WRITTEN FOR ATHLETICS WEEKLY MAGAZINE
Series: England Athletics national volunteer award-winners
Services to Disability Athletics – Ian Thompson.
Nicola Bamford profiles the winner of the Services to Disability Athletics award from the 2010 England Athletics national volunteer awards ceremony last autumn...
Immersed in the sport for the past twenty-five years, Dr Robert Ian George Thompson is a key face in disability athletics through a variety of platforms.
The husband of eleven-time Paralympic gold medallist Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Thompson currently works as a consultant in disability sport and wheelchair racing technology as well as a company director in sport science and management.
The 47-year-old from Stockton-on-Tees has amassed an impressive array of achievements ranging from international competitor to coach, administrator, sports scientist, bio-mechanist and wheelchair designer.
A current UKA level three performance coach, working on his level four grade at present, Thompson was unable to attend the England Athletics awards gala due to participating in a development day in Scotland but was genuinely surprised to hear of his win, despite his long list of achievements:
“I was not able to get to the awards evening as I was up in the Scottish borders and I was obviously very happy to receive such a recognition,” Thompson explained.
A father of one – to nine-year-old Carys – Thompson enjoyed success in other sports such as basketball and cycling in his youth, however, following a spinal injury after crashing his bike in 1984, found great satisfaction in an introduction to his now-beloved athletics.
Racing in the T54 category as a wheelchair athlete, Thompson can boast an impressive athletic CV of with highlights which include being a two-time Paralympian and a two-time World and Commonwealth representative in the 1990’s.
A member of New Marske Harriers and Manchester Kestrels, Thompson additionally held the British records from 200m to 5,000m and today, is still ranked third for the half-marathon (with 45:03 from 1997) on the British all-time lists.
Since his competitive retirement, Thompson has failed to slow down, holding many positions in prestigious bodies across the sport including:
BWRA Sport Science Coordinator from 1993-1999, BWRA Secretary from 1994-1996 and UK Athletics World Class Performance - Wheelchair Racing Event Group Head Coach from 2001-2006.
In recent years, too, Thompson has headed the disability portfolio for the England Athletics North East Regional Council from 2007-present, sat on the BWSF Sports Management Committee from 2008-present, sat on the England Athletics National Council from 2009 – 2010 and also on the BWSF Executive Council form 2010-present.
“One of the most satisfying areas I was involved in was the Wheelchair Racing Sport
Science Support Project, running from 1994 through to 1998 (and continued in various forms until recently),” Thompson revealed, when questioned on his finest working memories.
I was able to develop this work further when I became the UK Athletics Wheelchair Racing Coach in 2001, as part of the team on the World Class Programme developing the squad of athletes for the Athens Paralympics.”
His personal roles over the past decade as an individual have been even more noticeable with Thompson’s career taking in several top duties such as:
UKA wheelchair racing head coach from 2001-2006, wheelchair racing coach for Olympic exhibition races in Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 and more famously as coach, adviser and training partner to his be-medalled partner.
“From 2001 to 2006, I was her boss and this actually worked very quite well,” Thompson explained.
“Though, some thought it was quite tough of me to set her (plus the rest of the squad) a series of time trials on the first day of a training camp in Spain - three weeks after she gave birth to our daughter.
But, that was part of the plan in the run up to Athens – if she was going to go well in Athens, there was not going to be very much time to rest!” – indeed, the plan did work as his wife went onto capture 100m and 400m gold at aged thirty-five.
“Training together has always helped us both,” Thompson continued.
“Sessions of Tanni trying to stay in my slipstream and me trying to drop her worked very well. (As a toddler) hooking Carys’ cycle trailer to the back of Tanni’s racing chair, made the best of resistance training and child-care. Tanni and I still keep fit and race occasionally.”
In addition to his illustrious partner, Thompson has also guided top internationals such as Nicola Jarvis, Jack McKenna and Kevin Papworth over the years and more recently, guides multiple World junior champion Jade Jones and other top juniors including Nikki Emerson and Simon Lawson.
“I’m still enjoying the challenge!” Thompson revealed.
“I prefer to train along with the athletes I coach as much as possible (using a hand-cycle now) as this allows me to also give close monitoring of technique, and to provide feedback and encouragement.”
Away from the track, Thompson also delivers courses and materials to coaches on wheelchair racing and athlete training camps in the UK and abroad, presents at sport science conferences on wheelchair racing technique analysis and evaluation and was recently the co-author (with Tanni) of a chapter on coaching wheelchair racing in the Human Kinetics book ‘Wheelchair Sport’ (2010).
“I have also been manufacturing high-end wheelchair racing gloves, am in the process of redesigning our light-weight training roller system, and in progressing the power measurement tool,” explained Thompson – arguably one of the busiest men in disability sport.
Thursday, 17 February 2011
Monday, 14 February 2011
Pole Position
WRITTEN FOR SKYSPORTS
Beginning only her third year as a pole-vault specialist, Holly Bleasdale is jumping from strength to strength after shattering her best marks and shooting up the national record lists, writes Nicola Bamford.
The 19-year-old Blackburn Harrier started to train seriously for the event in the autumn of 2008 and progressed from 2.80m to an impressive 4.05m leap to break the national junior record on numerous occasions in her debut season.
A Team GB call-up for the 2009 European junior championships subsequently arrived but an ill-timed broken bone in the foot put paid to her international aspirations, as she required surgery and six-months out from training.
Fast-forward twelve months, however and Bleasdale is riding on the crest of a wave following an unprecedented highly-successful comeback in the sport after claiming World junior bronze (with 4.15m) in Canada last summer and is currently poised to claim the British senior number-one mantel in thrilling fashion.
Worthwhile
In a glorious 2011 indoor campaign so far, Bleasdale’s rate of progression is scintillating.
Having begun the year with a 7.94 indoor 60m personal best, she went on to register twenty-two centimetre lifetime best mark of 4.28m before improving further a week
later with 4.32m in Manchester to break the British under23 record.
Refusing to rest on her laurels, Bleasdale continued her fine form in the following weeks to leap 4.40m in France and 4.48m in Glasgow - representing the Commonwealth Select squad at the Aviva International - which took her to second on the British indoor all-time lists behind Kate Dennison’s 4.60m.
Coached by Julien Raffalli-Ebezant at SportCity in Manchester, the relative beginner to arguably athletics’ toughest technical event improved yet again last weekend to register 4.50m in Sheffield to lead the national rankings and gain the ‘A’ qualifier for this summer’s World outdoor championships.
A mere six centimeters away from breaking two-time Olympic champion Yelena Isinbayeva’s world age-19 best, Bleasdale will target the British record in Sheffield this weekend at the UK indoor championships, where she also hopes to book her spot on the team for next month’s European event.
“I feel happy that my outdoor season went so well and the start to the new indoor season is going great too,” Bleasdale explained.
“It makes all the training and hard work I put in throughout the season all feel worthwhile when I achieve personal bests and medals at major championships.
My current indoor season is going well too, I knew during my winter training that I was feeling fit and strong, so to see the results in competitions is great.
I stayed focused and positive during my injury and I worked on other weakness in my body such as core strength and upper body strength.
To be honest, if I could go back I wouldn’t change my injury - it did me good, as it changed the way I thought about athletics and has really helped me.”
Exciting
After having added two strength and conditioning sessions, a gym workout and a gymnastics session to her weekly routine, it is little wonder that Bleasdale is reaping the rewards.
Currently on a gap year before beginning her university studies, the former heptathlete has transformed over the winter months into an exciting international contender on the senior scene.
In 2010, the Lancashire athlete claimed the senior UK outdoor silver medal with 4.35m, which remains the British junior record today but this summer, Bleasdale will expect to be jump around 20-30cm higher and may well be picked for the World championships in Daegu, South Korea in August.
“My main aims for 2011 are to gain experience at the European indoors and outdoors, I aim to medal at the European under23 championships (in Ostrava in July) and to jump a height of 4.56m for the world age-19 record,” Bleasdale revealed.
“I feel this is within my capabilities and it would be an amazing achievement.
My long term goals are to compete in all the major championships and the ultimate aim in my career is to get close to five metres and win the Olympics.
This is an ultimate goal and I have a long way to go before I reach this but I feel aiming high is the key to ensure motivation.”
With the aim of working as a physiotherapist in the future, Bleasdale for now has her sights firmly on establishing herself on the global scene in the senior ranks and judging by her current rate of progression, she will most likely be one to watch in 2012 and beyond.
Beginning only her third year as a pole-vault specialist, Holly Bleasdale is jumping from strength to strength after shattering her best marks and shooting up the national record lists, writes Nicola Bamford.
The 19-year-old Blackburn Harrier started to train seriously for the event in the autumn of 2008 and progressed from 2.80m to an impressive 4.05m leap to break the national junior record on numerous occasions in her debut season.
A Team GB call-up for the 2009 European junior championships subsequently arrived but an ill-timed broken bone in the foot put paid to her international aspirations, as she required surgery and six-months out from training.
Fast-forward twelve months, however and Bleasdale is riding on the crest of a wave following an unprecedented highly-successful comeback in the sport after claiming World junior bronze (with 4.15m) in Canada last summer and is currently poised to claim the British senior number-one mantel in thrilling fashion.
Worthwhile
In a glorious 2011 indoor campaign so far, Bleasdale’s rate of progression is scintillating.
Having begun the year with a 7.94 indoor 60m personal best, she went on to register twenty-two centimetre lifetime best mark of 4.28m before improving further a week
later with 4.32m in Manchester to break the British under23 record.
Refusing to rest on her laurels, Bleasdale continued her fine form in the following weeks to leap 4.40m in France and 4.48m in Glasgow - representing the Commonwealth Select squad at the Aviva International - which took her to second on the British indoor all-time lists behind Kate Dennison’s 4.60m.
Coached by Julien Raffalli-Ebezant at SportCity in Manchester, the relative beginner to arguably athletics’ toughest technical event improved yet again last weekend to register 4.50m in Sheffield to lead the national rankings and gain the ‘A’ qualifier for this summer’s World outdoor championships.
A mere six centimeters away from breaking two-time Olympic champion Yelena Isinbayeva’s world age-19 best, Bleasdale will target the British record in Sheffield this weekend at the UK indoor championships, where she also hopes to book her spot on the team for next month’s European event.
“I feel happy that my outdoor season went so well and the start to the new indoor season is going great too,” Bleasdale explained.
“It makes all the training and hard work I put in throughout the season all feel worthwhile when I achieve personal bests and medals at major championships.
My current indoor season is going well too, I knew during my winter training that I was feeling fit and strong, so to see the results in competitions is great.
I stayed focused and positive during my injury and I worked on other weakness in my body such as core strength and upper body strength.
To be honest, if I could go back I wouldn’t change my injury - it did me good, as it changed the way I thought about athletics and has really helped me.”
Exciting
After having added two strength and conditioning sessions, a gym workout and a gymnastics session to her weekly routine, it is little wonder that Bleasdale is reaping the rewards.
Currently on a gap year before beginning her university studies, the former heptathlete has transformed over the winter months into an exciting international contender on the senior scene.
In 2010, the Lancashire athlete claimed the senior UK outdoor silver medal with 4.35m, which remains the British junior record today but this summer, Bleasdale will expect to be jump around 20-30cm higher and may well be picked for the World championships in Daegu, South Korea in August.
“My main aims for 2011 are to gain experience at the European indoors and outdoors, I aim to medal at the European under23 championships (in Ostrava in July) and to jump a height of 4.56m for the world age-19 record,” Bleasdale revealed.
“I feel this is within my capabilities and it would be an amazing achievement.
My long term goals are to compete in all the major championships and the ultimate aim in my career is to get close to five metres and win the Olympics.
This is an ultimate goal and I have a long way to go before I reach this but I feel aiming high is the key to ensure motivation.”
With the aim of working as a physiotherapist in the future, Bleasdale for now has her sights firmly on establishing herself on the global scene in the senior ranks and judging by her current rate of progression, she will most likely be one to watch in 2012 and beyond.
Thursday, 10 February 2011
Costello Can’t Say ‘No’
WRITTEN FOR ATHLETICS WEEKLY MAGAZINE
Series: England Athletics national volunteer award-winners
Services to Volunteering – Neil Costello.
Nicola Bamford profiles the winner of the 2010 Services to Volunteering award from the England Athletics national volunteer awards ceremony last autumn.
Having completed his level-one coaching qualifications in 1984, Costello now leads a road-running group at Cambridge & Coleridge AC and enjoys taking part himself:
“I have never been a star athlete, I was a pretty good miler as a schoolboy and enjoyed cross country running. - a long run has often kept me sane when I’ve had pressures elsewhere,” Costello explained.
Indeed, many would feel under immense pressure if they held as many important voluntary roles within the sport but Costello takes it all in his stride – contributing to his recent accolade:
“The (awards) evening was very enjoyable – great company and a great atmosphere,” Costello revealed.
“I felt a bit embarrassed to receive an award when I know how much many other people do, proud to be seen as someone who is worthy of something like this and very aware of how much I rely on other people – it is an award for my wife, Ginny, and the team of people at C&C and elsewhere not just for me.”
Ever a modest man, Costello entered the volunteering world over two-decades ago when his local club required a new cross-country secretary and the duties spiralled from then on.
Introduced by the then club secretary, Peter Chaplin, Costello answered his plea for more people to be involved with the club’s growth and has been inspired by the work
of other volunteers around him since his foray into the sport:
“I get pleasure out of watching anyone who is excellent at the things they do, not just in athletics,” Costello explained.
“We have some athletes who are a delight to watch in the club, and nationally, of course. People who get the best out of themselves are inspirational too, whatever their standard.”
Having coached many English Schools’ finalists and internationals such as Sam Boden and Will Clarke, Costello names his work with tri-athlete Rachel Horn as his biggest thrill to date and has his hand in many events in an organisational capacity:
“I’ve organised cross country events up to regional championships and a number of road races,” Costello revealed.
“I also help out at track and field events, usually as one of the scorers or announcer, occasionally wielding a rake or tape measure.
I enjoy working on endurance events. The Cambridge Festival of Running, now in its third year, gives me a buzz. It’s run entirely by volunteers and in the last two years we’ve raised £18,000 for charity.”
Impressive feats indeed for the man who additionally holds various other roles including Chair of C&C, Chair of the Greater Cambridge Athletics Network and also Chair of the Cambridge Festival of Running.
“I’m on the England Athletics Regional Council and some national groups, too,” Costello explained.
“I value the work of the county association highly. It’s the bedrock for competition and very important.
“I agreed to join the England Athletics Regional Council as a co-opted member and things developed from there.
I like a challenge and I’m appallingly bad at saying, ‘No’ - that’s not modesty; saying ‘no’ is a skill and I haven’t got it. I’m trying to acquire it.”
There’s no pressure there, though – Costello’s loss is certainly Cambridgeshire’s gain.
Series: England Athletics national volunteer award-winners
Services to Volunteering – Neil Costello.
Nicola Bamford profiles the winner of the 2010 Services to Volunteering award from the England Athletics national volunteer awards ceremony last autumn.
Having completed his level-one coaching qualifications in 1984, Costello now leads a road-running group at Cambridge & Coleridge AC and enjoys taking part himself:
“I have never been a star athlete, I was a pretty good miler as a schoolboy and enjoyed cross country running. - a long run has often kept me sane when I’ve had pressures elsewhere,” Costello explained.
Indeed, many would feel under immense pressure if they held as many important voluntary roles within the sport but Costello takes it all in his stride – contributing to his recent accolade:
“The (awards) evening was very enjoyable – great company and a great atmosphere,” Costello revealed.
“I felt a bit embarrassed to receive an award when I know how much many other people do, proud to be seen as someone who is worthy of something like this and very aware of how much I rely on other people – it is an award for my wife, Ginny, and the team of people at C&C and elsewhere not just for me.”
Ever a modest man, Costello entered the volunteering world over two-decades ago when his local club required a new cross-country secretary and the duties spiralled from then on.
Introduced by the then club secretary, Peter Chaplin, Costello answered his plea for more people to be involved with the club’s growth and has been inspired by the work
of other volunteers around him since his foray into the sport:
“I get pleasure out of watching anyone who is excellent at the things they do, not just in athletics,” Costello explained.
“We have some athletes who are a delight to watch in the club, and nationally, of course. People who get the best out of themselves are inspirational too, whatever their standard.”
Having coached many English Schools’ finalists and internationals such as Sam Boden and Will Clarke, Costello names his work with tri-athlete Rachel Horn as his biggest thrill to date and has his hand in many events in an organisational capacity:
“I’ve organised cross country events up to regional championships and a number of road races,” Costello revealed.
“I also help out at track and field events, usually as one of the scorers or announcer, occasionally wielding a rake or tape measure.
I enjoy working on endurance events. The Cambridge Festival of Running, now in its third year, gives me a buzz. It’s run entirely by volunteers and in the last two years we’ve raised £18,000 for charity.”
Impressive feats indeed for the man who additionally holds various other roles including Chair of C&C, Chair of the Greater Cambridge Athletics Network and also Chair of the Cambridge Festival of Running.
“I’m on the England Athletics Regional Council and some national groups, too,” Costello explained.
“I value the work of the county association highly. It’s the bedrock for competition and very important.
“I agreed to join the England Athletics Regional Council as a co-opted member and things developed from there.
I like a challenge and I’m appallingly bad at saying, ‘No’ - that’s not modesty; saying ‘no’ is a skill and I haven’t got it. I’m trying to acquire it.”
There’s no pressure there, though – Costello’s loss is certainly Cambridgeshire’s gain.
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
Brit Abroad
WRITTEN FOR SKYSPORTS
Tired of the bleak British weather, Angelita Broadbelt-Blake uprooted to the country of her birth last autumn in an attempt to get faster in the Florida heat and the sprint hurdler has no regrets so far, writes Nicola Bamford.
The 25-year-old was born in New York and joined Thames Valley Harriers in London five years ago before attending Brunel University, as she plied her trade in her specialist event, the 100m hurdles in a battle to represent her new home on Team GB.
Originally a 400m hurdler, Broadbelt-Blake registered a solid 61.46 in the 2006 season before switching her focus to the shorter event the following year and placing in the top six in the UK as an under-23 athlete.
Her Olympic year was quiet but remaining patient under the guidance of her then coach Michael Afilaka, Broadbelt-Blake progressed to fourth in the 2009 UK outdoor championships and World trials before finally breaking through in 2010.
Frustrating
Starting the summer with a strong 12.27 100m personal best, the then London-based athlete went on to win the Loughborough international with another lifetime best mark of 13.29 in the short hurdles.
Riding on the crest of a wave, she then made her Great Britain debut in the ‘B’ race at the European Team Championships in Norway, clocking 13.33 before placing runner-up behind World heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis in the UK championships with 13.38 in July.
Although disappointed to miss out on her first national crown and selection for the European championships in Barcelona, Broadbelt-Blake showed determination to capitalise on her fine form the following weekend, by setting an impressive 13.20 personal best in France to place her as twenty-fourth on the British all-time lists and second on the UK season list.
It was a fine performance but the ‘Yankee’ was still disappointed, so following her final race of the season – finishing second for Team England in the Great North CityGames in Newcastle last September – Broadbelt-Blake headed off to warmer and sunnier climes – to hone her skills in the USA.
“For me 2010 was not a great season,” she explained.
“It was quite frustrating as I expected to run at least 13.0 by the end of season, but only managed 13.20.
I opened up with a PB and I was ecstatic when I found out that I had been chosen to represent GB in the Europa cup. I competed in my first IAAF Diamond League and just before the season finished, I was invited to compete for England in the Newcastle street race.
However, the disappointment from 2010 comes from me knowing what I am capable of. I set goals for myself and failed to reach some of them. I had a slight hip injury that bugged me for almost the whole season. However, 2011 is a new year and a new focus.”
Home
Now coached by Dennis Green, Broadbelt-Blake has no escape from the sweltering sun and heat whilst training among a large group of international-class sprinters and hurdlers but she would not have it any other way:
“I love America, this has and always will be, home for me,” she revealed.
“The reason I chose Florida is because it's the sunshine state and I wanted to be somewhere hot! Also, I didn't want to be in a city where I could have lots of activities to choose from outside of training. Florida is quite boring - you have to find stuff to do.”
Eager to make big improvements on her 2010 form, the outgoing athlete is thriving off the tough training schedules and opened up her 2011 campaign with a swift 8.02 indoors in nearby Gainsville in the rarely-run 55m hurdles.
“Sprinting is one of my least favourite sessions, as I hate running fast,” Broadbelt-
Blake explained.
“I am a hurdler, not a sprinter. When I run fast without a hurdle in the way, I feel like every muscle in my body is rotting away!”
On her new set-up she continued:
“I have a very good relationship with all the people I am surrounded by out here. My coach is a really cool guy and he is at all times, a professional and a
perfectionist. Everything has to be perfect and if it isn't you're not going home.
Already, he is one of few who knows me quite well and he knows what to say to me to get me running.
The relationships with my rivals are great. We all hang out outside of practice and I even live with one of them. I have a private sponsor, who helps me a lot. If it wasn’t for him, I would have no choice but to work out here. I am grateful for all his help and belief in me. We speak at least twice a month so I can keep him updated with my progress.”
Impact
Although evidently relishing life ‘over the Pond’ Broadbelt-Blake is still as keen as ever to make an impact at international level as part of the British squad.
“I think the hurdles event is one of the weakest events that Britain has,” she revealed.
“No one, including myself, is consistently running sub-13. We need to step our game up! I'm really happy to have Tiffany Offili (another American-born Brit) run for us now - the more competition the better.”
With her next few races uncertain as yet, Broadbelt-Blake is sure of her first outdoor appearance – the Florida Relays meeting in early April, an event which she hopes will set her on a road to further success in 2011 and possibly even a place in the World championship team for Daegu, South Korea in August.
“My long time goal is to be an Olympic medallist,” she explained before further revealing that she would like to write a book after her athletic career.
“I want to be known and remembered as one of the best hurdlers of all time.”
Tired of the bleak British weather, Angelita Broadbelt-Blake uprooted to the country of her birth last autumn in an attempt to get faster in the Florida heat and the sprint hurdler has no regrets so far, writes Nicola Bamford.
The 25-year-old was born in New York and joined Thames Valley Harriers in London five years ago before attending Brunel University, as she plied her trade in her specialist event, the 100m hurdles in a battle to represent her new home on Team GB.
Originally a 400m hurdler, Broadbelt-Blake registered a solid 61.46 in the 2006 season before switching her focus to the shorter event the following year and placing in the top six in the UK as an under-23 athlete.
Her Olympic year was quiet but remaining patient under the guidance of her then coach Michael Afilaka, Broadbelt-Blake progressed to fourth in the 2009 UK outdoor championships and World trials before finally breaking through in 2010.
Frustrating
Starting the summer with a strong 12.27 100m personal best, the then London-based athlete went on to win the Loughborough international with another lifetime best mark of 13.29 in the short hurdles.
Riding on the crest of a wave, she then made her Great Britain debut in the ‘B’ race at the European Team Championships in Norway, clocking 13.33 before placing runner-up behind World heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis in the UK championships with 13.38 in July.
Although disappointed to miss out on her first national crown and selection for the European championships in Barcelona, Broadbelt-Blake showed determination to capitalise on her fine form the following weekend, by setting an impressive 13.20 personal best in France to place her as twenty-fourth on the British all-time lists and second on the UK season list.
It was a fine performance but the ‘Yankee’ was still disappointed, so following her final race of the season – finishing second for Team England in the Great North CityGames in Newcastle last September – Broadbelt-Blake headed off to warmer and sunnier climes – to hone her skills in the USA.
“For me 2010 was not a great season,” she explained.
“It was quite frustrating as I expected to run at least 13.0 by the end of season, but only managed 13.20.
I opened up with a PB and I was ecstatic when I found out that I had been chosen to represent GB in the Europa cup. I competed in my first IAAF Diamond League and just before the season finished, I was invited to compete for England in the Newcastle street race.
However, the disappointment from 2010 comes from me knowing what I am capable of. I set goals for myself and failed to reach some of them. I had a slight hip injury that bugged me for almost the whole season. However, 2011 is a new year and a new focus.”
Home
Now coached by Dennis Green, Broadbelt-Blake has no escape from the sweltering sun and heat whilst training among a large group of international-class sprinters and hurdlers but she would not have it any other way:
“I love America, this has and always will be, home for me,” she revealed.
“The reason I chose Florida is because it's the sunshine state and I wanted to be somewhere hot! Also, I didn't want to be in a city where I could have lots of activities to choose from outside of training. Florida is quite boring - you have to find stuff to do.”
Eager to make big improvements on her 2010 form, the outgoing athlete is thriving off the tough training schedules and opened up her 2011 campaign with a swift 8.02 indoors in nearby Gainsville in the rarely-run 55m hurdles.
“Sprinting is one of my least favourite sessions, as I hate running fast,” Broadbelt-
Blake explained.
“I am a hurdler, not a sprinter. When I run fast without a hurdle in the way, I feel like every muscle in my body is rotting away!”
On her new set-up she continued:
“I have a very good relationship with all the people I am surrounded by out here. My coach is a really cool guy and he is at all times, a professional and a
perfectionist. Everything has to be perfect and if it isn't you're not going home.
Already, he is one of few who knows me quite well and he knows what to say to me to get me running.
The relationships with my rivals are great. We all hang out outside of practice and I even live with one of them. I have a private sponsor, who helps me a lot. If it wasn’t for him, I would have no choice but to work out here. I am grateful for all his help and belief in me. We speak at least twice a month so I can keep him updated with my progress.”
Impact
Although evidently relishing life ‘over the Pond’ Broadbelt-Blake is still as keen as ever to make an impact at international level as part of the British squad.
“I think the hurdles event is one of the weakest events that Britain has,” she revealed.
“No one, including myself, is consistently running sub-13. We need to step our game up! I'm really happy to have Tiffany Offili (another American-born Brit) run for us now - the more competition the better.”
With her next few races uncertain as yet, Broadbelt-Blake is sure of her first outdoor appearance – the Florida Relays meeting in early April, an event which she hopes will set her on a road to further success in 2011 and possibly even a place in the World championship team for Daegu, South Korea in August.
“My long time goal is to be an Olympic medallist,” she explained before further revealing that she would like to write a book after her athletic career.
“I want to be known and remembered as one of the best hurdlers of all time.”
Monday, 31 January 2011
Crossing the Pond
WRITTEN FOR SKYSPORTS
In an effort to break into world-class, British 800m runner Darren St.Clair spends half of each year in America and recently, this sacrifice is paying dividends, writes Nicola Bamford.
The 25-year-old Enfield and Haringey half-lap runner is currently training in Arizona with the Canadian middle-distance squad in a six-month stint during the winter and spring.
Guided by Wynn Gmitroski on each side of the Pond, St. Clair is relishing being able to spend time with the coach who has been instrumental in his noticeable progression in the past two seasons.
“I usually split my time between living in London - working part time in a running store and training - and then travel to Arizona to train full-time,” St.Clair explained.
“Arizona is perfect for training, where the weather is between 20-30-degrees every day and with Flagstaff - which we use for altitude training - only an hour drive away, it has everything you need to be able to prepare and perform when the track season starts.”
It is this dedication to live abroad and his meticulous preparation which has aided St.Clair’s journey from talented junior to potential Olympian.
Dream
The St Mary’s university graduate has plied his trade as an 800m athlete since the age of fourteen - taking English silver medals as a schoolboy and under-23, reaching the heats of the 2003 European under-20 championships in Finland and placing fourth in the 2007 continental under-23 edition in Hungary - but it wasn’t until the summer of 2009 when he began to make his mark.
Sitting second on the British rankings for the year with a best of 1:46.20, St.Clair had improved in his specialist event by over a second and even registered a swift 46.17 to place tenth on the national 400m list.
Capitalising on his fine form, St.Clair went onto enjoy an even better 2010 – again, securing second spot on the British radar to go thirty-third on the all-time lists, courtesy of another lifetime best, a scintillating 1:45.74.
Opening his season in the US, he then finished third in the UK championships to just miss out on selection for the European Championships and won the English crown before clocking his best at the Aviva London IAAF Grand Prix at Crystal Palace in August to book his spot on Team England’s squad for his first major senior championship – the Commonwealth Games.
It was there in Delhi, India that St.Clair finished a respectable sixth in a tactical final (1:52.66) but the Asics-sponsored runner had mixed emotions of his momentous year:
“My 2009-2010 season was one of huge highs as well as some lows,” St.Clair explained.
“Obviously missing out on the European Championships was hugely disappointing for myself but I knew training had gone really well and I was in great shape, so I remained focused on preparation for the Commonwealth Games and running a personal best for the 800m.
My experience at the Commonwealth Games overall was a feeling of huge satisfaction and I felt extremely proud of achieving a life-long dream and representing my country at a major championships. Not only for myself, but it was a truly amazing experience for my friends and family who have supported me throughout my athletics career.”
Although disappointed with a below-par execution in the final due to fatigue and a torn adductor muscle from his warm-up - which also forced him to miss the 4x400m relay - St.Clair remained optimistic for future opportunities:
“I feel all this will make me stronger and make me more determined to come out this year and perform at the 2011 World Championships in South Korea,” St.Clair revealed.
Smart
It is the aforementioned event in Daegu this coming August which represents St.Clair’s biggest aim for 2011 – making his competitive debut on the global stage.
Such is his desire to make a bigger impact on the track this summer and further improve his times, St.Clair has chosen to bypass the current indoor season in order to concentrate on his outdoor campaign:
“Each year, I generally do not compete indoors so that I can build up my general endurance base which is vital for my success in the summer,” St.Clair explained.
“I will then usually start my outdoor season in April in America before going up to altitude training in May for three weeks and coming back to race in Europe in June and July.”
On his return to the UK 800m scene, St.Clair will find some tough opposition – all eager to fight for the same championship selection spots in a fast-improving discipline:
“The depth at the top is definitely getting better,” St.Clair explained.
“With athletes such as Michael Rimmer, Andrew Osagie and Gareth Warburton, every time you race against these guys you have to be prepared to bring out your ‘A game’ otherwise you can get beat. The difference is training smart and be willing to go after what you want and believe in yourself.”
With aspirations to one day permanently move to Vancover –such is the strength of his relationships with his Canadian training partners – St.Clair would also like to work as a physiotherapist – all after, of course, taking a crack at 2012.
“(The) 2012 (Olympics) is only a step away and I am certainly working towards being able to perform at my home Olympics in front of a home crowd,” St.Clair revealed.
“My aim is to be one of the best 800m athletes in the world and go to the Olympics and World Championships and pick up medals.”
And what with his current rate of progression, he may just fulfil his wish, thanks to his dedication at home and across the Atlantic.
In an effort to break into world-class, British 800m runner Darren St.Clair spends half of each year in America and recently, this sacrifice is paying dividends, writes Nicola Bamford.
The 25-year-old Enfield and Haringey half-lap runner is currently training in Arizona with the Canadian middle-distance squad in a six-month stint during the winter and spring.
Guided by Wynn Gmitroski on each side of the Pond, St. Clair is relishing being able to spend time with the coach who has been instrumental in his noticeable progression in the past two seasons.
“I usually split my time between living in London - working part time in a running store and training - and then travel to Arizona to train full-time,” St.Clair explained.
“Arizona is perfect for training, where the weather is between 20-30-degrees every day and with Flagstaff - which we use for altitude training - only an hour drive away, it has everything you need to be able to prepare and perform when the track season starts.”
It is this dedication to live abroad and his meticulous preparation which has aided St.Clair’s journey from talented junior to potential Olympian.
Dream
The St Mary’s university graduate has plied his trade as an 800m athlete since the age of fourteen - taking English silver medals as a schoolboy and under-23, reaching the heats of the 2003 European under-20 championships in Finland and placing fourth in the 2007 continental under-23 edition in Hungary - but it wasn’t until the summer of 2009 when he began to make his mark.
Sitting second on the British rankings for the year with a best of 1:46.20, St.Clair had improved in his specialist event by over a second and even registered a swift 46.17 to place tenth on the national 400m list.
Capitalising on his fine form, St.Clair went onto enjoy an even better 2010 – again, securing second spot on the British radar to go thirty-third on the all-time lists, courtesy of another lifetime best, a scintillating 1:45.74.
Opening his season in the US, he then finished third in the UK championships to just miss out on selection for the European Championships and won the English crown before clocking his best at the Aviva London IAAF Grand Prix at Crystal Palace in August to book his spot on Team England’s squad for his first major senior championship – the Commonwealth Games.
It was there in Delhi, India that St.Clair finished a respectable sixth in a tactical final (1:52.66) but the Asics-sponsored runner had mixed emotions of his momentous year:
“My 2009-2010 season was one of huge highs as well as some lows,” St.Clair explained.
“Obviously missing out on the European Championships was hugely disappointing for myself but I knew training had gone really well and I was in great shape, so I remained focused on preparation for the Commonwealth Games and running a personal best for the 800m.
My experience at the Commonwealth Games overall was a feeling of huge satisfaction and I felt extremely proud of achieving a life-long dream and representing my country at a major championships. Not only for myself, but it was a truly amazing experience for my friends and family who have supported me throughout my athletics career.”
Although disappointed with a below-par execution in the final due to fatigue and a torn adductor muscle from his warm-up - which also forced him to miss the 4x400m relay - St.Clair remained optimistic for future opportunities:
“I feel all this will make me stronger and make me more determined to come out this year and perform at the 2011 World Championships in South Korea,” St.Clair revealed.
Smart
It is the aforementioned event in Daegu this coming August which represents St.Clair’s biggest aim for 2011 – making his competitive debut on the global stage.
Such is his desire to make a bigger impact on the track this summer and further improve his times, St.Clair has chosen to bypass the current indoor season in order to concentrate on his outdoor campaign:
“Each year, I generally do not compete indoors so that I can build up my general endurance base which is vital for my success in the summer,” St.Clair explained.
“I will then usually start my outdoor season in April in America before going up to altitude training in May for three weeks and coming back to race in Europe in June and July.”
On his return to the UK 800m scene, St.Clair will find some tough opposition – all eager to fight for the same championship selection spots in a fast-improving discipline:
“The depth at the top is definitely getting better,” St.Clair explained.
“With athletes such as Michael Rimmer, Andrew Osagie and Gareth Warburton, every time you race against these guys you have to be prepared to bring out your ‘A game’ otherwise you can get beat. The difference is training smart and be willing to go after what you want and believe in yourself.”
With aspirations to one day permanently move to Vancover –such is the strength of his relationships with his Canadian training partners – St.Clair would also like to work as a physiotherapist – all after, of course, taking a crack at 2012.
“(The) 2012 (Olympics) is only a step away and I am certainly working towards being able to perform at my home Olympics in front of a home crowd,” St.Clair revealed.
“My aim is to be one of the best 800m athletes in the world and go to the Olympics and World Championships and pick up medals.”
And what with his current rate of progression, he may just fulfil his wish, thanks to his dedication at home and across the Atlantic.
Friday, 28 January 2011
Many Strings to his Bow
WRITTEN FOR ATHLETICS WEEKLY MAGAZINE
Series: England Athletics national volunteer award-winners
Official of the Year – Peter Lee.
Nicola Bamford profiles the winner of the 2010 Official of the Year award from the England Athletics national volunteer awards ceremony last autumn.
An athletics and rugby competitor in his youth, Lee first became involved with his local club Stevenage and North Herts AC when his daughters joined as members back in the early nineties.
From his days as a helpful parent at club training nights and meetings, Lee has gone onto span an impressive array of officiating duties within the local area - attracting his recent ‘Official of the Year’ award from the governing body of his beloved sport.
“The first thing I knew was when I won the ‘Official of the Year’ award for the East Region of England Athletics,” Lee explained.
“That was a shock to start with, as I don’t think I do anything fantastic. When the invitation came to attend the England Athletics awards ceremony, I was not keen to attend but my wife persuaded me.
When Katherine Merry announced that the award would be presented at the beginning, my first thought that I could cheer the winner and then enjoy the evening! I was totally gobsmacked when I was announced as the winner - the rest of the table cheered and my wife had to nudge me to actually go and receive the award.
I didn’t hear a word of the citation as I walked up to the front. I never really got over the shock that evening but I did manage to enjoy it. What has been humbling is that so many officials think I deserve it!”
Modest like many of his peers across the UK, Lee’s journey to his current level-four status has evolved through several duties which have spanned many voluntary facets in the sport.
The Herts County Officials Secretary since 2000, Lee also acts as the Honorary Officials Secretary for his county’s schools association and is a level-three Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) course tutor.
“I qualified as an official in 1992 so I’m actually quite new to the game when compared with others,” Lee revealed.
“There are many other officials in the South of England who have helped and guided me. My daughters do not compete now but I got the bug and can’t stop!
I write a short news letter which goes out twice a year and I also seek volunteers to officiate at schools county League matches and district championships.”
Perhaps in his most pioneering role to date, Lee is additionally instrumental in the provision of the much sought-after EMD equipment for fellow officials.
“I started running courses for officials on how to set up and use EDM machines and then UKA started their own training system, so I became one of their Level 3 EDM tutors,” Lee explained.
“I have always tried to help other officials who are perhaps newer than me to gain experience and confidence and to answer any questions they may have.
When Tony Sach and I were on the Field sub-committee of the South of England Officials Association (SEAOA) – (of which Lee is still a member) - we arranged for a number of senior officials to get EDM training but then found that there were few opportunities for them to exercise their knowledge.”
Further explaining how their aim to make the equipment available at sub-national level became a success, Lee continued:
“That was in early 2007, currently we have eighteen machines with spikes, prisms, batteries and chargers and we have just formed a partnership called Precision Athletics with another official, Bob Hammond, because we found the hiring out was getting to be as much as two of us could cope with.
Another way Precision Athletics tries to help is by holding free “EDM Play Days” when officials can spend time setting machines up and using them at their own speed to give them more confidence. The next “Play Day” is 20th February 2011; hot drinks and bacon butties provided!”
Evidently keen to establish breakthroughs in the provision and skill set of UK officiating, Lee also enjoys working at events from school to international level.
“I help a local school who use the Stevenage track and I officiate at district schools championships, county championships, county-level track and field Cups, combined events, regional matches, the southern League, the EYAL, the national junior league and also Inter-county and Inter-College and Varsity, territorial matches, national and international matches.
These can be as a field judge, clerk of the course, technical manager or referee,” revealed the man with many strings to his bow and a diary busier than ever.
Series: England Athletics national volunteer award-winners
Official of the Year – Peter Lee.
Nicola Bamford profiles the winner of the 2010 Official of the Year award from the England Athletics national volunteer awards ceremony last autumn.
An athletics and rugby competitor in his youth, Lee first became involved with his local club Stevenage and North Herts AC when his daughters joined as members back in the early nineties.
From his days as a helpful parent at club training nights and meetings, Lee has gone onto span an impressive array of officiating duties within the local area - attracting his recent ‘Official of the Year’ award from the governing body of his beloved sport.
“The first thing I knew was when I won the ‘Official of the Year’ award for the East Region of England Athletics,” Lee explained.
“That was a shock to start with, as I don’t think I do anything fantastic. When the invitation came to attend the England Athletics awards ceremony, I was not keen to attend but my wife persuaded me.
When Katherine Merry announced that the award would be presented at the beginning, my first thought that I could cheer the winner and then enjoy the evening! I was totally gobsmacked when I was announced as the winner - the rest of the table cheered and my wife had to nudge me to actually go and receive the award.
I didn’t hear a word of the citation as I walked up to the front. I never really got over the shock that evening but I did manage to enjoy it. What has been humbling is that so many officials think I deserve it!”
Modest like many of his peers across the UK, Lee’s journey to his current level-four status has evolved through several duties which have spanned many voluntary facets in the sport.
The Herts County Officials Secretary since 2000, Lee also acts as the Honorary Officials Secretary for his county’s schools association and is a level-three Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) course tutor.
“I qualified as an official in 1992 so I’m actually quite new to the game when compared with others,” Lee revealed.
“There are many other officials in the South of England who have helped and guided me. My daughters do not compete now but I got the bug and can’t stop!
I write a short news letter which goes out twice a year and I also seek volunteers to officiate at schools county League matches and district championships.”
Perhaps in his most pioneering role to date, Lee is additionally instrumental in the provision of the much sought-after EMD equipment for fellow officials.
“I started running courses for officials on how to set up and use EDM machines and then UKA started their own training system, so I became one of their Level 3 EDM tutors,” Lee explained.
“I have always tried to help other officials who are perhaps newer than me to gain experience and confidence and to answer any questions they may have.
When Tony Sach and I were on the Field sub-committee of the South of England Officials Association (SEAOA) – (of which Lee is still a member) - we arranged for a number of senior officials to get EDM training but then found that there were few opportunities for them to exercise their knowledge.”
Further explaining how their aim to make the equipment available at sub-national level became a success, Lee continued:
“That was in early 2007, currently we have eighteen machines with spikes, prisms, batteries and chargers and we have just formed a partnership called Precision Athletics with another official, Bob Hammond, because we found the hiring out was getting to be as much as two of us could cope with.
Another way Precision Athletics tries to help is by holding free “EDM Play Days” when officials can spend time setting machines up and using them at their own speed to give them more confidence. The next “Play Day” is 20th February 2011; hot drinks and bacon butties provided!”
Evidently keen to establish breakthroughs in the provision and skill set of UK officiating, Lee also enjoys working at events from school to international level.
“I help a local school who use the Stevenage track and I officiate at district schools championships, county championships, county-level track and field Cups, combined events, regional matches, the southern League, the EYAL, the national junior league and also Inter-county and Inter-College and Varsity, territorial matches, national and international matches.
These can be as a field judge, clerk of the course, technical manager or referee,” revealed the man with many strings to his bow and a diary busier than ever.
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
The Bee’s Knees
WRITTEN FOR SKYSPORTS
Despite an enforced month-long rest through injury last summer, 400m hurdler Meghan Beesley bounced back to reach the Commonwealth Games final, leaving the university student with a taste for more championship selection, writes Nicola Bamford.
It was in Delhi last October when the 21-year-old Birchfield Harrier made her senior international championship debut for Team England over the one-lap barriers to finish a highly-respectable seventh in 58.36.
Evidently fatigued from the previous day’s heat, where she registered a swift 56.95 to qualify, Beesley competed as her nation’s sole representative in the event and went on to clock a relay lifetime best of 52.48 in the 4x400m final, helping England to the silver medals.
Her performances in India were a far cry from her days in rehabilitation two months prior:
“I was happy with running personal bests and with our silver medal in the 4x400m however, I did find my season frustrating because I had two major injuries so I felt that had I not missed so much training, I could have ran faster over the hurdles,” Beesley explained.
“I was pleased with my performance in the heat in Delhi but in the final, I didn’t perform as well as I should have due to lack of stamina after my injuries. However, I can draw a lot from the fact that I was in the final at a major championships so I now know what to expect.”
Potential
Indeed, the Loughborough University student – in her third year of four on the Maths with Sports Science course – has shown many glimmers of potential in the past three seasons, experiencing many international meetings to hone her skills as a senior.
Starting her athletic career as a heptathlete, Beesley captured five national medals between 2005 and 2008 and can also boast nine national medals in her specialist event to date.
After placing sixth in the hurdles and second in the relay in the 2007 European juniors, the bubbly blonde went onto achieve her greatest accomplishment yet – bronze in the 2008 World junior championships.
Keen to build on her momentum, Beesley could only reach the semi-final stage of the European under23 championships the following year but aged only nineteen and having recently started university and changed coach, she was still on an upward curve.
“I am most proud of my World junior medal,” Beesley revealed, “Although, when I ran the 400m flat in 52.91 in Los Angeles last March, I was so happy with the time I screamed when I heard it announced. I didn’t expect to run such a big personal best and the race didn’t feel particularly quick.”
Striving
Coached by Nick Dakin at her East Midlands base and sponsored by Nike, Beesley enjoyed more pleasing performances other than on her American adventure in 2010.
Firstly, at the turn of the year, she equalled her indoor 60m hurdles best of 8.60 at the Loughborough Open then improved her 400m best by almost one second at the LA meeting.
Then, following victory in the British university championships and second place at the Loughborough International, Beesley took half a second off her lifetime best in her specialist event in France at the end of June with 56.65 before securing silver in the Aviva European trials and UK championships before disaster struck, courtesy of a stress fracture then tearing her quadriceps muscle.
While her biggest rival, Perri Shakes-Drayton – the winner of the British title - went on to capture European bronze in Barcelona last July, Beesley meanwhile, was reduced to the sidelines in a battle to reach fitness in time for Delhi – a battle which she fortunately won.
“My closest rivals are based at either end of the country so I don’t come into contact with them except at major competitions,” Beesley explained.
“400m hurdles is such a strong event currently on both the men’s and women’s side - it’s really good to have people such as Perri, Tasha (Danvers-Smith) and Eilidh (Child) who are winning medals at major champs - it keeps me striving to achieve what they have done.”
Progression
After recently returning from holiday in Tenerife, Beesley is back to her studies and training hard for the summer without the distraction of the current indoor season.
“Being at Loughborough is really good as my lectures are only a five-minute walk from training so it’s easy to combine lectures and training,” Beesley revealed.
“I have only been with my current coach - Nick - for two years. (From working with him) I now feel that I have really benefited and my overall fitness has vastly improved.”
With the London 2012 Olympics only eighteen months away, her progression is timely and Beesley would love to be included:
“I hope to be competing at major championships in a competitive way for as many years as I can.
Winning medals is obviously something that I am hoping for in the next few years as I mature within the event and I love travelling, so would also hope to be competing around the world in the IAAF Diamond League events.”
Despite an enforced month-long rest through injury last summer, 400m hurdler Meghan Beesley bounced back to reach the Commonwealth Games final, leaving the university student with a taste for more championship selection, writes Nicola Bamford.
It was in Delhi last October when the 21-year-old Birchfield Harrier made her senior international championship debut for Team England over the one-lap barriers to finish a highly-respectable seventh in 58.36.
Evidently fatigued from the previous day’s heat, where she registered a swift 56.95 to qualify, Beesley competed as her nation’s sole representative in the event and went on to clock a relay lifetime best of 52.48 in the 4x400m final, helping England to the silver medals.
Her performances in India were a far cry from her days in rehabilitation two months prior:
“I was happy with running personal bests and with our silver medal in the 4x400m however, I did find my season frustrating because I had two major injuries so I felt that had I not missed so much training, I could have ran faster over the hurdles,” Beesley explained.
“I was pleased with my performance in the heat in Delhi but in the final, I didn’t perform as well as I should have due to lack of stamina after my injuries. However, I can draw a lot from the fact that I was in the final at a major championships so I now know what to expect.”
Potential
Indeed, the Loughborough University student – in her third year of four on the Maths with Sports Science course – has shown many glimmers of potential in the past three seasons, experiencing many international meetings to hone her skills as a senior.
Starting her athletic career as a heptathlete, Beesley captured five national medals between 2005 and 2008 and can also boast nine national medals in her specialist event to date.
After placing sixth in the hurdles and second in the relay in the 2007 European juniors, the bubbly blonde went onto achieve her greatest accomplishment yet – bronze in the 2008 World junior championships.
Keen to build on her momentum, Beesley could only reach the semi-final stage of the European under23 championships the following year but aged only nineteen and having recently started university and changed coach, she was still on an upward curve.
“I am most proud of my World junior medal,” Beesley revealed, “Although, when I ran the 400m flat in 52.91 in Los Angeles last March, I was so happy with the time I screamed when I heard it announced. I didn’t expect to run such a big personal best and the race didn’t feel particularly quick.”
Striving
Coached by Nick Dakin at her East Midlands base and sponsored by Nike, Beesley enjoyed more pleasing performances other than on her American adventure in 2010.
Firstly, at the turn of the year, she equalled her indoor 60m hurdles best of 8.60 at the Loughborough Open then improved her 400m best by almost one second at the LA meeting.
Then, following victory in the British university championships and second place at the Loughborough International, Beesley took half a second off her lifetime best in her specialist event in France at the end of June with 56.65 before securing silver in the Aviva European trials and UK championships before disaster struck, courtesy of a stress fracture then tearing her quadriceps muscle.
While her biggest rival, Perri Shakes-Drayton – the winner of the British title - went on to capture European bronze in Barcelona last July, Beesley meanwhile, was reduced to the sidelines in a battle to reach fitness in time for Delhi – a battle which she fortunately won.
“My closest rivals are based at either end of the country so I don’t come into contact with them except at major competitions,” Beesley explained.
“400m hurdles is such a strong event currently on both the men’s and women’s side - it’s really good to have people such as Perri, Tasha (Danvers-Smith) and Eilidh (Child) who are winning medals at major champs - it keeps me striving to achieve what they have done.”
Progression
After recently returning from holiday in Tenerife, Beesley is back to her studies and training hard for the summer without the distraction of the current indoor season.
“Being at Loughborough is really good as my lectures are only a five-minute walk from training so it’s easy to combine lectures and training,” Beesley revealed.
“I have only been with my current coach - Nick - for two years. (From working with him) I now feel that I have really benefited and my overall fitness has vastly improved.”
With the London 2012 Olympics only eighteen months away, her progression is timely and Beesley would love to be included:
“I hope to be competing at major championships in a competitive way for as many years as I can.
Winning medals is obviously something that I am hoping for in the next few years as I mature within the event and I love travelling, so would also hope to be competing around the world in the IAAF Diamond League events.”
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