Mediocrity Sucks

Moving on Up

Over the coming weeks and months I'll be talking here on the blog about what I'll be doing 'next'.

For now I can say I am excited about the opportunities and possibilities that lie ahead. 

A couple of articles that have been published on the move:

Inside the Games: British Triathlon rocked by resignation of head coach 

Slowtwitch.com: Whitfield Speaks Out

Inside the Games: Whitfield: Filliol left British Triathlon after running into bureaucracy "brick wall"

Updated: An Open Letter to USA Triathlon

The job of a coach

"MAGIC

For some, there is a disconnect between ability and desire.

Even though some people want to create magic, they often find themselves coming up a bit short, and delivering more drama or confusion than magic.

Their heart is in the right place, but sadly, they just don't have what it takes.

Your job is to give them a little nudge and helping hand to see if you assist them in achieving their dream."

from: gapingvoid gallery

Inspiration is everywhere. Creatives have a lot in common with coaches (giving weight to the art vs. science of coaching discussion). Good coaches challenge and stretch their athletes, and their beliefs of what is possible. More than a 'little nudge' is required in some cases.

One year on...

I'm writing this post from our second national camp of the 2010 campaign. Will has a report on the happenings in Spain. We have a great group of athletes here, and all are getting on with the work, while having a few laughs. It's been interesting to explore new training venues on this side of the pond. A year ago I had just returned from a camp in warmer climes than we are experiencing here in northern Spain, however we have been extremely productive and a dose of HTFU has done the athletes good, and puts a new spin on 'winter' training camps: they needn't be warm and fuzzy vacations. Not much character is built laying on the beach...

I'd say I've settled into life in the UK, and my Loughborough home base well, although it feels like I've hardly been home in one stretch long enough to be 'settled', however being reunited with my chihuahua Napoleon moved across in September, made my new house feel like a home again. Elite sport is often all consuming and the process of becoming the best is not a 9-5, Monday to Friday job. The new challenges have been what I was looking for and more. Our team of athletes, coaches and support staff have made significant progress, and are beginning to put the pieces together. All in all, it's been a smooth transition and the support from my family, British Triathlon and my new team has been outstanding.

2009 was a successful year for British Triathlon in a number of areas, and I am looking forward to the action starting in 2010, knowing we can, and will, strive to be better every day.

I'll close with a fantastic quote from a close friend, Jordan Rapp, who had a breakthrough year in 2009, winning two Ironmans:

"It's about the process. It doesn't matter what you do tomorrow and it doesn't matter what you did yesterday. It's about today, and making today count. That's especially true in training, but it's the same mentality that I carry into racing. Focus on the task at hand, not on the finish line, or the next part of the race, but what it is that is right there in front of you in the moment."

New Role with British Triathlon

The news of my new role as Head Coach with British Triathlon has been out for a couple weeks now. I've wrapped up my duties with Triathlon Canada and am now preparing for the move from Victoria BC to Loughborough UK. Lots of things to get organized but very much looking forward to getting started on the ground in March.

I'm excited to be working with a world class team of performance staff at British Triathlon, including Performance Director Heather Williams, Performance Manager Mark Pearce, Head Coach Talent Development Ben Bright, and Performance Development Manager Simon Mills. I'm also looking forward to backing some exceptional athletes in the Podium and Academy Squads, from the veterans like Tim Don, to the young talents like Hollie Avil.

Here is a bit from the BTF release:

After a world wide search to find a leading international coach with a proven track record of success, Canadian Joel Filliol has been appointed as the new Head Coach and will provide support to athletes and coaches identified in the Olympic Podium and Academy Squads to convert them into medal winners.

Filliol is one of the world’s most experienced and successful triathlon individuals having been involved in the sport since 1989, both as an athlete and a coach. He has worked for Triathlon Canada since the 2002 Commonwealth Games and was their Senior High Performance Coach during the 2008 Olympiad. He was also the personal coach of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games silver medallist Simon Whitfield.

Joe Filliol commented:
“I am so excited to be taking on the new head coach role with British Triathlon. Heather Williams and her team have done an outstanding job building the foundation for future international success, and I look forward to leading the coaches and athletes toward delivering medals for Team GB. My first few months will be spent observing, talking with coaches and athletes, and developing the plan to get the right results in 2012.

“The standard of International Triathlon has never been higher and is continually improving. Winning medals at London 2012 will be tougher than at any previous Games. However there is no greater incentive than a home Games, it is up to our team to meet that challenge and ensure British athletes enjoy a hugely successful London 2012.”

Thanks Canada

Thanks Canada, its been a great trip.

I'm moving on from Triathlon Canada effective February 9th. It wasn't an easy decision to take as I have enjoyed great support in Canada, but its the right time for me to make a change and take on an exciting new leadership role.

The three years I've been in the role of Senior High Performance Coach at the National Triathlon Centre in Victoria, and the years before that in development roles have been an invaluable experience. I am enormously proud of the continued success of the NTC as a centre for international excellence, and particularly proud of the achievement of our Olympic goal with the silver medal for Canada in Beijing, both as Olympic Team Coach and working with Simon Whitfield as his personal coach since 2005.

It's been an honor and a privilege to have worked with everyone at Triathlon Canada, from Tom Patrick, Alan Trivet, Stephen Holmes, and Larry McMahon, to all of the coaching community, from Barrie, Craig, Patrick, Gary, Phil, and Benoit, and many many more athletes, coaches, volunteers and staff. I have appreciated their support, and trust to make the tough decisions and take a risk to demand excellence in attitude and practice.

Most of all, thanks to all the athletes I was fortunate enough to work with along the way, from our "BAMF" squad in Victoria with Simon, Kyle, Jordan, Lauren, Andrew, Colin, Dano, Paul, Kirsten, and Brent, to the other National and Development athletes representing Canada around the world. I will remember all the fun times, and know you all will keep going with the 'trial of miles, and miles of trials'. Remember, if in doubt, keep it 'organic', and go with "Steadystrongsolidgiveitagoseehowyoufeelstartfastandbuild" :-)

Canada is in great hands with the newly appointed High Performance Director Kurt Innes and is situated in its best position ever coming out of Beijing and into London 2012. I wish the best for the Canadian team and hope to continue to see them all at the races in the future.

So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish

Joel

Photo of the Day from Maui

Race Start, originally uploaded by jfilliol1.

Race start of the Polar Bear Fin Swim. Andrew McCartney and Sarah Groff were victorious.