Holy shit! Phewwww. I've finally taken down the 28year old 20km race walk record that I've been hunting for the last few seasons. I knew when I would finally do it, I'd do it with some style and bypass it on my way to a big step up in 20km performance... I did just that.
But first I had the British Indoor Championships back in Sheffield to contend first, and had to defend my title from 2015. It was the end of February and after another massive block of training through February I felt tired and ready to move onto the outdoor season as I aproached the indoor champs. Stepping down a distance from Bratilsava where I set the 5km British record, this time competing over the 3km distance at the British indoors. I knew it was going to be rapid, after setting the British record for that distance back in January. What I achieved, however, was a big surprise to me.
The Friday before I helped to launch the championships with a few other athletes. A big complement to where race walking is currently, to be included in such media events. So a big thanks goes to British Athletics!
As I set off I went straight onto 11:00min pace. After 100m I was comfortable, when to my shock, 19 year old Callum Wilkinson tore past me and second placed athlete Cameron Corbishley.
By the end of the second lap I had my lead back and settled back down after Callum was unable to hold any where near the pace he set off at.
I cleared the first k in around 3:41, and the next was also just under 3:41. All going to plan I pushed on through the last kilometre. I picked up 1 red card in the final laps, however, did not see I had it until after the race. I strolled the last 1000m in 3:37, and smashed my own British 3km record by 17seconds!!!
Finishing with 10:58, a world lead and of course my signature dance as I crossed the line.
In the final few laps the three men (two I mentioned earlier) all received the maximum of 3 red cards from the judges and were all Disqualified meaning I ended up winning the race by a much further distance than I should have. Nearly 3minutes on 2nd place. This shows just how brutal race walking can be, and if you have a bad day, you may not finish the race.
You can see all my adventures before during and after the British indoor championships on my YouTube Channel, "Tom Walks TV". Make sure you like and subscribe! http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3NIjCE5xAQlet5Jfw2LdOHT3ZIqizyRT
My season moved swiftly on after the British indoor championships. I was setting quite a challenge to my self to see how long I could keep up my win and record streak for in 2016.
The next challenge was to be the England 10km race walk championships in Coventry which I had to pull out from before the race due to illness. So my attention turned to 20km, Finally!
This was the one I'd been waiting for, 20km is the Olympic Distance and the one every one wants to impress early over. I would be once again representing England Athletics in the great New Balance strip.
The race we were attending was the 35th annual IAAF race walk challenge in Dudince, Slovakia. I am very fond of Slovakia after this years win in Bratilsava, so I hoped it would bring me good luck once again.
A large England team attended, joined by a couple of senior women representing Wales. Bethan Davies and Heather Lewis.
The terrible trio of Guy Thomas, Callum Wilkinson and Cameron Corbishely made up the England Boys 10km team, and Dominic King was wearing the England vest in the 50km which also doubled up as the British Athletics Olympic 50km Trial! So a top two finish for Dominic would see him confirm an automatic place on Team GB in Rio as he already had the qualifying time. I was the sole 20km representative for England.
The morning saw a mixed bunch of results, with Dominic crossing the line 32nd overall, but importantly first British man and so confirmed his place on the GB team this summer in the 50km walk! Horay!!
In the junior boys 10km, Callum Wilkinson backed up his win in Coventry with a win over a small, but strong, international field in 41:36. Both Guy Thomas and Cameron Corbishley were on for big times but again saw the red paddle from the chief judge and were Disqualfied as they were at the indoors. A lot of talent on offer but progression on technique is needed to move on for them. Knowing them well, I have no doubt they will put the hard work in on the training ground and come back stronger.
It was then time for the men's and women's 20km. Finally! I was so nervous as I wanted to keep my 100% win and record going. Will it be 4 from 4?
After sitting at the back of the lead pack for the first 4km I made a risky move and took the lead, over taking some big names that usually I wouldn't dare over take. After this winters progression I felt unstoppable and over the next few k pulled about a 10 second gap at 10km, clocking 39:58. I knew this was a very fast first half and thought I must take it one lap (kilometre) at a time. It could either all fall to pieces now or I could come back with a massive performance. How much did I truly want this?
I gritted my teeth and pushed, I gave every ounce of strength, I slowed a tiny bit over the next few laps but pulled it back over the last 5km to take victory and destroy the previous 20km British record by 82 seconds, it had stood since 1988!!! Not only did I set the record but I took yet another victory! I love Slovakia!
The most exciting thing, I still have lots to work on, so can only get faster!
Watch my highlights from Dudince on my YouTube channel... https://youtu.be/0sqK_HWlcg8
I received so many messages so thank you all for sending them! Means so much!
So moving on from this big breakthrough and an epic first 3months competing in my 2016 season, it takes me to some downtime with my partner and his family for the Easter break, before cracking on with another week of training.
A few days before Easter, I had the pleasure of walking with Jeff Stelling as he walked 10 marathons in 10days for Prostate Cancer UK, a charity very close to my heart. As he finished off day two I joined him for the last few miles of his mammoth second day journey. We finished up in Elland Road, Leeds United Football ground.
I also bumped into a few other famous faces of Football...
In this time, the news broke that the head coach of the Russian Race Walking school received a life ban for his involvement and mostly leadership of the doping scandals involved with Russian Race walking for many many years!
Many of his athletes have been given bans in the past and still competed in Russian champs, despite being on bans. This continued discraceful behaviour, but failing to deceive the IAAF and their international rivals has eventually, after investigations and then re investigations led to many Russian athletes being stripped of Olympic and World medals leading to some great athletes, role models and it's an honour to say friends of mine have been rightly awarded medals.
Ireland received a Bronze Olympic and World Gold, as well as Jared Tallent was finally awarded his Gold medal from the 2012 Olympics in the 50km walk.
He was one of the main athletes who spearheaded the campaign to the IAAF to investigate and bring down those involved in the years of doping in Russian race walking and as we have seen, throughout all of Russian Athletics.
This was news we have all longed for, justice was done.
So this brings us up to date, and almost into April! Next week I head out to the Czech Republic to compete over 20km at the EAA Race walking permit meet in Podebrady. Where I hope to back up my 20km performance from last week.
Remember to follow me on Twitter and use #TomWalksFast to keep up to date with how I get on in this race and the rest of my season!
Hope you had a lovely Easter and get walking, it's good for you after all and a great way to stay fit!
#tomwalksfast
www.tombosworth.com
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