September 7, 2008
Uneventful trip back although the Olympic spirit was still alive and well. People applauded us on the plane and in the airports. Strangers struck up a conversation about the Games as if they knew me.

Arrived in Regina and I couldn’t get off the plane fast enough as I knew my little ones would be waiting for me! Arden and Dawson started running up the stairs yelling “Mommy, mommy!” For that moment in time, we were the only people on the planet! It was great to see my husband, Mike, and one of my personal athletes, who greeted me with a Tim Horton’s coffee.

I am still recovering from the trip. I have travelled all over the world, been to many meets, but nothing has kicked me this hard recovery-wise. I purposely did not get childcare for the week. I just wanted to stay and home and be “normal”, be with my kids, and hide for awhile. Athletes have been calling and emailing me, our university secretary is on me about a bunch of things, but I have not answered any calls or emails … just couldn’t get up for them.

Reflections
I am taken aback by my photos. I don’t think I truly realized just what I was experiencing. I was so focused on my athletes and doing my best to help them perform at their best. The Bird’s Nest cannot be described! Things that went on there were so unpredictable because the stakes were so high.

And to be coaching alongside some of the very best coaches in the world! We all have such different backgrounds and histories, but were brought together at this one point in time, to speak the same language, the language of track and field. Even though we were all trying to be heard over 70,000 screaming fans, using many different languages, our messages were the same. The disappointment and the excitement were the same.

Reflecting on this great experience, I feel changed forever as a coach forever, in a positive way. I now have a great understanding of what it takes to reach the podium. We have a long way to go in Canada, but I think we can be successful. In all the successful countries, coaching is a high priority. Professional, paid, full-time coaches are the key. It is impossible for coaches to do what they need to do while holding down a full-time job to support their track habit. A successful program needs so many support systems. The coach is the conductor and must be in control of everything the support systems do for the athletes. Without the full-time support of physiotherapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, doctors, and dieticians, all working together for the same goal, it is unrealistic to expect our athletes to compete successfully at this level.

I was surprised that most of the athletes I coached showed up with programs that were rather sketchy. One athlete makes up his own program and then shows it to his coaches for changes and ideas. Another has two or more coaches involved, but none who really work together. Another athlete runs around the world chasing standards and looking for coaches to help her out. This is a huge problem with our program. There needs to be more control over what our athletes are doing. I believe that Athletics Canada is headed in the direction of focusing our attention on identifying talent and nurturing and retaining athletes. They have to have someone to answer to, someone to ensure they are doing the appropriate programs with the appropriate support. Perhaps mandatory testing throughout the year, mandatory meets, and mandatory camps is the key. Top this off by identifying key coaches who can provide the support necessary, and retain these coaches. Identify them and provide a living wage so they can focus on preparing athletes for the world stage. To prepare an athlete for an Olympic stadium takes big-time experience.

Coaching is an art, and not everyone is cut out for it. It is an ever-changing profession and I am still very much a student, but I am now more than ever ready and excited to continue to strive to perfect this art.

On the home front
Arden started kindergarten last week. For her first show and tell, she took one of the Olympic mascots I brought back for her. She told everyone where she got it from and that her mommy was at the Olympics. She said the teacher had a tear in her eye when she finished speaking!

Dawson and Arden are all smiles on Arden's first day of school.