Unfortunately, not. Some time ago, I had decided that as I am starting to suffer from the onset of late middle age, I would scale back my athletic career and move towards helping others achieve their sporting goals. 1st & 2nd of November happened to be the two days that the 'Coach's Assistant' course was to be held over Saturday & Sunday.
After some time away from the classroom, the first shock was that I had to do pre-course homework. Therefore, I tried to start Tuesday, so I wouldn't do 'The usual' and end up in a frantic rush on Friday.
The first part was to write information about myself, my athletic background and my motivations to coach, something that those who know me will appreciate that I attacked with gusto. However, the second task was to watch a video and make comments about it, so being a little short of time, having written my life story, I opted to save it and have another go later.
At least I thought I did! Next day I found that my computer had helpfully had kept the form but none of my input! Not to worry. I did it again but then I found I was unable to access video because the Isle of Man is not in the U.K! I was struggling opening other files and inadvertently through my frustration, closed down the window with my personal information and lost it a second time!
Therefore, I e-mailed both my contact over here and 'England Athletics' to explain my difficulties and finally received a reply on Friday morning, thus being placed in the very position, I'd hoped to avoid in the first place, cramming it in after work and before training, the day before the course.
As usual, my expected easy Friday threw me a few unexpected problems and turned into frantic rush Friday. I ended up starting much later than I'd anticipated and by the time I'd re-written everything, watched a 22 minute video and given my thoughts on the questions about it, I had hardly any time left before I was due to babysit, Harry.
I thought I'd just check my email before I left to train and there was one from our course co-ordinator saying that he'd heard we'd all been having problems but not to worry because the tutors would go through it with us in the morning! Aaaargghh!!!
It was a genuine 'I don't believe it!' moment and I think Victor Meldrew* (for those not familiar VM was a grumpy old TV character with said catchphrase. See link at the bottom of the page) would have been proud of me!
Anyway, it was an intensive but hugely enjoyable weekend with a variety of other attendees of all ages with very different backgrounds.
I am now officially a licensed Assistant Coach! So watch it you slackers, I'm coming to get you! **
(Michael George would like to point out that this last sentence was not part of the lessons delivered by Jackie & Bashir*** and that the photographs featured in this blog may have been taken a little time before last weekend)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLNrLI3OBwg
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