So now you've met a couple of our Level 1 triathlon coaches, it's time to introduce you to our third coach.
Our next coach has not only completed her Level 1 Certificate in Triathlon Coaching, she's gone back for more and will be starting her Level 2. Introducing Jess Barrington ofTFN Tri Club. (http://tfntri.onsport.com)
Jess, what was your involvement in triathlon before you decided to become a coach?
I joined the University of Nottingham Triathlon club in 2011 on a whim after deciding I hadn't made enough of my university time and was entering my last year. I turned up at 8.30am at the pool on a Saturday morning, met four other women who had never done triathlon but like me wanted to try something new. The reason we all continue to train despite having graduated, moved to different countries and entered working life is we all made a pact we would attend training together. After an hour swim and an hour run that morning I haven't looked back.
What made you want to become a coach?
After leaving University I joined the affiliated triathlon club TFN and for some reason, known only to myself, at the time agreed to help coach at 6am on Wednesday mornings under the guidance of an experienced level 2 coach. I enjoyed analysing individual strokes and learning different ways to describe the correct action to my athletes, then watching them improve.
What will you take away from the Level 2 coaching course?
I hope to implement the technical knowledge I have gained from the course. Having two fantastic coaches, who are experts as coaches themselves and great teachers they have made me question what drills and distances I include in my sets and how they meet my aims. Meeting other people on the course also means I have interacted with other coaches and learned from them as well. I have attended coached sessions from other clubs to see their coaching style and get ideas for my sessions.
How have you found it moving from the classroom out into a real coaching environment at your club?
I was coaching before I went into the classroom environment so the classroom has broadened my view of different coaching styles and given me confidence to try something different in my sets.
Where will you go from here?
I currently coach my own session on a Wednesday morning and hope to continue learning and growing as a coach. I plan to take my qualification and skills with me where ever I end up in life!
What advice would you give to any female interested in taking up triathlon?
Plan your time and food for the week. I find if I have organised my food and planned my training sessions for the week I am more likely to attend sessions and enjoy them if I am not starving!
Fantastic, thank you Jess and all the best on your Level 2 course.
For more information on coaching in your area, CLICK HERE.
If you haven't already, go ahead and take a read of our other coaches interviews. Just click the links in the related news column on the right hand side of this page.
