"Opportunity - How Many?"

Why be an athlete? Why be a coach? The answer for me is simple. Opportunity. 

Lets start out with being an athlete- Last year I represent GBR in the age group word championships. This happened to be taking place across the other side of the world, Gold Coat, Australia! Travelling as one cohesive age group team enabled an experience like nothing else. 

The fact we were competing against each other did not matter until we were on the start line. The opportunity to spend the time abroad, with a group you would possibly never meet back in the UK, is something different. 

This brings me onto Coaching- a job! Well if it is a job it’s the best job going, Ok, maybe on par with Barbering, happy Dan? I am in the fortunate position of being able to support some of the best up and coming Triathletes on trips abroad. Time Splits in Estonia, providing warm kit in Rotterdam, and, my personal favourite, running down the main strip in Chicago with a brown paper bag full of bananas!

Again these are just a handful but all stem from the sport of Triathlon!

Watch this space for Barber Dan and I pushing limits??!

Tom

"Injury - Why?"

Every athlete gets struck with with injury concerns- no matter how much support you have around. It’s just the nature of the beast. Mine has been a long road back to just being able to string together a series of runs. This has both tested me physically and mentally. The metal battles of wanting to add in an extra run session because you feel fresh- but knowing your body needs the additional recovery time. All with the main goal of making the start line in Lausanne! 

Always look at the positives- The additional time away from training allowed me to concentrate on writing my dissertation. Rounding off a phenomenal 3 years at university. I can now add the letters BSc after my name. Possibly, and more importantly I now have a greater appreciation for the sport I compete in!

Away from the injury paradox. I have built up a library of athletes wanting to achieve the next level in their own endurance sport. This started out as a side projected which has snowballed into a well oiled coaching group. What use is knowledge if you can’t impart the odd gem? Making the 5-10% difference each week to an individuals training- It all adds up!

As for Jack Rabbits- What more can I say? The quality of Barber here- they really do provide a one off service. Led by a leadership team with a true vision for the experience as you step into the world of JRB! 

Tom

Tom will keep us updated with further blog posts which we hope you will find interesting hearing the nitty and gritty of including nutrition and the opportunity as to why someone chooses to be an athlete. Look out for some new snaps of his recent endeavours!