Friday 26th February 2010

BRITISH javelin record-holder Goldie Sayers in her latest blog on her official web-site talks about the problems of training in the snow and how the high performance indoor centre at Loughborough University has come to her aid, plus her enjoyment of watching the Vancouver Winter Olympics on TV.

The 27-year-old Loughborough University graduate reflects on her winter so far:

“It has been a very hectic start to the new year but very productive at the same time. I am busily trying to prepare for the European Winter Throws in Arles (South of France) on the 20th of March. However, the snow keeps on getting in the way! I was supposed to be throwing today (22nd February), but it has been constantly snowing all morning! I have never had a more disrupted winter training from the weather!!! It just means that we have to be very creative with the training program and open to change.




“Training has gone very well over the winter and especially in South Africa which was a fantastic trip and great environment for training. I have lifted a few PB’s in the gym which is always nice. My back has been stiff but is very manageable with quality treatment and I have been throwing well, especially in the sun that is always beneficial for loosening muscles. I should be on for a great season as well as a good first competition in Arles as long as my preparation isn't too hampered by extreme weather.




“Thank heavens for the indoor throwing net at Loughborough! With the plummeting temperatures and snow on the ground it has been really useful. I have got a feeling that my coach and I will be using the indoor throwing facilities quite a bit over the Christmas holiday period if the snow hangs around. I can cope with wind and rain whilst throwing but snow and ice are a little tricky!

As magical as Christmas was, it can sometimes pose a challenging time of year for athletes as local sport facilities (understandably) tend to close for the holiday period. In order to keep training and stay fit I sometimes find myself having to be quite creative to locate open training venues. I do give myself some time off though, and enjoy a hearty meal in front of a warm fire on Christmas day. I figure, I get one rest day a week, I might as well shift it around so that day falls on Christmas!”

“I hope you have been enjoying the Winter Olympics... I am a big fan of the Ski Cross, it's mad!”

www.goldiesayers.com/

Friday 26th February 2010

LOUGHBOROUGH Students claimed overall victory at the annual Varsity Indoor Match held at Birmingham’s NIA featuring teams from Birmingham, Brunel, Bath and UWIC on Thursday (25th February).

World 400m junior bronze medallist Meghan Beesley’s double sprint victories over 60m and 200m earned the African Violets second place in the women’s competition to Brunel. Rachel Stringer ran an indoor best for 400m in finishing third in 56.88

The Loughborough men’s team claimed victory over Brunel spearheaded by solid performances in the field events as Rob Mohan (shot), Matt Burton (long jump) and Max Eaves (pole vault) all claimed fine individual victories - a combined result that was good enough to earn Loughborough the overall win.
Full Results:
Mens 800m Race A
Green-Ben-Loughborough (Guest)--1--1:51.01
Smith-Chris-Birmingham University--2--1:52.08
Constanti-Nico-UWIC--3--1:52.29
Cameron-Stuart-Loughborough Students--4--1:52.96
Bates-Nick-Brunel University--5--1:54.52
Emery-Matt-Team Bath--6--1:59.70
Mens 800m Race B
Hodges-Rob-Loughborough Students--1--1:54.79
De Camps-Rich-Birmingham University--2--1:55.74
Haslett-Mike-UWIC--3--1:58.76
Hepworth-Chris-Brunel University----DQ
Mens 200m Race A
Byrne-Harvey-Brunel University--1--21.73
Stott-Luke-Loughborough Students--2--22.03
Hornblow-Jono-UWIC--3--22.11
Vickery-Jamie-Birmingham University--4--22.96
Browne-Phil-Team Bath--5--23.14
Mens 200m Race B
Robinson-Bryon-Brunel University--1--22.13
Vernon-Sean-Loughborough Students--2--22.83
Allen-Ross-UWIC--3--23.10
Pemberton-Hill-Josh-Team Bath--4--23.78
Alexander-Jermaine-Birmingham University--5--DNS
Mens 200m Guest
Buckeridge-Sean-Bath (Guest)--1--22.51
Wright-Andre-Brunel (Guest)--2--22.69
Threadgold -Matt-Loughborugh (Guest)--3--23.13
Evans-Tim-Bath (Guest)--4--23.20
Knight-Ollie-Loughborugh (Guest)--5--23.29
Mens 400m Race A
Ryan-Billy-Loughborough Students--1--48.48
Bray-Iain-UWIC--2--49.00
Morgan-Peter-Team Bath--3--50.31
Abladey-Joshua-Brunel University--4--52.07
Iliffe-Mike-Birmingham University--5--53.40
Mens 400m Race B
Pobishan-Andrei-Loughborough Students--1--51.37
McCabe-Callam-UWIC--2--52.31
Stubbings-Chris-Brunel University--3--53.32
Mens 400m Guest
Eccles-James-Loughborough (Guest)--1--52.65
Boskovic-Simon-Loughborough (Guest)--2--54.35
Mens 60m Hurdles Race A
Nomoto-Hideki-Japan --1--8.05
Feeney-David-Loughborough Students--2--8.19
Hylton-Joseph-Team Bath--3--8.23
George-Matthew-Brunel University--4--8.36
Walters-Dafydd-UWIC--5--8.87
Sweeney-Mike-Birmingham University--6--8.97
Mens 60m Hurdles Race B
Wakeford-Chris-Team Bath--1--8.34
Holden-Michael-Loughborough Students--2--8.51
Bryant-Ashley-Brunel University--3--8.57
Barnard-Stephen-Brunel (Guest)--4--8.71
Knight-Ollie-Loughborough (Guest)--5--8.84
Mens 60m Race A
Kibirige-Joseph-Team Bath--1--6.86
Clarke-Kristian-Brunel University--2--7.06
Aliu-Yusuf-Loughborough Students--3--7.08
Adeniran-Julian-Birmingham University--4--7.15
Hornblow-Jono-UWIC--5--7.16
Mens 60m Race B
Wright-Andre-Brunel University--1--7.07
Buckeridge-Sean-Team Bath--2--7.09
Mohammed-Adam-Loughborough Students--3--7.11
Alexander-Jermaine-Birmingham University--4--7.22
Warwicker-Phil-UWIC--5--7.43
Mens 60m Guest A
Vernon-Sean-Loughborough (Guest)--1--7.03
Harvey-Bryne-Brunel (Guest)--2--7.06
Porter-Bill-Loughborough (Guest)--3--7.15
Hodge-Marcel-Loughborough (Guest)--4--7.27
Pemberton-Hill-Josh-Bath (Guest)--5--7.54
Mens 60m Guest B
Feeney-David-Loughborough (Guest)--1--7.07
Stott-Luke-Loughborough (Guest)--2--7.23
Browne-Phil-Bath (Guest)--3--7.28
Oladinni-Abayomi-Loughborough (Guest)--4--7.34
Mens 1500m Combined
Carter-Chris-Birmingham University--1--3:53.91
Hodges-Rob-Loughborough Students--2--3:54.99
Sullivan-Matt-Loughborough Students--3--3:57.36
Flannery-Kieran-Loughborough (Guest)--4--3:58.42
Salter-Mike-Birmingham University--5--4:03.11
Stainsby-Adam-Brunel University--6--4:06.31
Cameron-Stuart-Loughborough (Guest)--7--4:09.98
Smith-James-Team Bath--8--4:24.09
Hepworth-Chris-Brunel University--9--4:26.98
Marley-Tom-UWIC----DNS
Mens 4 x 200m Relay
0-0-Brunel University--1--1:28.13
0-0-Team Bath--2--1:28.21
0-0-Loughborough Students--3--1:29.31
0-0-UWIC--4--1:29.56
0-0-Birmingham University--5--1:31.19
Shot Put
Mohan-Robert-Lboro Students--1A--15.70
Morse-Brett-UWIC--2A--15.44
George-Matthew-Brunel University--3A--13.15
Lancaster-Joe-Brunel University--1B--12.72
Ufodiama-Chiedu-Birmingham Uni--4A--11.12
Constantinou-Jonathan-Lboro Students--2B--10.23
Wakeford-Chris-Team Bath--5A--9.78
Reed-Mike-UWIC--3B--7.76
Long Jump
Burton-Matt-Lboro Students--1A--7.67
Okolo-Nonso-Brunel University--2A--7.14
Groocock-James-Team Bath--3A--6.96
Groh-Reiner-Team Bath--1B--6.93
Pickup-Bradley-Lboro Students--2B--6.85
Williams-Adam-UWIC--4A--6.37
Sweeney-Mike-Birmingham Uni--5A--6.28
Bryant-Ashley-Brunel University--3B--6.26
Warwicker-Phil-UWIC--4B--6.19
Vickery-Jamie-Birmingham Uni--5B--5.98
Pole Vault
Eaves-Max-Lboro Students--1A--5.37
Gregory-Ben-Lboro (Guest)----5.05
Warensjo-Robert-Lboro Students--1B--4.80
Cruchley-Nick-Birmingham Uni--2A--4.80
Ryszard-Buk-B'ham (Guest)----4.65
Holden-Michael-Lboro (Guest)----4.65
Reed-Mike-UWIC--3A--4.50
George-Matthew-Brunel University--4A--4.35
Murray-Jon-UWIC--2B--4.35
Sweeney-Mike-Birmingham Uni--3B--4.20
Bryant-Ashley-Brunel University--4B--4.20
High Jump
Sloane-Matthew-Brunel University--1A--2.05
Dunscombe-Dan-Brunel University--1B--2.00
Robbins-Karl-Birmingham Uni--2A--1.95
Strange-Ally-Lboro Students--3A--1.95
Gore-Cameron-Team Bath--4A--1.90
Sithole-Romeo-Lboro Students--2B--1.85
Brown-Mark-Team Bath--2B--1.85
Davis-Phillips-Antoni-UWIC--5A--1.85
Long-Lewis-Birmingham Uni--4B--1.75
Triple Jump
Fox-Nathan-Brunel University--1A--15.42
Stange-Ally-Lboro Students--2A--14.16
Williams-Adam-UWIC--3A--13.42
Gregory-Ben-Lboro Students--1B--13.21
Brown-Mark-Team Bath--4A--12.68
Sloane-Matthew-Brunel University--2B--12.29
Haslett-Mike-UWIC--3B--12.08
Team:
1 Loughborough 156.5
2 Brunel 133pts
3 UWIC 88pts
4 Team Bath 80.5pts
5 Birmingham 76pts
Womens 800m Race A
Leonard-Alison-Birmingham University--1--2:04.76
Anderson-Chloe-UWIC--2--2:10.47
Wilkins-Sophie-Loughborough Students--3--2:12.55
Snowden-Kat-Team Bath--4--2:21.92
Jeanes-Hannah-Brunel University--5--2:30.55
Womens 800m Race B
Treacy-Sara-Birmingham University--1--2:15.19
Neewton-Anna-Brunel University--2--2:20.72
Nuttall-Rebecca-UWIC--3--2:38.21
Womens 200m Race A
Beesley-Meghan-Loughborough Students--1--24.09
Williams-Rebecca-Birmingham University--2--25.11
Malster-Georgina-Brunel University--3--25.19
Murray-Kim-Team Bath--4--25.70
Turnbull-Bryony-UWIC--5--25.80
Womens 200m Race B
Adams-Sarah-Loughborough Students--1--24.26
Godsell-Amy-Brunel University--2--24.84
Peters-Emma-UWIC--3--26.06
Ferguson-Lucy-Team Bath--4--26.40
Waters-Helen-Birmingham University--5--27.61
Women 200m Guest
Wake-Laura-Loughborough (Guest)--1--24.56
Banjo-Susanna-Birmingham (Guest)--2--25.34
Nottingham-Mica-Loughborough (Guest)--4--25.52
James-Felicity-Loughborough (Guest)--3--26.06
Evans-Bethan-UWIC (Guest)--5--27.48
Womens 400m Race A
Pullen-Emma-UWIC--1--54.80
Oskan-Shelayna-Brunel University--2--56.16
Stringer-Rachel-Loughborough Students--3--56.88
Read-Cally-Birmingham University--4--58.10
Sockett-Katie-Team Bath--5--59.77
Womens 400m Race B
Patterson-Jo-Bath (Guest)--1--55.05
Pryke-Harriett-Brunel University--2--55.78
Flower-Katie-Birmingham University--3--55.88
Peters-Emma-UWIC--4--56.64
Lawro-Jess-Birmingham (Guest)--5--59.18
Bailey-Sade-Loughborough Students--6--65.81
Womens 60m Hurdles Race A
Beesley-Meghan-Loughborough Students--1--8.64
Gaynor-Stephanie-Brunel University--2--8.70
Skinner-Sophie-Team Bath--3--8.78
Helsby-Ashley-Faye-UWIC--4--8.82
Kleynhans-Steph-Birmingham University--5--9.66
Women 60m Hurdles Race B
Dewdney-Lauren-Loughborough Students--1--8.78
Bennett-Francesca-Brunel University--2--9.29
Risman-Natasha-Team Bath--3--9.48
Holmes-Vicki-Birmingham University--4--9.57
Lysons-Kate-UWIC--5--9.64
Women 60m Hurdles (Guest)
Weetman-Gemma-Brunel (Guest)--1--8.87
Whalley-Chloe-Loughborough (Guest)--2--8.88
Heckford-Jenny-Loughborough (Guest)--3--9.20
Moore-Sarah-Brunel (Guest)--4--9.93
Shone-Serita-Bath (Guest)--5--DNS
Womens 60m Race A
Adams-Sarah-Loughborough Students--1--7.66
Godsell-Amy-Brunel University--2--7.68
Banjo-Susanna-Birmingham University--3--7.80
George-Zara-UWIC--4--7.90
Risman-Natasha-Team Bath--5--8.01
Womens 60m Race B
Patterson-Jo-Bath (Guest)--1--7.80
Allee-Charlotte-Brunel University--2--7.80
Skinner-Sophie-Bath (Guest)--3--8.03
Nottingham-Mica-Loughborough Students--4--8.05
Ferguson-Lucy-Team Bath--5--8.13
Essam-Alice-UWIC--6--8.35
Stokes-Emma-Birmingham University--7--8.37
Womens 1500m Combined
Miles-Claire-Birmingham University--1--4:52.25
Harrison-Rochelle-Birmingham University--2--4:54.44
Ferguson-Lucy-Team Bath--3--4:56.99
Whitfield-Anna-Brunel University--4--5:01.93
Wilkins-Sophie-Loughborough Students--5--5:06.58
Womens 4 x 200m Relay
0-0-Loughborough Students--1--1:39.74
0-0-Brunel University--2--1:40.52
0-0-UWIC--3--1:42.52
0-0-Team Bath--4--1:42.70
0-0-Birmingham University--5--1:43.32
Womens Long Jump
Weetman-Gemma-Brunel University--1A--6.22
Murray-Kim-Team Bath--2A--5.74
Kleynhans-Steph-Birmingham Uni--3A--5.63
Shone-Serita-Team Bath--1B--5.41
Whiteway-Jo-Lboro Students--4A--5.20
Delahunty-Natalie-Brunel University--4B--5.20
Sealy-Katy-UWIC--5A--4.97
Lysons-Kate-UWIC--2B--4.69
Nikolojeva-Anastasia-Birmingham Uni--3B--4.33
0-0-Lboro Students
High Jump
Hughes-Pamela-Brunel University--1A--1.75
Lowry-Emma-Lboro Students--2A--1.60
Sealy-Katy-UWIC--2A--1.60
Moore-Sarah-Brunel University--1B--1.60
Lysons-Kate-UWIC--2B--1.60
Kruse-Hayley-Birmingham Uni--4A--1.55
Shone-Serita-Team Bath--4B--1.55
Berrington-Charlotte-Birmingham Uni--3B--1.55
Averill-Lucy-Team Bath--5A--1.55
Bailey-Sade-Lboro Students--5B--1.50
Womens Shot
Rose-Charlotte-Lboro Students--1A--12.41
Benson-Sarah-UWIC--2A--11.81
Weetman-Gemma-Brunel University--3A--11.67
Rowland-Jo-Brunel University--1B--10.98
Shone-Serita-Team Bath--4A--10.71
Ashley-Deb-UWIC--2B--10.45
Lowry-Emma-Lboro Students--3B--9.69
Kleynhans-Steph-Birmingham Uni--5A--9.44
Skinner-Sophie-Team Bath--4B--9.20
Thorn-Anna-Birmingham Uni--5B--6.25
Womens Triple Jump
Jones-Rochelle-Brunel University--1A--11.44
Shin-Cat-Team Bath--2A--10.75
Currie-Danielle-Brunel University--1B--10.24
Lowry-Emma-Lboro Students--3A--9.96
Pole Vault
Butterworth-Louise-UWIC (Guest)----4.00
Haywood-Abi-Lboro Students--1A--3.85
Thomas-Rachel-UWIC--2A--3.10
Team:
1 Brunel 130pts
2 Loughborough 118pts
3 UWIC 90pts
4 Birmingham 85pts
5 Team Bath 74pts
Overall:
1 Loughborough 274.5pts
2 Brunel 263pts
3 UWIC 178pts
4 Birmingham 161pts
5 Team Bath 154.5pts

Wednesday 24th February 2010

SKY Sports have confirmed that they will screen a highlights programme of the 2010 BUCS Championships. The event, held in Sheffield and the wider Yorkshire region from the 10th– 14th March, will see 6,000 elite student athletes compete across 26 sports.

The one hour highlights show will be broadcast on 7th April at 19.00 on Sky Sports 3 with further repeats on the same day and 8th April over a combination of Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports 3.

The show will feature a cross-section of sports as well as speak to some of the key performers and well-known faces that will be attending the Championships.

The BUCS Championships will be using some of the best venues the region has to offer including Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane Stadium and the English Institute of Sport, Ponds Forge, Don Valley Stadium and Hillsborough managed by Sheffield International Venues.

www.skysports.com/

Tuesday 23rd February 2010

LOUGHBOROUGH Alumni David Gillick produced the fastest European indoor 400m time since 2008, clocking 45.52 seconds to equal his Irish record at the Aviva Indoor Grand Prix meeting in Birmingham on Saturday (20th February), leaving the Dubliner ready to chase world gold in Doha next month attempting to add a global title to his two European crowns (2005, 2007).

Gillick reflected after his performance in Birmingham: "This confirms my participation in the World Indoor Championships next month,

"I am delighted. I knew I was in good shape, but I wasn't sure exactly how I was going to run. If I had known how fast the race was, I would have dipped to break the national record. Now I can plan ahead with more confidence for the World Championships.”

Heading into his race in Birmingham, the Loughborough-based athlete still had some doubts in his mind after he became ill during the second week of a training trip to South Africa with coach Nick Dakin’s group at the end of January, which curtailed some of his training plans.

The 26-year-old had success at the European Athletics Indoor Championships, winning the 400m title in 2005 and 2007. He was also part of an Irish quartet that won the 4x400m bronze medals at the 2004 World Indoor Championships but individual success at a global event has eluded him so far.

He qualified for the IAAF World Championships 400m final in Berlin last summer and on pre-race form he was a strong contender for a podium place, especially after he reduced his Irish outdoor record of 44.77secs in Madrid six weeks before the event, but he eventually had to settle for the sixth place.

"All through my warm up, I had these uncomfortable cramps owing to the final being delayed by rain. I just said to myself, 'These are not going stop me running,' so I just got on with it," he reflected in Berlin.

"Everything happened so fast, before I knew it, I was coming up the home straight. I'd love to run it again. Bitter sweet memories really, I was delighted to be in the world final, and not a million miles away from a medal. I know I'm not too far away, and I also know how far I have come; sixth in the world, top European."

Gillick goes to Doha, bidding to claim his first global title a quest made a little easier as World number one American sprinter Torrin Lawrence is not expected to be in Doha as the event takes place on the same weekend as the US Collegiate (NCAA) Championships leaving Gillick firm favourite to win gold.

Saturday 20th February 2010

ALEX HAINS dominated the senior men’s race to win the Welsh National Cross Country title held at Swansea’s Singleton Park on Saturday (20th February).

In the bright sunshine with good underfoot conditions, Hains, the 28-year-old Loughborough University graduate representing Cardiff AAC took the lead in the early part of the race and was never really challenged pulling away taking victory ahead of team mate Nathaniel Lane and third placed Rob Samuel (Eryri Harriers).

Current Loughborough student Sian Edwards (Kettering Harriers) claimed a bronze medal in the women’s Under-23 race.

Saturday 20th February 2010

GREAT Britain’s Steve Lewis finished second to Italy's former world champion Giuseppe Gibilisco in the men's Pole Vault competition with a season’s best of 5.65 metres at the special High Jump meeting in Dessau, Germany, on Saturday (20th February).

Lewis claimed the runners-up position on countback to Russia's Dmitry Starodubtsev.

In the women’s event Germany’s European indoor champion Ariane Friedrich returned to form to win with the second best clearance in the world the year with a height of 2.01m.

Full results are available on the following link: http://leichtathletik.de/results/2574_dessau_200210.pdf

Friday 19th February 2010

JEANETTE Kwakye is to attend the BUCS Championships reflecting Nike’s continued support to university sport.

Nike Athlete and British Olympic sprinter, Jeanette Kwakye, will be making an appearance at the 2010 BUCS Championships.

Loughborough University graduate Kwakye, the only European to make the 100m final in Beijing 2008, will be trackside at the BUCS athletics event at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield on Saturday 13th March.

Nike is once again supporting the Championships this year, Bridget Elliot spokesperson for Nike UK said: “At Nike, serving the athlete has always been at the forefront of everything we do. Be it through providing innovative, technical products or supporting development and profile-raising.

“We recognise the significance of participation in sport at all levels, from grassroots through to the pinnacle of international competition, and the universities with BUCS in particular, play a fundamental part in nurturing this performance and development.”

When asked if she thought multi-sport events like the BUCS Championships help athletes prepare for other events, Kwakye said: “If you’re an athlete at any level, any type of competition is preparation for the next. So I believe something as big as the BUCS Championships, for a person who is really wanting to push themselves forward, it’s a fantastic stepping-stone.”

For the third year running the BUCS Championships, 10th–14th March, is being hosted by Sheffield and the surrounding Yorkshire region, with 6,000 elite student athletes competing across 26 sports and utilising many of the first-class sporting facilities in the area.

A further example of Nike’s commitment can be seen in the Nike Selects university ambassador programme that brings together inspirational young women who are passionate about sport and dedicated to introducing others into sport.

Friday 19th February 2010

LOUGHBOROUGH graduate Mel Purkiss finished runner-up to Australia’s Jessica Gulli over the one-lap distance at the All-Comers meeting held at Melbourne’s Olympic Park on Thursday 19th February.

British international Purkiss (Southampton), a Commonwealth relay silver medallist in 2002, clocked a time of 55.77secs as Gulli claimed a home victory in 55:10.

Full results are available on the following link: www.athsvic.org.au/cache/MeetFile/13652All%20Comers%20Meet%20Results.pdf

Tuesday 16th February 2010

LOUGHBOROUGH University graduate Sebastian Coe's rivalry with Steve Ovett in which the two middle-distance runners took turns breaking the world record for the mile in the late 1970s and early '80s is going to be highlighted in a BBC movie.

Based on the book "The Perfect Distance," by Pat Butcher, the movie should be out before the 2012 Olympics in London.

The two British runners had an intense rivalry and between them broke the world mark for the mile five consecutive times.

Ovett beat Coe in the 800 metres at the 1980 Moscow Olympics but Coe won the 1500 gold and went on to retain it four years later in Los Angeles.

Thursday 11th February 2010

ALASDAIR Strange (Shettleston Harriers) improved his own Scottish senior indoor pole vault best by one centimetre with victory at the Scottish National Championships held at Glasgow's Kelvin Hall recording 5.16m with his first attempt.

Loughborough-based Strange, coached by Alan Richardson, the England Athletics National Mentor for Pole Vault and Jumps, progressed to 5.21m having been pushed all the way by former National record holder Richard Hurren (Falkirk Victoria Harriers) who finished second with 5.01m.

“I really wanted it (5.21m),” said Strange, “but I think I got a bit too excited, I just wasn’t connecting at that height, which I did do at 5.16m.”

Tuesday 9th February 2010

WORLD Under-23 triathlon champion Hollie Avil is currently training in Girona, Spain, ahead of the 2010 season below is the latest blog on how she is progressing.

"Eat before you are hungry.
 Drink before you are thirsty.
 Rest before you are tired.
 Cover up before you are cold.
 Peel off before you are hot.
 Don't drink or smoke on tour.
 Never ride just to prove yourself."



Paul de Vivie, aka Velocio 



This was the quote that Ben added onto the end of an email to all our squad in Loughborough a couple of weeks ago. It's been at the back of my mind ever since. The e-mail followed a squad meeting that we had about consistency. 



A happy athlete is a consistent athlete. Maybe that just stands for me, but I know I'm at my happiest when things are ticking over nicely, the way they're planned too and with no interruptions. I think I mentioned, in a blog way back, about the cogs turning over perfectly in the world of Hollie Avil – that’s consistency. 



Ten days after I got back from SA I developed a small niggle in my back. I'd had something similar last April/May. I knew from last year, that the best treatment for this niggle was patience. After our meeting about consistency, I was annoyed with myself for picking up this niggle. A niggle interrupts consistency. I needed to break it down and look at where I went wrong - what exactly was the spanner in the works and how do I avoid it happening again. Maybe it was that one time I didn't stretch after running or the fact I didn't wear enough clothes on a cold night on the track. These are the simple things that help us stay consistent. It really doesn't take much effort to keep on top of the little things. Yet, at the same time, we can often forget about them, and that's the spanner in the works. 



Yesterday I had a conversation with Ben on the phone about how my first week in Spain had gone. Ben isn't out here as Joel is leading the camp. I'd hit every session as planned this week, back to full running and biking, and my back is behaving again! A consistent week. It feels great to kick start those consistency cogs again after the interruption pre-camp. But by looking after my niggle well and by the help of my fantastic physio, Emma Deakin, I really only missed out on one week of quality running. Patience is more of a virtue then we think and I cannot stress that more. 



So the aim for the rest of the two weeks here on camp is to be consistent. Backing up quality session after quality session, resting and recovering well and doing the things that matter. 



I'm going to finish with my favourite quote, it's also what I finished my University personal statement with: 

'It's not the time you put in, it's what you put into the time'.

Adios from sunny Girona! 



Hollie

Tuesday 9th February 2010

SAMSON Oni continued his fine positive start to the indoor season with victory at the Meeting National de Val de Reuil event in France on Saturday 6th February.

Oni, the 28-year-old Loughborough graduate won the high jump competition with a best of 2.28m to take victory ahead of Russian Ivan Illichev (2.26m).

Full results are available on the following link: http://bases.athle.com/asp.net/liste.aspx?frmbase=resultats&frmmode=1&frmespace=0&frmcompetition=057141

Tuesday 9th February 2010

LOUGHBOROUGH graduate Rebecca Peake was one of the star performances as the Sheffield Flames successfully began their quest towards a sixth series title in the opening match of the McCain City Challenge held at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield, on Sunday 7th February

In a highly quality women's shot British Universities champion Peake won the event with a throw nearly a metre further than her closest competitor with a mark of 16.42m as the reigning champions secured a first match victory ahead of London North Lions in second and Manchester Warriors in third.

Loughborough Alumni Rachael Thompson (Liverpool Harriers) set a new indoor best for 1500m of 4:28.63 in finishing second for Manchester Warriors behind Faye Fullerton’s 4:21.72.

Full results are available on the following link: www.thepowerof10.info/resultsfiles/2010/31039_1_07022010230119_McCCC10_M1_ALL.pdf

2010 BUCS Cross Country Championships

University of Stirling

Saturday 6th February 2010

ANDY Vernon and Steph Twell reclaimed their titles in fine style at the 2010 BUCS Cross Country Championships held at the University of Stirling.

With the championships cancelled last year due to heavy snow in Aberdeen the 2008 defending title-holders and pre-race favourites Vernon and Twell lived-up to their billing to secure St Mary’s Twickenham the individual victories on Scottish soil.

Vernon raced away to a 26 second victory ahead of Nick Goolab (Birmingham) and St Mary’s team mate Mitch Goose crossing the line over the 11.1km course in a time of 34mins 32secs as the Twickenham squad won the team title.

Ryan McLeod was the highest placed athlete for Loughborough in 13th place with a time of 36:00 as the scoring team of Sebastian Foy (17th in 36:10), Adam Peers (22nd in 36:20) and Steve Emery (28th in 36:39) claimed a podium place in third.

In the women’s 6.4km race three time junior European champion Twell edged ahead of Loughborough’s Stevie Stockton to claim victory in 22:41.

Stockton’s second place in 22:56 combined with Natalie Gray (23:13) in 5th place and Kirsty Milner (23:26) in 7th position secured the African Violets the team victory.
Leading Results:
Men (11.1km)
1 ANDY VERNON 00:34:32 ST MARY'S
2 NICK GOOLAB 00:34:58 BIRMINGHAM
3 MITCH GOOSE 00:35:11 ST MARY'S
4 BEN LINDSAY 00:35:16 ST MARY'S
5 DAN MULHARE 00:35:17 EDINBURGH NAPIER
6 DEREK HAWKINS 00:35:19 GLASGOW
7 JONATHAN THEWLIS 00:35:24 NOTTINGHAM
8 JAMES WILKINSON 00:35:28 BIRMINGHAM
9 CRAIG HOPKINS 00:35:44 SWANSEA
10 PHILLIP HINCH 00:35:45 WOLVERHAMPTON
Team:
1 ST MARY'S
2 BIRMINGHAM
3 LOUGHBOROUGH
Women (6.4km)
1 STEPH TWELL 00:22:41 ST MARY'S
2 STEVIE STOCKTON 00:22:56 LOUGHBOROUGH
3 CLAIRE HALLISSEY 00:22:59 BRISTOL
4 JO HARVEY 00:23:08 ST MARY'S
5 NATALIE GRAY 00:23:13 LOUGHBOROUGH
6 SARA TREACY 00:23:22 BIRMINGHAM
7 KIRSTY MILNER 00:23:26 LOUGHBOROUGH
8 IMOGEN AINSWORTH 00:23:34 BRISTOL
9 GEORGINA BRUINVELS 00:23:34 BRISTOL
10 REBECCA HOWARTH 00:23:36 DURHAM
Team:
1 LOUGHBOROUGH
2 BRISTOL
3 ST MARY'S

Full results are available on the results page: www.athletics-leics.com/results.html

Saturday 6th February 2010

LOUGHBOROUGH student Harry Aikines-Aryeetey was pushed into third place as European indoor champion Dwain Chambers opened his 2010 indoor season in some style with a 6.58secs clocking to retain the title at the Birmingham Games moving to second on the IAAF world list for this year.

Chambers, the 31-year-old world indoor 60m silver medallist, came home ahead of Mark Lewis-Francis (6.66) and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (6.67) at the National Indoor Arena.

American Mark Jelks who ran 6.56secs in Dusseldorf on Wednesday (4th February) heads the world rankings this year.

Friday 5th February 2010

LOUGHBOROUGH University graduate Paralympic gold medalist Tanni Grey-Thompson is set to become a "people's peer" after a recommendation from the House of Lords Appointments Commission.

Dame Tanni is Britain's most successful paralympian, with 11 Olympic golds for wheelchair racing, as well as seven golds in World Championships.

The Cardiff-born wheelchair racer has set 30 world records in her career.

She will be one of four new non-party-political peers recommended to the Prime Minister by the commission.

The others are Design Council chair and former Whitehall mandarin Sir Michael Bichard, Royal Opera House chief executive and former BBC journalist Tony Hall, and eminent surgeon Professor Ajay Kakkar.

Grey-Thompson was made a Dame of Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2005, adding to the MBE she received in 1993 and the OBE she was awarded in 1999.

Wednesday 3rd February 2010

LOUGHBOROUGH student Elaine O’Neill began her indoor campaign with a solid performance finishing runner-up over 60m at the Vienna International meeting on Tuesday (2nd February).

On the track of the Dusika-Hallen Stadion in the Austrian capital the 20-year-old Welsh international clocked 7.50secs to qualify through to the final where the 2009 AAA indoor silver medallist finished runner-up with a time of 7.49 in the race won by Serbia’s Tanja Mitic (7.39).

In the men’s 1500m Loughborough Alumni Nick Samuels finished 8th in 3:50.39 as Italian Mario Scapini prevailed in 3:43.82.

Loughborough’s Paul Walker claimed a podium place in the pole vault securing third with a height of 5.43m in the competition won on countback by the Greek national indoor record-holder Filippidis Konstandinos (5.53m).
Leading British Results:
Men

60 A: 1 Elijah Winn (E&H) 6.81. B: 3 Jeffrey Lawal-Balogun (Kent) 6.73. h2: 2 Jeffrey Lawal-Balogun (Kent) 6.74; 4 Elijah Winn (E&H) 6.85 

200 r1: 1 Richard Kilty (Gate) 21.59 

400 r1: 1 Nigel Levine (WSEH) 47.70. r4: 2 Tom Druce (CI) 47.72 

800 r3: 1 Ed Aston (C&C) 1:51.37 

1500 r1: 8 Nick Samuels (Sale) 3:50.39 

PV: 3 Paul Walker (Sale) 5.43; 5 Luke Cutts (Dearn H) 5.33; 7 Andrew Marsh (Stoke) 5.13; 8 Max Eaves (NEB) 5.13 

LJ: 2 Greg Rutherford (Mil K) 7.82; 4 Nick Newman (Sale) 7.51; 5 Ezekiel Ewulo (WG&EL) 7.45 

Women

60 A/B: 2 Elaine O'Neill (WG&EL) 7.49; 4 Anike Shand-Whittingham (B&B) 7.61; 2 Elaine O'Neill (WG&EL) 7.50; 5 Anike Shand-Whittingham (B&B) 7.67 

1500: 3 Kerry Harty (WSEH) 4:20.94

PV: 4 Maria Seager (WG&EL) 4.13

LJ: 3 Lorraine Ugen (B&B, U20) 6.03

Full results are available on the following link: www.indoor-classic-vienna.com/ergebnisse2010/ergebnisse.pdf

Wednesday 3rd February 2010

LOUGHBOROUGH student Dani Christmas (Crawley) clocked a season’s best time of 2mins 08.75secs to win the women’s 800m at the London Games held at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre (30th-31st January) as the 22-year-old representing Crawley AC finished ahead of Portsmouth’s Karrie Blake (2:10.09).

Monday 25th January 2010

LOUGHBOROUGH graduate Samson Oni (Belgrave) continued his impressive form with a clearance of 2.28m for fifth place to finish behind European indoor champion Ivan Ukhov of Russia at the 6th Moravia High Jump Tour in Hustopece, going over 2.37m for a new meeting record, world lead and best-ever indoor mark in the Czech Republic.

Ukhov started at 2.20m with a training jump, and continued at 2.28, 2.30 and 2.32 with first-attempt clearances. He then cleared 2.37 before having three unsuccessful attempts at 2.41, going extremely close with the first one.

Another impressive showing came from USA's Dusty Jonas who, despite a tight Achilles, cleared on his third attempt at 2.30.

Italian Alessandro Talotti was third, local hero Jaroslav Baba fourth and Briton Samson Oni fifth, going over 2.28 to achieve the IAAF World Indoor Championships qualifying standard.

Ukrainian Dmytro Demyanyuk after 2.24 passed 2.28 and had very close attempts at 2.30.

The 2003 world champion, Jacques Freitag, returned to the European indoor scene after five years and looked confident with his 2.15 mark.

European indoor gold medallist Ariane Friedrich of Germany said before the competition that she had not tried jumps over the bar in her training so far.

That is why she started carefully with a 1.89 clearance and had another easy one at 1.92. She then cleared 1.95 at her second attempt, earning her the world lead and a win for her.

Friedrich then passed at 1.98 and tried immediately for a meet record of 2.01, with all three attempts going close.

Russian Svetlana Shkolina and Czech Iva Strakova tied for second with 1.92, the Doha worlds standard, and both had good attempts at 1.95.

The 2005 world medallist Chaunte Howard-Lowe of USA also cleared 1.92 - on her second attempt - and also went at 1.95 before finishing fourth.
Leading Results:
Men
1 Ivan Ukhov, RUS 2.37 MR, WL
2 Dusty Jonas, USA 2.30
3 Alessandro Talotti, ITA 2.28
4 Jaroslav Baba, CZE 2.28
5 Samson Oni, GBR 2.28
6 Dmytro Demyanyuk, UKR 2.24
7 Jamie Nieto, USA 2.24
8 Sergey Mudrov, RUS 2.20
9 Jacques Freitag, RSA 2.15
Women
1 Ariane Friedrich, GER 1.95

Thursday 21st January 2010

LOUGHBOROUGH graduate Alex Smith and younger brother Peter were in great early indoor season form by securing the top two positions at the Hull Hammer Squad Invitation meeting on Sunday 17th January.

The duo following in the footsteps of their father Dave, the Commonwealth champion in the discipline back in Edinburgh 1986, claimed the top podium positions at the Costello Stadium as 21-year-old Alex, the reigning Commonwealth Youth Games champion, won the competition with a throw of 68 metres, whilst, sibling Alex set a new indoor lifetime best of 67.58m to take second place.

In fifth place at the age of 47 Dave Smith still showed good form by throwing 48.84m. Former English schools champion James Bedford (Birchfield) was third with 65.36m.
Full Results:
Senior Men
1 Alex Smith (Sale Harriers Manchester/LSAC, U23) 68.00
2 Peter Smith (Birchfield, U23) 67.58 PB
3 James Bedford (Birchfield, U23) 65.36
4 Shane Peacock (Birchfield, Vet45) 54.84
5 Dave Smith (Kingston-upon-Hull AC, Vet45) 48.84