Winter Adventures

Its finally winter and I mean winter!
I am three months into training and in the real heart of winter training. Its cold, windy and wet out, but after the fabulous generosity of so many people last month in my "Talent Backer" campaign, I have a new type of motivation when it comes to training.

So much has changed in the last month, with a big thanks going to Tanya Arnold at BBC Look North for getting my story out there! From this publicity, came some very exciting turn of events.
Back in November I announced a new partnership with 17Management, who will represent me through to 2017. Working with the 17 team will open so many doors that on my own I would never have been able to, and am so excited to work with Ian Byers and the team. They already have got me a ticket to party with some of the biggest names in sport this Sunday at BBC Sports Personality of the Year in Glasgow.
The disappointing news that I would not be on Lottery Funding this coming season hit me hard, as I had hit every target I thought that was required of me. However, after some productive feedback from British Athletics I was able to move on and put all my efforts into winter training. From that news came the successful "Talent Backer" campaign, which brought in 17Management which has led to a Sports Personality of the Year ticket and a brand new website, www.tombosworth.com with more surprises just round the corner. I am so thankful to Ian and the 17 Team for everything so far!
I even have got some cool new Tees from new clothing line High Rise Club to try out, so keep an eye out for me wearing those and let me know what you think!

At the end of the day though, this time of the year is when the hard work in needed and racing is still a long way off. This can mean it can be hard to find motivation. Thanks to all those who donated last month to my "Talent Backer" campaign I have renewed motivation. I am starting to hit some great form in training, except a current small hiccup, of a cold, which is just part of working hard in training (especially when its freezing cold).

I will be tweeting and posting pictures on Instagram this weekend from Sports Personality and my adventure to Glasgow, so keep an eye on my social media.

The recent news "99% of Russian athletes were doping at London 2012" was horrific for athletics, however, not surprising. Race walking has been hindered by doping Russian walkers for over a decade now. This news is terrible for Athletics and I am slightly ashamed. However, I know many athletes who compete clean, train hard and deserve their rewards. I am proud to train and compete off my own physical ability and setting new personal bests is down to my hard work and nothing else!

Another possible concern for athletics, mainly triple jumpers and race walkers along with some swimming events is the news of the IOC changes from the 28 sports at the Olympic Games to 310 events, 10,500 athletes. Come Tokyo 2020, I hope to be there competing and in my prime, but with this news there is a small chance these events mentioned could make way due to the spread of events that could be on show with limited athlete space. Athletics takes up 47 events at the Olympic Games and over 2000 athletes taking part in athletics alone. Historic events such as race walking should not suffer from these rule changes. I say, stand proud IAAF, either we have all of athletics or none at all, there is no negotiation. There can't be an Olympics without Athletics! With sports included in the Olympics with other 'bigger' competitions, it is wrong that other events and sports should suffer. Football have age limitations and the World Cup, so should be the first to go if space is needed. Golf and Tennis also both have other competitions, which their athletes feel are bigger than the Olympic Games. So I hope the IOC do not punish hard working athletes who strive only for Olympic success, by allowing others to compete who have their main aims set away from the Olympics.

Thanks for reading, Its time for one last push before Christmas and new year, before my sights turn to racing in the spring! I can't wait for 2015.

Looking at the Positives

Yorkshire in Autumn/Winter is not always the nicest place to train. But to be honest, where is nice to train in winter in the UK?

Looking at it slightly differently, most of my routes in Leeds are pretty beautiful at the point of year.

I’ve been back at it properly for 3 weeks now, since my rest period after the European Championships. It is quite a struggle to get motivated again, when you’re fitness is down and the next race is months away.

When it’s cold and raining outside and all you want to do is stay in, put a comfy hoodie on and watch a good movie. But you’d achieve little doing that. After all you know your rivals are training hard.

For me, I find comfort and support in the small things. Knowing there’s a warm bed waiting for me to nap in after training. Looking forward to having a glass of wine at the weekend if training’s gone well, and knowing there’s no pressure to perform, yet. It’s all about getting out the front door.

When you make such big steps forward like I have this year, I guess you can do two things at this time of the year. Be happy with what you achieved last season and mellow on, or build on those successes.

However, 12th in Europe just isn’t enough. That’s what makes me work harder than ever before. I’m fitter than I ever have been at this point in the winter.

I’m starting from a much higher platform, so you have to take advantage of this situation. When you run a PB, reward your self, celebrate, then get back at it. You’re then, already, one step ahead.

Why not do the exact same as I did this time last year, it worked out pretty well, you wouldn’t want to fix something that isn’t broken?

Well I’m not. The changes that have been made in comparison to last year’s changes are tiny. I call it adapting. Minute changes are what is needed for me now, quality of my 20+ kilometre walks, getting stronger than before and maintaining the quality for as many weeks through winter as possible.

When I crossed the finishing line in Zurich, my mind went straight to the Beijing World Athletics Champs next summer. What possibly could I do there, after the season I have had?! If I were you I’d watch this space.

Thanks for reading, now is the time to take advantage of all your positives.

#TomWalksFast