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Masters - Home
Coach's Profile of the Month-Tom Piszkin, Running/Triathlon Coach, November, 2006
[Last Updated - Nov 02, 2006 @ 3:00 PM ]
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Coach: TOM PISZKIN
Sport of Choice: TRIATHLON
The Coach's Profile is an opportunity to learn more about our
Coaching Staff to see what actually makes them tick…sorta. Read on for
some interesting information.
How many years have you been in your sport of choice (swimming,
running or triathlons), as an active participant, competitor &/or
coach?
I HAVE BEEN A COMPETITIVE ATHLETE SINCE THE AGE OF NINE (TRACK
SPRINTER AND FOOTBALL PLAYER). I HAVE BEEN A TRIATHLETE AND COACH FOR
THE LAST 20 YEARS.
Do you have any note-worth achievements in your personal portfolio?
MY MOST EXCITING RACE WAS ANCHORING THE MILE RELAY AT GROSSMONT
LEAGUE FINALS. IT WAS A NIGHT MEET AT HELIX H.S. BACK THEN THE
VISITOR'S BLEACHERS WERE ON THE FIELD, SO THE BACKSTRETCH WAS HIDDEN
FROM SPECTATOR VIEW. I TOOK THE BATTON 30 YARDS BEHIND THE LEADING TEAM
BUT CLOSED THE GAP IN THE ERIE DARKNESS AND SILENCE OF THE BACKSTRETCH.
IT REMINDED ME OF RUNNING AWAY FROM THE SCENE OF A CRIME! WHEN WE CAME
BACK INTO VIEW THE CROWD ROARED. OUR TEAM WON BY A YARD. IT WAS THE
FASTEST QUARTER MILE I'VE EVER RUN. THE MEMORY HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS
SOURCE OF PERSONAL INSPIRATION FOR 35 YEARS.
What other activities do you enjoy doing?
BESIDES COACHING? WEIGHT TRAINING, TINKERING WITH MECHANICAL CONTRAPTIONS, STRENUOUS MANUAL LABOR, PRAYING.
What aspects of coaching do you enjoy most?
WITNESSING THE "AH HA" MOMENTS THAT RESULT FROM PERSEVERANCE AND TRUST.
What message do you want your athletes taking home after one of your workouts?
"WOW! I DIDN'T THINK I COULD DO THAT! MAYBE I SHOULDN'T BE SO
FEARFUL THE NEXT TIME I FACE A CHALLENGE." PURSUING ATHLETIC GOALS
PRODUCES JOY AND SELF-CONFIDENCE.
What do you get out of coaching and why do you coach?
I COACH BECAUSE I HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE OF BEING COACHED BY SERVERAL
MEN WHO DEMONSTRATED ENTHUSIASM, KNOWLEDGE, HONESTY AND COMPASSION. I
KNOW FIRST HAND HOW UPLIFTING THE EXPERIENCE CAN BE. CONSEQUENTLY, IT
HAS BEEN A JOY FOR ME TO WORK ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WHISTLE.
What basic philosophy goes hand in hand with your coaching style?
THE WHOLE IS GREATER THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS AND E=MC^2
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
HEALING
What is your favorite sport to watch?
PROFESSIONAL CYCLING, OLYMPIC SWIMMING, ANY TRACK AND FIELD COMPETITION.
How do you spend your free time?
EXERCISING WITH MY WIFE. PLAYING WITH MY BIKE COMPANY. BEING A PART OF MY CHURCH.
What is your favorite color and how does it make you feel?
AQUA MARINE. FLUID YET POTENT.
What do you most value in your friends?
OPENESS; WILLINGNESS TO SHARE WEAKNESSES.
What is your most treasured possession?
MY WIFE.
What kind of entertainment do you like?
ANYTHING DEATH DEFYING
What is your favorite workout set for your sport?
TRI-BRICK: SWIM 20 X 100 DESCENDING WITH 15 SEC REST + BIKE 20 X 3
MINUTES (1 MINUTE STANDING, 1 MINUTE SPRINT, 1 MINUTE RECOVERY) + RUN 6
X 1200 CUTDOWN (EACH LAP FASTER) WITH 2 MINUTE RECOVERY.
What is your motto?
PAIN IS JUST A DEEPER SHADE OF DISCOMFORT. FOCUSING LIGHT (ATTENTION) ON IT CHANGES ITS HUE.
What lessons are important to learn in life?
THAT YOU ARE A SPIRITUAL BEING HAVING A HUMAN EXPERIENCE. |
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