Just a brief update on how things are going with me now that summer is drawing to a close and the dark nights and chilly autumn days are approaching…
As mentioned in my last blog, my track season finished after the World Championships. I have just come back from a prolonged break cross training in the pool and working hard on the bike before I progress back into my full running programme. No plans on becoming a tri-athlete but I definitely feel like I am working like one at the moment!
The Cross Country season soon begins, which means my emphasis in training changes from working on faster, more intense sessions to bigger mileage, slightly less intense training sessions across a variety of different terrains.
Some athletes are primarily track athletes’ who don’t race over the winter but I am a slightly different animal as I am an endurance athlete with plenty of opportunities to race on the roads and over cross country. Some people ask me which season I prefer – I always say it is very difficult to have an out an out favourite as they are both different in many ways.
When asked what the differences are I would say ‘one is green and one is red’. When training for the track I am pushing my body against the watch – trying to run a faster time, I am pushing my body for distance to get around a certain distance as quickly as possible and finally to race head to head against eleven other athletes, whereas throughout the cross country season, I am pushing my body against natural elements such as the wind, the rain, running through the mud or up hills and through puddles.
It is so exhilarating being in the outdoors exploring new running routes in woodlands and I love nothing better than getting up first thing in the morning, (more than likely before the rest of the world is awake) and running with the crisp air biting against my skin. It is always my perfect start to my day as I use it for thinking space and plan how I am going to take on the everyday stresses that life throws at you.
My main targets for cross country pre Christmas will be to win a medal at the European Cross Country Championships in Dublin in December and to compete in the McCain Cross Country Challenge series to help me become a stronger athlete ahead of the track season next year.
Whilst athletics is the most dominant part of my life, on Monday I am starting back into my third year studies at St Mary’s University College. I am really excited about new challenges ahead and getting my head down in the library working on my dissertation! The ‘D’ word is a scary prospect but one that I am sure (despite the stress and money spent on coffee to keep me awake at unearthly hours of the night) will aid my understanding of a specific area in Strength and Conditioning Science! I also have a work placement to look forward to which will put me out in the big wide world to face reality that I am not going to be a student forever! Unless I decide to do a masters, and then maybe a PhD…
Well as usual I have waffled on again! So I had better say Ciao for now and I will write again soon! : )
Steph
Xx LONDON 2012 xX
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Hello, Guten Tag everyone!
Since writing last month’s blog, the most important bit of news I have to share with you is that I gained selection to compete at the World Athletic Championships in Berlin! It was wonderful to be selected for my second major Senior Championships as it has enabled me to gain more valuable experience competing against the best athletes in the World.
I recently returned from the Berlin the Championships are underway, they began Saturday 15th September although I did not arrive from Portugal until Sunday evening. I would have preferred to arrive a little earlier than this as it would have enabled me more time to familiarise myself with the stadium and the warm up track, it all felt a bit rushed before my race. The heats of the 1500m were Tuesday 18th and I was seeded in the 3rd heat and should have qualified into the next round.
Unfortunately my race didn’t go to plan, I finished very disappointedly in 10th place and I did not qualify through to the semi-final. It meant instead of the expected week of active competition, I have had to resign myself to watching the other girls racing tonight for a place in Sundays final. I would love to be running in that first semi-final!!!
It is difficult to find the exact answers as to why I did not race to the best of my ability but as an athlete you need to accept the rough times as well as the smooth. I felt heading into the holding camp I was in the shape of my life. Having just run a new personal best of 4:03.48 in Monaco and fully justifying my selection I knew that going to Berlin I would be ready to compete against the best in the World.
UK Athletics (my national governing body) organised the holding camp prior to these Championships in Portugal. As lovely as it may sound, having to train in the hot sun was just not right for me. Unfortunately a few of my training sessions were compromised simply because running in such dry heat (it reached 36 degrees) prevented my body from being able to recover quickly enough. I felt I suffered more in Portugal than I would have if I had been training back home in my normal training environment with my own training partners. With a lack of shade at the track in Monte Gordo my core body temperature rose rapidly during training and despite my cooling strategy my heart rate was much more elevated than normal and didn’t lower quickly enough during recovery. I also had some bad headaches, something I have never had before and because of the heat simply trying to get a decent night’s sleep was uncomfortable. Due to these latter symptoms I saw our team doctor who informed me I may have had a low grade viral infection. My temperature and heart rate was up just before heading into Berlin but probably due to my tapering down strategy (reduced volume of training prior to a major competition). With plenty of rest and recovery I had much more energy available compared to normal, so my body had been able to fight the infection more effectively.
The last few days have definitely been an emotional time for me, my coach and my family and friends. Not progressing any further in the Championships is difficult to except, especially when you watch your familiar competitors progress through the rounds. I didn’t expect to become a tourist, as much as I have enjoyed sightseeing around Berlin, my true aspirations whilst here lay in being in the 1500m World Championships Final!
My coach Mick and I will come away from Berlin in the knowledge that I will train to become a stronger and better athlete, we both have the confidence that we will learn from this and use it to our advantage in the future.
Onwards and upwards, I will continue to put my best foot forward and I will use the experience I have gained from these Championships to get it right for next time.
Steph
Xx LONDON 2012 xX
Since writing last month’s blog, the most important bit of news I have to share with you is that I gained selection to compete at the World Athletic Championships in Berlin! It was wonderful to be selected for my second major Senior Championships as it has enabled me to gain more valuable experience competing against the best athletes in the World.
I recently returned from the Berlin the Championships are underway, they began Saturday 15th September although I did not arrive from Portugal until Sunday evening. I would have preferred to arrive a little earlier than this as it would have enabled me more time to familiarise myself with the stadium and the warm up track, it all felt a bit rushed before my race. The heats of the 1500m were Tuesday 18th and I was seeded in the 3rd heat and should have qualified into the next round.
Unfortunately my race didn’t go to plan, I finished very disappointedly in 10th place and I did not qualify through to the semi-final. It meant instead of the expected week of active competition, I have had to resign myself to watching the other girls racing tonight for a place in Sundays final. I would love to be running in that first semi-final!!!
It is difficult to find the exact answers as to why I did not race to the best of my ability but as an athlete you need to accept the rough times as well as the smooth. I felt heading into the holding camp I was in the shape of my life. Having just run a new personal best of 4:03.48 in Monaco and fully justifying my selection I knew that going to Berlin I would be ready to compete against the best in the World.
UK Athletics (my national governing body) organised the holding camp prior to these Championships in Portugal. As lovely as it may sound, having to train in the hot sun was just not right for me. Unfortunately a few of my training sessions were compromised simply because running in such dry heat (it reached 36 degrees) prevented my body from being able to recover quickly enough. I felt I suffered more in Portugal than I would have if I had been training back home in my normal training environment with my own training partners. With a lack of shade at the track in Monte Gordo my core body temperature rose rapidly during training and despite my cooling strategy my heart rate was much more elevated than normal and didn’t lower quickly enough during recovery. I also had some bad headaches, something I have never had before and because of the heat simply trying to get a decent night’s sleep was uncomfortable. Due to these latter symptoms I saw our team doctor who informed me I may have had a low grade viral infection. My temperature and heart rate was up just before heading into Berlin but probably due to my tapering down strategy (reduced volume of training prior to a major competition). With plenty of rest and recovery I had much more energy available compared to normal, so my body had been able to fight the infection more effectively.
The last few days have definitely been an emotional time for me, my coach and my family and friends. Not progressing any further in the Championships is difficult to except, especially when you watch your familiar competitors progress through the rounds. I didn’t expect to become a tourist, as much as I have enjoyed sightseeing around Berlin, my true aspirations whilst here lay in being in the 1500m World Championships Final!
My coach Mick and I will come away from Berlin in the knowledge that I will train to become a stronger and better athlete, we both have the confidence that we will learn from this and use it to our advantage in the future.
Onwards and upwards, I will continue to put my best foot forward and I will use the experience I have gained from these Championships to get it right for next time.
Steph
Xx LONDON 2012 xX
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Just a brief update to let you know how I have been getting on…
Hi Everyone,
Just a brief update to let you know how I have been getting on…
I competed at the Aviva World Trials two weeks ago, coming 2nd and narrowly missing winning the race by just 0.4seconds.
I was disappointed not to have won the race as this would have secured my place on the Team for the World Championships in Berlin, however I was really pleased with the way I ran as I love Championship races and I ran my own race with intent to win.
I qualified for the final comfortably and going into the race I knew who my competition would be. When the gun went, the first lap was exceptionally slow. Instinctively I knew that this would make the race a tactical one compared to a race that would be run fast from the start.
Having discussed my race strategy with my coach Mick Woods, a lap and a half into the race I moved myself up the field. With 900 metres until the finish, I took the initiative to take the lead and I increased the pace quite significantly by running a 62 second lap compared to the 71 second first lap! I felt exceptionally strong and I was not afraid to front run the race on my own as I knew I needed to control my own destiny.
I continued to hit the last 300 metres hard however being at the front made me more of a target for the girls behind who were working together. With 90 metres to the finish I was overtaken by the eventual winner, Charlene, however I responded well with 50 metres to go and I ran strongly all the way to the line which secured my World Trial’s silver medal.
The team selection for Berlin still hasn’t been announced yet. The announcement will be made on Monday after the Aviva Grand Prix event at Crystal Palace this weekend.
I will be competing there on Saturday, in the 1500m at 15.31! A very precise time I know, but this is for the sake of the BBC’s television coverage. I am racing against a really good domestic field as well as Rowbury and Willard from America.
I am very excited to race as there will be a pace maker which will help me run a fast time. As we are approaching the World Championships, athletes are posting fast times and Crystal Palace is a great place to compete as there is always a fantastic crowd which really cheer you on so this will hopefully give me an advantage over my international opposition.
Training has gone well and I even fitted in a little extra on Wednesday when I went to Trafalgar Square to support the McCain Track and Field road show. I was joined by other McCain Ambassadors including Emma Pallant, Marilyn Okoro, Perri Shakes-Drayton inside what best could be described as a huge ‘inflatable athletics spaceship’! Inside the ‘tardis’ (which almost covered the entire square) were different zones which gave people the opportunity to try out different athletic disciplines including sprinting, throwing, jumping and reaction time tests to see the publics hidden athletic ability. Advice was on offer from local athletic coaches and it was a great day where I met lots of people and I saw lots of competitive characters who have the potential to go on and be athletes themselves! There was a real buzz about the whole day and it was great to talk to so many people, excited about the Olympic Games coming to London.
It was also a really satisfying day, not only because many of the people I spoke to either already enjoyed sport but some were considering joining their local athletics club. I know what joining my local athletics club has meant to me, so I really hope I may see some familiar faces in the future!
Now that I have finished this blog, I am going to be shouting at the telly all night, cheering on athletes competing at Crystal Palace and then I will start to unwind ready for my race tomorrow by reading my book (still One Day by David Nicholls) and by listening to some music.
I am ready to race well so hopefully the next time I write to you I will have secured my place on the team heading to the World Championships!
Wish me luck and I will write to you again soon!
Stephanie
Xx LONDON 2012 xX
Just a brief update to let you know how I have been getting on…
I competed at the Aviva World Trials two weeks ago, coming 2nd and narrowly missing winning the race by just 0.4seconds.
I was disappointed not to have won the race as this would have secured my place on the Team for the World Championships in Berlin, however I was really pleased with the way I ran as I love Championship races and I ran my own race with intent to win.
I qualified for the final comfortably and going into the race I knew who my competition would be. When the gun went, the first lap was exceptionally slow. Instinctively I knew that this would make the race a tactical one compared to a race that would be run fast from the start.
Having discussed my race strategy with my coach Mick Woods, a lap and a half into the race I moved myself up the field. With 900 metres until the finish, I took the initiative to take the lead and I increased the pace quite significantly by running a 62 second lap compared to the 71 second first lap! I felt exceptionally strong and I was not afraid to front run the race on my own as I knew I needed to control my own destiny.
I continued to hit the last 300 metres hard however being at the front made me more of a target for the girls behind who were working together. With 90 metres to the finish I was overtaken by the eventual winner, Charlene, however I responded well with 50 metres to go and I ran strongly all the way to the line which secured my World Trial’s silver medal.
The team selection for Berlin still hasn’t been announced yet. The announcement will be made on Monday after the Aviva Grand Prix event at Crystal Palace this weekend.
I will be competing there on Saturday, in the 1500m at 15.31! A very precise time I know, but this is for the sake of the BBC’s television coverage. I am racing against a really good domestic field as well as Rowbury and Willard from America.
I am very excited to race as there will be a pace maker which will help me run a fast time. As we are approaching the World Championships, athletes are posting fast times and Crystal Palace is a great place to compete as there is always a fantastic crowd which really cheer you on so this will hopefully give me an advantage over my international opposition.
Training has gone well and I even fitted in a little extra on Wednesday when I went to Trafalgar Square to support the McCain Track and Field road show. I was joined by other McCain Ambassadors including Emma Pallant, Marilyn Okoro, Perri Shakes-Drayton inside what best could be described as a huge ‘inflatable athletics spaceship’! Inside the ‘tardis’ (which almost covered the entire square) were different zones which gave people the opportunity to try out different athletic disciplines including sprinting, throwing, jumping and reaction time tests to see the publics hidden athletic ability. Advice was on offer from local athletic coaches and it was a great day where I met lots of people and I saw lots of competitive characters who have the potential to go on and be athletes themselves! There was a real buzz about the whole day and it was great to talk to so many people, excited about the Olympic Games coming to London.
It was also a really satisfying day, not only because many of the people I spoke to either already enjoyed sport but some were considering joining their local athletics club. I know what joining my local athletics club has meant to me, so I really hope I may see some familiar faces in the future!
Now that I have finished this blog, I am going to be shouting at the telly all night, cheering on athletes competing at Crystal Palace and then I will start to unwind ready for my race tomorrow by reading my book (still One Day by David Nicholls) and by listening to some music.
I am ready to race well so hopefully the next time I write to you I will have secured my place on the team heading to the World Championships!
Wish me luck and I will write to you again soon!
Stephanie
Xx LONDON 2012 xX
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Hi Everyone!
Since writing to you last month, I have had a brilliant opportunity to get a big block of training under my belt. About three and a half weeks ago, I finished my second year studies at St Mary’s University College in Twickenham and now with my free time, I have been able to focus all of my energy into being a full-time athlete! Wahoo!
The luxury of not having to commute to St Mary’s to get to lectures from my home town of Farnborough at unearthly hours in the morning has been a blessing. With a bit more time on my hands, I now have better time management to enable me to get more rest in the form of afternoon naps after my training sessions which also helps me recover quicker and feel ready for my next training session.
Since my last race in Warsaw, my only competition has been at the European Team Championships which were held in the picturesque town of Leira in Portugal.
Some of you may have seen the event as it was broadcast on the BBC. It is quite a prestigious event where 12 of the top European Countries compete against one another and athletes respectively score points for their country based on their finishing positions.
I competed for Team GB in the 3000m, an event which is not an official Olympic distance but is a great distance that combines speed from a 1500m runner as well as the speed endurance from a 5000m runner.
I finished 4th in my race against some hot opposition and picked up some valuable points for the team. Overall, Great Britain came third in the competition behind Russia and the eventual winners Germany, which was rewarding for all of Team GB to celebrate everyone’s performances together.
I was not totally satisfied with my race, as a new format was introduced for this year ‘Devil Take The Hindmost’, which only effected the distances over 3000m and 5000m. Unlike a typical race, where every athlete starts on the start line and crosses the finish line, the new format meant that the athlete occupying last position in the race with 5 laps, 4 laps and 3 laps to go had to drop out of the race!
Whilst the intention of employing this format was to encourage the race to go off at a faster pace from the gun and to add interest for the spectators, it was a very different race to the ones I am used to. Huge surges in pace before elimination swept the field of athletes together as athletes near last position would sprint to try to get to the front. This only served to encourage aggressive tactics, with elbows flying everywhere and lots of tripping over one another. I was lucky enough to not get too involved in this disaster zone but I felt the change in pace didn’t help me run to my strength I like to run a more even paced race and wind up towards the finish. Running economically has always helped me to run a fast time.
As mentioned in my last blog, I am racing in the Aviva World Trials over 1500m this weekend. I am really looking forward to the challenge and making the team for Berlin. My heat is not until 21.35 tomorrow evening which is very close to my bed-time so tomorrow I will spend most of the day relaxing by listening to my music and reading my book which is called ‘One day’ by David Nicholls. The final is on Saturday at 17.07 and before my race I will ensure I will have a coffee and talk tactics with my coach Mick Woods.
Once again, wish me luck and I will keep you updated.
Hopefully there will be some celebrations after the weekend!
Enjoy your weekend too!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Stephanie Twell
Xx LONDON 2012 xX
Wow! What an amazing last nine days I have just had.
Having just flown back from Warsaw where I competed in an International 1500 metres against World Class opposition, I have just set a new PB (a personal best time) of 4:03.62! The significance of this time is that I have just ran a World Championship A qualifying time that will hopefully help me get selected to represent Great Britain at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin at the end of this summer in August. How exciting!!
Having just stepped out of the Junior age group and after having competed in my first Olympic Games in Beijing, I can’t stop smiling, as at this very moment in time I am currently ranked 8th quickest in the WORLD over 1500 metres! I am soooo happy!
The cheek ache I am experiencing from smiling so much all began Friday 29th May when I competed in my first fast 5000 metres on the track since 2007. Here I also set a new PB of 15:18.44, a huge step up from my previous personal best of 15:47! Not only was this hugely rewarding for my coach (Mick Woods) and I, but I also won the race by 7 seconds. It felt so awesome crossing the finish line in first place and this enhanced my excitement about racing again on Wednesday night, 3rd June.
Although I see myself as more of an endurance runner, on Wednesday I competed in an 800m at the ever so familiar track of St Mary’s University College (where I study). 800m = two laps of the track. For someone who is very happy to run 12 and a half laps, the 800 metres can be a deadly two laps of pain, you often see athletes swimming in lactic acid all the way to the finishing line! Certainly the case if you get your pace judgement wrong! I don’t get the chance to run 800 metres very often but they are vitally important in helping me to run quick over 1500 metres. They are particularly essential to help me develop the ability to finish fast at the end of a 1500 metre race when things really start to heat up!
I raced in front of lots of friends and some family, and this helped me go on to win this race! Although I came close to swimming at the end of the race, rather than effortlessly running to the end of the line in the same way Usain Bolt could, I set another PB, which gave me added confidence to know I could go and run quick over 1500m on Sunday!
Although I am in the swing of racing and training ready to prepare for the World Championship Trial race and World Championships themselves, even just reading and writing this first blog myself, I have probably not just had an amazing last nine days but possibly the best last nine days of my life!
Here’s to much more cheek ache in the future. In athletics you take the highs and the lows, you learn from them and move on. I sure am on cloud nine at the moment but I know there is much higher places to go yet and now I need to get my head down, continue to train hard, stay injury free and get ready for a fantastic summer season ahead.
One box ticked. Moving on to the next one; qualifying for the Berlin World Championships in August. The trials are being held at Birmingham on 10th to 12th July.
Wish me luck, and I will keep you updated!
Ciao for now,
Stephanie Twell
Xx LONDON 2012 xX
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