Sunday's British Athletics Championships couldn't have gone much better... well unless I had dipped across the line and walked 18:59!!
As is often the case with shorter races in my season, we do not taper down training for them. So often I go into these races fatigued. Sunday's 5k was the same as usual, so I planned to secure the win and try and get as close to my PB and the old National 5k record I set at these championships last year.
So I set off at National record pace and just hoped I could hold it. I found the going pretty easy and had to check my watch to make sure I was actually going the speed I thought and the track clock was actually correct... which it was! By 4k my legs were starting to scream at me, but I knew I had only a couple of laps to go, and was on for the record, but only just.
I thought to my self this pain will only be worth it if I get a PB and these last two laps will fly by, now stop thinking about it and just go for it! I moved from 5th to 6th gear, walking my last kilometre in 3:38!! Smashing my PB and old record by nearly 16 seconds! I couldn't believe it, but I more couldn't believe I walked 19:00, not 18:59! #Plonker!
It was an awesome experience, as per usual the Birmingham crowd got right behind me and dragged me through those last few tough laps. I really can't thank them enough! I have had such wonderful messages on social media. Thank you all!
Meeting some of you afterwards was awesome too...
I work hard each and every day in training, making my technique as smooth and reliable as I can. All those long hours in the winter are worth it for days like these and I love moving the event forward with performances like Sunday's, Race Walking even got on the BBC, and was part of the 6 Top Performances package! Watch here... BBC Top 6 Performances
THANK YOU BBC!!! All the media coverage really means so much to me.
I also hit 1,000 twitter followers over the weekend! So a big thank you to every one who is following my journey to the World championships in Beijing and beyond. And if you're not already, (shame!) follow me now! @TomBosworth
Now as I've crossed the line I have started to celebrate in quite an iconic way... all in the name of sport! To get you all talking about race walking, I tend to do a celebratory dance! It worked, because after the race thats all I was asked about was the dancing!! So I hope you all enjoyed it, because I love winning, setting records and inspiring! It's why I do athletics.
Photo credit: Adrian Royle
I am dedicating this race to my fantastic support team and more importantly to my coach of the last 6years who has battled with me right by my side through the victory's and the defeats of sport. I can't Thank my coach Andi Drake enough for his time and dedication, this National Record's for you Andi!
I've now smashed the 5k and 10k British record, as well as setting a British Best for the 1mile road, race walk, in a time of 6:01 just four days before the 5k! I feel in fabulous form and can't wait to make every one proud again in China at Worlds, where if conditions allow it I don't see why I can't put in a PB performance and challenge the best in the World!
2015 really is the year of the Race Walk! Make sure you keep up to date by liking my face book page or by visiting my website TomBosworth.com
My next blog will come from somewhere in Japan before flying into Beijing for the World Championships. Please keep supporting me in my athletic adventures, I love hearing from every single one of you!
Thanks for reading.
#TomWalksFast
