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A Day in the life of a Swimming Coach
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06:30
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What's that, alarm, stop it quick before it wakes 'her in doors' up! Fumble in dark,
done, thinking 'that was close' lying there stretching, voice says 'Do not let the
cat in! Shut Susan's door!' think blew that then. Swing legs out of bed, alarm says...06:35
convince your self 'that was a lie in' compared to the normal 05:10 get up time,
during the week.
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07:00.
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Showered, dressed, sandwiches done, drinks done, breakfast in process of being rammed
in along with coffee, Peter also dressed, packing his bag, looking for goggles,
which he swears where in his bag last night. Point out he used other bag last night,
problem resolved.
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07:15
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In car driving, Peter mentions thought we are swimming at Womblesville. Wonder why
you are going towards Haring hill; think to your self it's going to be one of those
days! Make some excuse about petrol and pull into petrol station.
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07:55.
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Arrive Womblesville, look for space, car park already getting full, park up, get
bags out of boot, and point out to Peter not to leave mobile phone and iPod on seat
in plain view of first yob with brick that walks past. Walk into leisure centre,
hit by blast of heat. Find and collect coach's pack. Confronted by parent of Rookie
swimmer who tells you they have left their darling daughters cards at home, ask
what events and times 'darling daughter' was entered for, normal reply they do not
know. First stop card room, get swim program scan through looking for darling daughter's
events, write out cards and post.
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08:13
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Arrive pool side, everyone sat in our normal spot, see banner has appeared again,
even though it is at a slight angle (and starting to look a bit faded), to find
warm up starts at 08:30. Good group of our swimmers already on poolside, Peter explaining
to all and sundry that we nearly went to Haring hill, think 'he is dead when we
get home!'
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08:20
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All swimmers now are doing their exercises. Warm up list just been posted on wall,
check boys first, start getting them organised. Two other parents now arrived to
help on poolside, pass swim programs over with marker pens, both parents set to
with great glee to highlight our swimmers. Gave a brief moral talk to the smaller
ones reminding them to keep still on the blocks, touch with both hands if swimming
breast or fly, to think about what they are going to do how they plan to do it,
ensure they touch the wall on all turns, importantly if their glasses come off,
ignore it keep going and to do their best and to go for it and wish them all good
luck. Listen to yet another set of safety messages, saying that only swimmers who
have attained the competitive start standard will be allowed to dive in the shallow
end of the pool. Feel like going to person on microphone and pointing out the gala
program has no events starting in the shallow end, and the pool has an adjustable
bottom and was actually two metres at both ends, convinced they do it to wind everyone
up before the day gets going.
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08:30
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Boys now in the pool, doing warm up. Told them to swim at least 200 freestyle, followed
by 200 choice, pulled a couple over not wearing their hats. One of parent helpers
has come to the end of lane to watch. Notice one of the development squad girls
standing at entrance of pool, looking upset. Wonder over, to find she has lost her
swimming costume. Think to yourself, 'I new it was going to be a bad day'. Ask rest
of girls in club if anyone has a spare costume? Little bright spark chirps out 'I
have Donna's costume; she left it behind after squad on Friday'. Retrieve costume,
hand to Donna, amongst great relief. Walk away wondering; 'what parents can bring
a child to a swimming gala with no costume to wear'.
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08:50
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Both parent helpers now watching warm up. Boy's sprints starts now on, told them
all to do at least three each. Send parent helper back to get girls ready for warm-up,
ask other parent helper to remind any swimmers doing backstroke to check their flag
count. Walk back to our area to get drink, and to see who is in first event.
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09:05
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Girls on warm-up, boys out getting dry, read riot act,told them not to wander off
poolside with out telling either myself or one of the other parents. Walk back to
end of lane, girls swimming well, looking quite impressive as they are all in a
line, with hats on, almost synchronised swimming, feel quite proud of them.
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09:25
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Parent helper now sending up first lot of swimmers to the mustering area, which
is a cold room to one side of the pool. Walk over to check they all have their tee-shirts
on and holding hats and goggles, remind them they are swimming 100 breaststroke,
that is four lengths, remind them about starting, turns etc. all the normal stuff.
Girls finishing warm up and on sprint starts, looks like the real stuff is about
to start.
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09:50
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Couple of development swimmers had done quite well in the 50 Breaststroke, possibility
of Sally being disqualified on not touching with both hands on the turn, wondering
if referee saw it , will have to wait for result sheets, Peter did ok good PB, he
might NQT someday, think 'more early mornings if he does'
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10.00
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Gala going full swing now, into 200 individual medleys, seems to be dragging a bit,
no swimmer for several heats so time for a drink and sit down. Just had a swimmer
who's glasses came off, but she kept going, so lots of morale support afterwards.
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10:30
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Back at end of lane, steady stream of swimmers now all reporting after swims, gala
and swims going well, it may be a good day after all, parent helper at end of lane,
assisting with times. Results been posted for the first couple of events we have
four finalists, and the referee was not looking, so Sally got away with a one handed
touch and made the final, some kids have all the luck.
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10:44
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Gala stopped, one of the older swimmers has managed to put their foot straight through
the timing pad, now the leisure centre attendants are running around trying to find
a replacement pad that works. Wonder over to interfer, quietly mention to referee
that there are pads at the other end of the pool and they are not connected or being
used, Get totally blank look.
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10:46
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Leisure centre attendants, furiously undoing pad from other end of pool, walk away
chuffed another problem solved by 'The Coach'.
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11:10
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Some horrible specimin has just done the worst tumble turn I have ever seen, my
legs and feet are soaked through.
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11:37
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Finals about to start, only a few minutes late, due to pad problem not to bad. Another
two finalists from the later events. One of the parent helpers comes up to say they
can not find Donna, who is needed in the finals. Get involved in search, appears
parents have gone home with Donna, without telling myself or the parent helpers.
Have to go and apologise to referee and request reserve swims. Mental note to have
a serious word with parents.
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12:13
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Finals over, two golds and a couple of bronze medals, not to bad for such a young
squad. Now time for lunch. Peter already dressed and in café area eating
large plate of chips, cheese and gravy, looks disgusting decide to go somewhere
quite and eat sandwiches.
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12:32
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Well that went out the window, been collared by several parents who want to discuss
their offspring's future. Parent of 'Little bright spark', are a bit disappointed
that she is progressing so slowly, she is getting PB's but by only very small margins,
try to explain that 'Little bright spark' has to train more than once a week, and
should be looking at four or five sessions per week. Parents quickly mention that
'Little bright spark' has other interests and attends Guides and flower arranging
lessons as well, then walk away.
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12:47
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Other parent wants to discuss a football match being played that afternoon, so a
bit more relaxing, then the killer; Johnny has been picked for his school first
team and will not be able to train a much as he has been. I quietly mumble 'swimming
is for men while little boys play football', make excuses and move off.
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12:55
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Back on poolside ready for afternoon session, some new faces. Couple of swimmers
from the morning dressed and sat poolside. Tell them if they are not swimming they
should be in the spectator area, informed by both that their parents have given
them permission. Remind them I am in charge on poolside and to go. Both wonder off
muttering. Read riot act to rest of squad, emphasis that the do not leave to go
home before result sheets are posted and then they check with myself first. Girls
on first warm up, all squad doing exercises, all in team colours, looks impressive.
The new track suites look really good.
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13:05
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Girls in pool on warm up and have taken command of one lane, all with hats on. Think
to myself looks slick must congratulate them at the next squad session.
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14:01
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Afternoon warm up over. First lot of swimmer ready in mustering area. Darkness,
a power outage, 'thanks' I thought to myself.
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14:02
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Emergency lighting, now on. Leisure centre staff running around trying to find the
manager, discussion about evacuating the building.
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14:05
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Manager found, is shouting not to worry and the problem will be resolved as soon
as possible!
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14:27
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Power back on, appears to have been a lighting strike. Look out of window at clear
blue sky and wonder. Notice that the two swimmers who I removed before are back
and messing around, appear to be playing tick, try to collar them, they see me and
dart into changing rooms. Swear to myself 'I will get them during the week; their
drills will be killers'
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14:46
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Oh my god, Russell a rookie, only just joined the club, has not tied the draw string
on his trunks. The spectators are in uproar, he is mooning to the lot in his first
gala, as he swims his breaststroke. Thank god he is not swimming Butterfly, otherwise
he would loose them totally. Backstroke one dreads to think. But give him his due
he kept going. Have to turn away so he does not see me collapse into hysterics.
Russell still manages to win the heat, which makes me think of a great potential.
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14:49
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Consoling Russell, trying to convince him no one saw, somehow I do not think it
is working, he wonders off in floods of tears, Parents now appeared to comfort him.
Several of the younger girls in the squad, poking fun so need to wonder over and
break up the lynch mob.
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15:10
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Afternoon session going well. But one of the older girls wants to withdraw from
her events she has realised who she was swimming with and does not want to be shown
up, job for team captain. Time to concentrate, several of our senior swimmers are
competing, outside chance of a couple of NQT's, particularly from Alina on her 200
Butterfly.
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15:35
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Alina has done it!! Came in point five of a second inside the Backstroke 100m NQT
time, everyone very jubilant first NQT in club for several years.
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16:05
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Finals starting, several swimmers, three girls in hundred freestyle final, Peter
in hundred breaststroke.
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16:15
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Peter has just done a 1:12.35 on his 100m Breaststroke, unbelievable that is point
three inside the NQT time, that's two national qualifying times in less than fifteen
minutes. Now feeling a bit hazy, what is going on, how have they done that?
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16:26
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Team captain just got NQT in 100m freestyle. That's three, what is going on? Rest
of squad now very hyper, discussing who is to be next. Alina, Natasha and Elaine
all very hyper going in for 100m freestyle final, all three been close to NQT but
never got there. Realise the three of them are in ajoining lanes. Fantasize about
a one two, three on the score board. .
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16:27
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They are up on the blocks, giving each other the thumbs up. obviously been plotting,
I dread to think what. Ready , Go, they are off, all in under point eight five of
a second, First turn fourteen seconds, all three side by side, almost synchronised,
Second turn thirty seconds, Alina slightly better turn, but all still nearly side
by side, Every swimmer in the club at the end of the lanes cheering them on, think
to myself first time they have done that for quite some time. Normally only one
or two. Commentator realishing something is going on and now getting excited, shouting
for them to go, All three now starting to kick hard, rest of swimmers falling behind.
Third turn forty five seconds. Whole spectator area up on their feet, the noise
is unbelievable, only a few meters to go. Fifty seven seconds, Fifty eight seconds,
I am screaming at them to go, everyone on pool deck is alongside the pool screaming!
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16:28
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I am running down the poolside shouting, my arms are everywhere, Fifty nine seconds,
Elaine half a stroke behind, Sixty seconds Alina is nearly there, Natasha is an
arms length behind her, Elaine's feet going like the clappers and pulling back.
Sixty one seconds Alina's there, Natasha is just touching, Sixty two seconds just
on, Elaine hits pad so hard everyone could hear it, whole building in uproar, One
two three, gold silver bronze, three national qualifying times!!
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16:29
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I am in disbelieve, just looking around. Commentator, congratulating the girls,
the club, me. Other swimmers still coming in wondering what all the noise is about.
Time keeper asking me if I am alright and why am I sat on the floor? Then realise
I have a wet behind, with being sat in a puddle!
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16:32
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Referee trying to regain normality, I am back at end of lane, dazed but happy, the
three girls standing in front of me, whole squad behind them cheering, parents coming
down onto poolside. I am speechless; what do you say! how do you say it! It now
appears Alina also took the meet record. Congrates all around, tell girls to get
changed.
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17:01
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Another couple of swims in the finals, Russel managed to swim his final, keeping
his trunks on, coming in forth place, but nothing spectacular. My feet are killing
me, sat collecting my bits together; several trophies just came our way. Talk of
going to McHarry's for a party, say yes.
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17:05
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Look at the mess left behind, pass bin bag to team captain, turn away with smirk
on face. Team captain set to with a couple of the development squad, rest of squad
now disappeared into changing rooms. Our area, now looking respectable again. Local
club chairman and coach appear to pass congrates, and to say it was the most exciting
race they had ever known. Struggling to take down banner, cursing who ever tied
the knots.
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20:10
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McHarry's cost me a few quid, but worth it. Back at home, feet up wondering how
it all happened. Already had several telephone calls from parents and other clubs,
offering congrates.
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20:20
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The chap who looks after the club website has just been on, wants more detail says
he will do a big spread, and send to local press.
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21:10
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Explaining to 'her in doors' that we are going to have to cancel the holiday to
Rome we have just booked for the first two weeks in August. And we can go to Sheffield
in its place. Get screamed at!! Peter on his way to bed saying he is shattered,
but he looks happy asking what present I am going to buy him for achieving
an NQT, throw a cushion in his direction.,
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22:30
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'Her in doors' going to bed, muttering that swimming runs my life, and the kitchen
needs decorating, and the grass needs cutting, and .... (I turned the speaker volume
up!!)
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22:50
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Done bit for web chap, got pictures off camera and emailed, he is going to send
to press
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23:30
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Had long drink of whisky and dry ginger, while thinking about the days events and
watching news channel, going to bed ... Back up at 05:10 for training in local pool...
wondering who will turn up ...
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