspects of
common theme was the need to reassure and
produced the most athletes at the 2008 USA
the course. That evening was jam-packed with
talk through the emotional needs that athletes
Triathlon Age Group National Championships
team photos, the Parade of Nations and the
had surrounding racing in a foreign country in a
in Portland, Ore. I strongly urge the athletes
Opening Ceremony. The next day, I led a ride of
high caliber event. The athletes on the national
that I coach to qualify for and attend Age Group
the bike course for Team USA and was shocked
team had many different questions, different
Nationals every year because I see the event as
to see a parking lot full of athletes ready to
behaviors, different requirements, all of which
the quintessential race for athletes to be able to
learn about the turns and chicanes of the
challenged me to think differently.
determine their standing among their peers.
course. I then attended the Team USA Olympic
I also have a much greater respect and
As a 30-year endurance athlete, a former
distance meeting, attended bike check-in with
understanding for what has to be performed
member of Team USA and a Level II USAT
the athletes and answered many last-minute
behind the scenes in order to make an event
certified coach, I felt that I had a wealth of
questions. Saturday morning was the Olympic
like this come off with eloquence. Jeff, Tim
information to provide to national team
distance Age Group World Championship, a
Yount, Skip Gilbert and Amanda Duke from
athletes during what would be their most
race that five of my personal athletes were
USAT worked tirelessly for the national team,
important race of the year. However, the jump
competing in. I greeted Team USA athletes as
and I have a new appreciation for their
from coaching my own athletes to coaching an
they entered transition, answered questions
dedication and professionalism. I was much
entire delegation of athletes left me wondering
and helped with their last-minute needs.
more tired after four days of coaching than I
how I could best serve the entire team. Being
I positioned myself strategically as people
ever was as a member of Team USA.
the inaugural year that Team USA was provided
exited the water to watch both the swim exit
In closing, being the official coach for Team
a coach, there were no guidelines as to the
and the bike/run. I provided encouragement at
USA was incredibly rewarding and a great
duties that needed to be performed.
a key section of the race. I was very enthusiastic
learning experience for me. The ITU World
From the moment I stepped off the plane in
as Team USA performed with good spirit,
Championships and racing abroad is such a
Brisbane, I was busy. Before checking into the
sportsmanship and form. I received many
unique experience where athletes all around
hotel, I was greeted immediately by Jeff Dyrek,
thanks from racers as they were racing.
the United States come together to race as a
USA Triathlon’s national events director, after
After the Olympic race, I rode back to the
nation, and I hope to have the opportunity to
which we drove the bike course and surveyed
host hotel for the Team USA sprint meeting,
hold this position again in the future.
the transition areas. Gold Coast is a gorgeous
where I spoke about the course logistics.
area of Australia with gold sand beaches, and
Walking out of the meeting, I was greeted by
Steve Pye is a Level II USAT certified
the race venue was quite picturesque. Coming
many Team USA members anxious to hash out
coach and owns Practical Coaching. Visit
from Colorado, I had an appreciation for the
their Olympic distance race experience and
Practical Coaching online at http://www.
view of the harbor, with many canals and
to thank me for my guidance. I was glad to
practicalcoaching.net/.
62 USA TriAThlon winter 10
USATTriWinter10pgs50-90.indd 62 12/9/09 3:01:35 PM
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