It was the European Champs race walk trials, so I knew all I had to do was finish in the top 2 Brit positions. I finished 5th overall but managed to finish 1st Brit.
It was a gruelling race, with the wind and temperature picking up as the race went on. The course had a subtle climb but it was the slight decline which gave me some back pains which caused me to slow. Thankfully it was nothing serious and am in full flow of training since an easy week of training after the race.
So now I have two European Champs qualifying times and have won the trial, which makes it inevitable I will be picked for the champs in Zurich in August. This will be my first major Championships since the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Exciting!
Watching the European Team champs was brilliant to get me back in the mood after two weeks of recovery from the problems suffered in the 20k in York.
I really enjoyed watching Greg Rutherford jump (in his Nike PJ’s) and the lads in the 4x100m relay. Kilty and Gemili started and anchored well, it got a little sticky in the middle but a great win for the guys.
Relay is a funded event, which it should be, the lads need to train together often to get the change overs perfected. Sometimes it feels like there is a psychological hurdle when it comes to British relays teams, like there is with the England football team taking penalties.
I’ve never been sure if the relay should be a separate funded event, surely anyone running in the relay should be of a certain quality that they are already on individual lottery funding? Just a thought.
Having said that, the group of sprinters we have are really showing some amazing potential and it rightfully should be a highlight of our team’s performance at championships.
For me personally struggling with a bit of lull in my season isn’t easy at such an important time of the season. Getting some strong training weeks in now is key to a great performance in Zurich.
Training over the last few days has felt like I’ve turned a point. I’m feeling more like myself and topped it off with a strong 20k this weekend.
The other night was spent relaxing and watching one of my favourite movies ‘We’re the Millers’, brilliant comedy. Another strong couple of weeks of training needs to follow and I’m feeling right up to smashing it! Watching movies is one of my favourite ways of forgetting about training and just chillaxing!
Next week is the European Champs trials in Birmingham where the other athletic events will be decided and trial winners will earn their place in the GB Team for Zurich.
Race walkers are included by racing a 5k on the Sunday morning. It is always an awesome race. Twice in the last 3 years has the British record been broken here, once in 2011, I broke it. It’s time I went out and got my 5k BR back!
For now I hope England’s early exit from the world cup isn’t too much of a downer, I can promise you that the athletics team will perform to a much higher standard this summer! Well, I’ll do my best at least.
My next blog will be sent from the top of a mountain at the British Athletics pre camp in France. 3 weeks of altitude training will help me peak again this season in Zurich!
#TomWalksFast
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