My summer 2011 season kick started with a near 5 week High Altitude training camp in Font Romeu, funded my UKAthletics and Virgin London Marathon. This place has to be the most idyllic place to train, rest and reside. I feel extremely fortunate to have been given the opportunity to focus all my thoughts into getting into the best shape possible for the up and coming track season. My training was without set backs and I was hitting times that I would have been happy with back at sea level, so I knew I was in good shape and ready to PB over the summer.
Once I got back, I spent a few days at home and also began my racing campaign at the Trafford Grand Prix on the 17th May-4 days back from altitude. I ran the 1500m and was told to hit 70s laps until 300m to go and then work on picking up the pace/maintaining the pace until the finish. I ran my fastest season opener ever, with a modest 4.18. I had to be pleased, after all, it was so soon after coming down from altitude and wasn't paced to go much quicker. The day after, I returned to Loughborough for a grass session!! Thats right, no rest for the wicked!
My next race was the Loughborough International, where I represented Loughborough in a high calibre field that included Mary Cullen, Hatti Dean and Laura Whittle (was Kenney). I was delighted to have won the 3000m race in a tight finish (0.03s between 1st and 2nd), hurricane-like wind and a 4 second PB (9.08.37). This race gave me a huge bout of confidence, especially when I didn't really ease down for it.The Manchester Sports City BMC Grand Prix was the next race in line, where I contested the 1500m. My finishing position was 3rd in a Seasons Best (SB) of 4.14. I was slightly disappointed with this race as, although the conditions were still a little windy, the european U23 qualifying time was certainly achievable. What let me down was my slow first 800m, where I was way off pace and left it too late to do something about it! A plus side to running that time however, proved that I was able to comfortably run an equal PB, feeling extremely comfortable. On to the next one....
I was annoyed to have not ran well and make the most of the fast field at the Watford International BMC Grand Prix. I was originally going to contest my first ever 5000m, however, with a surprise call up for my Senior Great Britain debut at the European Team Championships held in Stockholm, the weekend after, I was informed that I was not allowed to compete over the 5000m the weekend before due to it possibly over-tiring me. So I swapped to the 1500m, which I was equally excited about, as I knew I was ready to run sub 4.10 and get that much needed qualifying time! Unfortunately, this was not achieved. I felt flat and exhausted in the race, probably down to exam stress and regular early mornings and sleepless nights for the week or so before. I was gutted. I ran 4.19 and it felt fast. This hit me like a loud noise. I needed to get sleep and rest FAST. I was sent to see the UKA Doctor asap and also had my lactates taken by the Physiologists just to make sure I was physiologically right to compete and to assure me that I wasn't getting ill and running myself into the ground.
That following week I made sure I didn't do anything too strenuous and shovelled in the carbs. This served me well and leads me nicely onto my next post...
OCWK Report - Loughborough International
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