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Pics of the little man Theo Stoddart
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Also below are 2 last videos, the 1st one is my last pain free training session in Gran Canaria the 2nd is my last race in Birmingham where I ran 14.83. Spot the difference lol.

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BALJUNE08.wmv
 

Weds 11th June 2008

Its been a really long time since the last update but I have been trying to get to a stage in my training where I could write something positive down, unfortunately things have gone downhill since March in terms of training. 

On a positive note, my son Theo Hamilton Stoddart was born on 27th May, weighing a big 10lbs 5oz. This has been a welcome pick me up because in terms of training things have been pretty bad. After my last update, training was going really well up until the end of March and I was all booked to go warm weather training in Gran Canaria at the beginning of April.

I was doing a 200 session and towards the end of the 2nd run where I was easing up and concentrating on my form my hamstring went. It was a really sharp searing pain and I knew it was bad straight away. I got some ice on it straight away and could barley walk, I was due to start night shifts that night so limped into work and iced it whilst at my desk. Got straight to the physio the next day and had ultrasound treatment to speed up the healing. They also lent me a portable icing machine called a cryocuff, this helped speed things up even more. I would recommend you get your hands on one from your physio if you get a muscle pull. The upsetting thing is that I was due to fly out for warm weather training in two weeks and this would mean I could do very little out there, for the 2nd year in a row.

I saw Rebecca my physio in Farnborough, 3 times a week leading up to me flying out and got the hamstring healed so I could do fast strides at least. In Gran Canaria I managed a few sessions at 80% and I even managed a hurdles session all pain free, which gave me the confidence to do a slightly faster session over 200m, on the 1st run the hamstring went again, not quite as bad this time but meant no training again for a week. So got back to UK had some more physio, and the hamstring went again 10 days after it going in Gran Canaria.  I obviously wasn't giving it enough time to heal but it was the beginning of May now and time was beginning to run out for me. I decided to get lots more physio and take another 3 weeks out to let it heal, still do some light weights and upper body work and some light strides just to keep ticking over but nothing too strenuous. Missed my county championships which was tough as conditions were lovely, and decided to open up at the CAU inter-counties.

I managed to get to a stage where I could run at 90% now and did the intercounties aiming to make the final. The weather was terrible tipping down with rain and cold, - 3m/s headwinds. I managed to run 14.95 in my heat -2.9 wind speed and made the final but my groin was sore warming up for the final and the hamstring was tight again. I did the final but was cautious and people said I looked tense, I think I ran 15.2 again into -3.1 wind. With a bit of sun and a little following wind it was worth a 14.5 which would have been good with the injury setbacks. My groin was sore driving home but the thought of my son arriving soon took my mind off it. But at the back of my mind I could not help thinking that this was starting to sound like the same story again, 3 year on the trot. The next day I went to the hospital with my wife for her to be induced and when she was having contractions I said my groin was hurting more than her pain.....I got a slap for that wisecrack! The groin was really sore though hamstring tight too. Theo was born roughly 24 hours after being induced and it was the greatest feeling of happiness you could experience. I love him to bits.

The broken sleep getting up for his feeds wasn't too bad. I supposed doing night shifts my body adjusted to it better. Tried to train 2 days after he was born, but the groin was still sore and hamstring was tight, someone watching said I didn't look good and should stop. This meant missing the Bedford International games. Decided to rest and try and get this groin sorted, the pain kind of goes up to my lower abdominal area too. Not a hernia I'm told so this is good. Decided to do the British League at Birmingham to see what happens. Warmed up and felt the groin a little, but not as sore as it was 2 weeks ago. Wasn't able to sprint flat out, but hurdling wasn't too bad. Went to my blocks and got a terrible reaction to the gun. Will Sharman and Gianni Frankis were a good 2 yards up on me at the 1st hurdle. 1st half of the race went well, but 2nd half was poor, my rhythm went and I smashed the last 2. Total lack of fitness. I ran 14.83 which considering the lack of prep id had wasn't terrible. But I'm better than that.

Lets go back to 2004 where I was just running for fun. No coach, just doing bits here and there I ran 14.31 wind assisted and 14.6. I'm running worse that that now. I have got to the stage where I no longer getting the enjoyment out of competing. Because my body won't allow me to train so I can't get any better. I am putting more in than I am getting out in terms of hours committed to travelling to training, races and physios, money spent and sacrifice of social life. I'm gutted because I worked so hard after my surgery last August to get into shape and up until March I was on track for big improvements. To a degree all those months of hard work, getting home from training at half 10 at night, going to training after a night shift. I came from a dark place in November, ask the people I train with how badly out of shape I was. I pulled myself out of that and I was hoping by now to be telling you about my first sub 14 second time. But injuries have taken their toll on me and its got to the stage now where it hurts in my lower abdominals to sneeze or cough! A key point in this decision was when a 4 year old son of one of our friend wanted to race around the garden and I went to chase him and I had to stop as my groin was so sore!

I read somewhere that Kelly Holmes before she was Olympic champion used to hurt herself because she was so frustrated at her body always being injured, now I am not condoning self harm for this or any reason. But I understand what she was going through somewhat. I gave up in 2002 and here I am again 6 years later, I took this as far as I could for my mum who is no longer here and when I ran for England last year it was one of the best experiences of my life and think I have made her proud. I think I have achieved a lot in the last 3 years, all whilst working fulltime in a demanding responsible office based job working long hours and night shifts. I started this site to prove that you can still make progress whilst working fulltime and I also did it to help people understand athletics a bit more from someone trying to break into the international scene. What could I achieve if I was training fulltime without a job? I will never know. But what I do know is that I ran very close to some of the people training more or less fulltime. I argued before that UK athletics should help people like me more and give me the opportunity to see out my potential, but it doesn't work like that. You have to get to the top 1st and then the help comes along. Is this right or wrong? Well that's for you out there to argue. Sad thing is, there are people that are more talented than me that have already or will retire because of the lack of support. I personally think that I have been a bit unlucky with injuries and that one day I could have been right up there running 13.5s if I wasn't working. Some may laugh at that suggestion, but take the time to read the site whilst its still up and you find that the laughing stops.

But I'm not here to complain about UK athletics and how they fail to support the athletes just under international level. My site is to tell you my story and to give people hope. Over the last few years since running this site people have occasionally e-mailed me to say how I have kept them going or got them back into sport. To me that makes it all worth the effort. I really hope that athletics in the UK can turn itself around and be like how it was when I was a teenager because it inspired me and those memories will be with me for ever.  I have been lucky enough to been coached for a few sessions by one of my childhood idols  Linford Christie, I've met and chatted to Colin Jackson, Cathy Freeman, Dwain Chambers, Merlene Ottey, Marlon Devonish, Darren Campbell, Tony Jarrett, Kelly Holmes, and more. Ask me if I would have met all those people when I was starting out proper in 1997 I would have said no way! I'll miss the people I train with and the my friends around the athletics circuit, but in this day and ages of text and e-mail we can all stay in touch. Thanks to all those who have helped me along the way.

So I am going to remain positive for the future, I'm going to get these injuries sorted and just keep fit in the gym in the coming weeks. Would like to go back to playing semi-pro football by September for my local team. I might do some low key races here or there just for fun. Lets see, thanks for all that have followed my story, I really really appreciate it.

One of my favourite sayings, 'those who don't have dreams don't have much, chase your dreams and even if you don't make it, you'll have fun trying to get there'.

Monday 4th February 2008

Well its been a long time, but im still in the sport and im back!

I had about a 6 week period in Oct/Nov where I wasn't training at all. Had a lot going on. I got married in Nov and got my son on the way in middle of May. Crazy I know, wasn't planned to all happen so soon but hey this is life! I was working loads of overtime and eating rubbish, living up the social life, plans for wedding. I got up to 15st 10lbs at one point. This is the point I came straight back into to fulltime training. End of Nov.

I was so far behind and struggling so much, I cant describe to you how poor it was. You would have had to be at the training sessions to fully appreciate it. I was working hard for a good 3 or 4 weeks but not making any progress. A typical session would be, medicine ball for 30mins, hurdle walkovers, a running or hurdles session, 2 or 3 circuits (12 exercises) and a sand circuit or two to finish. This will last between 2.5 and 3 hours, done either straight after work or before a night shift.

(Reaching for my training schedule...) I refer back to a session I did back in December, the 11th to be precise, the session was 4 x 200m with 4 mins recovery target time sub 30. I did, 31, 29, 31, 36!!! This was my lowest point.

I discussed packing it in and concentrating on job and setting up family life, I actually wanted to and was ready to call it a day. But people I train with, family and friends talked me out of it.

Im so glad they did because now, 10 weeks later from starting back, im heading fast towards my best shape again. My hip has been fine since returning. I started hurdling just after new year and im already hurdling quite well again. For the 1st time since my England international in Jan last year I can use my hip properly and bring my trail leg round fully without pain, I can even do hurdle walkovers again!! My running is slowly improving I did a session last week 6 x 200m with 4 mins recovery and I did 28.1, 28.0, 27.7, 27.7 and 27.6. Not ground breaking, the best in my group were doing them in all 25 lows, but at least im back in the mix and not 10 or 15 metres behind. Im not going to do the indoors, I need to focus on my speed endurance and get back down to the 22.0 200m speed I was at in 2002. Once I have this speed endurance back and I am strong in the weights room again, come May it should all fall into place.

I have put together a 100 session plan that started at the end of Nov. Im going to scan them in and put up on my website. I need to do 100 sessions before the birth of my son/beginning of season in May to have any chance of being in the uk top 10 in the summer because the hurdles has moved on in the uk this winter being Olympic year and once he is born my training will have to be reduced. At the time if writing I have got 58 sessions to go so im on track. From May, I will be just doing twice a week and competing at weekends where possible. I think I will be ok with the late nights as I do night shifts and dont mind it.

So all in all its going really well, I have been blessed for once and not had any injury or illness since being back. Im really looking after myself and listening to my body for when I need to back off, I have lost 10lbs and now at 15st, need to get down to 14st 6lb by the start of the season. Every week that goes by without any setbacks im extremely grateful and its a massive step forward, im going up to the AAAs to watch on Sat as it should be quite exciting to watch the hurdles, all these boys are running 7.7s and 7.8s for fun! The thing is most of them I have beaten or been in the mix with before so I know I can match them outdoors if things go to plan. im possibly going warm weather training in Monto Gordo, Portugal in April if I can get some overtime done. Will be a welcome break from working fulltime and concentrating on some quality sessions.

I think thats all, thank you for reading.

Wednesday 3rd October 2007

Someone pointed out to me that the site had reached over 10,000 hits which I am really pleased about and it made me think I better update it! Thank you to all that read the site, I appreciate your interest. Hopefully from now until the UK champs next summer it lots of positive stuff to write about.
First things first, coming back to training ripped isn't going to happen, I have been enjoying my food too much and little training + lots of not so good food = out of shape me. Its not too bad, but you like to keep in the best shape you can even when you are off. I have stayed at 15 stone, which I have been since the last British League where I won and ran 14.6 into a headwind. So I'm not too concerned and people are saying I carry it well...... BUT its high time the weight got back down to low 14's and I'm sure it will do once the serious winter work starts.

The anniversary of my mum passing away was on Monday and I went to her grave with my sister, said some words.  If you read through my diary (Oct 2005, if you are extremely bored and nothing else to do lol) then you will see that it was a turning point for me in my athletics, it gave me a drive and almost a realisation that I was wasting talent and to get up and do something about it. It shouldn't take something like that to get you to train hard, but hey this is life, other things take over. I want people to read this to see what it takes and how difficult it is to get to international level at Senior athletics working fulltime but even more difficult, stay there.... I also want to show people that if you just believe in yourself a little then some dreams can be realised. You have to try in order to give yourself the chance.

Rehab is going well, I was on crutches for 2 weeks after the op, then I was walking more less straight away. After 3 or 4 weeks I started my rehab, and at about 6 weeks I started swimming and getting on the exercise bike. Now in the last 7 days I have started jogging for 15mins, cycling for 15mins and some light weights with high reps. So its so far so good really, just have to be patient and not rush anything. Next I'm probably going to start doing some proper weights and circuits as from next week, and slightly increase the speed jogging and reduce the duration. Then towards the end of October I will look at returning to my training group, although I will start off training with the girls as I need to take this nice and slowly. I want this hip to be spot on when I start hurdling again which could be early as Mid Nov or late as mid Dec.

Thanks for reading.


Wednesday 15th August

Just woke up after having surgery on my hip last night. Not in too much pain actually but will probably hurt more once painkillers wear off. This is where 2008 starts for me. Its all onwards and upwards from here hopefully. I'm quite pleased with my season considering the problems. Probably going to miss the indoors and focus on my fitness and getting under 14 seconds which is now LONG overdue. Gonna buy some dumbells and at least work on my upper body while I'm off. Come back to training ripped! haha

Cheers for reading, Dwayne.

Sunday 5th August

Been a tough week in terms of training, been feeling real tired from work on early shifts getting up at 5.45am driving an hour to work to start at 7.30 and working till 3 or 4 then driving hour home, then another hour to Uxbridge to start training at 6 or 7 then another hour drive home. Tuesday my hip and my groin were a bit sore so I just did some fast strides and then had a massage.

Then on Thursday we had a blocks session over 3 hurdles, but it was a poor session, every time I ran over the hurdles my trail leg wasn't coming through as it was sore and I kept catching in on the hurdles, on the way home it was quite painful and was not sure that I was going to run on Sat.

It was a little better on Sat so thought I would give it a go and try and get some points for my team Windsor who were going for promotion to the British League Premiership.

Got to Copthall and it was really hot but terrible headwinds again! Chris Lambert who has run 10.3 this year ran 10.7 so I knew a PB would be difficult.

I just did my a jog, 20min stretch and some running drills then just 2 lead leg drills, none over the middle of the hurdles as my hip was still a bit sore from training. Lined up and my main competition was going to come from Matt Butler a few lanes down from me, who has run 14.20 this year. I knew I would have to start well to have a chance. I was a little over eager and did a false start, had a chuckle to myself as I was only preaching to my training partners on Thursday about not trying to jump the gun! There was another false start then we got under way, I got a good one and set a really good rhythm straight away, everything working fast, getting feet down, pull the arm through keep hips high, I couldn't see no one and then at hurdle 7 I started to tire, I caught one or 2 hurdles but still couldn't see nobody! Crossed the line looking across at the clock and it didn't stop but they gave me 14.67 -1.9 wind, I think they gave Matt 14.9 something. I thought it would be a lot quicker as I was so far ahead and Matt is very decent hurdler. In the other races after mine Nick Gayle, Duncan Malins and Dom Girdler who are all 14.0 boys this year ran 14.5-14.7 so conditions must have been tough.

I did the 1st leg of the 4x100 and we got lane one, my left hip the bad one didn't like the bend at all and it was quite painful going round but I got the baton round ok.

So that's it for the year, I'm not doing Loughborough next week, my hip clearly is not happy and my surgery is in just over a week. I think I have proved to myself that I can still run quite decent even with these problems. Sky is the limit next year if my rehab goes well. For the record I weighed myself Friday night and I hit 15 stone for the 1st time ever! Not good and that will change next year. I have let myself slip a little being off injured and waiting for this surgery. Still running ok considering!

Weds 1st Aug

I have added the video from Saturday to my videos 2007 section. I am the one on the far right in red and white.

Sunday 29th July

Its late and just back from Manchester and I can say that I'm happy with the outcome really. I didn't make the final but was close to making it missing out by 0.12 of a second.

The bed in the B&B that I stayed at was really comfy and I had a great nights sleep. Woke up feeling fresh and ready. Went to see the physios 1st as my back and glutes were really tight, the loosened me off a treat. Did my few jogs around the indoor track and then went and found somewhere quiet to stretch. Kept my warm up to minimum, did a few fast strides, it felt ok. Then did a couple lead leg drills, my hip was protesting a little I had to take it easy. Did one run down the middle and my hip was a bit sore so I called it a day, I felt quite sharp so was happy to leave it there.

On going outside I wasn't too nervous, I suppose because I had no pressure to run a fast time, I had no form to go by. Did one warm up and smashed the 1st hurdle. Tried no to let it bother me too much, kinda thought 'well at least its out of my system'!

The gun went and I got a cracking start, I was in lane 2 and was neck and neck with Duncan Malins who has run 14.06 this year, at hurdle 7 or 8 I lost my form a little but tried my best to hold it, it was fairly clean though, hit a few hurdles but not too had. I saw Allen Scott to my right win and found myself next to Malins and he beat me by about a foot my dip wasn't quite enough. Winning time was 14.13 then Malins 14.38 then me 14.50 -2.3 headwind which is equivalent to 14.2/14.3 with a little following wind. Considering my best is 14.28 with +1.3 wind I was really pleased with this, slightly disappointed not to make the final but with injuries and my first race in 6 weeks and coming off the back of nightshifts, you have to put things into perspective.

So now I am going to run the British League on Saturday if my groin and hip behave themselves in training this week, I think I can run a PB based on yesterday.

I have to be up for work in 5 hours at 6am 7am-3pm shifts this week, but I don't care really because I'm on a high! Oh and the sun came out for a change!

Stods

Thurs 26th July

Here are some videos from me down at training tonight (26th Jul)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP5ABJHt6iM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7taL7QU8YyM

Weds 25th July

Been really busy so not had a chance to update but on nights at the moment so is a good time as any!

Its that time of the year again! AAAs UK champs is on Saturday and I have finally managed to do some hurdling for the 1st time in a month.

After pulling my groin a month back I had about 10 days doing nothing to let it heal then started doing easy strides, I tried to hurdle a few days later but it was still quite painful so backed off for a week.

I saw my old physio Bob Fudge down at Windsor for some deep tissue massage to remove the scar tissue and done some medium paced 120s with sprinter Andy Matthews. I tried to hurdle on the Thursday after that 2 days later but still a little pain. Still some scar tissue left. So I decided not to run in Italy and give myself a chance of doing the AAAs.

Decided not to hurdle last Thursday to give it a chance to heal and I went to see my chiropractor Jeff Bond on Monday just gone. He also does sports massage so he broke down some of the scar tissue that was left in my groin/adductor.

Dashed from Bournemouth to work in Reading for the start of 3 night shifts. Hurdles on Tuesday was a huge relief, the 1st time my adductor was ok. The existing hip injury was a little sore when I was going down the middle of the hurdle and I still cant do trail leg drills but it is progress still. My coach said I looked smooth considering I been out for a while so I have decided to do the AAAs on Sat.

If I was to make that final and run anywhere in the region of my PB of 14.28 I will be a very happy man indeed! I will go into this surgery next month with some consolation from the season.

Saturday on BBC1 at 4.45 is the final lets see if I can make it.....At least this time I dont have mumps! Haha

Weds 27th June

Had a good hurdles session last Thursday, felt sharp considering being tight from weights night b4. No reaction from the hip. I was pleased.

Worked all weekend and Monday 12 hour shifts, then went down to Aylesbury track yesterday (Tues) and pulled my groin opposite side to my hip doing some fast strides to blow out a few cobwebs before I run at Watford as I have been sat down in an office for the last 4 days 12-13hrs at a time.

Its quite sore now and looks like will be no running for at least a few days or a week, lets see how it goes. Its a shame really as I was looking to hurdle on Sat at Parliament Hill and try see if I am in shape to do the AAA's. I have accepted my invite anyhow. Hopefully this can heal quickly and I can run in Donnas on the 16th July.

Stods

Tuesday June 19th

Training is progressing along nicely, my 8 150s session on Sat was solid, all runs bar the first one which was 18.4 were 17.7 - 17.9. As I was on my own and it was raining with headwind, I'm quite pleased with this.

Training today Tuesday we did medicine ball, hurdle walkovers and the 3 x 300m with 8min recovery. I did 41.5, 40.9 and 42.8 which I'm fairly happy with as its my worst session! Was dying after, but just had a nice lasagne to fuel me back up.

London tomorrow for X-ray and CT scan for my op and then going weights after.

Thursday hurdles, Friday Sat and Sunday and Monday I am working 12 hour shifts so no time for training unfortunately.

I plan to run 100 and 200 at Watford next week so lets see what happens there.

Peace.

Saturday 16th June

Well this week has been tough going, my coach Ian Grant, hasn't been messing around. 4 x 200m on Tuesday after a night shift with 6 mins recovery between runs, target 24.5, I did 25.5, 24.4, 26.5!, 26.0 which is terrible really regardless of the night shift. But indicated my state of fitness which is poor. Finished that session and drove to work for my last night shift. Security guards looking at me funny as I was still in vest and lyrcas when I was walking in the office, I was running late and had to get showered once I did my shift handover.

Was supposed to do weights Weds but was tired from my night so rested. Thursday my coach gave me 4 runs over 12 hurdles, moved in 2ft. Lead leg, middle, lead, middle. Cant do trail leg as it hurts hip too much. On every run I was struggling after hurdle 8 or so. On the last run I was struggling by hurdle 6 and hurdle 10,11 and 12 were a joke, technique was right out the window. But I finished the session. My hip was a bit sore on the 2 runs, but wasn't too bad the day after which was a relief.

Rested Friday and today (Sat) just spoke to my coach and he wants me to do 2 sets of 4 150s all in 18s. With 12 mins recovery between the set. Everyone else is competing or hurdling today so I will just do the session on my own local at Stoke Mandeville.

My next race is prob going to be London interclub challenge on 30th
June and will see where I am at there. Will prob do a sprint there too.

Stoddy

Monday 11th June 2007

Time for a little update. So after having the tear confirmed I had to wait for the surgeon to contact me to tell me what's is to happen next. Still doing running a few times a week and circuits, but no weights, just haven't had the time because been working overtime for some extra cash.

So going back a few weeks now I did a session 6 x 110m sprints, 5 mins recovery at about 85-90% at Brunel Uni and felt quite sharp. Some of the boys were doing blocks next to me and I was hanging with them at the start. So at the last minute decide to do a non scoring 100m at the British League at Picketts lock on the 2nd June. The consultant said I could still run but I would just be in pain. They said even if I hurdled it is unlikely I would tear it worse unless I really hit it hard. Just have to play it safe really.
I did the race, felt ok. Couldn't quite get the extension I wanted at the top end, but still ran 11.17 with +1.3 wind.

Was fairly pleased with this as my pb is only 11.08, although that is now nearly 5 years ago!
So on the Weds after that I saw the surgeon and he said the tear is quite small as far as they go, which is why im still managing to run reasonably well. But does need surgery or the pain will never go. When I rotate the hip socket the tear is catching on a nerve. They gave me a date of 3rd July but cant do that I am best man at my friend Ians wedding on the 7th July and I will be on crutches for 2 weeks after my op. The next date available is the 14th Aug. Which is ages away but its all they have. So this made me think, what do I do until then??

So I went down the track on Thurs, having not hurdled for a month went over a few and felt not too bad, a little pain. Bout the same as my races indoors. Did some runs from blocks. Still the same. So I decided, sod it I will enter for the Bedford games maybe if conditions were favourable could get close to my pb of 14.28.
Did my warm up, only 2 or 3 hurdle drills, no trail leg drills as this hurts quite a bit. Lead leg drills feels sharp. Down the middle not too bad. Im protecting the hip a little and its a little sore but I can get through it im thinking.

Go outside and feel confident really, I get a solid start, about level to the first hurdle, go over a few and start pulling away! At hurdle 6 or 7 I'm leading then I start to twist and then tire quite badly, I'm trying to hold it together, feel one or 2 people go level with me at hurdle 8 or 9. Bang, hit the last hurdle with my lead leg coming down and I nearly fall over. 3 or 4 go past me and I more or less walk over the line. Winning time was 14.50 into a -1.3 wind. I should have had that. But I'm lacking some fitness. I just haven't hurdled enough. I was also protecting my hip when bringing my trail leg through, but it wasn't too painful. Most of the pain comes after the race and the day after. Its a bit sore today, but after a few days goes off.

So I'm at a cross roads now. People say, don't hurdle you'll make it worse. But the consultant says it wont tear anymore. I am in quite good shape, and prob could do a 14.3 or 14.2 if I got some races in.

The surgeon said to me that it take me 4-6 months to be back to my best after the op and that it may never be the same again. He said not all hip ops are successful and I think deep down that I am worried that I may never get to this shape again. I don't know really. Even if I only sprint, it still hurts, just not as much as when I do the trail leg movement.

I haven't really done any proper hurdle training since March really, when I say proper I mean runs over more that 6 hurdles. So I am lacking hurdle specific fitness. I really don't want to loose all my fitness between now an my op and then come back really out of shape. If I can keep most of what I have now then at least after the op I can get back to shape quicker. That's my thinking anyway!

Well that's it for now. I haven't done weights for about 2 or 3 weeks now and I have put on 2 or 3lbs! So I need to get back on the case starting today.

Any comments welcome as always

Thanks for reading

Stoddy

Weds 23rd May 2007

Well I found out a few hours ago that my season is over. The MRI scan I had yesterday showed up a 1cm tear in my hip joint cartilage and I will need surgery to repair it.
I went for the scan and had a injection to expand the joint and another to inject dye into the joint so that any damage comes up clearer on the scan. I also had some local anaesthetic in there too. Hurt a bit actually, but I just hate needles! After all that I went into the MRI scan machine and if you are a claustrophobic in the slightest then its the worst thing, but I don't mind it. They give you headphones because of the loud noise created by the machine and tell you to keep still for 20 mins, I was getting quite bored in there so I close my eyes, next thing I know im getting woken up! Hahaha, I'll sleep anywhere me!

Went for my results today and I had prepared myself for the worst really, so when he told me I wasn't too shocked. Just disappointed really as I have worked so hard to run well this summer. Persevered through working full-time and training whilst on night shifts, all sorts of madness. BUT if I think about it. I done this injury way back in Bratislava in January and since then I have run 7.88 indoors and 14.48 outdoors into a wind in my first race out, in pain. This gives me no choice but to carry on for one last year. I was hoping to see out my potential this year and concentrate on getting my life back to normal, as all this mad lifestyle is getting me down. But I just don't know what I am capable of outdoors yet and I want to find out.

If it wasn't for my private healthcare I would be hanging up my spikes as all this would be costing somewhere near to £1000 which I would not be prepared to fork out. So in that respect I am lucky and I am also grateful that I can still do running, weights and circuits leading up to the op.

So I am hoping to have surgery in the next 2 or 3 weeks, then I will be on crutches for a week or 2 after that. Maybe more. Then I have to re-hab myself back to fitness. Maybe in time for a race or 2 in August. I dont know I will just listen to my body.

Really now my main focus is next year. Starting with that 7.88 indoors which is going to be smashed. 2 summers now on the trot now ruined. But you know they say 3rd time lucky! Im going to my mums grave to thank her for the strength she gives me and I am going to tell her how determined I am and how much I want this. I know she's proud of me already, but have I fulfilled my potential? I doubt it.

Thanks again for reading, and lets not forget, its Olympic year next year....now that would be a way to go out! Live for your dreams, that little dream will keep me going.

Stods

Weds 16th May

Well the good news is that I have got to the bottom of this hip and knee pain that has been bugging me since the indoors in January. The bad new is that it might require surgery and take a large chunk out of my season.
I did my running sessions last week some fast 60s and then on Weds some weights then hurdles session on Thursday. 
We were doing some hurdle walkovers and I could feel my hip and my knee pinching again. So I had to stop those. Then when we came to hurdle, I couldn't do my trailing leg drills and when I was trying to hurdle over the top it was just messy and I was off balance and hitting hurdles as I was in pain, so we decided to stop.

Obviously I was quite fed up so made some enquires and decided to go and see a physio who I used to go and see a few years back, called Rebecca Wills at Active Sports Therapy in Farnborough, who are BUPA certified which means I could use my private healthcare through my company and have BUPA pay for my treatment. Went to see them Tuesday (15th) and Rebecca did some tests on me, some ultrasound, interferential, some mobility work, massage, acupuncture, the works.

The pain was still pretty much still there so she referred me to a specialist consultant called Michael Rossiter. He saw me today and did lots of tests and told me that I have a suspected tear of the laberal hip joint, caused when I caught it on a hurdle in my race in Bratislava when I was running for England. The pain in my knee is associated as there is a nerve that runs down from the hip to the knee. For those who are interested in the injury more here ... http://www.physioroom.com/injuries/hip_and_thigh/acetabular_labrum_tear_full.php

So basically my next step now is to have a an MRI arthogram scan in the next few days/week which will show up exactly the extent of the damage and if it is a tear I will need surgery. Not major surgery though apparently there are new techniques now which they can used telescopic insertions. But I will need general anaesthetic which I hate!

So basically this means no hurdling for me until this is resolved. But I have to be positive as I can still do some sprinting, even if its only at 80% and I can still do weights and circuits. It is just movements that required twisting of the ball and socket of the hip that hurt.
I know this is another setback, but it makes me positive as I know that I ran 7.88 and 14.48 outdoors into a wind with this problem and once its fixed I should be flying. Also I am lucky to have my BUPA healthcare as all this could be costing hundreds of pounds. Sometimes you have to take the positive out of a bad situation.

I will update once I know the outcome of scan.

Cheers for reading

Monday 7th May 2007

Well not quite the opener I was looking for. But it could always be worse!!

Got to Cardiff feeling pretty good. Weather glorious. Bit of a wind against but at least its hot. In warm up I feel ok. Have to cut a few drills out as hip and knee are playing up again.

The starter holds us on set for ages and I just sit and wait, twitch a little and don't get to the greatest of starts, but after about 2 hurdles pull into the lead, it all feels ok up till about hurdle 6 or 7 and I feel really tired, it starts to get messy and I fight a bit, hit a few.

Try to just relax and keep my form and run across the line and relieved I can't seen anyone, clock stops at 14.49. They later round it down to 14.48 -0.3 wind. My immediate reaction is disappointment. But later on decide that its the beginning of the season and have missed a fair bit of hurdling in the last 6 weeks. Also 3 weeks of night shifts which I only finished on Thursday morning wouldn't have helped. My mate said my body clock would have been still out, but my view is that if I put my neck on the line and get on the track then I expect good times.

I haven't got nights now again until mid June so that will give me a good opportunity to get back into the normal groove. No racing now until Loughborough international in a fortnight as I am working this weekend and I will also miss the inter-counties at the end of May due to work which I am gutted about as its a fast track and competition is always good.

So until Loughborough, need to just keep training hard and try and get this hip and knee sorted. I have a GP referral to a physio now so I can start using my private healthcare through work which will save some money. Especially if I need a scan. Got training down at Brunel in the morning, before shooting off to work. Weights Weds then hurdles at Brunel on Thurs eve with the rest of the gang.

One of my training partners Roger Skedd (a decathlete) ran a massive PB of 14.18 just behind Will Sharman today (14.09) coming 2nd in the British Universities championships only to be disqualified for knocking hurdles down deliberately, I think is a funny rule as I can definitely say that when I hit hurdles, its certainly not giving me an advantage. He is must be in shape and I cant wait to do some block starts with him. I need to re-establish myself as top dog in the group! Its great to have some rivalry and really makes you raise your game, its why our training group have improved in the hurdles so much, we all push each other and are so competitive. Losing in training from blocks over 3 hurdles is like loosing a real race!

On another note a 1st year U17 hurdler I am coaching Jemma Colbourne lowered her PB by more than half a second from 13.2 to 12.6 which im so happy about, its great to see that some of the things that I have picked up can be passed on. I hope to do more coaching in the future.

Cheers for reading!

Wednesday 2nd May 2007
Well I woke up at about 3 or 4 ish, I didnt sleep that well but felt ok. Drove down to Watford and warmed up. Felt ok actually. I could feel the wind gusting in our faces on the home straight, but still feel positive of a decent time.
As im running past the wind gauge I start it and see what its saying. -2.5.

I got a fairly decent start and tensed a little bit coming out of my drive phase. But then relaxed and started to come home strong. It was close between me and second mark Holloway. But I was quite shocked at the times! They gave me 3rd in 11.55 -1.4 wind and Mark was 11.49 who I know is normally a 10.9/ 11.0 runner. The race before ours was a minus -4.0. Anyway! I dont want to be seen as making excuses, I ran the race and injury free too, my knee and hip a little stiff but no major pain. Im just at work now on my last night shift (had to rush here from Watford! to start at 9pm) and Im going to get a massage tomorrow and try and go to Chiropractor to see how I am progressing.

I am really positive about the weekend, I hope to open the season strong like I did last year, I am also going to see if I can do another 100m as I am starting to get into a good rhythm on the them now. Im quite excited about hurdling actually, cant wait! My legal PB stands at 14.28. Lets see how close I can get!

Wednesday 2nd May 2007
Well since the last update training has gone really well. After my shocking 4 x 200 session. I did the weights session on the Sunday down at Stoke Mandeville. Im not going to Uxbridge for weights at the moment no.1 to save me a bit of travelling time and money and no.2 because I cant clean or squat at the moment anyhow because of my knee.

Finished my last night shift and did 6 x 120s fast with the rest of group. I was right up there with the group right up to the last run, where on the last one I dropped off a little but a big improvement on this time last year. I just feel I can cope with speed endurance a lot better. Did weights on the Weds and then my coach and I decided that I would go over some hurdles early as it hadn't reacted too badly to the 120s.

First few runs was a little sore and stiff and trail leg drills still seem to be the worst. But once I got 3 or 4 into it it was like I had never stopped. Happy with the session I went into work on the Friday eve. Didnt train Fri morning as I helped my sister move house before going to work, then did a hurdles session over 8 hurdles on the Sunday. My knee wasnt too bad at all and on the last run I was really smooth over them. I just felt tall and quick in between. My coach was really pleased considering the time off hurdling that I had.

I started nights again, (just 3 this time) on Monday night and got up on Tuesday afternoon feeling quite good actually. Had a bite to eat and went down to Uxbridge. There was lot of banter flying about, regarding some peoples opening performances and the Watford meeting on Weds night. This gets me excited and I want to put in a good session to prove I am in shape. My coach Ian decides on 3 runs out of blocks over 3 hurdles. The 1st 2 runs I was absolutely flying, really comfortable across the hurdle and getting feet down in between.

To be honest I think I am in the best shape of my life. I just need the races now to sharpen up. My knee and hip was little sore after the session because I hit it so hard but I will be going to see John Allen soon and see what is going on with me as its still holding me back.

So im just finishing up my 2nd nightshift and when I wake up providing I dont feel too shattered I will go down to Watford and race, just in the 100m. Then rush off to work for my last night shift before preparing for the British league in Cardiff. Aims for the 100m? Just to run faster than last time 11.39. Shouldnt be too difficult. Will need to get out the blocks well though and drive hard and maintain good rhythm.

Cheers for reading.

Saturday 21st April 2007
Well my session today well and truly exposed what effect working night shifts has! Finished work at about 8am, drove home and got to bed about half 9, slept till 2 and then got up had something to eat and got ready for training. Drove 40mins down to Brunel, no-one is there as they are all competing apparently so have to do the session on my own. Warmed up did some drills. Dont really feel up to it, but music gets me into the mood.

First run, try to run the bend aggressively, but knee is hurting so back off a little. Come home in 23.7. Then 8 mins recovery and then I ran 23.9 more or less on the money! I was smashed already! Next run was 25.1 and I was in real trouble at this point, managed to pull myself around and get to the start for the last one.....27.2 just nothing in the tank.

I decide to leave circuits and I can barely walk. Get my stuff and drive into work for my 3rd night shift. (Still got 3 more as I have to cover sickness) Im supposed to have weights tomorrow before another night shift but not sure if I can manage it. I will try my best though. This is the problem I face whilst trying to be one of the best hurdlers in the country. I will never be able to really fufill my potential, its just the way life is and goes. But like I said I will battle for one last year if my body can take it. I have trained hard all winter and not going to throw it all away now.

Thursday 19th April 2007
Currently on some night shifts so thought I would update on how the race went in the week.
Got to Watford and started my warm up, knee felt ok, still couldn't drive out flat out without pain, but once I was up and running at full stride it was ok. Race was due to start at 7.50pm but meeting was running an hour late so got going eventually at about 8.50pm. Was feeling quite cold by the time the race started but wanted to get the job done well and start the season well so I really focused and I got given lane 3.

Had a ok start, worked a controlled bend and kicked once I got into the home straight. I got into the lead till about 160m and I started to tie up, my quads felt like lead! And felt 2 or 3 people come past me. They gave me 22.66 +0.4 wind which is not too bad considering. Was contemplating not doing the 100m as it was getting late and cold and my legs were somewhat in shock from the 200. But reminded myself that its a training session and get on with warm up for the 100.

There are a few more delays and we finally get going just before 10pm! Some of these youngsters were out racing well past their bedtime hahaha.

I get a fairly good start, then in the last 20-30m I can feel my knee just a little so I back off a bit and try to keep form and cross the line in 3rd. Time was 11.39 +0.6 which isn't flying but I will take it as my knee isn't too bad after and I would say it has come through the test ok.

My knee and hip were hurting a little that evening but tried not to think of it too much and as I am typing this today I can't feel it much at all. I missed weights yesterday (Friday) as I had a heavy night shift on Thursday and it also took me 2 hours to get home in the morning so I didn't wake up till 6pm! So I just got ready and came straight to work.

Tonight hasn't gone too bad however and traffic should be lighter as it is a Saturday. When I wake up im going down Brunel Uni to do 4 x 200m fast with 8 mins recovery in order to search for a bit more speed endurance that I was lacking on Weds, followed by a couple of circuits. Just for the fun of it hahaha. As if! The real reason is I need to shed some pounds I have found in the last 2 weeks, its these night shifts I think, my eating kinda goes out of the window sometimes if im not strict on them.

Thats it for now, I think a step in the right direction. I will be doing the same Watford meeting on the 2nd May another 100 and 200. The 100m is first this time at 7pm which should bode well for a much quicker time providing there are no more delays! Then my first time over the 'sticks' at the British league in Cardiff on the 5th. Until Watford its time to get back to hard work, the season (possibly my last one) has opened and I want to go out on a high!

Tuesday 17th April 2007

Got back from warm weather training in Spain last week. But I think it was just as warm over here! When we landed and came out side to pick up the hire car, it said 10.5 degrees and it was chucking it down with rain....It stayed like this for the 1st 36 hours then started to brighten up. All this extra time I had I did my exercises to given to me by physio and I we did some weights indoors.

For the first 5 days all I did was core work, stretching and strides really, strides started to get faster after day 5 and I was able to do hurdle walkovers with the rest of the lads. Did some 150s at about 75%, only a little bit of pain. The knee seemed to react ok. So the next day did some hurdles over 3ft, I had them on normal marks and was doing 5 strides in between, but as I was having to put the brakes on a little it was giving me pain so I moved them 2ft each and then did 3 strides, opening up a bit more. It was much better so I moved the hurdles up to 3ft 3 just one level down from full height and there was no pain just a little stiffness.

Coach was pleased with this so next day we did 2 x 300m with 10 mins recovery. I wanted to see if I could turn it up a little, so attacked the 1st 200m in the 1st run and then tried to maintain, there was a little pain on the back straight, but nothing like it had been before. Time was 37.5 which I was pleased with, 2nd run I was feeling tired and legs were feeling heavy before I even started. For the 2nd run I did 42...the last 100m got me. But I was more happy that there was no pain.

Then the we decided to do hurdles the next day. Started on 3ft 3 which felt ok, decided to try full height 3ft 6 and it was ok. Felt a little odd and I was a bit off balance but as I progressed I got hips up and got more confident, I think I was just a bit cautions of causing my injury to come back. Had a rest day after that and then did some strides and stretches and some more strengthening work and then my lat session was weights. So I am pretty happy with progress really.

Since being back in the UK I have done 2 running sessions the 1st 250, 200, 150, 100, 60, and 8 x 150, both fast with large recovery and my knee seemed to hold out ok. Just had to be a bit careful on drive out. I am still unable to hurdle without being in pain so will have to leave that until m first race! God knows what will happen!

I will compete at Watford tomorrow just in some sprints and get an idea of where my speed endurance is a, hopefully the knee does not give me any pain

Cheers for reading!!

Tuesday 27th March 2007

The UK athletics hurdles squad was a real bonus to go to even though I couldn't train I saw and learnt some technical things that can improve my hurdling so as soon as I can start hurdling we'll put that into practice! Also met most of the other guys around me in the rankings. I was good to catch up and exchange ideas.
I have rested the leg as told to and its starting to settle but pain still there. Went to see John Allen GB physio last Thursday and he tells me I have Patella Femoral syndrome as a result of terrible hip/lower back strength/flexibilty on my trail leg side. He said it should have not been possible to run 7.88 with it as bad as it was and he has given me some KILLER exercises I MUST do 2 or 3 times a day for 10 mins. I wont be able to hurdle for another week yet I think but he said running should be ok, I just cant drive out that hard. I just have to gradually build it up. He also said the way I was driving was making it worse. So hopefully I will be all sorted and strong by the Loughborough international on the 20th and this is just a 'character testing' setback.

In my first real session back lat Friday I did all my conditioning and then 8 x 100m at about 70% with 2 mins recovery, then 2 circuits to finish, the headed off for my last of 5 night shifts, before going to Julian Golleys wedding on Saturday. Needless to say I was tried for weights on Sunday!

I leave for warm weather training in Alfaz del pi in Spain this Wednesday and hopefully I am able to run at at least 90% but the time I come back. I don't think I will be able to hurdle. But lets wait and see. On my return I hope to do a few low key 100m and 200m. Need to get those personal best lowered and need to get my 100m time down to 10. something!

I have added the AAAs indoor final video that was on telly, thanks to GiannI Frankis for sending me that. God I got a terrible start. My 1st 2 strides were soft and arms were everywhere!

Thank for reading!

Thursday March 15th 2007

It’s been a while due to virus on my laptop which required a rebuild and also been busy with work/physio/training. My running has been going well, I am beating all my times I did in Oct and Nov. I did weight PBs of 110kg for Clean and 105kg for bench. But since the England international, a problem with my knee/hip has been getting worse and worse. To the point 2 weeks ago where I couldn’t hurdle at all.

So I called up a friend Jeff Bond who studies at a Chiropractic college in Bournemouth, he is in his last year, he says that they will treat me free of charge and use me as a project if you like. So I obviously agreed. Went down to see him and his colleague Paul Dunford and they did a 2 hour assessment on me, turns out that due to imbalances/lack of range in my hip, my knee is twisting and overcompensating. It hurts to anything that requires me to twist my hip or knee (left) at all.

Its a 2 and a half hour journey from Aylesbury to Bournemouth and after my assessment I drove straight to the track that day, about 1 and a half hour drive from Bournemouth to Brunel. Having just finished 4 night shifts that were really busy I was feeling run down and tired, so had to pull over in the services at Winchester and have a little sleep. Woke up at 6pm, suppose to be at training for 7! So have a coffee and get back on it, session is 8 x 150s, 4 mins recovery, felt really tired, but my running has been going well as I did high 17s low 18s for most of them, the last one I just felt dizzy and light headed and was about 20 seconds or something.

The rest of the group went back to the indoor track and I was just lying on the floor, feeling faint and shaking, I'm thinking, geez I’m overdoing it. Get myself up and walk back to the indoor track, I swear it too about 10mins for a 2 mins walk! Get inside and everyone is ready to do circuits, I just have nothing in the tank, proper running on empty, I try and do the circuit but its a shambles, apologise to my coach, I just don’t feel right. Take the hour drive home and go straight to bed.

Back to Bournemouth on the Thursday and they carried out the treatment on me after studying the assessment, I notice an instant release in pressure, felt about 50% better, as advised I rested until Saturday and then did some weights, it was still ok. A little pain on deadlifts so I stopped that.

On Sunday just gone did a hurdles session with Jemma Colbourne an u17 girl I'm doing some coaching for I'm trying and teach her all the lessons and things I learnt over the last 10 years and hopefully get her qualifying for the English schools next year, I believe she can do it, but I don’t think she does yet. Once she starts running the times, that will change! I try to do trail leg drills and straight away the pain in my knee and hip. So frustrating, manage to do a couple of lead leg drills very cautiously, but they're not too snappy.

Knee and hip joint is really painful for next 24hours and I go down to Bournemouth again on Tuesday. They manage to get my hips back to the right place, but we agree no training that involves twisting for at least 10 days, just to give it a chance to settle down. It’s a real shame as I have been invited to a UK athletics hurdles squad. My 1st one, but I am still going to go, more to learn some new things and get some help with my injury. Finding it hard to stay motivated at the moment, have some virus too from being just run down I think and work is pretty stressful at the moment, but I am looking forward to going to Warm Weather training to Alfaz del Pi in Spain on the 28th March. That keeps me positive. Hopefully I will be hurdling again by the time I go out there; in the meantime I will focus on my running and getting strong in the gym!

Cheers for reading!

Friday 23rd Feb 2007

Been busy times, after the AAA's decided to have a week off as I had to do a 60hour week working. 8am-9pm and all that fun good stuff!

Then this week back into the swing of things. Tuesday night, was Med ball, hurdle walkovers, 3 x 300m with 8mins rec in trainers. Target was sub 44. Found it tough as was the first time I had run more than 80m since before xmas!! Then we had 3 circuits to finish!

Weds couldn't train had loadsa stuff to do so trained last night (Thursday), which was hurdle walkovers, then over 6 hurdles moved in 2 feet, trail, lead, middle, then the same again, then to finish off 2 x circuits and 2 x sand circuits. Smashed!

Saturday I have 12 x 120m 4 mins recovery. Should be fun!

Sunday 11th Feb 2007

Im going to write this all whilst it still fresh in my mind. The day started off well. Had a protein shake when I woke , showered then a bit of brekkie in the little chef that was next to the Travelodge with Julian Golley was also competing. Drove to the track which was only 5mins away and after a bit of hassle with parking went inside and registered.

Had a jog around the stadium to get the blood flowing and then then came inside and found a quiet room to do my stretches in and listen to my music and get focused. Went and did my hurdle drills in my new spikes and as I was doing up my laces.....pop!! One of the lace holes ripped! Now I would have been buggered, but because they were giving me blisters in the week I brought my old spikes. Talk about lucky! Without further a do I went back to my trusty G5s and continued my warm up. Was a bit cautious of my knee as I felt it on a few so didn't do too much. Called to first call and get held for ages as they messed up the lane draw. Get drawn against Allan Scott and im thinking, right its time the cat got amongst the pigeons! Get taken to the 2nd call and feeling focused.
We go to the start and do just one run over 2 hurdles, I feel good. so decide to leave it there. The announcer says set, and its quite a long hold, so I think wait wait wait.....BANG, Im out and with Allan, remember what my coach said, think about my own lane, stay tall. Feel Allen to the right just moving away and my hips drop but try and keep composure, keep the feet moving fast, over the last hurdle which I catch, keep running to the line. Clock stops and 7.75 and within a meter of Allan so im thinking its quick. Come up as 7.88! Really pleased with this and watch the last heat. Notice that Im the 3rd fastest qualifier out of all the heats so. I have a chance in the final of medal if I get it right.

Walking off I notice a pain in the bottom of my glute, on the left side which I use for my trail leg. Its quite painful so do a quick jog warm down and get into the physio straight away. He helps it a little but it still hurts. Try not to let it bother me too much as I have a job to do!!

Not much time to warm up as I had to see the physio so do what I can. A drill or two and one start over 2 hurdles. Then called to the 1st call. Feel relaxed and focused again. We go out to the track and I do a start, glute feels sore but try to forget about it. I still feel sharp. Put my head on the first hurdle which I always do before the race and say a few words to myself. Announcer introduces us, and blow a kiss to my mum and point to the heavens so people know why im in this game.

Gun goes get a ok reaction, but loose a bit of drive to the 1st hurdle, take it ok, then catch arms with Dominic Girdler in the lane next to me, my balance is gone! Stay focused im thinking, hit hurdle 2 I think and then im fighting....exactly what I wasn't supposed to do. Feel people closing in on me and start to twist..... think about my technique.!!! Trying to recover my form but my hips are low and I smash hurdle 4 real hard. Feel myself go right back. Noooooo! I messed up im thinking! I always say that if I can recall most of my race and I am thinking about things during the race then its a bad one. All my good ones I dont really recall what happens during it. 5th hurdle I think I sky it and sort of amble across the line. Really gutted. My chance to shine and I lost it. They give me 8.06 and 6th. Im disgusted with this. Im not an 8.0 athlete anymore. All the effort I put since Oct for this? People watching it live on BBC wont know that I am a 7.8 athlete and thats all they see. That cheeses me off a little. People will ring me and say 'what happened' not knowing that I ran out of my skin in the heat and ran a massive PB. Speak to my coach and exactly that happened! He was like 'I saw the race and you were ok up to hurdle 3 then you just let your strides get away from you and you tried to fight it, so what did you do in the heat?' I reply '7.88', he shouts '7.88!!!' Tells someone in the background 'Dwayne ran 7.88!' He says he is pleased with my time and we can work on lots before the outdoors, not to worry about the final and that people will start to take me serious now.

It gives me a little lift that I got something out of the day, but I just wanted to show people what I was really about in the final. But that will have to wait until the outdoors now. I will call it a day there for the indoor season unless I get called for any internationals and get stuck into some longer stuff and get ready for the outdoor season that starts in May.
Start work tomorrow morning at 7.30am which im not looking forward to purely as I am very tired, also add to that I have a 7 day week which includes 8am-8pm on Sat and Sunday. So I might take this week off training and just get some physio im the spare time I can find and get some other things in my life sorted that have been on hold because of the indoor season.

This year is make or break, it really is because im not sure how much longer I can contiune leading this mad life. I was chatting to Andy Turner yesterday and we caught up as we came through the u20s to the U23s together running similar times and havent really had a chance to chat since. It was nice to catch up. He was saying how he reads the site and he doesn't know how I manage doing the hours that I do without causing myself some harm! Nor do I really, I just get it done! Its going to be a struggle the next month or two, both financially and time wise, but the harder the struggle the sweeter the success. For the year so far, I have to say so far so good. International vest and massive PB, AAAs finalist again. Not bad for a network engineer working for National Grid fulltime. But I think there is more in the tank to come......

Thank you for reading!

Oh and I'm currently ranked 4th in the UK!

Current 60mh rankings

Friday 9th Feb 2007

I left updating this till today. Didn't want to tempt fate by saying everythings going sweet then something happen.

Its been a good week, after my sprints session on Saturday I took until Tuesday off to let my knee heal. I have had the whole week off work so its been fab, just focusing on my training and getting decent kip for once. I felt really fresh for all my sessions.

Trained Tuesday and coach decided to leave the hurdling and work on speed. Session was 2 sets of 6 x 80m, 4 mins recovery between runs and 10 mins between sets, focusing on driving out hard with good form and turning the feet over, almost mimicking what I do in between the hurdles. I did question why so much running the week before AAA's, but so far Ian hasn't let me down so I get the session done. Running feels great, back a little stiff but not a major issue. Only problem is that I only brought my new spikes with me and they gave me a little blister, but should be cool by the weekend.

Wednesday we did a blocks session with Linford Christie which was really productive. We had a machine rigged up that does the set and bang and works out your time to 10m and time to 30m. Wasn't feeling too bad from the session the night before so was quite up for taking out everyone I ran against. The machine also alternates how long its holds the set position which is great.
My starts were decent, much better than they had been in January was really getting out and got some cracking feedback from Linford. So much knowledge, im glad I was lucky enough to have someone like him take the session as I looked up to him when I was younger. Did about 5 starts and was undefeated in all of them. Didn't do any false starts either, Linford made some really valid points about the gun and focusing and they seem to be working.

Thursday morning was feeling a little stiff from the blocks, but stretched off at home and chilled out, once I got warmed up I wasn't too bad.
Did my first trail leg drill, really slowly and carefully, no pain, and gradually built up. Did a proper one and really whipped it through, still no pain! A massive relief did some more drills and Ian was liking what he saw. Felt really sharp and light on my feet. Then we did some blocks over 3 hurdles. Felt really sharp out of the blocks, MUCH better than I did in Vienna. Did about 5 runs and they all went really well, was getting out one of my training partners Kev Sempers by about a metre at the 3rd hurdle and he has ran 8.2 in a heptathlon, he should run 8.1 this weekend.
My coach said its the best he's ever seen me and lot better than the blocks session I did when I ran 7.94 for my 1st race of the season.
Drove to Reading and got a good massage, flush everything out of my legs, ready for the weekend. Felt fab after coming off the bed.

My confidence is up again, because after I hurt my knee in Bratislava everytime I brought my trail leg round in Vienna it gave me pain and couldnt do a proper warm up. But the times still indicated I was in decent shape.

So set of tomorrow and staying up in Sheffield. Then do the business on Sunday. Im really excited and can't wait to get on the track. I really want to go out there and do myself justice like I did a year ago. Last year I went and came back with a PB and came fourth. That was a job well done.

You can never ask more from your body than running to the best of your ability, that would be to come home with a PB, I expect to make the final with a PB in the heats and take it from there. I think its on BBC2 at 2pm the final so tune in and you should see me if things go to plan in the heats!

Friday 2nd Feb 2007

Was looking back at my old latest news and found this entry from 5th Nov 2005.
 
Sometimes in life you are thrown challenges that pale everything else into insignificance. Finding my mum dead on Oct 1st did just about that. She was 44 and died instantly of a pulmonary embolism (blood clot on the lung). Its easy to ask questions and wonder 'why'? But the fact remains that if its your time to be summoned, that's it. My mum gave my sister and I the tools to get by in life and do well, now her work is done, I will continue what she has started. I got the promotion shortly before she died, it was probably her last request before she died, she also was 200% into my athletics. She told me about a month or 2 ago that I had a gift and that I had to fulfil it. Well now is the time. Those of you that know me well will know how positive I am staying. My parents instilled that in me. That's me. I miss her to bits and its a huge gap in my life now, but she is in a better place, no worries, cannot be harmed.
On the flip side, I am down here and with a job to do....I have mums camcorder and on it is the race in Bedford where I was on the way to a 14.3 clocking but stumbled at the end (15th June update below) she is shouting GO on Dwayne, all the way through, loud and clear. Every time I train or compete, I will her that ringing through. The job is to fulfil my potential, that's what I can do for her. I has resumed full 5 days a week training on the 24th Oct, and I have more motivation than ever. Training is starting to come back together this week after I had a 3 week break. I made my mum a promise at the funeral. Just in a quiet prayer. Watch this space. You will see that promise fulfilled. P.Bs WILL be SMASHED. R.IP MUM. Nothing but love for ya.

I feel a sense of completeness now and promise has been fufilled. However this does not mean I will be calling it a day anytime soon. I want the next level now. Sorry guys (other rival hurdlers) you're stuck with me for the time being and I aim to take things up a notch now I have had the taste of the top level. I'm going to get that camcorder out and watch that race in Bedford with my mum cheering me on. I found all the old news paper cuttings she kept for me the other day. A poignant moment. For now I am focusing in the AAA's final next Sunday 11th. Not going to hurdle until next week, need to let this knee heal. I ran through it in Vienna, but in Sheffield I want to run pain free. Just going to do short sprints until then, really sharpen up. I booked next week off work too so that I can properly focus and prepare for Sheffield. Lets see what the next week has in store..

Wednesday 31st Jan 2007

Got back from Bratislava today quite tired. The trip took more out of me than I thought so its a good thing I haven't got work tomorrow. (But my 13 hour shift on Friday should bring me back to reality!)

Saturday evening met the team at Stansted. Didn't know anyone so spoke to the team manager Alison for a bit and then checked my bits in. Sat next to Chris Warburton on the plane and we had a good old chat. Got to Bratislava and there was snow as we came outside and it was very cold so a good thing I was wrapped up in my arctic gear!

Got the hotel and roomed with triple jumper Gary White. Got on well straight away and both showed a displeasure to the rooms. Found out 2 days later that everyone on the floors above us had much nicer rooms, some refurb work going on or something. Towels that were provided were not much bigger than tea towels and duvets tiny! Still got a decent nights kip and felt fresh the following morning (Sunday). Was getting some aches in my back but tried to put to the back of my mind. Got down the track and felt good. Warmed up tried to stretch my back out. Did some drills and felt good to go. The whistle went and we got called to our marks. Had a nice warm feeling as I pulled on my England vest, really felt a sense of pride and requirement to run well. Got a fairly good start and was in contention, could feel the guy to my right sneaking into the lead, lost a little bit of concentration and hips dropped off hurdle 3. Kept driving and trying to stay tall, dipped and clocked stopped at 7.80. I wasn't too far behind and hoping it was a PB. Time came up 7.94. Bit gutted about it as it felt faster. But could have got a better start so I'm thinking I'm going to get out the blocks in the final.

Warmed down and back was feeling quite tight again so saw the physio. He released it a little and then I went and warmed up again. Got a cracking start! Was level maybe slightly ahead, hurdles were coming up fast and hurdle 2 caught me out as I slipped concentration for a split second, hit it hard with my trail leg and twisted my hip and knee. Felt quite a bit of pain but kept going hoping for a good time. Hit hurdle 3 hard while I was trying to recover them 2 or 3 went past me. Pulled one back and dipped and they gave me 8.01. The winner won in 7.74. Not bad considering. Knee was in some pain now and back very tight so went and got some ice on my knee and got my back massaged to try and loosen it off.

Did a little warm up and some walkovers on Monday to see if my knee was ok and it was a little better but I still couldn't do any hurdle drills without being in any pain. By try not to think to much about it as I desperately want to run fast in Vienna.

At Vienna the arena was awesome. Holds something like 20,000 when full. I warmed up and did some running drills, couldn't do any hurdle drills as my knee was hurting every time I brought my trail leg round. My back was also still giving me problems but I was not having it! I wanted to run and run fast! Checked the start list and there are Olympic finalists and semi-finalists in the race. Think to myself, I wanna give these guys a shock, and I nearly did. I got a cracking start, just like the ones I was getting in training and ran off the 1st hurdle ok. Hit hurdles 2, 3, 4 and 5 hard and it was messy. Think I was just trying a bit too hard and I tightened up. The top 4 all ran 7.7s and I got given 8.00. Bit cheesed off with myself as I got such a good start. Knee really starts to throb now and back stiffening up again. Didn't really feel it during the race as the adrenalin gets you through and its all over so quickly. I have to cut my warm up short again, restricted to just running drills and a few starts. My block starts wern't going right I was smashing the 1st hurdle with my lead leg, not getting my feet down fast enough. Felt a bit tired. Asked Derek Redmond who was on the management team to have a look at a few of my starts and he helps me get a few right. Feeling good again and get down to my start. Get a poor start this time and am fighting it, but trying to keep my form. Clock stops at 7.72 and I am 5th again and given 8.05. Thought it was a bit faster, but still have to be fairly pleased in the circumstances.

All in all it was a decent few days work and I have learnt a lot from the experience. I am not racing at Eton this weekend now as I need to get my knee and my back sorted before the AAA's. I really want to go there and do myself justice. I really enjoyed the trip and made some good friends, some people I had seen their faces about or heard their names and it was good to meet them and find out their backgrounds, training, stories etc.

Quite tired now so will update my pictures and videos and call it a night.

Thanks for reading!

PS Was chatting to an athlete in Bratislava and found out they read my site and knew loads about me, had no idea they read it. So please drop us an e-mail and say hello if you read the site, its good to talk!


Wednesday 24th January 2007

17th Jan 2007

Had a good training session last night. Was a bit tired though as up at 6 for work, hour drive to work, work till half 3, hour drive home, get training gear do some things around the house, hour drive to training get there about 7ish.
Did med ball work, then hurdle walkovers, then trail leg, lead leg, middle over 4 hurdles moved in one foot x 2. Then circuits. Left training at half 9 10. Get home exhausted. Day off work today doing weights later, then start 4 night shifts tomorrow!

But I don't care....because this morning I got the phone call I was waiting for my whole life, 'Hi Dwayne, you have been selected for England to run in Bratislava, Budapest and Vienna, can you accept??? Can I fu%%?!?! Haha Of course I can. (Didn't say that but you get the picture!) Will only be doing the races at Bratislava and Vienna as at each meeting you have 2 races and 6 races in that short time would be too much.

Im going down to my mums grave today or tomorrow as didn't get a chance to go when I said I was before. Thanking her for the strength she has given me and to say thats for you mum.


16th Jan 2007

Well the England team meeting was last night and they were supposed to be calling people last night and today so doesn't look like i'm in.  

But this fires me up more to drop some bombs when I next run.

One thing has cheered me up, the video of the race on Sat with Sharman and Malins has been sent to me kindly (see the videos 2007 section) and my stumble was a bad as I thought and I still finished strong to close down Sharman with 7.97 so needless to say I will be working on my starts between now and my next meeting prob at Bath or Sutton on the 28th Jan, as it have clearly been lacking sharpness to hurdle 3 in every race so far.

Starting with training tonight at Brunel!! Those blocks are gonna get blitzed!  

Also wasn't too pleased to find out I didn't even get a mention on the UK athletics website report of the meeting at Loughborough.
This is the wording "In the 60m hurdles, Sharman clocked 8.05 in the first series but was out-dipped for victory by Duncan Malins (Newham / Loughborough Students), who registered the same time. Sharman made no mistake in the second series, powering home in 7.94"

But little do they know they are just adding fuel to the fire burning inside me wanting to show them what I am about. I decided back in Oct 05 when my mum passed on that I was going to run PB's for her and try for an international vest. Something as a mark of respect for her because of the years of support she gave me when I was coming through. Giving me money to go training, money to buy spikes, constant encouragement, trying her best to come to my races, I remember when she came to English Schools to watch me and met Dwain Chambers and she got all starstruck, bless! No-one and nothing is stopping me fighting for it this year as it could be my last shot. I just have too much going on in my life to carry it on next year. Depending on how the outdoors go will decide if I carry on or not. I will weigh it up at the end and if I feel I realistically have a shot at making the Olympic team in Beijing. I'll carry on.  Mean while if I get my start right and put the whole race together....I feel there should be more PB's to come. I will just keep racing and keep battling on it will come.

14th Jan 2007

A bad/average day at the office today. Friends say I am being hard on myself but I trained so hard for this year. I only want the best.

1st race felt good in warm up. Got a good reaction to the gun, someone got a flyer but was still to the 1st hurdle just in front. Then coming off the hurdle clashed arms with Sharman. All my weight went right and stumbled. Didnt make the 2nd hurdle. Duncan Malins won it in 8.05 with Sharman also in 8.05. I should have had that im thinking.

Was fired up for the 2nd race. Got a average reaction to the gun. Then stumbled badly, was last to the 1st hurdle. But remembered what coach said. stay tall, knee, heel, work off the hurdle. I started coming through! Dipped at the line, saw Sharman to my right. It must have been close. Times. Sharman 7.94 and me 7.97, Malins 8.0x Gutted! Should have got him! But some people were saying that once I got going I was flying and catching Will all the way so must take some positives. He was in the Euro Champs last year and ran 13.49 outdoors. So would have been good to get the scalp.

But will be back!!!

Did a 3rd race about 5mins after as lanes were available. But lashed hurdle 4 with my trail leg really hard and went right off balance and I ran 8.06. Malins won it in 8.02.

So not a great day, but I just hope I did enough for the England selectors to pick me. Im ranked equal top of the UK with Will now, not sure what anybody else did in the country so will have to wait and see. But it will be a nerve wracking week waiting to see if I get that phonecall...

 

7th Jan 2007

Happy new year and all that. Hope santa brought u what you wanted! Its been a while updating this as I have been so busy and I have been upgrading laptop.
December was really tough, the sessions were coming thick and fast and I was just struggling to fit it all in with work. I went away to Wales for a few days to see my mate and did a training session down at Camarthen. Cold and wet 150's. Tough going it was. But got the job done. Thank you to Charles of athletics-results.co.uk for sorting me out with the track.

I did a 60m sprint and Windsor at the beginning of Dec and did a 7.4 relaxed and a 7.37 trying a bit harder. My drive phase out of the blocks was poor so did a few weeks of sled pulls after my weights sessions to help. I had another meeting at Brunel Uni, Uxbridge where I didnt run much better 7.39 and 7.36. I got a better start but just didn't have anything after 30m. My coach said not to worry too much as I was in the middle of my winter still and the work was still pretty much longer stuff, and weights were still on 8 reps.

I was feeling really tired and run down just before xmas, but still did well in my quadathlon down at Windsor. I did 3.62 for 30m, 16.9 for 150m and 36.5 for my 300m. Which is much better than the 40.5 seconds I did 6 weeks earlier. I goes to show that all the longer sessions I did were starting to pay off. Although obviously my 60m sprint times weren't as fast. But the winter is about preparing for the outdoors and this will help me once I run 110 outdoors.

I decided to go away to Tenerife on Boxing day for a break for a week to get away from work and everything, just relax and do a bit of training. Spend my b'day in the sun. I did weights on the 27th Dec and then the track was closed until 2nd Jan. But I was not having it! I sneaked into the track under a loose fence on new years day so I could do my 120's session. Now I dont recommend anyone break into tracks to train but it was a week since I last was on the track! It was heaven training in 20+ degrees and I felt good. I did a hurdles session on the 2nd Jan then came home to England. Did weights on Wednesday in Aylesbury, my bench was good 3 x 4 on 90kg and 3 x 4 on 85kg for cleans which is average as I did 3 x 4 for 90kg for cleans when I was in Tenerife.

Thursday I did 6 runs over 4 hurdles and a couple of blocks. I felt good. Not amazing though as was tired from the early starts at work.

So arrived at Windsor injury free and with a decent amount of work from Oct-Dec behind me. The 1st time since I was about 21. People were asking me what I was aiming to run. I hadn't done any blocks against anyone yet so had no idea of where I was at so said about 8.0x would be nice. Warmed up outside as inside at Eton is just too busy and no room to swing a cat. Let alone put 3 hurdles out. Clattered a few and then got my game together eventually. Went inside, hyped! Ready for anyone and anything. If Colin Jackson would have turned up wanting to run I would have fancied a little clash with him, haha. Did some drills and then they called us to our marks. You don't get much time to warm up at Eton once the hurdles are out so you have to do what you can outside. Went down to our marks and got an ok start. Mike Dyer and Simon Wells who I train with were with me (they later ran PB's of 8.18 and 8.29 respectively) and I didn't really pull away until hurdle 3 which I clattered. But I kept on going and ran through the line. The time....... 7.94!!!! I was so pleased. I ran around and people probably though I was crazy, but I didn't care.

The second race, I reacted horribly to the gun and just went through the motions thinking about technique trying to keep good form. Eased through the line and time was 8.07. Not too bad considering. So all in all a good day at the office. Just need to work on my blocks now. Get the 1st 2 hurdles sorted. Lloyd Cowan, Andy Turners coach was there and was kind enough to give me some tips for my start as he noticed it was poor. But it will come as I have only done one session from blocks.

There are some England internationals at the end of January, would be nice if I got picked for that. That one would be for my mum. She would be so proud. I will go to her grave in the week and tell her about it all. Im excited and cant wait to race again. Just gotta keep injury free. Thanks for reading!


15th Nov 2006

I'll start with some news that I was very surprised to hear. I had a mumps test as a matter of precaution a few weeks ago, because of my previous illness in the summer. I just wanted to make sure that I was all ok. It turns out that they found mumps antibodies and that when I was ill before during and after the AAA's I had mumps! I had all the symptoms thinking about it and I am surprised that they never tested me for it then, but they didn't. It makes making the final all the sweeter running a 14.34w isn't too bad with mumps I suppose, haha. Im all good now and they said I am over it.

Since the last update it has been tough, more mentally than physically, trying to cram everything in. Having absolutely no social life, I called my dad the other day and said 'hey its Dwayne!' He jokingly said 'who's Dwayne, you got the wrong number mate!' But it sums up how things have been. At one stage I was close to taking a break off, but spoke to some friends and family and they turned me round. This could be my last year in this, might as well give it 200%, I can live my life next year maybe? Beginning of November is one of the toughest parts of the winter season, the novelty of the new regime has worn off and the indoors seems quite far away. Even worse if you are not doing the indoors, the outdoors seem a different world away. But this is where you gain the mental strength. So that when I line up on that line, I know that I have put in the work and confidence is high. If you are doubting whether you have worked hard enough or whether you could have worked harder, the race is as good as lost already.

Because of heavy work commitments and a 3 days Achilles injury, I have only managed to do my 6 days one week only, the rest of the weeks have been 4 days and one 5 day week the week just gone which was good. My weights are coming on nicely, I am now on 4 sets of 8 reps and I am closing the gap on some of the others in my group so I am pleased with that. Bench is at 75kg, Cleans are the same and squat is at 100kg. So its come a long way since the beginning of Oct.
I have finally started to get on top of the circuits, and my hurdling has been coming together lovely in the last 2 sessions. However my speed endurance is still poor and I have been struggling with the 300s. We did a session 3 x 300m with 4mins recovery and I did 49, 51 and 52 secs. Now that is terrible for an athlete that wants to represent GB. I just get to 200m and the my legs fall off! My speed endurance was further highlighted in a quadathlon test I did on Sunday gone. The quadathlon is good as it gives you an indicator of areas you need to improve. Everything is done with full recovery. I did 3m 00cm for standing long jump which I was a bit disappointed with as my pb is 3m 28cm, you only get 2 attempts and my 2nd one I messed up and aborted, it was still 2m 95! So my explosive strength seems ok. Then we did 10 bounds, which I don't do in training at all, it is more geared towards jumpers, but the group I was doing the test with was a jumps group so that's why. I did 31m 30cm which is ok, but technique understandably was ragged. Then I did 16.8 for 150m, I got a terrible start and didn't react to the 'go' well so this time was not too bad, still can improve though as pb is 16.1. Then the 300, now I knew my endurance was lacking but I did 40.5s which is awful for a one off run. The coach that was taking the session Keith Fleming even beat me! with his 39.x which is great considering he is a retired athlete. But not good for me, this is an area which I need to focus on and really get cracking.

Yesterday having not long woke from doing a night shift I headed down to Brunel and did the session on my own which was 2 sets of 3 200m. 5mins recovery between reps and 10mins between sets, targets times all sub 26. I did 25.8, 24.9, 25.8 for the 1st set, this was extremely difficult and my legs were burning so much I couldn't sit down! Second set was 25.8, then 26.5 and the walking back for the last one I could barely walk straight, light headed, legs heavy as lead. The recovery seemed extra short, I started the run, trying to sprint, but legs were just not turning over, im digging in and trying, but halfway down the straight my calf cramps, then the other one goes. I don't manage to finish the session, the 1st session yet this year where I haven't so this indicates my weakness. I then rushed of to do my 2 circuits before, rushing to work for a nightshift!

So all in all its going well, just need to get the speed endurance sorted. I am not doing the Pickets Lock meeting now as I am working nights that weekend. But I will probably be doing Windsor open on the 3rd Dec and Brunel open on the 16th Dec. Not hurdles, just 60m for speed work. Not aiming for any specific times as my legs will still be loaded from the training, its merely to work on my speed and drive phase in a competitive environment and also will serve as good practice before I start hurdling in January.

That's it for now, thanks for reading!


20th Oct 2006

Bit of an overdue update, but training and work have been all there is time for! My 1st 2 weeks of training were really tough, not only because of my lack of fitness but also because of work. In my 1st week I had 3 nights, which typically will go like this. Drive for 1hr to training starting at 5, finish at 7.30pm, shower change and drive 30mins to work. Work starts at 8.45pm till 07.45am drive home in 1hr, sometimes 1.5hrs due to traffic. Sleep from 10am-3pm then get ready to travel 1hr to Brunel to train again. Last week was earlys, which I actually find worse because I'm terrible in the morning! Up at 6, to start work at 7.45am to 3 or 4pm. Training from 6pm till half 8, then 1hr drive home. Sometimes so tired from training I barely have the energy to open the mail and grab a bite to eat!

Some of the sessions have been really tough, 20mins of medicine ball exercises, 15mins of hurdle walkovers, 16x80m in 13-14secs with 30secs recovery in between each run. Then to top it all off 4 circuits! (12 exercises). I have been struggling to keep up with the rest of the lads (and girls!) on a lot of the running and circuits but I have battled away and finished the sessions. Tall Paul got me through my 1st one, I was a mess. Thanks man!

My weights have been poor to start with. Way off the rest of the group. But I have had this week off work so I have really been able to get into my training. I am starting to cope with the running and circuits and my weights are improving very quickly. In just 3 weeks, I have gone from 50kg-65kg for on cleans, from 50-60kg on bench, and from 80-90kg on squats all on 3 sets of 12 reps. My hurdles have started off a bit scrappy, still trying to smooth the lead leg out, but as fitness improves, that will come. No major injuries (touch wood) to report, just all the normal aches and pains that winter training brings!

I'm planning to kick off the indoors early December with a 60m and 200m at the new Picketts Lock arena. Need to start early in order to get that flat speed! I'm finding this hard, but many a session has been helped along by my music, I'm going to bring it back in for the circuits, that's kinda fallen by the wayside as no-one brings any cds and leaves the stereo off, bad form! That's it for now, got to be up early for training! Thanks for reading!

30th Sept 2006

Well its been a while. But I have been busy catching up on social stuff, working hard, and putting in some overtime. You know what its like. I wasn't in training either so I had no real athletics related news.....however. Today was my 1st day back training and the news is that I am aching in every joint right now! I just finished a 65 hour week at work (overtime) so I was tired anyhow. I thought I may aswell do some extra hours while I wasn't training. But the pain today reminded me of what I have to come. Session was 8 runs over 6 hurdles but with the hurdles moved out for rhythm. By the 3rd run my calves were tightening up! Technique was a bit rusty as its the 1st time I have done any running or hurdling since the AAAs in mid July! I was concerned about how far short I was, but my coach made a very good point. He said that when I first came to him in November last year, I was technically a mess and not very fit, he said already I am starting way higher level than where I was then and its just Oct so, that put things into perspective for me. As an athlete, you're never satisfied always expecting more from yourself. But that's what makes all good athletes.

I agreed with my coach that I am going to aim for 6 days a week. Monday rest, Tues running and circuits, Weds weights, Thursday running or hurdles and circuits and medicine ball work, Friday short weights sessions with plyometrics, Saturday running or hurdles, Sunday AM running or hurdles and circuits and Sunday evening weights! Some weeks that will not be possible due to work commitments, but I will stick to that as closely as possible. I might as well go all out and give myself up to this and commit my whole life, as I am 26 in Dec and im not getting younger! I will be having massage once a week, this is as important as the training itself to prevent pesky injuries!

However tomorrow morning is reserved for one special purpose. 1st of Oct is a year to the day that I found my mum dead and the day that changed my whole outlook on life and got me back into this game. I am going to the church that she used to go to, now im not really a church man, but once a year I will do it for her. Its the least I can do. Take a visit to the grave after and then head to weights in the evening. Its been really hard at times, and I miss her so much but I keep reminding myself that she is in a better place and I feel better then. The next few weeks are probably going to be the hardest while I find some fitness, but I through the pain all I will be seeing is an international vest keeping me going and my old dear cheering me on! :o)

Thanks for taking the time to read.

Stoddy

16th Aug 2006

Just come back from a break in Wales then Italy. Had some nice time to reflect on things.

I had thoughts about packing this in. Financial impact, impact on my career as a network engineer. Social impact, never seeing anything other than the track or the office!

But I watched the Euro Championships, and was buzzing! Seeing some of those athletes smash lifetime bests to claim medals, seeing athletes make finals that they never dreamed of making. Some athletes just enjoying being there and gaining valuable experience.

Been speaking to close friends and my coach, they still believe I can get an international vest. England or GB or Jamaican. My coach and I both agree that this season has been a success, all targets have been hit and this all the setbacks. So I would be cheating myself if I wasn't to try and build on that....

My training has been a bit disjointed too, partly because of injury but also down to the structure of it. It was too loose and ad-hoc. Running sessions maybe here there, nothing written down. No tracking. This winter I will be doing a structured, planned schedule, with prior sign off from my coach, I will be down at Brunel at a minimum 3 times a week for hurdles and running, with weights and circuits at least 3 times a week. Around my night shifts at times this may be tough, but I will try.

My current weight is 14st 1lb or 91kg. I need that down to 13st 7lbs. I have arranged a lab test with Viridian nutrition who sponsor me to draw me up a nutritional plan in conjunction with HealthRight who sponsor me for supplements.

Next year could be my last year if things still don't work out 12 months from now. If things do, I will probably carry on into Olympic year (08) in hope of making the team. Its make or break now. My winter training will start mid Sept leading up to the start of the indoor season in January.

In the meantime, now that I am fully mobile again, I will be doing some weights and some running, nothing too heavy. Just so that when I start in Sept, I am not too far behind. I start with weights tonight. 3 x 10 reps. 6 exercises. Yep, im gonna be aching in the morning!

Thanks for reading.



22nd July 2006

I will just talk about things as they happened in the last 7 days because it so easily could have been the kick-start to the season but has ended up being the end of!


When I woke up on the Friday before the AAA's my glands were still swollen and still was not 100%, hamstrings were a bit sore from the block session the night previous so did a bit of stretching. Drove up to Manchester, checked in at hotel. Was feeling quite ill now, glands were really sore and headache types pains again. Had some paracetamol and soaked in bath. Went to bed.
Woke up, glands are still sore and still not feeling 100%, but have to get a job done. Have a stretch and then head to track. It a lovely day and I can see that conditions are going to be ideal like last year. Who said that Manchester was cold, wet and miserable? I been here twice in 2 years and both times its been like the costa del sol!

So collected my accreditation, had a laugh with some officials about competing in womens high jump, checked the surroundings and saw some physio for some massage as hamstrings were still tight. Not injured, just tight and restrictive of range. It was probably the shock of the intensity doing blocks. Got out spoke to my coach, get some advice, get warm up started, do drills hamstrings are protesting! Im begging for them to hang on in there! Decide its not healthy to do too many sprints or heel flicks as this will just tighten them further. Tunes on my ipod are getting me hyped, my dose of banana and tescos Istonic drink are fuelling me (Its an expensive weekend so gotta cut costs!) Get down to some drills and blocks with coach. Just do a few as hamstrings are still sore.
Called to 1st call (where they call all the competitors in that heat to register etc before you get escorted to final call and outside) and the task is simple, make the 1st 2 and qualify for the final. Andy Turner is in my heat. 'Im gonna fly out of them blocks and put him under pressure' that's the sort of mindset you have to have.
Get outside have a little joke with the officials, feel quite relaxed, but. When the announcer says 'gentlemen tracksuits off'. Its like a commander sending his men to war. Im on point! Nothing is jokes or funny beyond this point.
Gun goes and get out to good start, clatter hurdle 5 and start to fight a bit, can only see Turner ahead going into last hurdle, sense someone to my right so have to make sure I get that second, cross the line and relief. It wasn't pretty, but job is done. I made the final!! Time is 14.42 +0.6 not bad. Again inside last years pb.
So chat to my coach, discuss where improvements can be made etc, warm down.
Get another massage because my hamstrings are really sore now, I just want them loosened off so I just enjoy and run free in the final.
Do my normal thing in warm-up, have to cut it short because hamstrings are still not 100%. Given lane 8. Not the best, but then I did run the slowest time of the finalists.
Get outside and really excited cant wait to fire. They do all the presentation stuff for telly and when the camera focuses on me I blow a kiss and point to the sky for my mum as I know she would be so proud.
Down to our marks and Allan (Scott) false starts and puts us all on a warning.
Get a good reaction from the second try, but clatter the 1st hurdle, keep driving, im still in the dance. Bang! hit hurdle 5 or 6 real hard, almost run out of my lane, stay focused im thinking, keep driving. Past the line see the clock stop at 13.25w for Andy. Rapid.... that's top 10 in world terms I think. Gave me 14.34 +2.7. Again not bad. Got another massage, this time really deep to separate those knots. Have to make use of the free physios, its not cheap!
Chatted to loadsa athletes whilst warming down and spoke to coach. Made light of coming last in the final, I have to bare these factors in mind.

1. 3 night shifts on the Mon, Tues, Weds prior to the AAA.
2. Only one race in the 6 weeks before the AAA's.
3. Man Flu/cold/virus whatever it is!
4. Sore hamstrings

Making the AAA's final and running 14.42 and 14.34 off the back of that, I am very pleased. Also its the first time I have run faster in the final than in the heat in any champs, my coach was there to guide me through how to do it properly and get results!

SO!...

Early part of the week I get a pain around my groin area, it gets quite painful to walk and is swelling so go to the doctors, they tell me its part of this infection that's been with me for the last 2 weeks, and that the infection may have moved due to all the massages I have been having, basically by massage your giving the infection a Ferrari around your bloodstream instead of a skoda (saying that Skoda are decent these days!VW built engines, but you get the drift!). Then Weds evening, come down with high fever, shivers, aches, hallucination, complete tiredness the works, stuck in bed for about 24hours straight, call the emergency doc, they tell me that I may should go to A+E so they have a look as swelling has doubled. Go to A+E where there is no air con, which when you have fever and you have to wait four hours, isn't good for you! Its like a sauna! Fever gets worse and they tell me I must go to theatre urgently so that they check for complications to be safe. 1st time in any sort of op really so bit nervous. They tell me I will be in over night for obs.
Doctors comes to chat to me in the morning, they say there is no complications, but will wont be able to do sports for at least 2 weeks till infection has cleared or risk that it will return. This marks the end of my season as it would be pointless doing that last race unfit and then get injured again.

During all the time in the hosptial, left me a lot of time to reflect and think about the season gone, and the future. Should there be one in athletics for me? Various people close to me say I do too much and I really to push my body to the limits. This game is rewarding and enjoyable but you have to sacrifice a lot for it. The more I put into my job the more my athletics suffers, the more I put into my athletics the more my job and personal life suffers, the more I put into personal life...you see where im going. Financially it is starting to become difficult again too, with all the massage topping up costs. I wouldn't want to add up how much I spent on athletics this year as I might give up right now and spend the money on a new car instead! There's only so long I can do this for. Bottom line. My mum overall would want to see me well and raise a decent family, not run myself into the ground and have nothing to show.
I have had a cracking year and hit ALL my targets. Made both national finals indoors and out, smashed both indoor and outdoor PBs. From 8.08 in 2002 to 7.96 and 14.48 in 2002 to 14.28 and 14.15 wind assisted...and this is with all the setbacks. I missed basically 3/4 of the outdoor season due to injury and illness, imagine if I only missed 1/4!
I never managed to do any running due to injury either, so couldn't lower my sprint pbs!

I'm going to build on this year and give this winter everything I have and see what I come out with next year, European indoors is in Birmingham come March, id love to be wearing that new GB kit..

13th July 2006

Well I deliberately haven't updated this until completing my last training session before the AAA's! Every time I seem to write its a new injury. My fortunes have not been any kinder but im fighting on! Let me document my last 10 days leading up to the biggest race of the season....

Well I started last week on Tuesday with a massage in Aylesbury by physio called Jackie, got some ultrasound too. Still resting in order to let the pain in hamstring go away.
Then on Thursday saw physio Bernie Lewis in Reading, hamstring is starting to feel a bit better now. Come down with cold/flu, toward the end of the week and feel generally tired, feverish sore throat all that good stuff. Some people call it 'man flu'. Im sure its worse that what women get.... haha

I wanted to do some light strides on Saturday, but the track was in use so I had to go in the gym instead. I might as well have stayed at home, did a five min row to warm up and felt like I had done a whole session. Did some cleans on 60kg and found it very taxing, did some bench press on 80kg and that was better but decided to leave it there.
Started to get some headache type pains and felt really tired.

Then on Sunday night I could barely open my eyes without pain and head felt like a tonne, so went to the doctor as was told I had sinusitis as a result of my flu few days previous. Was given some anti-biotics which I know make you feel lethargic, this is not what I need 6 days before the national champs! So I start my night shifts Monday night, shouldn't have been at work really but its hard to get cover on nights so I took this one for the company...what a sucker!
So this means I miss another 3 days of training whilst I get over it, being on nights too doesn't help but hey, gotta pay to keep a roof over your head and this athletics somehow!

Speak to my coach as I am concerned about missing session so close to the AAA's. He tells me I have done enough hard work in the winter to miss a few days and he tells me to leave it till Thursday. It could also leave me fresher to race too.

I see my physio Bob on Tuesday for another massage, got to keep on top of this hamstring. Try some easy strides on grass, hamstring is pain free! But feel flat and tired.

Wake up from my last night shift on Thurs afternoon, and my glands under my chin and ears are swollen and really sore, im sure I never went 10 rounds with Lennox Lewis before I went to seep, because that's what it feels like! Ring the doctors and they tell me that its because my body is fighting the infection and the lymph nodes (you have them under armpits and groin too) become swollen and sore.

So I get ready and go down the track, feel a bit better energy wise and the sinuses feel better, but jaw is very sore now!

Get down the track and warm up, feel ok. Do some drills. Hamstring is fine! We set up some blocks and do some races over 3 hurdles. The 1st run, wasn't great, bit rusty, but the 3rd run I was flying. Coach said he was pleased and its as good as he's seen me!

This is a huge confidence boost as it seems someone up there doesn't want me well for Saturday!! But I have something in me burning waiting to show people what I can do. Every time I want to give in, I picture my mum shaking her head tutting! Im going to go there and make that final, regardless of what my last 6 weeks have been like. Its hasn't been smooth by a long way. But some people perform best when the chips are down.

My coach Ian Grant is going to be there too in the warm up area, cant remember the last time I had a coach with me for a warm up!! This will be fantastic as it will be good for last min adjustments and motivation.

What ever happens, you can be sure I will be giving 200% when I step foot on that track for the heats. I am up for this and nothing will stop me.

The final is Saturday on BBC1 at 5.25pm. Im looking gatecrash the party...

2nd July 2006

Well good news is I got through the race. Bad news is that my hamstring was giving me considerable pain. Especially in warm up. I only did the bare minimum warm up as I could feel it. Did one trail leg drill and one lead leg, then one over middle. Did a start from blocks and hamstring was tugging so decided to leave it early. Waited for the announcer to call us to our marks. Used this time to just visualise and focus.
Don't get a very good start as I am tentative out of the blocks. Try and think to myself, keep it tidy, just think technique. Over the last 2 hurdles im clear in the lead so do just enough to get the maximum points. No point going eyeballs out and tearing my hamstring completely. Clock stops at 14.47 -0.8 wind. Not bad considering, A positive is that I managed to get a race in before the AAA's and I managed to get through it. Albeit in pain. 1st race in a month too so I have to remember that also.

Decided to not train this week not sprinting anyway or hurdling or any weights on legs as I need to get my hamstrings pain free for the AAA's which is now 13 days away.

Im going to get some massage on them at least 2 or 3 times before the AAA's to help speed the process up. All costs money, but I need to do this.

Im sure if I can go into the AAA's pain free, I will run at least 2 or 3 tenths quicker.

The countdown begins....

29th June 2006

Asking my body to stay injury free for seven days is obviously asking too much! Did some sprinting on Sunday evening after watching England go through to the quarter-finals.
Session was some hurdle drills and 4 x 150s fast. My groin is now good and my tendon behind knee seems healed. But on the last run, my left hamstring became very sore and I had to ice it when I got home.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week were spent in Warwick on a work training course so I had no access to a physio. I managed to get down to a track in Leamington Spa on Tuesday evening and did some hurdle drills and 110 sprints. But could not run flat out as hamstring was sore. So had to end session early. Rested it and have been icing it since. Running at Watford was a no-go as I am not taking any unnecessary risks so close to AAA's national champs.

Saw my physio Bob today, he seems to have loosened off my hamstrings a great deal, although it is still a little sore. Im not racing until Saturday (in Carlisle), so hopefully it settles down by then.
So here we are, two weeks from the AAA's national champs and still not 100%, but we're making progress still. I have to remain upbeat as at least I have moved on from when I couldn't walk 3 weeks ago.
Have no idea of what shape I am in. But would I am sticking to what I said before and I will be looking for something near my personal best of 14.28. Aim high, achieve great things....I can't wait to unleash on the track on Saturday. I just hope my hamstring stays pain free. Service has resumed..

25th June 2006

21st June 2006

Time for a little update. I have managed to overcome the injury, returning to the track last Thursday. Thanks to my physio Bob, his swift action got me back on track right away. I have missed the last 2 days training due to doing 13hr shifts at work but now have a bit of time off before nights start on Thursday. The 1st 4 days of the injury I did nothing at all, then I gradually started doing weights and circuits in an attempt to shed some of the weight I managed to find. Im down to 14st 3lbs now down from 14st 6lbs, so its heading in the right direction. I have had to cut my protein intake by half as I was just bulking out too much! Once 10 days had passed I did my first session doing strides on the grass. Got through this pain free, then after 14 days did 1st session in spikes. 5 x 110m sprints, 5 mins recovery in between. Tiring, but pain free. Then last Saturday I completed my 1st hurdles session, which was tiring again. But my coach assures me that I will be firing again in 14 days of hard work. I have decided to stick 2 x 150s at the end of my hurdles in order to build my speed endurance again.

A nice surprise came through the post during my time out injured. I got asked to represent South of England in a inter-area meeting in Birmingham this weekend. However. I am unable to accept as I am working night shifts. In reality I could do with another weeks training before I race again anyway as I don't intend to come back running 14.5s. I am going to come back blazing and around PB times!!
My season is hanging in the balance, the AAA's national champs are just under a month away now and I need a run of injury freeness. I know I can run real fast times this year. Im going to get myself ready and fit for my next race which is the British League in Carlisle on the 1st July. This will be my last race before national champs.

Since I got back from warm weather training in April, my groin has troubled me all the way. One good outcome of this recent injury is that the groin injury appears to have cleared up. This means that I am now free to do all my speed endurance work that I have been missing out on. Let the games begin. Im back in the game!!

2nd June 2006

This week started well, but ended with yet another setback.
I rested on Monday after doing the 2 races on Sunday. Started my night shifts on Monday night. I then trained at Brunel on Tuesday evening before dashing off to work. We had 3 x 8 runs over hurdles moved in one foot to start getting some hurdling endurance back in. The 1st run was rusty, but the next two runs were fantastic, smooth over the hurdles and running well in between. I would say my best session yet. My coach Ian Grant was very pleased. I was supposed to have physio at half 7 but as I has to dash to work to start nights, I had to cancel. This proved costly.

Wednesday woke up in the afternoon, feeling ready to roll. Got to Watford and warmed up after chatting to a few peeps. Only the 200m was on so I entered looking for a time close to my PB even though I was on nights. I felt that good. Did all my normal things in warm up, nice and thorough. Doing my high knee drills disaster struck. I felt a sharp tug in the back of my knee where it joins the top of my calf. I tried to stretch it off, hoping it was cramp. Tried to do a stride, I could not even put any weight on it. I advised the announcer I wasn't running and limped off to my car to start another night shift. Truly gutted.
Dashed to Sainsbury's and bought some Ibruprofen, bag of ice and a tubagrip, hoping I would be ok to run this Saturday at the British League in Bedford, no chance.

Saw my physio last night (Bob Fudge, who kindly came down to the track early for me) and he advised that I had badly strained the tendon that connects the top of the calf to the back of the knee. Not a tear, which I was pleased to hear. But it does mean that I cannot do anything for at least 7-10 days, not even jog.

This comes as a big blow, to me and will mean that I will loose another 2 weeks of speed endurance, at best. Although I can still do core and upper body gym work. I have bounced back before and will do again. In hindsight, I should have had physio on Tuesday night after my hurdles session, but when you have to work and funds are not always readily available, it is not possible to get a massage after every session like most of the people above me in the rankings do. When you are running at close to international standard and pushing your body to new limits, you need the best medical support and regular massage. Its a very fine line you are constantly treading.
This is where I feel UK athletics falls down. People in the top 10 or 20 in the country should get some sort of assistance, how can they expect to push up the standard of the top athletes in the rankings when the athletes below them are not getting any assistance to better themselves. They say that the top athletes are in a comfort zone, if the people below them are not being given an opportunity to push on, then is this such a great surprise? Until some of these issues are addressed in our sport then we'll never move forward. There are many athletes that have had the talent, and the desire. But if you are constantly ignored then people will find jobs and try to establish a stable career. If it wasn't for my mum passing, I probably wouldn't be as serious as I am now. I am doing this to make her proud and the people around me that have supported me through the years proud too. I also want to test myself and see how far I can get in this game.

The last month has been extremely hard, working training and racing. There is time for nothing else in life really. This will come to no surprise to the people around me as they see it first hand. But I have something inside me burning, pushing me on. If UK athletics wont help me, then I will help myself. With the help of people around me, who as always are great. I am going to bounce back stronger from this. I came back from 2 weeks out in April with a 14.28. I intend to come back even better on my return in a few weeks...

28th May 2006

It was the UK inter-counties championships today in Bedford. Representing Berkshire where I was born in Reading. I was hoping for big things and got not quite big things, but some positives. Sun was out today, made a nice change as the weather has been terrible last few weeks. Did my 2 laps warm up then found a quiet place and did my stretches. Came out did my drills and felt sharp. Got outside measured blocks. We're rolling, Will Sharman was in my heat was a few lanes across I think. Got a decent start and had a nice rhythm, then saw Sharman to my side, just pulling ahead. Over the last hurdle and eased across saving a bit for the final. Will won the heat in 13.91, I wasn't far behind so thinking it must be quick. Time comes up at 14.15. +4.4 wind though. Which wont count for rankings as its over the limit of +2.0. Pleased with the race though. Rhythm was good.

Warm up for the final, feel great. Start the race and don't react to the gun very well at all. I try and pull back over hurdle 2 and 3. Hit a few. Then after hurdle 4 my legs are just empty. It was odd. I didn't know what to do!!! I try to fight back and I start to hit hurdles and lose form and rhythm. Its ugly. I cross the line in 4th. Cheesed off. 1st was Will Sharman in 13.85, then Duncan Malins in 13.9x and Dom Girdler in 13.9x. Its clear I am not fit. I end up with 14.66. Discussed with my coach. We feel I lost some fitness whilst out injured and not being able to do any running is starting to show. But we have a plan. Its not all doom and gloom as 14.15 in the heats windy or not is decent. I just need to be able to re-produce now. My groin is still not 100% so I am going to the doctors this week to get a referral so I can get a scan on my private healthcare. I am going to do a 100m and 200m at Watford on Weds night. Not sure how this will go as I start night shifts tomorrow night and I will be 2 nights into it. Whatever happens it will be some good speed endurance work. I have been feeling quite tired from work this week so may have had a effect on my run, next stop Bedford again on Saturday for the British league.

A mixed day, but at least I know now what areas I need to focus on.

21st May 2006

Those who know me well know that I hate being in the cold and rain. When I was getting ready this morning I could see it was pouring down, so as you could imagine I was chuffed to have to run in it today! Got to Loughborough and was quite looking forward to running considering the conditions. Spoke to some people, met my mate Ian and Jennie who came to watch me, got my numbers and thought. Hey I can't be scared of this rain and cold all season. If I can train it in I can do it here. Its just mind over matter really. So I thought sod it. Im going to do my warm up jog around the Uni campus in the rain with my tunes on my headphones. Just to get accustomed to it so that when I go out to race its not so much of a shock.

Find a quiet place indoors to stretch, did my drills. I was feeling a bit tired and heavy in the legs so I didn't do much.
Got called outside and the cold and rain still hit me! Did some warm up runs outside, only one as I didn't want to waste energy. Called to our blocks, set.... and there's some sirens going off coming through the speakers, I'm thinking should I put my hand up. Bang! Too late. But its a false start, so I can get my head together again. The rain is coming down harder. Im thinking out what my coach said in training, my game head is on. Set...bang!! Average reaction, get to the 1st hurdle and people are around me, Rob Newton (best of 13.3 and ran in Athens Olympics) Duncan Malins and Roger Skedd are all in company at the 2nd hurdles. The all of a sudden I can feel myself pulling away. Im leading!! Then my legs start to tire at hurdle 8, then my arms and shoulders are going. Now Rob Newton is level with me, over the last hurdle and he's just ahead, I sprint in and the clock stops at 14.16, im thinking I must be near my pb. I am second with 14.29, just out side my best of 14.28.

I am pleased with this as it shows consistency no matter the conditions. I am suffering at the end of races as I have not done any speed endurance (sprinting from 120m-200m) since my races at Kingston on the 15th April!! I have not had the time to due to work commitments or other reasons, so that's my new focus between now and mid June, bare minimum of one speed endurance a week and I am going to be causing damage come late June because my 1st half of my race is smoking right now. Back on the weights tomorrow then kick off some speed endurance, Tuesday. Also I have now been pushed into 10th in the UK rankings as Dom Girdler ran 13.91 today and Rob Newton ran 14.16. Good run lads, but im coming to get ya!!!

20th May 2006

Have you ever done something where you have to stand back and say....did I just do that?? As you never  thought you were capable of doing it, this happened to me during blocks session on Thursday.

The day after my last race on the 7th May. I got straight back on the training, still on a high from my personal best and having a great time in Italy. Weight session down at Aylesbury, on the Tuesday had a 13 hour shift so I didn't train. Just did some press ups at home. Got back on the weights on Weds, good session. Lifting some decent figures now. Started the 1st of 4 night shifts on Thursday night, had to miss my hurdles session as I had to go in early. Did a hurdles session that Sunday, and it went terribly, bad form, fatigued and generally off the pace. I put it down to being on nights so didn't get too bogged down.

Been on a training course in Milton Keynes all this week studying my Cisco Certified Network Associate Qualification, its pretty heavy stuff but I love it. Call me sad, but its what I do!! Back on the case with some weights Monday and session down at Windsor on Tuesday, had to cut the session short as got stuck in traffic on M1 and M25 on the way down.  See my physio Bob and he seems to have found the origin of the groin/ostis pubis injury that has been bugging me stopping me from sprinting. It would seem its originating from tight adductors. Bob sorts it with some painful massage. Go and get weighed as I am intrigued to see if this extra muscle is making a difference to my weight. (Been on the protein shakes now for 5 weeks or so, thanks to Healthright in Aylesbury sponsoring me with a supply). When I last weighed myself on these about 2 months ago I was 13st 12lbs. Get on an enter all the settings...14st 4lb!! Geez I think. That's not good. But then the body fat is displayed and its not changed from where I was 2 months back. This is good as it means I have just put on lean muscle. Now is about time I start using it! Back on weights on Weds. Its all coming together nicely now.  Go to the pub and watch Arsenal cruelly beaten in the champs league final, im devastated. Those who know me well know how much I love my Arsenal.

Thursday comes and I feel a bit tired from the training course and the mission of a journey down from Milton Keynes to Uxbridge. I get down there and catch up with Ian, talk about how the last few weeks have been. Start the session just me and my coach as everyone is resting for the multievents today. I do a few strides. Hmm this feels good. I can drive out again and I feel powerful.
We do some warm ups over the hurdles just nice and easy. This feels good, doesn't seem so much like an effort anymore. Set up some blocks and react to some starts, BANG!! I'm out and running, the hurdle comes up in a flash! Crash!! Oh my god, that came out of no-where!! I try again, the same happens. Ian explains to me that this is what happens when you become stronger and faster, you have to get your feet down faster to the 1st hurdle, I have to tune my brain to react to the hurdle at 14.0 speed now as opposed to 14.8. They are coming up much faster now. I go again and really focus on getting the feet down.
Explode out of the blocks, 1st hurdle is clipped and hurdle 2 is in my face, geeez im thinking, get up and down, feet moving fast in-between. Focus. Hurdle 3 comes and goes, I don't even get time to think about it. Ian tells me to wrap up. We're ready for the weekend. I am buzzing. Im thinking, I never know I could do that! Bring on Sunday.

Im sat here today, not nervous about racing. Im excited...
 

8th May 2006

Well I wasn't expecting to be updating the website with a new personal best so early! On Saturday 6th May at Barnet Copthall, I smashed my pb by 2/10ths second from 14.48 to 14.28. I have made radical changes in my lifestyle so it no surprise that I am running faster. But I was still feeling a little sore around my groin from the injury in warm up. As a result, I didn't do too many runs over the hurdles to warm up with. I spent lots of time stretching instead. My tunes on my mp3 player firing me up.

I have this thing now where I load a heap of tunes on my player the night before a race, then in warm up I set it on random and see what tunes I get. There is always a tune that sets me off, this time it was Supafly vs Fishbowl - Lets get down. The last tune I heard my mum singing before she died, we both were singing it at her house in Sept and she wanted me to send it to her new phone as a ringtone. Then she kept getting me to ring her so she could sing to it. 'I wanna feel the sunshine in my head, I wanna see you face when I wake up, lets get down, lets get down.' I am instantly buzzing and can feel a presence. The injury is going to be ok, I keep telling myself. Then my hamstring spasms on one of my warm up runs, I think oh no here we go, its the old hamstring with the injury too, I stretch it off and get to my marks. The gun goes and I just react and run, im running scared. I can hear someone to my left, I am on auto pilot. I go over the last hurdle and run in. I win the race. The clock says 14.28. I know its not wind assisted as it was a headwind earlier on. I punch the air in happiness!!

I'm back!! But the hammy is tight and so is my right groin. I go and see my physio Bob and he loosens me off. Chat to some people then dash to Stanstead in my car. Get to Stanstead and realise I have left my toiletry bag. I have to go to Supadrug and buy half the store. Get to Italy and meet my escort. The motorway is closed so it takes us 3 hours to get to Pavia. Get into Pavia and am hungry so I get something to eat and had the best Bolognese I have had in my life. Got to bed late at 2am. Not good prep but nothing I could do to avoid it.

Wake up on Sunday and its sunny out, get ready and go outside. Its scorching! Its gonna be a good one today I think to myself.  Warm up and feel good. Hamstring is still very tight so don't do many drills. Stretch it off and told I am in second race. Then I am being told I am in race 1! (the slowest race)! Quickly measure my blocks, not time for practise runs!! The announcers says something in Italian, does that mean 'on your marks' I think....everyone is going into their block so I think I better join them!! Gun goes and im off, I get a cracking start and im flying, then I stumble off hurdle 4 and loose my rhythm, start to recover over the next hurdle, but then crash the 6th, then im going too high over the hurdles, im all over the place. Im still in 1st place im thinking...I jog across the line for some reason, disgust I think. I win the race by half a second but I am told off later by a friend for jogging in. My coach Ian says always run through the line, you never know it might be a good time. They are right. Im more annoyed that I didn't take advantage of the great conditions. Mondo track, plus 25 degrees, no wind.

But it was a good learning experience and I have to remember that this time last week I was still out injured, So now I will try and get some fitness back and loose a couple of pounds I managed to find! I also need to work on some technical stuff half way through the race, maintaining good rhythm.  Next race is on 21st May, the Loughborough international. If all goes to plan we should be ready for this one!!

My time currently ranks me 8th in the UK which is good considering that the 1st 5 are occupied by hurdlers that ran in the commonwealth games.

110mh UK Rankings

5th May 2006

The past few weeks have been hard, not only due to being injured but I have been missing my mum real bad. Just want to hear her voice again, just for one last chat, I would give both my legs just to have 1 last minute with her. But this is life and you gotta crack on. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger and the whole thing has made me mentally strong as an ox.
Well I have been back at training this week and the injury appears to have cleared up with the 2 and a bit weeks I have had off. 1st session back was last Tuesday, I did 3 x 3 100m with 30 seconds recovery in between. Starting at a canter and gradually building up to a sprint. Only in trainers though so I wouldn't aggravate the tendon.

My session last night was my 1st over hurdles since my race on the 15th April, needless to say the 1st few runs were very rusty and I was quite frustrated, but my coach Ian said just carry on and focus at attacking the 1st hurdle and making it clean. By the 6th run I was back where I wanted to be. Trail leg snapping down, lead leg was just a little slow. But that will get quicker by June.
So im all set for what will be a busy weekend. British league at Copthall tomorrow then flying out to Stansted tomorrow evening to race at the European Permit meeting in Pavia, nr Milan on Sunday afternoon. Competition here will be hot so the race tomorrow will be a good warm up.

I have no I idea of what I will run as I have been out injured for a while, but if I run anything slower than 14.5 I wont be pleased!


22nd April 2006

Well as an athlete its times like this where you are really tested. Having to sit on the sidelines, unable to train. Yep its that time again. Im injured.
Hopefully not too bad though. It would appear to be an aggravation or strain of the tendons that join the pubic bone to the lower abdominals. Normal cause is over training so at least I have been working hard enough!! I am looking at 7-10 days without running of any kind or any strenuous activity that utilizes that muscle group.
I tried to train this week just gone on Tuesday and Thursday, but on both occasions I had to stop right at the start as I felt pain doing easy strides. In hindsight doing the meeting at Kingston last weekend (although racing with only with 90% effort to protect the injury) may not have helped. There was no pain in warm up and during the races, but the damage was being done as I am now out for at least a week. Well on the up side my local health shop Healthright based in Aylesbury and Chesham have sponsored me for supplements and protein. My 1st delivery of protein arrived on Friday gone. So I will be super strong in a month or so.

I have the race video of the hurdles from Kingston and my hurdles race looks good. Nice and relaxed so I will review this with my coach and see where we can improve it was a bit messy in places but thats positive. See the videos section for the clip.
Will update in a week or so to let you know if this injury goes or not. Fingers crossed it will be gone.

15th April 2006

Today was okay for a little opener. Low key meeting at Kingston. I wasn't sure if I was going to run or not as I pulled my lower abs in training in the week. But warmed up for the 100m 1st event and there wasn't any pain so decided to carry on. As I'm warming up realise there are no blocks. Don't worry myself too much as its a pretty low key meet and Ian (my coach) says to use it as a training session. React to the gun and drive out, start ticking over and about 20m from the line just start to stride and relax maintaining technique. Time is 11.2 with +2.9 not bad for 1st race out without blocks. Then the hurdles came about 20mins later, couldn't do much drills as the officials wanted them on the marks. Got a sluggish reaction to the gun. But once got a few hurdles out of the way its ok, crash hurdle 8 with my trail leg quite hard and stumble and step out of my lane, last 2 hurdles are recovery ones I stride across the line. Got a ticking off from the official for going out of lane. Time announced, 14.5 legal 1.8 wind. 'I'll take that' I think to myself. The 200m is about 25 mins later. I'm called to my marks and still have my trainers on! Didn't get a chance to do any proper warm ups and I ease around so I don't injure myself, thinking about technique in 23.0 with a +2.8 wind. Not too bad. Felt a little tired but that should be better. Then do the 3rd leg of the relay about 30mins later. Calf feels stiff, probably fatigue. All in all a decent day, 1st meeting out. Equal p.b in the hurdles 1st race. Probably what I was looking for. I have also managed to get into a race in Italy on 7th May, flight and accommodation paid for and prize money for 1st 2nd and 3rd. I expect some sub 14 second guys there so it shall be a good race. Feeling quite tired now. Having a bath then bed. Resting for 2 days to get this minor injury healed then back to training Tuesday. Thanks for reading!

10th April 2006

Time for a little update, just got back from Gran Canaria warm weather training. I had done some nigh shifts prior to flying out so was a little tired the 1st few days out there. Hamstrings have been a little tight this week due to the intensity and speed of the training, but the hurdles sessions have been going really well.  It has been nice to get out here and just focus on my training. One of the last sessions we did was races over about 80 metres up some steep sand dunes. Oh my goodness. I never felt pain like it!! But it will all be worth it when I run the times I am hoping for.

My 1st race of the season is on Saturday 15th April. My coach Ian and I have discussed how we are going to attack the season and we have decided to continue to focus on speed endurance right up until the end of May beginning of June. This will include doing some longer hurdles sessions and doing some 200 metre races. The weakest part of my race is my endurance after hurdle 6 so we are looking to put that right. As a result of this I wont be race sharp until late June, but I want peak performance around this time anyhow as this is when the national champs are taking place.
My trail leg is really coming down sharp now, all that hard work doing drills seems to finally be working and I feel really strong running in between the hurdles too, this is down to a combination of sticking to a strict weights programme twice a week and all the speed endurance stuff we do.

The outdoor season is around the corner and I am sure my mum would have been proud of all the hard work I have put in. Its been hard to get to where I am now and there is still more hard work to come. Im confident that all this training will produce some cracking results at some stage this season. Watch this space...
 

18 March 2006

Well its about that time of the year.
The excitement and expectation of the indoors have worn off, the weather is still cold and the beginning of the outdoors seems some way off. But this year even more difficult as the commonwealths will have us all itching to compete.

The sessions have been long and hard, both mentally and physically. Add in some night shifts last week for good measure and it has been a right battle. It would be so easy to slack off now and just concentrate on work or other important things in life at the moment. I don't seem to have enough hours in the day at the moment to fit it all in.

BUT the turning point came last Tuesday. I woke up at 8am to get ready for training at 9.30 down at my local track. I have to to this session on my own as I am scheduled to work 2pm-9pm today so I wont be able to train in the evening with the rest of the gang. Its a speed endurance session today. 2 x 200, 2 x 150, 2 x 100 at about 85-90%. Im lying in bed thinking. I don't start work till 2, I could have a nice lie in till about midday! I then picture Mo Sillah Freckleton collecting his bronze medal won in 7.99 seconds. Im dressed in a flash.

Step out side, its cold. Raining too. I get down the track. Start my warm up. My motivation is minimal, no-one in sight, early in the morning, and a long session ahead of me. The rain attempts to beat me down...I turn up my mp3 player. My fave tune at the moment is on, and I'm sprung into life. The pace judgement of the session is hard, but my stopwatch gives me a guide and the times are reasonable. I finish feeling a sense of achievement. My hardest mental battle yet.

Weights on Wednesday was tough and Thursday was possibly the most difficult session (physically) that I have done. Medicine ball for 30mins, lots of hurdle walkovers, some drills and runs over 12 hurdles, then some circuits to finish. Leave the track at half 9 and am home for half 10. Only to be up for work again at 6am...BUT there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I have booked my flight for warm weather training in Gran Canaria going at the beginning of April for 1 week so I can get some quality training done without the distraction of work.

For those that are reading this and are going through similar tough times. Keep driving on. This is the period where seasons are made or lost. Its up to you to make it.
I once read on one of those motivational posters 'There are no spectators on the road to glory'. Its oh so relevant now!!


8th March 2006

Hope you like the new look website!! Its taken me ages to do so I hope you do!!

Its been a little while since the last update and lots been going on. I'll start with the break I had in Prague straight after the AAA's.
Prague was lovely itself, truly breathtaking architecture and friendly locals. I will definitely go again. I treated myself to a beer while I was out there too (well it was my week off!!)
On the last day there I went to the sports centre and we stumbled across the athletics centre, needless to say I had to investigate further, upon entering the indoor track (it was 1degree outside) I saw a familiar figure. 'No way, I say to myself as I realise Roman Sebrle is training. Current Olympic champion and world record holder for Decathlon. I waited till he finished and we had a quick chat I was proud to get in the fact I had ran 7.96...hehehe. He told me he will be competing in this weekend World Indoor Champs so I will watch with interest, a really down to earth man. Good luck to him.

Upon getting back to the UK I spent the rest of the week off training to help recover from the aches and pains.
Since getting back to training it has been a shock to the system session. Drills over 12 hurdles then 3 runs over all 12 down the middle are common, I also started sand circuits for the 1st time. I cant say it was enjoyable, but they say no pain no gain. I have started all of my running again to build up my speed endurance. Sessions like 3 x 200m 3 x 150m and 3 x 100 have been done. The pain is awful as I have lost some conditioning whilst competing over the shorter distance so I need to build it back up again.

My training group are all going on warm weather training to Gran Canaria at the beginning of April, I am 50/50 for going with them at the moment as I have been strapped for cash. Things like food supplements (£30 for 2 weeks supply), track and gym subscriptions, petrol cost travelling from Aylesbury to Uxbridge and Windsor, and physio are all mounting up (Not to mention holding down at mortgage and a house!) so I have decided to approach some companies local to me for sponsorship. I will also try the company I work for National Grid and see if they can help as I would benefit hugely from training in warmer conditions for a week just focusing on training and nothing else. Its gives you a chance to sharpen up ready for the Outdoor season, which by then wont be far off.

I am hoping to do a few 200m races at Watford on the 22nd March. I will use it as a speed endurance session and a guide as to where I am in terms of fitness. I am aiming to run pretty close to my p.b of 22.0 so something in the region of 22.2 or 22.3 I will be pleased with.

The World Indoor championships and the Commonwealth games are coming up soon and will be televised so I will be found near a telly at most time in the next few weeks....and down the track of course!! Some people I know will be running so I will be cheering them on. I will be also looking at my future opposition with the guys running for England in the Commonwealths.

Oh yes, I have to mention a well done to my team Arsenal. Commiserations to Chelsea and Liverpool supporters. Your time will come....he he

12 February 2006

Well, I will start with the golden words I have been waiting to say since my mum died. 7.96s and AAA's final. If you have been following my website. I made that promise in the chapel of rest to my mum. As I warmed down after coming second in my heat with 7.96 as the 3rd fastest qualifier for the final I cried tears of relief and joy. Now I could really enjoy the final.
I got left in the blocks a little bit in the final but finished strongly, which stands me in good stead for a quick outdoor 110mh time. Dipped and crossed the line saw lots of people in a line with me, not sure whether I was 2nd or 6th!!
Bronze was 7.99 and I was fourth in 8.01. However I am still pleased that I came fourth in the AAA's final.

Mission accomplished my goals for the indoors achieved. I have only had a coach and been training 5 days a week since end of Oct. So it’s still early days, I am still working fulltime too so there is more to come. I have started my new job too which gives me more time off, so big things outdoors to come. Watch this space!!! Now I’m off to Prague this evening for a few days away. Relax and chill and reflect on the last crazy 5 months. Thanks for reading. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me through this, no names as that would be unfair as you always miss someone out, but you know who you are!!

10 February 06

Well after racing on Sat my hamstrings and shins were very sore. So I have just rested and got massage this week, Also had the week off work so have got some proper sleep and feel fresh as a daisy. Trained last night, I call it the 'race warm up session'. Nothing too heavy just basically imitated what I will do in warm up tomorrow at the AAA's. Jog, stretch, running drills, hurdles drills and 2 or 3 runs out of blocks over 2 hurdles. It felt good. Hamstrings were fine and shins ok :). Michael Dyer who ran 8.26 last weekend got a 'flyer' (reaction before the gun) and I had over taken him by hurdle 2 after being about a yard down at the 1st hurdle so I have the sharpness in my legs.

My head is right and I know what I want to do. Driving up to Sheffield a bit later and chilling tonight. Then the fun begins.
Here's hoping the next journal entry starts with a 'seven' or the word 'final'.....

05 February 2006

Having just seen the video of my second race at Eton today, I would normally be pleased. But something is missing. As I hear my girlfriend and my sister shouting for me, I feel the need to shed a tear. This time last year these cheers would be intertwined with my mums cheering.
I would love for her to see how I am doing now, right up there with the top boys in the country. Mixing it with the best. She used to always say I could make it. I know what my goals are, and im not stopping until I achieve them or my legs are incapable of hurdling any longer. I have no distractions anymore. From the age of 16 I was smoking and drinking hard. I used to not care because I still running fairly quick and making national finals and winning medal. I remember once going out and getting smashed and then driving up to Bedford the next day hung-over as hell and running 14.7. What a waster. I used to kid myself that smoking only harmed long distance athletes and that it was ok to get drunk the night before a race. I hope its not to late for me and I haven't missed the bus so to speak. Its the reason why people like Andy Turner have gone from being at the same level as me to being in the Olympics. But I now have a stable job, and a nice roof over my head. Kind of grown up I know but at least it gives me chance to focus on the task in hand. I have a four year plan. In those four years I want to make a major championships. Hopefully in a few years I would have enough money to work part-time for 6 months or a year, then I can really give it a go. My long term aim I suppose is to make the next Commonwealths as the qualifying isn't as tough. But the current task in hand is the AAA's on Sat and I plan to whip up a storm.

This week has been tough at work on early shifts meaning im getting up for work at 6, so on Friday I am feeling really tired. Didn't get to bed till 1am last night watching telly and playing x-box, not ideal prep when you are already tired.
Wake up on Sat morning with phone call from Sol Train (Soloman Daniels) about his lift. Im thinking I need another few hours in bed man. My shins are sore, I get some frozen veg on then and get ready.
Get down the track, chat to some of the crew and feel good.
Have to warm up outside as the 60 sprints are going on, hamstrings are getting tight as its cold so I cut it short and go inside. No room to do much inside so I sit and stretch for 15 mins till my race gets called up. The hurdles are called up and I look to do some warm ups, hamstrings are like guitar strings, can feel it pinging. Stretch a bit more go to find out what lane im in so I can do some warm ups. They're still sorting in out, finally find out what lane im in and then manage to rush to runs out of blocks over 3 hurdles. Don't feel great, feel tight. Shins are fine though. Im praying for the hammys to be ok. Even thinking of pulling out.

I go down to my marks, my head isn't on this, im not confident, I take 1st hurdle and stumble, then leather the 2nd hurdle and nearly run out my lane (see the video) I try to regain composure and do so, but ease up on the line as I know its poor. Time is 8.20, not bad considering it was a complete nightmare. Decide this is it now, im vex. This next one is for mum. Get my tunes on and wait till they call me up for my race. Im bubbling now, hamstrings are tight still, but my head is right. They call us and I get the chance to do one warm up run, no time for drills. The warm up run is ok. Im ready.

React to the gun reasonably could have been better, but I switch up a gear, get half way and start floating a little but hurdles 4 and 5 are solid, started dipping a bit early for the line. Felt quite quick. 8.01 equal pb. Pleased but frustrated at not going under 8. Hamstrings are now sore, not doing the 60m sprint. Get some ice on them and reflect with my coach and a protein shake which I manage to spill everywhere when the lid come off!!
All in all a decent day, considering poor warm up and hammys. I have the week off work this week so I can get good sleep and chill. Not training till Thursday. Going to rest the hammys and get some massage then drive up to Sheffield on Friday night. For Saturday is the big one. I cant wait. I love the AAA's. I will enjoy the experience. After all that's what's its about!!!!

31 January 2006
Sometimes in life you believe you are just not destined to do something. But you still refuse to give in and you battle on.
On Friday I took a trip up to Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire deep in South Wales to visit one of my best mates who I hadn't seen in months. I Left work at 5pm and got there at 9pm. As I was tired and its a long drive, when I got there instead of going out we just chilled and caught up on news.
The next morning I am woken by a phone call...

'Dwayne can you be at Stanstead Airport for 2pm, They want you to run for England in Bratislava on Sunday night.'
My heart sinks as I know there is no chance of me making it as I am 215miles from home in Aylesbury let alone Stanstead. I just could not believe my bad fortune. I try and reason and get a later flight but they cant do it so I miss my chance of getting an international vest.
But this has fuelled me more to go for another chance. The times are hotting up now as we approach the AAA's. At least 6 people have gone under 8 secs.

So come Sat when I step foot on the track at Eton. I have to take things up a notch. I had a good training session last Thursday and trail leg got tidier as the session went on.
Work has been hard in the last week, but I have next week off, which will be a welcome break.
My physio Bob seems to have fixed my sore shins and tight back and im all set for a good training session on Thursday.
The AAA's is going to be good. Booked my hotel and tickets for family today. Fingers crossed everything stays in one piece.

22 January 2006
The title sums up yesterday really, I ran 8.06 and was beaten by Duncan Malins who ran 7.96. Which will have satisfied the England team selectors that they made the right decision....
I got out the blocks well and was leading till hurdle 3, but again hit hard with my trail leg. Then Duncan pulled level and put me under pressure, hurdles 4 was better, we came to the last hurdle neck and neck, could I handle the pressure??? The answer on this occasion was no and I clatter the last hurdle with my trail leg again and lost.

BUT having slept off the frustration, I have to remember that I work fulltime, 40hours a week, got a mortgage and still pushing the tops boys to the line. Also I have run inside my old pb of 8.08 again, so I am consistent at least.
At the start of this winter, I said I want to make AAA's indoor final and run under 8 secs. This is still very much my goals and I can believe I can do it.
Not competing again till he 4th now, need to recover from the three weeks racing on the trot since the turn of the year, and get this lazy trail leg sorted.
 

20 January 2006
Its been a busy week, I have been away on a training course and the week has flown by.
I found out via text message that I had not been picked for the England team but Duncan Malins who I beat twice at Loughborough had been, based on his outdoor form last year, which to be fair is far superior to mine. But in all honesty, I wasn't really an athlete then. I have trained hard and properly since Oct and now the rewards are coming. Being 2nd in the UK rankings with my 1st race out in Bath I thought may have got me the verdict but, there will be other times, this is just the beginning and its retribution tomorrow at the Southerns at Brunel Uni. The place I like to call second home. Many a evening have been spent there till sometimes half 9pm, meaning I don't get home till half 10. I will be very familiar with my surroundings. But it makes no difference. The people beside me will be out to beat me, thrash me even. But I want it bad. Im hungry. Had a very sharp blocks session yesterday, its danger. Im going to get some sleep now, for when I wake, it will be a new day, new challenge, new page in the book. England athletics, hope you are taking note...Lets roll.

14 January 2006
Was a decent day at the office today, not under 8secs though.
The line up today was tastier than I was expecting. David Hughes (Euro U23 champ last year), Duncan Malins, Dominic Girdler, Richard Alleyne and Jordan Flearly, all bar Jordan ran under 8 last year. I knew I had to get my skates on for this one.
Warm up went well and I was focusing on what my coach Ian told me, 'get your feet down quicker to the 1st hurdle and run off it'. Went down to my blocks, false start by someone to my right. Went down again, false start this time by me. Im thinking damn, gonna have to sit back and chill now. Gun goes and we're rolling. Dip for the line and all I can see in Dom Girdler to my left, im thinking this must be quick. He (Dom) ran 7.83 last year.

Times come through, I Came second to Dom Girdler he ran 7.98 I ran 8.04, bit annoyed that I didn't go under 8 secs but I have beat Duncan Malins and Richard Alleyne who were quicker than me last year. So it's kinda going in the right direction, David Hughes didn't finish as he hit the hurdles hard and fell but im sure he'll be back. As will Richard and Duncan. These boys are always a danger, but I hope they realise I want a slice of a pie this year too!! Then I did a 60m and ran p.b 7.18 then half 45 mins later did another 60mh and ran 8.09 smashing h3 with my trail (still hurts now I got some ice on it) I had a better start this time and was leading up till that 3rd hurdle but I pulled it back and came second to Dom again who ran 8.05.

Next stop Southerns at Brunel!!! Surely must go under 8 secs there!! My aim is to win, nothing else on my mind. Still ranked 2nd in the UK rankings which is cool, but its still early so not getting too excited. The indoor season for most people has just started really. The real business starts next week. By then I would have had 3 weeks of speed work in my legs and I will start to cut the training down, ready to peak for the AAA's champs.

UK rankings mens 60mh

Sunday 8th Jan 2006

Well its time for a little update. I like to think of myself as a man of his word. Promises are usually kept, I like to believe that anyway. When I found myself in the chapel of rest looking over my mum for the last time. I made a promise. That I would run a p.b this year for her...

I woke up this morning (Sunday) back a little stiff, thought to myself 'gosh here we go'. So did a little stretch. I am thinking to myself, I gotta race today, so I get my laptop out and get some tunes going, get me in the mood and woken up. Get some brekkie, pack my stuff, have I got everything.? I think to myself. Spikes and vest. That's the main thing.
Got to Bath, checked out the facility. I'm thinking its nice here, ample weights facilities and lovely indoor track. Reminded me a bit of Disney world of sport in Florida.

So im listening to never scared remix, doing my warm up stretches. Getting a little nervous now, thinking that's cool, get the adrenalin going. Go down to warm up and do a trail leg drill. Im all over the place. Come on fix up I say to myself. Get my head on and knock out some quality drills. Feel sharp and leave it there. Get called to our blocks to set them up...looking for tape to measure blocks. Realise its at home. Look across the track, see a tape measure in lane one, like it dropped from the heavens! Kindly Tom Carey lets me borrow it. Do a few runs over h1 and h2, feel ok.
Get called to our marks, I do the cross sign that you see all the athletes do on telly and kiss my mums chain. I can feel she's here. Gun goes and just run and jump, don't think anything, just on auto pilot, cross the line and think ok that was ok. I won. Bit apprehensive of the time as the track felt soft in warm up.

Malcolm Arnold comes up to me and says that was 8.01. I stand there just for a few seconds while it sinks in. '8.21?' I say to him, he replies '8.01'. I shout yeeeessss, and the feeling is indescribable.

Thanks mum, I say to myself. Now I can move on. I know she is in the heavens smiling as much as me. Now please rest in peace. Promise has been fulfilled. I was looking for 8.07 today previous PB was 8.08. But 8.01, didn't quiet expect that 1st race out, but I will not get carried away and my goals remain the same for the time being. 8.01 currently ranks me top in the UK, but realistically will rank me top ten going on the rankings in the last few seasons. But hopefully it will send out a message that im not playing games this year. I want to be in that AAA's final in Sheffield and im hungry.
I have changed my lifestyle a lot to get to where I am now. I have been getting minimum 6hours sleep as opposed to 4 or 5 hours and nearly falling asleep at my desk, I have been eating a planned, structured diet. I haven't been out boozing as much and I have been sticking to 4 or 5 days a week training. Whilst working Mon-Fri 8-5. But I start shifts in a few weeks which will mean much more time to train. Having a hurdles coach has made a huge difference too.
Mission sub 8 is very much ON, and im 2/100ths of a second away from it, next stop Loughborough!!

6th Jan 2006
Well its Thursday night and its late, I should be in bed by now coz im up for work at 6.15. What am I thinking?! Anyway, I need to write this. After a days work today I fled down to Brunel for a blocks session, made a few adjustments to block settings, felt sharp considering it was 1st sesh out of blocks. Im good to go. 1st stop Bath on Sunday. Lets do this.

Shortly before my mum passed away suddenly on Oct 1st, we were talking about how I was going to train hard this winter and how I was going to take athletics seriously this year. Well now is the time to do the business. Mp3 player is loaded with pre-race tunes - Lethal B, Busta and Lil John never scared remix, and track 8 on Kano's album. Cant remember what its called but its off the meat rack!!

Someone at work said to me today why do you bother with all this training when you don't get paid to run and you have a well paid job? You could go back semi pro football and earn 50quid a week for training twice a week and still drink beer! Just before I gave up, I would have agreed and laughed along. But things are different now. I just said back, 'I don't think I have reached my potential in the hurdles yet and I love the feeling of coming out on top of a hard session when its 2 degrees, that feeling of anticipation before a race, when you KNOW you have put in the work, better still running your socks off and running a p.b, you just cant buy that feeling' my man just stood there like I was a madman.

You gotta come from rock bottom, to really enjoy your good times. That's what it all about. You might be at the bottom now, looking to one day prove yourself, frustrated at injury or struggling for motivation, but I always say those who don't have dreams don't have much. Live for your dreams, even if you don't get there, it'll be fun trying.

Mission Sub 8 Seconds has resumed. This time, I'm ready....

27th Dec 2005
Its been over a month so lets pick up where I left off....
Since the last update everything has been going great, mentally it has been hard though especially in the last 2 weeks or so as juggling starting a new job and trying to maintain the level of training I am looking for doesn't leave much time for much else. Not to mention it being the lead up to xmas which is madness at the best of times!! Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday up for work at 6.15am, start work at 8am. Finish work at 4.30pm. Drive to training and start training for half 5. Leave training at 8 (or sometimes 9 if im training at Uxbridge), then an hour drive home. Normally home for 9 or 10ish. But I have stuck at it and I am starting to see the benefits now. I have lost half a stone since September, and body fat has reduced by nearly 2 %.
The hurdling is going really well, my hurdles coach Ian Grant has really put me through my paces with his hurdle sessions and his extremely difficult circuits! I feel a lot smoother over the hurdle now, I can really attack them. The sprinting has been going well down at Windsor with Keith Flemings group. Some really hard sessions and especially in the last few weeks I have been feeling the strain. I have also had some good sessions at Aylesbury with Scott Graces group. So its all coming together. Although I have had a well deserved break since 24th Dec, now I will start prep for competing on 8th Jan which will be my 1st race. Its time to start practicing starting blocks and really blasting some short runs. Wake up those fast twitch fibres!! Watch this space....

23rd Nov 2005
Well its been nearly a month since the last update, and things are going really well. I have started my technical hurdle work with new coach Ian Grant on Sundays in Woodford Green East London and every other Thursday down the new indoor track at Brunel. Just a few tweaks he has made has got me hurdling MUCH smoother. It felt odd in the 1st session, and he was telling me to do things but once I got used to it. Flying. I have been hitting the weights hard on Mondays and Fridays down at Windsor with the crew down there. We have a really good positive thing going on down there. Everyone pushes each other and offers tips and advice Track sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays are coming together slowing but surely. I started off very rusty at beginning of Nov but now people are saying I look smooth again. I am confident that if I continue to progress as I am, a PB will be possible 1st race out. Every time I struggle or if I am tired from work and don't want to train, I think of my mum and I quickly get into gear again. The weather has been harsh the last few weeks, but that's small detail. Im just chipping away week by week, its all coming together. I have good training groups around me now and a good support network. Everything is in place for a great indoor season. Of course not everything will go right in the lead up, but for now things are all good!! 6 1/2 weeks and counting to blast off!!

5th Nov 2005
Sometimes in life you are thrown challenges that pale everything else into insignificance. Finding my mum dead on Oct 1st did just about that. She was 44 and died instantly of a pulmonary embolism (blood clot on the lung). Its easy to ask questions and wonder 'why'? But the fact remains that if its your time to be summoned, that's it. My mum gave my sister and I the tools to get by in life and do well, now her work is done, I will continue what she has started. I got the promotion shortly before she died, it was probably her last request before she died, she also was 200% into my athletics. She told me about a month or 2 ago that I had a gift and that I had to fulfil it. Well now is the time. Those of you that know me well will know how positive I am staying. My parents instilled that in me. That's me. I miss her to bits and its a huge gap in my life now, but she is in a better place, no worries, cannot be harmed.
On the flip side, I am down here and with a job to do....I have mums camcorder and on it is the race in Bedford where I was on the way to a 14.3 clocking but stumbled at the end (15th June update below) she is shouting GO on Dwayne, all the way through, loud and clear. Every time I train or compete, I will her that ringing through. The job is to fulfil my potential, that's what I can do for her. I has resumed full 5 days a week training on the 24th Oct, and I have more motivation than ever. Training is starting to come back together this week after I had a 3 week break. I made my mum a promise at the funeral. Just in a quiet prayer. Watch this space. You will see that promise fulfilled. P.Bs WILL be SMASHED. R.IP MUM. Nothing but love for ya.

28th Sept 2005
Well the winter training is underway and training 4 or 5 times a week is hard work. But the first 2 weeks of winter training are always painful. Feeling quite positive about the coming season as I ran a low key southern league race at Windsor 6 weeks after the AAA's after doing no track work and ran 14.6 hand times for the 110h and 22.6 for the 200m with my legs nearly falling off at the end. Work has been busy too, managed a promotion and start the new shifts in Dec should give me more time to train. Check out the new training plan, and I'll keep you posted on progress.

Stoddy

21st July 2005
Well its been a weekend of surprises in Manchester, not to mention the glorious weather!! Best weather I can remember at the AAA's ever. Claxton had a fab rub, ,Marlons DQ drama, Douglas nearly jumping outta the pit, 400mh for men and women both provided shocks. Its what the AAA's is all about. (One big breakthrough I thought was Greg Rutherford who did one 7.70odd jump to win the long, like it was some routine, then made the final of the mens 100m! We'll be seeing a lot more from him if he stays away from injury.)
My exploits were a little hampered pulling my hammy last Thursday, but I iced it straight after and got some top class physio on it before the race on Saturday, I ran 14.73 (-1.1) in my heat and came 4th. Not too bad considering I was 75% fit. I went to see the physio after and they advised that I had a lot of scar tissue left over from my previous hamstring injury years ago, and that I will keep getting problems till its sorted. So I have a plan. Im going to not race for at least a month and im going to get lots of deep tissue massage on my hammy until the scar tissue is more or less gone, im then going to try and do a race at the end of August to see where im at, then im flying out to Dublin in Sept to see a specialist who does laser surgery to permanently remove scar tissue. Whist im not able to sprint I will do loads of CV and swimming and circuit to loose a few kilos and improve general fitness. I spoke to Ian Grant (Julie Pratts coach) and also a friend Tom Carey who is coached by Malcolm Arnold (Colin Jackson's old coach) and arranged to train with them this winter so, things are taking shape for next year. Im going to make this one the big breakthrough, its about time. Im going to turn the training up to 4 times a week and see what happens. I bought Denis Lewis' autobiography to give me inspiration and also for an insight on how to get through injury's and still come out a champion. I mean business next year. I WILL break my PB and I truly believe that. Watch this space.

Wednesday 6th July 2005
Well its been a while since the last update so I though I better fill the gaps. After the 'mare' at Bedford, I managed to make the British league race, but I pulled my hamstring again in warm up and ran 14.8. So I have had to leave out track work until yesterday. I still have been keeping the fitness up by doing circuits and swimming, plenty of stretching too.
Training went well yesterday, I warmed up and did some runs over one or 2 hurdles from blocks. No reaction from the hamstring so I will be going up to Manchester on Friday to compete in the AAA's national champs and World/Commonwealth trials on Sat, the final is on BBC at 5pm. But I have the heats to worry about first which will be VERY tough to get through, but I will be up for this and I will be looking for a p.b of 14.48 or quicker..

Wednesday 15th June 2005
Training was going well leading up to Sundays race but unfortunately Sunday didn't go well at all, I got a reasonable reaction to the gun, not my best, but I was in contention. For some reason my hips were low and I was hitting hurdles with the back of leg, but I was neck and neck with the leader until hurdle 9 when I clashed arms with the athlete on my right, I was off balance and 'horse jumped' the last hurdle, stumbled on the run in and then 5 athletes went past. There's no margin for the smallest error at this level. I finished in 6th with 14.88, the winner ran 14.38 which I was on track for. The race was aided by an illegal +2.6 wind so it wouldn't have counted for rankings, but I was still really annoyed with myself. I watched the video of the race when I got home about 50 times, managed to get some positives from it, I now know I need to work on keeping my hips high and leaning into the hurdle, also some starting block work wouldn't go amiss.......but there was one problem, during warm up strides last night I pulled my hamstring 'yes the same one'. So I will not be competing this weekend. I am seeing physio Bob tomorrow, fingers crossed he has the magic touch!! I am still optimistic and this is just a minor setback which means I cant do any sprinting. But I can still do some CV work and some circuits to keep me in shape, I just hope I can race in the British League on the 25th and then Watford on the 29th because the AAA's national champs/World trials are on the 9th July. The clock is ticking.....

Sunday 5th June 2005
Well the season is officially back on track...came down with some cold/flu type thing on Thursday but I wasn't going to let that interrupt proceedings. British league at Eton, and I needed to respond to the poor run at the inter-counties in Bedford. I felt positive in warm up, if a little jaded down to the cold. I cant do Lemsip max as there's something in there which is banned on the drugs list. I got into the blocks aware that there were a few guys in the race who have been running mid 14 secs recently for fun....
Reacted to the gun reasonable well, really attacked the first hurdle and came off it well, which is so important. Maintained a good rhythm and was leading until hurdle six, then slightly misjudged and my balance went a little, then came Mr Matt Butler from Cardiff on my right hand side (p.b 14.08) he snuk past me on hurdle seven and grabbed the win on the line by half a metre or so. The clock stopped at 14.30. So it was going to be a reasonable time. My official time was 2nd place in 14.51 secs but the wind was +2.6,just over the 2.0 limit again!! So I am yet to break into the rankings as my fastest legal time was 14.8 at the Berkshire champs. I know I am in p.b shape right now though so I will keep chipping away. Next race is the Bedford International Games a week today. Lets see if I can do the p.b there....with a legal wind!!!

Here are the current UK rankings as an indication to where I am:

UK rankings 110m hurdles 2005

In the meantime the area where I live have a website for local residents. They have kindly done a front page article on my athletics and search for sponsorship, link below

Fairford Leys news article

Sunday 29th May 2005
Got back from Spain on Tuesday it was great and the sports facilities in Alicante were very good. I would definitely use it again for a warm weather training base. Met some cool people and generally enjoyed being in Spain. Back to the real world with a bump, straight back into work on Wednesday, competed today at the CAU inter-counties, had a stinker, didn't react to the gun and crashed some hurdles, result 14.92 and didn't make the final, still though, training in Alicante went really well. I had some promising sessions and I have the British league this Saturday at Eton to put it right....

Sunday 15th May 2005
Well the weather was ideal today, and the performances weren't bad. There was only 2 competitors in the mens 110 hurdles and I won in 14.8 easing down at the end, I would have normally run through the line, but after hurdle 7 I lost my balance and all my speed went so I kind of gave up going for a fast time. I came second in the 200m with 22.5. Not bad for this stage of the season, and bang on for what I was aiming for. Flying out to Spain in about 36 hours, can't wait to get out there and relax and put in some quality training without worrying about going to work :o) When I get back my next meeting is in Bedford on Sunday 29th for the CAU inter-counties champs, all the top athletes from each county in England going head to head. It should be good. Well im off to get packing. Speak soon.

Tuesday 10th May 2005
Someone pointed out to me down the track tonight that I am currently ranked 10th in Europe for 110m hurdles wind assisted times, obviously it wont be like that for long, but its nice to have your name up there.....
European top 30 rankings 2005
Training went well this evening, half flogged myself to death though, body circuits and interval rowing. Need to loose a few pounds before the height of the season, 14st 4lbs isn't acceptable not is 16% body fat. (Tamitya scales readings).
I am aiming to break my own county record (14.8) this Sunday at the Berkshire champs and also aim to give a few of them 200m runners a scare in the 200m!! Then 3 days later im off to Alicante in Spain for a week of training and relaxing. Cannot wait.



Sunday 8th May 2005
Well Saturday was a good day, won the 'A' race in 14.41secs with a +2.6 wind, that's my 2nd fastest time ever and I was aiming for 14.9 so im pleased with the season opener. Also ran the final leg in the 4x100 relay which will be good for some speed work. Now onto Berkshire champs this weekend...

Thursday 5th May 2005
Less than 48hours to go until the 1st race of the season. I haven't trained in over a week because of work/other commitments so I am sceptical of how the 1st race will go. I cant be in worse shape than I was last year for my 1st race, that was with hardly any training behind me and I still ran 15.2 so I should be ok for sub 15secs.
I think I will just have to 'race myself into shape' as training hasn't gone how I would have liked it in the last 3 weeks. I have missed a hell of a lot because of other things going on, but I can make it back up. I just have to keep reminding myself that what I achieved last summer was off the back on no prep at all and I have 9 months of preparation behind me this year. It might only be 3 days a week prep I have been doing but lets hope its enough to get something out of this season. I need to refocus and get mentally switched on. Between now and when I leave to go to Spain on the 17th I need to step up the training and run well in my 2 meetings, that should set me up nicely for when I come back to England and run at the inter-counties champs at Bedford. I have done my competition schedule which is now on my home page, its gonna be a long summer!!
The prerace tunes are loaded onto the Mp3 player and I will start preparing my kit tonight. The mission has begun....

Wednesday 20th April 2005
Well its been 2 months since the last update, so better fill you in on the progress! I have successfully moved house and have settled in nicely. I had to move my internet connection, hence the new website address.
As for the end of my indoor season, I ran 8.21 for the 60m hurdles and 7.25 for the 60m sprint. Not amazing times. But ranked 13th overall in the UK for the indoor season 2005 with a time of 8.11 aint bad I suppose in my 1st winter back, with just training 3 or 4 times a week.

So...I had a 2 week break in March to sort out the house move, then I go stuck into some training. I have been doing lots of technical hurdle work and lots of fast sprinting session to get those fast twitch fibres going. I have also hit the weights too. I have managed to find a track down the road from where I live, its the facility at Stoke Mandeville, where I believe the Wheelchair Olympics have been held a few times. Its a great facility. The people down there have been really friendly and welcoming too. Cheers Aylesbury Vale athletic club! Everyone around me in fact has been real supportive. My Mum, Dad, Cassie, sis, Lara, Shady, Kelvin, Beckham, everyone I train with. Its really appreciated guys, thanks.

Im currently doing weights Monday, Cardiovascular Tuesday, Fast sprint work Thursday, technical hurdles Sunday. The outdoor season is just around the corner where I will be contesting the slightly longer 110m hurdles. My physio Bob has been keeping every thing in check, the mans a legend.
My 1st meeting for this years outdoors season is the British League in Cardiff on May 7th, then I have the county championships on the 13th May at Bracknell sports centre. I have arranged some warm weather training on the cheap, going to Alicante (Torrejaeva) 3rd week in May for a week of quality training and also to get away from work and chill out for a bit. Then hopefully come back for the National CAU inter-counties champs at Bedford on the 29th May fresh as a daisy and ready to roll.

Much to my disgust I am away for the FA cup final between Arsenal and Man U on the 21st, but that's another story! I will be searching the bars of Alicante for a pub with English footy!

I have decided I need a photographer to capture some images of me racing to put up on the site, anyone have any recommendations or fancy it drop me a mail. I will get a comp schedule up here soon and further news of my plans for this season. I hope to open up my season with 14.8 finishing somewhere around the 14 second mark by August. I ran 14.31 wind assisted in my last meeting outdoors in August and my legal p.b is 14.48. This year I will be aiming to beat my p.b which is definitely achievable. This time should rank me around the top 15 in the UK......here's to another injury free season!! The commonwealth games qualifying time is 13.70, if im honest that is outside of my range this season, but hey I'll give it a damn good try!

Sunday 20th Feb 2005
I have felt really tired this week and it was showing in my training, I think racing 4 weekends on the trot and with work being busy and the house move its started to take its toll a little so I decided not to run the Loughborough meeting this weekend. Im going to have a rest week while I move house, then compete on March 6th at Windsor open meeting, hopefully then I will be fresh. That will be the last indoor race (and opportunity to go sub 8!) before I get into prep for the outdoor season beginning at the beginning of May.

Sunday 13th Feb 2005
Well you didn't see me on TV but im still smiling. I came joint 3rd in my heat in 8.13 which qualified me for the semis, then I ran 8.19 in the semi and came 6th which wasn't good enough for the final. But I thoroughly enjoyed the whole day, it was great to be back at the top level, its such a buzz. I saw some faces and chatted to people I hadn't seen in 2 or 3 years. I still feel I can break my p.b of 8.08 and I am still hungry to run sub 8, but soon will be time to knock the indoor season on the head and get into some hard training for the outdoor season. (Probably Mar-May)
I really flew out of the blocks in my semi-final, and I was up there with all of them (apart from Allan Scott who ran 7.59 in my semi!!!) and by hurdle 3 I was still in contention, but I lost concentration for a split second, stumbled and lost all my momentum. That was going to be the sub 8. But I have possibly 2 races left this season, Loughborough open meet on this coming Sat then Windsor open on March 6th. One huge positive is that I am still injury free and for that I am grateful. That is half the battle as an athlete, staying injury free. It feels good to be back. For the record I am now ranked 12th in the UK, it will take me 7.96 to get in the top ten....

Thursday, February 10, 2005
Well its the last update before I head up to Sheffield, I have had a good training session tonight, I am positive and really up for this now, its all in my own hands. I wont think what the other hurdlers will be doing, just focus on my lane.
I have got a new pair of spikes as my others started splitting. I tried them tonight and they are like slippers, superb. Check them out on the pictures page. Lets hope I can christen them with a personal best!!! If you see me in the final on BBC on Saturday, you'll see the biggest smile in the UK!!

Saturday, February 5, 2005
Well I was more knocking on the door of 9 seconds today, truly one to forget, 8.65 in the 60mh hurdles coming 5th or 6th and 4th in the 60m sprint in round about 7.30 I didn't hang around for the time! I have learnt some valuable lessons from today. I made a lot of 'schoolboy' errors.
Being late to the venue, hence having to rush my warm up for the hurdles. I could have injured myself and another lesson. I should always run hard out of the blocks, even if I think it is a false start. I didn't attack the first hurdle setting me up for a poor run. I also felt quite tired, its been a busy old week at work and also I am moving house in a few weeks so that has been hard work sorting stuff out. Its the AAA's national indoor champs/European trials next Saturday, which will be on BBC1 or 2 they usually air the final live on telly, but it will take me sub eight to make the final. I need to refocus and get on the ball again for this one, as this is what I have been training for. I can't be too harsh on myself as im not a full time athlete and I only train 3 or 4 days a week for a couple of hours depending on work commitments, im competing at the level where people train more or less full time, so I have to keep things in perspective. My indoor season has been going more or less perfectly apart from today, so I will take the lessons learnt and put this one behind me. Hopefully see you on Saturday!!.....You can be sure I will be up for this one!

Thursday, February 3, 2005
I think I have just had one of the best sessions I have ever done, my hurdles drills were sharp and my blocks to hurdles one and two were spot on, im not sure what is in store on Saturday in Birmingham, but I am definitely in shape and I intend on knocking on the door of 8 secs...

Sunday, January 30, 2005

Not too bad today, didn't quite hit my targets but im still consistent. In my heat I ran 8.28 for the 60mh, wasn't a great run, it felt like I was just going through the motions. Then in the final I had a terrible start, I was in third by the time we got to the 1st hurdle. But I kept plugging away and was getting stronger towards the end, the winner ran 7.98 and I ran 8.11. Not bad with a poor start, so I am going to now really work on the starts in training this week and next. With a good start, I think I could crack my p.b of 8.08 or even get near the 8 seconds mark. Next stop Birmingham for the Midland open on Saturday. I will be looking for quicker than 8.11 there. All those early shifts last week must have taken their toll because I feel exhausted. Late shifts this week, so at least a few lie ins. Onto Birmingham this Saturday then under 2 weeks its the big one, the AAA's champs and European trials in Sheffield. Oh yeah, im now 10th in the UK rankings, really am hanging on for dear life!!

Tuesday, January 25, 2005

Well the Arsenal shirt must have worked!! I was representing England and won in 8.11, (which eerily is exactly my target time for that race!!!!) with a slightly sluggish start. I felt good in the warm up and was hoping for a new p.b, but I was only 0.03 seconds out.
Here are the results:
http://www.athletics-results.co.uk/Jeff_White_Indoor_220105.pdf
My best mate John with his friends and brother and my mate Kris, all were screaming when they announced my name before the race. That gave me a nice lift.

Also the company I work for Energis are looking into giving me sponsorship and help out with accommodation and travel costs. That would be great. I will be able to worry a little less about the financials and get on with the training.
Well next destination is Sutton, just outside London on Sunday for an open meeting. There will be some quick hurdlers running so I'll be looking for a fast time. Im still 8th in the UK rankings, hanging onto that top ten for dear life!! Speak soon. Stoddy.

Friday, January 21, 2005
Well its the night before, and im a little bit nervous! Im really up for this, I was in bed with a virus on Wednesday so haven't trained since Tuesday night, but im ready. Lets see what tomorrow brings eh? My p.b was at Cardiff a few years back, 8.08secs......Good nights kip (provided I don't get called out to work!!) and im letting fly! Im gonna wear my Arsenal shirt tomorrow too, it hasn't been too lucky for Arsenal recently, so lets hope it brings me some!!!

Sunday, January 16, 2005
Well another week gone, and all is going well, had a max weight session on Tuesday gone and I did 100kg clean, 95kg bench and 290kg leg press. Considering I haven't done a great deal of weights this winter (the focus has been more on getting conditioned) I am happy with those marks. The hurdles squad in Chelmsford yesterday went well and I felt really sharp, managed to get some block work done which was good and I am still niggle and injury free. I have been confirmed as running as a guest this Saturday in the ENG vs. WAL vs. IRE meeting in Cardiff, this will be my first 'real' test as I will probably be running against a few sub 8 hurdlers. The UK rankings are out now (link below) and im placed 6th at the moment, but as more hurdlers come out to play, it could change, although im going to fight all the way to remain in the top ten by the end of the indoor season!

Sunday, January 9, 2005
Well its been a busy weekend. I won the South of England indoor champs yesterday, heat time was 8.36 and final time was 8.20, so all in all a good days work. Medal to show for it as well!
Had a really good run today, ran an equal p.b for 60 sprint 7.23 then ran 8.14 for the hurdles! So everything on track for that sub 8 clocking in Feb. Its late on Sunday now and im tired, start work at 7.30 so catcha soon.

Latest competition schedule Compschedule2005

Thursday, January 5, 2005
Well its the new year, the new indoor season is round the corner and im still injury free!!!
Christmas flew by and healthy eating went out of the window. I didn't get a great deal of training done in the last 2 weeks of the year, but hopefully I have done enough previous to keep me going.
1st race of the season this weekend and im feeling good, felt really sharp in training on Tuesday morning and looking forward to getting in them blocks on Saturday in the heats of the South of England championships. I will get some pictures taken whilst im up there and maybe a video of the race if I can get it up here.
I can feel the nerves creeping in a little bit, more anticipation than anything, unsure of how im going to do, I always get a bit nervous/excited a few days before a race. But I will channel that energy into competing.....

Wednesday, December 8, 2004
Here is my planned meeting calendar for the coming indoor season.....
Compschedule

Sunday, December 5, 2004
Well, I have just sealed the envelope of my first entry form for the 2005 indoor season. The south of England Championships on Sat 8th January in Bedford. It feels great.
Unfortunately I was out for a week with the flu a week or two back, but apart from that training has been coming along nicely, I wish I could say the same for the form of my team Arsenal :o( ..........Its all good, we'll be back and we're gonna spank Chelski next week......

The hurdles academies I went to in Stoke and Chelmsford, were really helpful, and I got some really good tips from some of the best coaches in the country (Lloyd Cowan and Nick Dakin who both coach Olympic athletes).
I have had to scrap the idea of going warm weather training in January as funds for Christmas aren't as good as thought. But its all good.

The weights training is going well and I am injury free touch wood. I am really starting to focus on the hurdling technique now, some tips I got from the hurdles academy's is helping with that. I have an idea of what races I am running now and what times I aim to run. I have been slack on the pictures so I will get that digital camera going ASAP. I will also be posting a competition plan for the indoor season up here very soon.

I have to give a little mention for my Mp3 player..... there has been some occasions when I have thought bugger this, I could be chillin at home, but my tunes have kept me going!!! Im really looking forward to competing now and providing I stay injury free, I am looking to open the season with 8.19 or lower at the South of England champs. That would be a good start.
Thanks for reading and chat soon.
Stoddy.

Saturday, November 6, 2004
Training has been going really well as I have (touch wood) been injury free. The training I have been doing since the beginning of Sept is starting to show now. I have missed a session or two, but going to Highbury to watch Arsenal in the champions league had to be done!
I had a really hard training session on Thursday just gone (50m - 300m in 50ms increments then back down to 50m from 300 every run is walk back recovery, so no rest) They call it the pyramid session. I might as well have run up a pyramid! Here are the scores on the doors.....

50m in 9secs - 100m in 14 secs - 150m in 24 secs - 200m in 31 secs - 250m in 40 secs - 300m in 55 secs - 250m in 41 secs - 200m in 34 secs - 150m in 23 secs - 100m in 14 secs - 50m in 8 secs. All with walk back recovery, and ran in trainers.

Looking to the future, I have managed to get into a hurdles training academy up in Stoke in a few weeks, these are run by national coaches, so I should be able to pick up some good tips. Also the fixture list for the indoor season has been unveiled on the UK athletics website, so I can start planning what races I will run between Jan-Mar. Fixture list to follow shortly.

Also I am planning (money permitting) to go warm weather training in Tenerife in the second week of January for 1 week to prepare for the indoor season, get some quality work done out there and come back fresh and ready to go. A few of the guys that I occasionally train with down the track would be going too, so at least I would be going out with a group.

So now for the next phase of training over the next 6 weeks, where we I will be concentrating on speed endurance and building up the weights. We'll chat again soon.