Friday 20 April 2012

The Season Has Begun

Amazingly, it’s only April and I have had three races already. I say races, maybe competitions is a better choice of word.

On 1 April I entered the Nottingham Open. Nottingham is my least favourite track, as it is always windy, but wanted to get a race in before an official IPC one, which would count for Paralympic selection. Anyway, it was probably a good idea that I did this, as the guide rope slipped out of my hand, not once, but twice! So I didn’t post any times, which was frustrating at the time. I made sure that the guide rope was made considerably smaller so it doesn’t happen again. Now it is a bit too tight, squashing my fingers every time I wear it, but I’m satisfied that it will at least stay on my hand!

14 April was my first opportunity this year to qualify for the London 2012 Paralympics at the CP Sport Grand Prix in Grantham. The weather wasn’t the warmest and slight panic ensued when the starting blocks needed to be built from scratch in time for the race, but I was ready to smash it nonetheless. Unfortunately, when the gun went off I immediately drove out my blocks to the right and found myself running in a zig zag down the track, which obviously is the wrong way to try and run a fast time. I knew immediately that I hadn’t run well and the time came out as 15.35secs with an illegal wind, meaning even if I did run well the time would have been invalid for Paralympic selection. Last year I was averaging around 15.2, 15.3secs for 100m, but the amount of training I have been putting in I didn’t expect to see the 15sec mark again. I decided to pull out of the 200m and save myself for a race the next day.

On 15 April I did the Charnwood Open at my local track. It was much more relaxing warming up indoors and in a familiar surrounding. Despite reacting poorly off of the gun and technically feeling messy, as for some reason I doubted my ability to go with the pace my guide runner was setting, I ran a legal PB of 14.96secs. This still leaves me 0.16secs shy of the Paralympic B standard, but I know I am definitely capable of getting it in the next race. Besides I should be happy that I have run a PB so early in the season, I usually don’t manage one until August and don’t start competing until May!

My next race is in Gateshead and historically without fail I have run PBs in both my 100m and 200m every time I have competed there. So it’s looking good for Sunday 29 April!

Run for your life, you’ll get there in time!

Friday 13 April 2012

Music Madness

I have been meaning to update this blog for the past couple of weeks, but have been busy with either assignment writing or training. Since I last wrote I have seen JLS in concert, Legally Blonde the Musical and Steps in concert.

27 March JLS:
This was the second time I had gone to watch the boys in concert and they did not disappoint. Singing all of their hits, along with a hint of Usher, I found myself dancing most of the night. What made the show even better, not necessarily for me, as I obviously can’t see, but they entered the arena in the middle, so everyone could get a good view. After that they walked through the crowd to the main stage. Most artists would then remain on the main stage, but the boys travelled across the arena back to the middle stage via a triangle flying thing, ensuring that everyone who had paid to come and see them got their money’s worth. Again not necessarily good for me, but our seats were directly opposite the middle stage, so an ideal spot.

2 April Legally Blonde:
I quite liked the film Legally Blonde when I watched it years ago, but wasn’t expecting the musical to be amazing. I was pleasantly surprised, as the songs were catchy, lively and sang to the highest standard. The show was funny and a musical I would definitely recommend going to see.

11 April Steps:
Admittedly I didn’t see the band perform the first time around and wasn’t the biggest fan although I liked their songs. When my school friends said they were all up for going, I thought I might as well join them for a bit of 90s pop cheese. The show was pretty good, but found that they did stay in the 90s mostly, excluding H having the opportunity to have a male dancer, that would have never happened ten years ago. They sang all of their classics and each member did a solo performance. It was all very cheesy as expected, but a good night out.

My next concert will be McFly on Sunday and my next musical Avenue Q next month. I do enjoy going to concerts and musicals!

You only get one shot, so make it count, you might never get this moment again!