Wall of Vulnerability Coaching Experiences with Colin Griffin

'Wall of Vulnerability' with Colin Griffin

Colin Griffin is a young but experienced, and well qualified coach, and has already notched up a nice accolade of having competed in an Olympics and also coaching an athlete to the Olympics. Here he shares his experiences.

Bio

Name:           Colin Griffin

Age:               33

Club:              Ballinamore AC

Coaching Accreditation/Level:             Level 3 (IAAF Level 4)

Number of Years Coaching:       14 years

Colin is a former Irish athlete having competed at two Olympic Games in his specialist event the 50km walk, where he previously held the Irish record. His career highlights include top 12 performances at European Senior championships and World Race Walking Cup, as well as 7th in the World Youth Championships and 9th in European Junior Championships. He has also been actively coaching throughout his competitive career having coached fellow Leitrim athlete and Olympian Laura Reynolds. Colin works as a Rehabilitation Coach within the Sports Medicine and Performance department at the Sports Surgery Clinic in Santry. His role involves treating athletes with running-related injuries and those seeking to optimise performance, as well as engaging in research into running biomechanics and performance.

Colin is also founder and director of The Altitude Centre Ireland and pioneered Ireland’s first residential altitude training facility at the University of Limerick. Colin is a Level 3 Athletics Ireland coach, IAAF Level 4 Endurance Coach and Coaching Ireland Tutor. He is an Accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach.  His education includes a BA degree in Public Administration from the University of Limerick (2005) and a BA in Strength and Conditioning with Setanta College (2015). He is currently completing a Master’s Degree in Coaching and Exercise Science in University College Dublin. 

What’s the most significant message you could pass on to a young coach today?

Coaching is an art and a science. Understand the science, be an artist in how you apply it. You learn more in the front-line coaching. Mistakes are part of learning. Accept your mistakes, reflect on them and apply what you’ve learned from them in your coaching practice.    

Name two key mistakes you have made as a coach throughout your career?

Tried to control too much and not encourage enough athlete autonomy

Had a narrow lens in how I approached things.

If you were only permitted to utter one sentence to an athlete prior to the most important race of their career, what would this sentence be?

Back yourself and stay calm

Name two of the greatest challenges you face as a coach on a regular basis?

Modifying my approach to different athlete learning styles and contexts.

Trying to simplify my message and connect with my audience better.

You have just retired from coaching and you are only allowed document three pieces of coaching information encapsulating the entirety of your coaching career, experience and knowledge. What are they?

Build a strong network of fellow coaches (mentors and peers) and regularly engage with them. Perhaps engage with some coaches who may have a different approach to you.

Always reflect, ask questions and keep challenging yourself.

Work on your communication and inter-personal skills in parallel with your knowledge base.