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!